Abstract:
Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for tracking surgical items. A sensor reads RFID tags and confirms the type of surgical procedure to be performed on a patient&#39;s body. An allowable zone is determined in the patient&#39;s body that corresponds to the type of surgical procedure to be performed. When movement of a surgical item is detected outside the allowable zone in the patient&#39;s body, then an alarm is triggered to indicate the surgical item is moving towards a zone in the patient&#39;s body in which the surgical item may not be used.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
   The present invention relates generally to the use of radio frequency identification (RFID) devices, and more particularly, to systems and methods used by these devices to support improvements in a surgical system. 
   In a surgical suite it is important to keep track of all equipment used during an operation. Depending on the equipment being used, a typical tracking method involves tracking items via manual counting by operating personnel present in the suite. For example, this manual process could involve counting surgical sponges in and then counting surgical sponges out upon completion of the operation. However, there are downsides to this manual method. Mistakes can be made which can have both a hazardous outcome for the patient and pose a significant financial loss for the responsible institution. Additionally this recount method is time consuming and tedious. Accordingly, other methods have been developed to address this problem. 
   One such method used involves the use of a radiopaque. A radiopaque is a material that can be detected through the use of x-rays. Continuing with the sponge example from above, a radiopaque thread is attached to a sponge. Upon completion of the operation an x-ray device is used to scan the patient. If the x-ray device detects a radiopaque thread, this might mean that a sponge was left inside of the patient. While it is good that the sponge was found before the patient left the hospital, there are still some significant cons to this method. For example, to retrieve the sponge, the patient may need to be re-operated upon. Another potential problem with using a radiopaque thread is that the thread could be disposed behind a bone, which could hide the radiopaque thread from the x-ray device. 
   In addition to tracking surgical items to ensure the safety of the patient, another important aspect of the surgical suite is management of the various medical processes associated with the people and equipment as a whole. Keeping track of equipment, people, surgical tools and disposable materials is a complex job. Therefore an efficient system for managing the whole would be a useful improvement. 
   A basic Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system typically includes an antenna (or equivalent), a transceiver and a transponder. RFID tags are often attached to items for tracking purposes. These RFID devices can come in a wide variety of sizes, and can contain a significant amount of data as desired. RFID tags, when coupled to equipment found in a surgical suite, provide a mechanism for resolving the problems described above and for improving practices in a surgical suite. RFID tags have been disclosed for use in the surgical setting. For example U.S. Pat. No. 7,019,650 B2, the disclosure of which is incorporated here by reference, describes an interrogator, a method of discerning metal and radio frequency identification (RFID) objects, and an interrogation system employing the same. 
   Exemplary embodiments described herein address the need for more efficient systems and methods using RFID devices for both tracking surgical equipment used during surgery and improving the whole surgical suite process using information available from RFID tags and other devices. 
   SUMMARY 
   According to one exemplary embodiment, a system for tracking surgical items includes a plurality of surgical items, wherein each item has an associated RFID tag, a surgical table, wherein the surgical table has a sensor capable of reading the RFID tags associated therewith, a computing device in communication with the sensor, and a database in communication with the computing device, wherein the computing device performs at least one of the following functions based on information received from the sensor and the database: (a) confirming a type of surgical procedure to be performed, (b) determining whether one or more of the plurality of surgical items are located outside of at least one allowable zone, the at least one allowable zone being determined based on a type of surgical procedure to be performed, (c) determining whether the plurality of surgical items include a predetermined set of surgical items associated with the type of surgical procedure to be performed, (d) tracking disposable ones of the plurality of surgical items based upon their usage during the surgical procedure, and (e) compiling billing information associated with usage of the plurality of surgical items during the surgical procedure. 
   According to another exemplary embodiment, a method for tracking a plurality of surgical items includes the steps of providing a plurality of surgical items, wherein each item has an associated RFID tag, interrogating the RFID tags to determine a location and identity of the plurality of surgical items, and performing at least one of the following functions based on information received from the interrogating step: (a) confirming a type of surgical procedure to be performed, (b) determining whether one or more of the plurality of surgical items are located outside of at least one allowable zone, the at least one allowable zone being determined based on the type of surgical procedure to be performed, (c) determining whether the plurality of surgical items include a predetermined set of surgical items associated with the type of surgical procedure to be performed, (d) tracking disposable ones of the plurality of surgical items based upon their usage during the surgical procedure, and (e) compiling billing information associated with usage of the plurality of surgical items during the surgical procedure. 
   According to yet another exemplary embodiment, a system for tracking a plurality of surgical items includes means for interrogating RFID tags to determine a location and identity of a plurality of surgical items, and means for performing at least one of the following functions based on information received from the interrogating means: (a) means for confirming a type of surgical procedure to be performed; (b) means for determining whether one or more of the plurality of surgical items are located outside of at least one allowable zone, the at least one allowable zone being determined based on the type of surgical procedure to be performed, (c) means for determining whether the plurality of surgical items include a predetermined set of surgical items associated with the type of surgical procedure to be performed, (d) means for tracking disposable ones of said plurality of surgical items based upon their usage during the surgical procedure, and (e) means for compiling billing information associated with usage of the plurality of surgical items during the surgical procedure. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present invention, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  depicts a surgical suite according to exemplary embodiments; 
       FIG. 2(   a ) depicts a computing system in communication with a surgical table and an output device according to exemplary embodiments; 
       FIG. 2(   b ) illustrates an allowable zone according to exemplary embodiments; 
       FIG. 3  is a flow chart illustrating an inventory management system according to exemplary embodiments; 
       FIG. 4  is a flow chart illustrating an alert system according to exemplary embodiments; 
       FIG. 5  is a flow chart describing a method for tracking equipment usage according to exemplary embodiments; 
       FIG. 6  is a flow chart describing a billing system according to exemplary embodiments; and 
       FIG. 7  depicts a projected visual indicator which shows the location of a tagged surgical item according to an exemplary embodiment. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in different drawings identify the same or similar elements. Also, the following detailed description does not limit the invention. Instead, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims. 
   Radio frequency identification (RFID) systems typically include a transceiver and one or more transponders (RFID tags). The transceiver emits radio signals to activate the RFID tags and to read/write data to them via an antenna. The transceiver typically has an associated decoder for decoding data received from an RFID tag. The combination of an antenna, transceiver and decoder is sometimes referred to as an “interrogator” in an RFID system. The transponder can be electronically programmed with any desirable information, the constraint being size. In a typical RFID system, the interrogator transmits radio waves (range dependent upon power and frequency). When an RFID tag enters the zone in which the interrogator is transmitting, it detects the decoder&#39;s activation signal. This causes the RFID tag to transmit its data signal back to the interrogator. RFID tags can be active (i.e., have their own power source for generating the data signal) or passive (i.e., use electromagnetic energy induced in the RFID tag by receipt of the activation signal to generate the data signal). The decoder then decodes the data on the RFID tag. This decoded data is then typically transmitted to a computing system that is in communication with the decoder. 
   According to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a surgical table has the ability to query RFID devices that come within its active zone. To provide a comprehensive system which facilitates some of the work flow features described below, it may be useful for all (or substantially all) tools, equipment or materials (collectively referred to herein as “surgical items”) used in the surgical process to have an RFID tag either embedded within the tool, equipment or materials or attached to the tool, equipment or materials. This method of utilizing RFID tags improves the ability to track items in the surgical suite, particularly those items that come close to the patient. An example of a surgical suite according to an exemplary embodiment is described with respect to  FIG. 1 . Therein, surgical table  102  has an attached or embedded sensor  104 , e.g., an interrogator as described above, for interacting with RFID tags. Any item with an RFID tag that crosses boundary  106  towards surgical table  102  is noticed by sensor  104 . For example, upon tray  110  are surgical tools  112 . These surgical tools  112  each have an associated RFID device and, therefore, sensor  104  “knows” where these devices are because these surgical tools  112  are within boundary  106  such that sensor  104  can transmit to, and receive from, the RFID tags associated with each of the surgical tools  112 . Upon tray  114  rest surgical tools  116 . These surgical tools are not “known” by sensor  104  because surgical tools  116  are outside of boundary  106 . However, to the extent that the range of the sensor(s)  104  associated with surgical table  102  is insufficient to encompass the entire area within which the devices, equipment and materials to be used in a particular procedure, additional sensor(s) may be distributed about the suite. Surgical table  102  is also in communication with a computing device  108 . Computing device  108  and surgical table  102  share information relating to the surgery and RFID tagged items. 
   According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a surgical table is in communication with a computing device. This surgical table is equipped with a sensor(s) for reading RFID tags that are attached to surgical equipment. The computing device is programmed with information regarding the upcoming surgery such as type of surgery, location of surgery on the patient, potential tools/equipment to be used during the expected surgery and alarm zones. Exemplary uses of this system will be described with respect to  FIGS. 2(   a ) and  2 ( b ). Initially there is a surgical table  202 , with an attached/embedded sensor  204  for interacting with RFID tags, in communication with computing device  206 . Computing device  206  contains information regarding the upcoming surgery including, for example, patient identification information, identification of the procedure(s) to be performed and identification of the device(s), equipment(s) or material(s) to be used during the procedure. Patient  208  can have an attached RFID tag (not shown) that also describes relevant information, such as the patient&#39;s identification and type of surgery to be performed. This RFID tag (not shown) is queried by sensor  204 . The information gathered by sensor  204  is then communicated to computing device  206 . Computing device  206  then compares the received data to the information it previously received relating to the upcoming surgery. If the information does not match, an alarm could be produced on or by output device  210  warning people in the surgical suite not to proceed with the operation. 
   Assuming that the information matches, certain parameters related to the upcoming operation are created by computing device  206 . For example, assuming that the upcoming operation is an appendix removal, the computing device could identify one or more allowable zones in which certain surgical tools may be used during the appendix removal procedure (or, conversely, zones in which surgical tools may not be used). Referring now to  FIG. 2(   b ), an exemplary allowable zone  212  is depicted with respect to patient  208 . If a doctor were to move a surgical tool outside of zone  212 , towards a foot for example, an alarm would be triggered. This alarm could be audible, visual or both and displayed on or by output device  210  or on the surgical tool itself which has left the allowable zone. Similar to matching a patient  208  with data in computing system  206 , surgical tools (not shown) could be matched to data in computing system  206  and the presence of surgical tools which are inappropriate for use in the surgical procedure which is next to be performed in this particular surgical room or suite can be identified and brought to the attention of medical personnel, e.g., by way of a display  210  attached to computing device  206 . 
   According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention there is a computing system that manages inventories of equipment before, during and after an operation. This computing system is in communication with both the surgical table and at least one output device. This system can work in tandem with the surgical suite described above, where each piece of disposable equipment has an attached RFID tag and the surgical table has a sensor to track RFID tagged equipment that enters its interrogation zone. This exemplary process will be described using the flow chart of  FIG. 3 . Initially a reorder point for a type of disposable item used in an operation is created at step  302 . Prior to beginning the operation, the type of operation is verified and cross checked to ensure that it matches with the next procedure previously programmed into the computer system at step  304 . The surgical operation then begins, and as needed, disposable items such as sponges, are used at step  306 . Each time a disposable item is used, the computing system determines if the remaining inventory of the disposable item is at the reorder point step  308 . If the remaining inventory is above the reorder point nothing occurs (except ongoing inventory tracking). If the remaining inventory is at or below the reorder point, new inventory is automatically ordered at step  310  in the quantity already set up in the computing system. Ordering in this context can refer to local replenishment of this surgical suite from a local storeroom, e.g., in a hospital, to hospital-wide replenishment of the local storeroom, or both. This process is repeated for each type of disposable item used in the surgical process until the operation is complete. 
   According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the specific surgical tools used on a patient during an operation are linked together and stored in a database. Tracking this information can be useful because when a patient is determined to have a certain type of condition, such as a prion disease (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy), any surgical equipment that comes into contact with the patient during a procedure is required to be taken out of service (destroyed). As previously described a computing system is in communication with a surgical table and the surgical table is capable of reading the RFID tag of equipment used in the area. An exemplary method will be described with respect to the flowchart of  FIG. 4 . Initially all surgical equipment has a RFID tag (step  402 ). An operation is performed upon a patient at step  404 . A computing system receives the information regarding the surgical equipment that was used during the operation from the surgical table. Pertinent information, such as information regarding patient, operation, surgical equipment used and date, is linked together and saved in a database at step  406 . Periodically, and prior to using surgical equipment in a new surgery, the system checks to determine if an alert has been entered into the system at step  408 . The alert can be manually entered by a physician or nurse via a computing device or can be automatically generated by the system based upon a surgical procedure being pre-categorized as requiring device, equipment or material destruction. An alert relates to the need to find and remove a set of surgical equipment from use for any reason, such as surgical equipment used upon a patient with a prion disease. If no alert is found, the new operation can begin. If an alert is found, the system determines if the surgical equipment about to be used is linked to the patient associated with the alert at step  410 . If there is no link between the surgical equipment and the patient with the associated alert, the new operation can begin. If there is a link between the surgical equipment and the patient associated with the alert, appropriate personnel are notified and the surgical equipment is removed from service at step  412 . Alternatively, anytime an alert is entered into the system, the system can immediately notify the appropriate personnel to go and remove the identified surgical equipment from service. 
   According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention operational usage of equipment in a surgical suite can be tracked using RFID tags. This accurate method of tracking equipment operational usage will allow for timely maintenance to be performed. A computing system can be provided in the surgical suite that is coupled to a sensor capable of receiving RFID tag information from equipment in the surgical suite. An exemplary method for tracking equipment usage is shown in  FIG. 5  and described below. RFID tags are attached to all (or substantially all) surgical equipment, such as an electrocardiogram machine, in the surgical suite for which the tracking of operating hours is desired at step  502 . Upon powering up a device for use, the device RFID transmits a signal at step  504 . At step  506 , this signal is received by the computing system and a start time is associated with the equipment that generated the RF signal. At step  508 , the device is powered off and another RFID device transmits a signal. This signal is received by the computing system and an end time for the device is generated at step  510 . The computing system then sends the operational time to a database which tracks usage hours by equipment at step  512 . Finally, maintenance requirements are updated as necessary in step  514 . This exemplary method allows equipment usage to be accurately tracked, which in turn allows preventative maintenance to be performed at the times recommended by the equipment manufacturer or others. Additionally, it allows people to not use equipment that has been operating for too long between maintenance periods. According to an alternative embodiment, instead of using RFID tags to transmit separate signals when a device is turned on and when a device is turned off, one RFID tag can be used to transmit continuously while the device is powered up. Upon powering the device down, the RF signal ceases, which is recognized by the computing system allowing the computing system to accurately log how many hours a device has been in an on condition. 
   According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, all equipment and personnel in a surgical suite during an operation can have a unique RFID tag associated with them. Combining this RFID tagging system with a method of checking items being used in and out of the zone of usage provides the ability to count the hours of specific equipment usage for billing purposes. This system is similar to the system described above for tracking equipment operational time for maintenance purposes. An exemplary method for this billing tracking feature is described below with respect to the flowchart in  FIG. 6 . Initially, at step  602  all equipment (including disposable equipment) is equipped with an RFID tag. At step  604 , all people entering the surgical suite have an RFID tag attached to them. These RFID tags are unique and can contain pertinent information for billing, such as, a job function, piece of equipment or a personnel identification/billing rate. Upon the start of the procedure, all people are checked in to the system. Additionally, equipment is checked in to the system when it is used or turned on for use at step  606 . Upon completion of the procedure, at step  608 , the hours for each billable item is sent to a billing station. At step  610 , an accurate bill for the procedure is created based upon the collected hours and the rate for each person, piece of equipment and any other desired billing inputs. 
   According to another exemplary embodiment a surgeon&#39;s preferred tool set can be tracked and readied for an upcoming operation. A surgeon&#39;s preferred tool set can have an RFID tag attached to the container of the preferred tools. Upon entering the surgical suite, both the tool set and the surgeon can check into the system with their respective RFID tags. If the tool set matches the surgeon, the operation can proceed. If the tool set does not match the surgeon, a computing system can query a database to find the location of the tool set. The outcome of the query can be displayed on an output device which then allows for someone to either go and get the desired tool set or have another method of delivery occur. 
   In many of the exemplary embodiments described above, the surgical suite has a computing system and/or a sensor for receiving RFID information. This method of communicating the RFID is only one of many methods possible for capturing the desired information using RFID. Other variations could be used by a person skilled in the art. For example, the use of computing systems, databases, and coupling methods for communicating between devices are well known in the art, as well as many variations of the same, such as, for example wireline or wireless transmission. Additionally, RFID tags can be either passive or active and either method or both can be used in the exemplary embodiments described above with minor manipulation for a person skilled in the art. Moreover, the items which can be tagged with RFID tags according to these exemplary embodiments can include any and all items which may be used in a surgical (or other medical) procedure, e.g., including drugs and medications. Further, systems in accordance with these exemplary embodiments, can be combined with other monitored items or information (such as vital signs), to create a virtual reproduction of a given surgery or other medical procedure, to track all of the items used and their location throughout the surgery event. 
   According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the object location information obtained by the computing device  108  from interrogating the RFID tags in a particular surgical suite can be used to provide feedback to the medical personnel performing a medical procedure therein. For example, a projector (not shown) can be connected to the computing device  108  and attached, e.g., to a ceiling of the surgical suite. The projector can be used to provide a visual indication of the location of a requested object within the surgical suite. For example, if a doctor or nurse wants to know the location of a particular sponge (or all sponges) that are in the surgical suite, an appropriate input can be made to the computing device  108  requesting that the location of that surgical sponge be pinpointed by the projector. The projector can then provide a visual indication of the precise location of that surgical sponge. For example, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the projector (not shown) can project an icon  710  which shows the precise location of a surgical sponge within patient  708  on surgical table  102 . This facilitates the subsequent procedure to remove the sponge. Alternatively, if the requested item or object is not located within the surgical suite, the processor can emit an audible or visual alarm to alert the personnel that a requested object is not found. Inputs and outputs to the computing device  108 , e.g., to request the projector to provide a visual indicator as described above, can be made using, e.g., keyboard data entry or voice inputs. 
   Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the techniques described above in the foregoing exemplary embodiments can be applied in other ways to generate other exemplary embodiments. For example, from a structural point of view, the RFID sensors described above may alternatively (or additionally) be provided within objects other than a surgical table, including (but not limited to) a portable handheld unit (e.g., wand), a container (e.g., trash can), other types of furniture (e.g., desk, chair), other apparatus (e.g., PDA, cellphone, etc.). Additionally, the various functions described above can be implemented separately in both a physical and logical sense. For example, the billing function described above can stand alone with respect to the scanning function, and vice versa. 
   The above-described exemplary embodiments are intended to be illustrative in all respects, rather than restrictive, of the present invention. Thus the present invention is capable of many variations in detailed implementation that can be derived from the description contained herein by a person skilled in the art. All such variations and modifications are considered to be within the scope and spirit of the present invention as defined by the following claims. No element, act, or instruction used in the description of the present application should be construed as critical or essential to the invention unless explicitly described as such. Also, as used herein, the article “a” is intended to include one or more items.