An apparatus (100; 200; 300) to physically couple one or more transponders (138; 238; 338) to a surgical object (190; 290; 390) used in a surgical environment, the apparatus (100; 200; 300) comprising: at least a first clamp (102; 202; 302) comprising a first fastener (104; 204; 304) and a first channel member (106; 206; 306), the first channel member (106; 206; 306) having a first base (108; 208; 308) and a first pair of side portions (110a, 110b; 210a, 210b; 310a, 310b) that extend from the first base (108; 208; 308) and which are opposed to one another across a width of the first channel member (106; 206; 306) to form a first channel (114; 214; 314) therebetween, the width of the first channel (114; 214; 314) sized to receive at least a first portion (192; 292; 392) of a surgical object (190; 290; 390) therein, wherein the first fastener (104; 204; 304) adjustably engages with the first channel member (106; 206; 306) to securingly clamp the first portion (192; 292; 392) of the surgical object (190; 290; 390) in the first channel (114; 214; 314) of the first channel member (106; 206; 306); characterized by comprising a housing (130; 230; 330) that has at least a first cavity (132; 232; 332) that receives at least a portion of the first pair of side portions (110a, 110b; 210a, 210b; 310a, 310b) of the first channel member (106; 206; 306), a first passageway (134; 234; 334) that receives the first fastener (104; 204; 304) and opens at least in part into the first cavity (132; 232; 332) to permit the first fastener (104; 204; 304) to extend at least in part into the first cavity (132; 232; 332) and adjustably engage with the first channel member (106; 206; 306), and a second passageway (136; 236; 336) to receive at least one transponder (138; 238; 338) that wirelessly receives and returns signals. at least a first clamp (102; 202; 302) comprising a first fastener (104; 204; 304) and a first channel member (106; 206; 306), the first channel member (106; 206; 306) having a first base (108; 208; 308) and a first pair of side portions (110a, 110b; 210a, 210b; 310a, 310b) that extend from the first base (108; 208; 308) and which are opposed to one another across a width of the first channel member (106; 206; 306) to form a first channel (114; 214; 314) therebetween, the width of the first channel (114; 214; 314) sized to receive at least a first portion (192; 292; 392) of a surgical object (190; 290; 390) therein, wherein the first fastener (104; 204; 304) adjustably engages with the first channel member (106; 206; 306) to securingly clamp the first portion (192; 292; 392) of the surgical object (190; 290; 390) in the first channel (114; 214; 314) of the first channel member (106; 206; 306); characterized by comprising a housing (130; 230; 330) that has at least a first cavity (132; 232; 332) that receives at least a portion of the first pair of side portions (110a, 110b; 210a, 210b; 310a, 310b) of the first channel member (106; 206; 306), a first passageway (134; 234; 334) that receives the first fastener (104; 204; 304) and opens at least in part into the first cavity (132; 232; 332) to permit the first fastener (104; 204; 304) to extend at least in part into the first cavity (132; 232; 332) and adjustably engage with the first channel member (106; 206; 306), and a second passageway (136; 236; 336) to receive at least one transponder (138; 238; 338) that wirelessly receives and returns signals.