Patent Description:
The present disclosure relates generally to interrogation and detection systems for radio-frequency (RF) ID tags, and more particularly, reducing variability in detection and inventory systems for potentially retained surgical items within surgical sites.

It is often useful to determine whether objects associated with a surgery are present in a patient's body before completion of the surgery. Such objects may take a variety of forms. For example, the objects may take the form of instruments, for instance, scalpels, scissors, forceps, hemostats, and/or clamps. Also, for example, the objects may take the form of related accessories and/or disposable objects, for instance, surgical sponges, gauzes, and/or pads. Failure to locate an object before closing the patient may require additional surgery, and in some instances, may have unintended medical consequences.

Accordingly, there is a need for a technology that is capable of providing both presence detection and tagged surgical item/implement identification functionality in the medical setting, as well as inventory controls of the tagged items/implements. Specifically, detecting the presence of, identifying, and maintaining inventory of tagged surgical items and materials that are used during the execution of a medical procedure. Technologies exist that enable these functions both individually as well as in conjunction with each other, but the methods and packaging of the discrete solutions used are not ideal for the application. More specifically, the components attached or affixed to the items being tracked are either too large physically and present nuisances or obstacles in the execution of the procedure, or the detection and identification performance of the solution may degrade rapidly in the presence of variable and uncontrolled dielectric or conductive materials.

Accordingly, there are needs for improvements in presence detection, tagged item identification, and inventory functionality in the medical setting. Prior art can be found in <CIT>, <CIT>.

This disclosure relates to systems for detection of surgical objects and/or devices used in body cavities during surgery, specifically systems that include an antenna to be inserted directly on top of or over a surgical site to detect such surgical objects and/or devices.

The scope of the invention is defined by the independent claims. In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, an inventory system configured for reducing variability in detecting and counting surgical items includes an RFID tag affixed to a surgical item, a signal generator configured to generate an energizing signal for the RFID tag, an antenna operably coupled to the signal generator, a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a spatial parameter of the antenna when scanning for the RFID tag, a processor, and a memory. The antenna is configured to receive the return signal transmitted by the RFID tag. The RFID tag is configured to transmit a return signal when energized. The memory includes instructions stored thereon, which when executed by the processor cause the system to scan, using the antenna, for the RFID tag, sense, by the sensor, the signal indicative of a spatial parameter of the antenna over a period of time, and provide an indication that the spatial parameter of the antenna over time meets a predetermined rule.

The sensor includes a proximity sensor, a gyro, an accelerometer, a laser sensor, and/or a sensor configured to detect an electronic marker.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the spatial parameter may include a proximity of the antenna to a patient.

The sensor is configured to interpret motion.

The instructions, when exectued by the processor, cause the system to determine if the antenna was moved in a predetermined scanning pattern based on the sensed spatial parameter over the period of time and provide an indication that the antenna was moved in the predetermined scanning pattern based on the determination.

In yet a further aspect of the present disclosure, the instructions, when executed by the processor, may further cause the system to: determine if at least one of a velocity or a speed of motion of the antenna was within a predetermined window based on the sensed spatial parameter over the period of time and provide an indication that the at least one of a velocity or the speed of motion of the antenna was within a predetermined window based on the determination.

In an aspect of the present disclosure, the system may further include a light source configured to project a pattern of visible light on a patient, the pattern configured to indicate a proximity of the antenna to the patient.

In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the system may further include a surgical table, including a runner configured as a mounting point for the antenna, wherein the antenna is slidably disposed on the runner of the surgical table to enable a clinician the ability to slide the antenna a length of the surgical table while scanning for RFID tags.

In a further aspect of the present disclosure, the scanning may be performed for a predetermined period of time.

In yet a further aspect of the present disclosure, the antenna may include at least two coils. The instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the system to determine the spatial parameter of the antenna over a period of time based on the at least two coils.

In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, a computer-implemented method for reducing variability in detecting and counting surgical items, includes scanning, using an antenna, for an RFID tag, wherein the antenna is configured to receive a return signal transmitted by the RFID tag, sensing, by a sensor, a signal indicative of a spatial parameter of an antenna over a period of time, wherein the sensor is configured to generate a signal indicative of a spatial parameter of the antenna when scanning for the RFID tag, and provide an indication that the spatial parameter of the antenna over time meets a predetermined rule.

In an aspect of the present disclosure, the sensor may include at least one of a proximity sensor, a gyro, an accelerometer, a laser sensor, or a sensor configured to detect an electronic marker.

In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the sensor may be further configured to interpret motion.

In a further aspect of the present disclosure, the method may further include determining if the antenna was moved in a predetermined scanning pattern based on the sensed spatial parameter over the period of time and provide an indication that the antenna was moved in the predetermined scanning pattern based on the determination.

In yet a further aspect of the present disclosure, the method may further include determining if at least one of a velocity or a speed of motion of the antenna was within a predetermined window based on the sensed spatial parameter over the period of time and providing an indication that the at least one of a velocity or the speed of motion of the antenna was within a predetermined window based on the determination.

In an aspect of the present disclosure, the method may further include projecting a pattern of visible light on a patient by a light source, the pattern configured to indicate a proximity of the antenna to the patient.

In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, the scanning may be performed for a predetermined period of time.

In yet a further aspect of the present disclosure, the antenna may include at least two coils. The computer-implemented method may further include determining the spatial parameter of the antenna over a period of time based on the at least two coils.

In an aspect of the present disclosure, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium in which is stored instructions for causing a processor to execute a computer-implemented method for reducing variability in detecting and counting surgical items, the method includes scanning, using an antenna, for an RFID tag, wherein the antenna is configured to receive a return signal transmitted by the RFID tag, sensing, by a sensor, a signal indicative of a spatial parameter of an antenna over a period of time, wherein the sensor is configured to generate a signal indicative of a spatial parameter of the antenna when scanning for the RFID tag, and provide an indication that the spatial parameter of the antenna over time meets a predetermined rule.

In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, an inventory system configured for reducing variability in detecting and counting surgical items, includes an RFID tag affixed to a surgical item, a signal generator configured to generate an energizing signal for the RFID tag, a scanning peripheral configured to receive the return signal transmitted by the RFID tag, a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a spatial parameter of the scanning peripheral when scanning for the RFID tag, a processor, and a memory. The RFID tag is configured to transmit a return signal when energized. The memory includes instructions stored thereon, which when executed by the processor cause the system to receive patient data from an electronic medical record (EMR), determine a parameter of a scanning procedure based on the patient data, verify the parameter of the scanning procedure based on the sensor, and provide an indication that the parameter of the scanning procedure was verified.

In an aspect of the present disclosure, the patient data may include a surgical procedure and/or a patient physical characteristic.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the parameter of the scanning procedure may include a scanning pattern, the selection of the scanning peripheral, and/or a power level.

In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the scanning peripheral may include a hand-held first antenna operably coupled to the signal generator and/or a second antenna integrated into a surgical table. In a case where the parameter of the scanning procedure is the selection of the scanning peripheral, the instructions when executed by the processor further cause the system to determine if scanning should be performed based on the hand-held antenna and/or the antenna integrated into a surgical table, based on the patient data, scan, using the determined hand-held antenna and/or the determined second antenna, for the RFID tag, sense, by the sensor, a signal indicative of a spatial parameter of the scanning peripheral over a period of time, determine if the spatial parameter over time meets a predetermined rule, and provide an indication that the spatial parameter over time meets the recommended scanning pattern.

In a further aspect of the present disclosure, in a case where the parameter of the scanning procedure is the scanning pattern, the instructions, when executed by the processor, may further cause the system to recommend the scanning pattern based on the surgical procedure in the EMR and display on a display the recommended scanning pattern.

In yet a further aspect of the present disclosure, the instructions, when executed by the processor, may further cause the system to: scan, using an antenna, for an RFID tag, wherein the antenna is configured to receive a return signal transmitted by the RFID tag; sense, by a sensor, a signal indicative of a spatial parameter of an antenna over a period of time, wherein the sensor is configured to generate a signal indicative of a spatial parameter of the antenna when scanning for the RFID tag; determine if the spatial parameter over time meets the recommended scanning pattern; and provide an indication that the spatial parameter over time meets the recommended scanning pattern.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the system may further include a light source configured to project a pattern of visible light on a patient, the pattern configured to indicate a proximity of the antenna to the patient.

In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the system may further include a surgical table, including a runner configured as a mounting point for the first antenna, wherein the first antenna is slidably disposed on the runner of the surgical table to enable a clinician the ability to slide the first antenna a length of the surgical table while scanning for RFID tags.

In a further aspect of the present disclosure, the sensor may further be configured to interpret motion.

In an aspect of the present disclosure, a computer-implemented method for reducing variability in detecting and counting surgical items, includes receiving patient data from an electronic medical record (EMR), determining a parameter of a scanning procedure based on the patient data, verifying the parameter of the scanning procedure, and providing an indication that the parameter of the scanning procedure was verified.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the patient data may include a surgical procedure and/or a patient physical characteristic.

In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the parameter of the scanning procedure may include at least one of a scanning pattern, a scanning peripheral, and/or a power level.

In a further aspect of the present disclosure, in a case where the parameter of the scanning procedure is the scanning peripheral, the method may further include determining if scanning should be performed based on a first hand-held antenna and/or a second antenna integrated into a surgical table, based on the patient data, scanning, using the determined first antenna and/or the determined second antenna, for an RFID tag, wherein the first antenna and the second antenna are configured to receive a return signal transmitted by the RFID tag, sensing, by a sensor, a signal indicative of a spatial parameter of the first antenna and/or the second antenna over a period of time, wherein the sensor is configured to generate a signal indicative of a spatial parameter of the antenna when scanning for the RFID tag, determining if the spatial parameter over time meets a predetermined rule, and providing an indication that the spatial parameter over time meets the recommended scanning pattern.

In yet a further aspect of the present disclosure, in a case where the parameter of the scanning procedure is the scanning pattern, the method may further include recommending the scanning pattern based on the surgical procedure in the EMR and displaying the recommended scanning pattern on a display.

In an aspect of the present disclosure, the method may further include scanning, using a hand-held first antenna, for an RFID tag, wherein the first antenna is configured to receive a return signal transmitted by the RFID tag, sensing, by a sensor, a signal indicative of a spatial parameter of the first antenna over a period of time, wherein the sensor is configured to generate a signal indicative of a spatial parameter of the first antenna when scanning for the RFID tag, determining if the spatial parameter over time meets the recommended scanning pattern, and providing an indication that the spatial parameter over time meets the recommended scanning pattern.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the sensor may include at least one of a proximity sensor, a gyro, an accelerometer, a laser sensor, or a sensor configured to detect an electronic marker.

In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the spatial parameter may include a proximity of the antenna to a patient.

In yet a further aspect of the present disclosure, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium in which is stored instructions for causing a processor to execute a computer-implemented method for reducing variability in detecting and counting surgical items, the method includes receiving patient data from an electronic medical record, determining a parameter of a scanning procedure based on the patient data, verifying the parameter of the scanning procedure, and providing an indication that the parameter of the scanning procedure was verified.

In the drawings, identical reference numbers identify similar elements or acts. The sizes and relative positions of elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the shapes of various elements and angles are not drawn to scale, and some of these elements are arbitrarily enlarged and positioned to improve drawing legibility. Further, the particular shapes of the elements as drawn are not intended to convey any information regarding the actual shape of the particular elements and have been solely selected for ease of recognition in the drawings.

Various aspects of the presently disclosed antennae, RF tags, and articles containing them are described hereinbelow with reference to the drawings.

In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of disclosed aspects. However, one skilled in the relevant art will recognize that aspects may be practiced without one or more of these specific details or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures associated with transmitters, receivers, or transceivers have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring descriptions of the aspects.

<FIG> depicts a surgical environment "E" in which a clinician <NUM> operates an inventory system <NUM> for detection and counting of radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags to ascertain the presence or absence of items, implements or objects 100a in a patient <NUM>. The inventory system <NUM> may include a signal generator <NUM> and an antenna <NUM> coupled to the signal generator <NUM> by one or more communication paths, for example, coaxial cable <NUM>. In one aspect of the inventory system <NUM>, the antenna <NUM> may take the form of a hand-held wand 110a.

In aspects, the antenna <NUM> may be incorporated in the surgical table <NUM>. The surgical table <NUM> may include a runner <NUM> the length of the surgical table <NUM>. The runner <NUM> is configured as a mounting point for the antenna <NUM>. For example, the antenna <NUM> may be slidably attached to the runner <NUM> of the surgical table <NUM> to enable a clinician <NUM> the ability to slide the antenna <NUM> the length of the surgical table <NUM> while scanning for RFID tags <NUM>.

The object 100a may take a variety of forms, for example, instruments, accessories, and/or disposable objects useful in performing surgical procedures. For instance, the object 100a may take the form of scalpels, scissors, forceps, hemostats, and/or clamps. Also, for example, the objects 100a may take the form of surgical sponges, gauze, and/or padding. The object 100a is tagged, carrying, attached, or otherwise coupled to an RFID tag <NUM>. Aspects of the inventory system <NUM> disclosed herein are particularly suited to operate with one or more RFID tags <NUM>, which are not accurately tuned to a chosen or selected resonant frequency. Consequently, the RFID tags <NUM> do not require high manufacturing tolerances or expensive materials and thus may be inexpensive to manufacture.

In use, the clinician <NUM> may position the wand 110a proximate the patient <NUM> in order to detect the presence or absence of the one or more RFID tags <NUM> and hence an object 100a. The clinician <NUM> may, in some aspects, move the wand 110a along and/or across the body of the patient <NUM>. For a detailed description of an exemplary inventory system, reference may be made to commonly owned <CIT>.

Referring now to <FIG>, inventory system <NUM>, for detection and counting of surgical implements (e.g., object 100a) within a patient's body, includes a signal generator <NUM> to provide an energizing signal for one or more RFID tags <NUM> (<FIG>) affixed to an object 100a (<FIG>). Each RFID tag <NUM> is configured to transmit a return signal when energized, such that an antenna <NUM> can detect the return signal and confirm the presence of objects 100a within the body of patient <NUM>. The antenna <NUM> is operably coupled to the signal generator <NUM> via a communication cable <NUM> which may be of variable length to provide greater range of motion to the clinician handling the antenna <NUM>. The signal generator <NUM> may include a controller <NUM>. It is contemplated that the signal generator <NUM> may wirelessly communicate with the antenna <NUM>.

In one aspect of inventory system <NUM>, the antenna <NUM> is an antenna <NUM> configured to be waved over the surgical site <NUM>, e.g., over the body of patient <NUM>. For example, the antenna <NUM> may be held over the body of the patient <NUM> at the height of about two inches (<FIG>) while attempting to detect RFID tags <NUM> (e.g., first RFID tags <NUM> and/or second RFID tags <NUM>), so that the user may detect the presence of objects 100a within the body of patient <NUM>.

The antenna <NUM> may include a gyro sensor <NUM> (e.g., an angular rate sensor) configured to sense the angular velocity of the antenna <NUM> and/or an accelerometer configured to measure the movement of the antenna <NUM>. For example, the gyro sensor <NUM> and/or the accelerometer <NUM> may be used by the controller <NUM> to interpret motion of the antenna <NUM>. The interpreted motion may be used to verify that specific vertical and horizontal scan patterns are used by a clinician <NUM>, (e.g., a 'W' or 'Z'/'N' pattern). See <FIG> for an example 'W' scanning pattern and <FIG> for an example, 'Z'/'N' scanning pattern. In aspects, the controller <NUM> may determine if either a velocity and/or a speed of the antenna <NUM> exceeds a predetermined minimum or maximum limit (e.g., about <NUM>/s) based on the interpreted motion. In aspects, the controller <NUM> may determine whether or not the antenna <NUM> is properly oriented.

In aspects, the antenna <NUM> may include a proximity sensor <NUM> and or a laser distance sensor <NUM> configured to generate a signal indicating a distance between a patient and the antenna <NUM>. For example, the controller <NUM> may receive the signal indicating the distance between the antenna <NUM> and the patient <NUM> and determine that the antenna <NUM> is too close to the patient <NUM>. In aspects, the controller <NUM> may provide an audio and/or visual indication to aid the clinician <NUM> in using the antenna <NUM>. For example, if the controller <NUM> determines that the antenna <NUM> is too close (or too far) to a patient <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may cause the inventory system <NUM> (<FIG>) to emit a tone, warning the clinician <NUM> that the antenna <NUM> is outside of an optimal scanning distance.

In aspects, the antenna <NUM> may include a light source <NUM> configured to project a visual motif <NUM>, such as a pattern, converging crosshairs, and/or a Medtronic® walking man or other logo (Medtronic, Inc. , Minneapolis, MN). For example, the light source <NUM> may project the visual motif <NUM> on the patient <NUM> and be instructed by the controller <NUM> to use the visual motif <NUM> to visualize "painting" the patient <NUM> or surgical site with the projected light, covering all areas of concern.

In aspects, the controller <NUM> may determine if a scan was performed for a predetermined minimum amount of time, based on a timer. For example, the controller <NUM>, may determine that the antenna <NUM> was scanning for about <NUM> seconds. If the predetermined minimum amount of time is <NUM> seconds, then the controller <NUM> may emit a visual and/audio alert warning the clinician <NUM> that the scan was too short and needs to be longer.

<FIG> illustrates that controller <NUM> includes a processor <NUM> connected to a computer-readable storage medium or a memory <NUM>. The computer-readable storage medium or memory <NUM> may be a volatile type of memory, e.g., RAM, or a non-volatile type of memory, e.g., flash media, disk media, etc. In various aspects of the disclosure, the processor <NUM> may be another type of processor such as, without limitation, a digital signal processor, a microprocessor, an ASIC, a graphics processing unit (GPU), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or a central processing unit (CPU). In certain aspects of the disclosure, network inference may also be accomplished in systems that have weights implemented as memristors, chemically, or other inference calculations, as opposed to processors.

In aspects of the disclosure, the memory <NUM> can be random access memory, readonly memory, magnetic disk memory, solid-state memory, optical disc memory, and/or another type of memory. In some aspects of the disclosure, the memory <NUM> can be separate from the controller <NUM> and can communicate with the processor <NUM> through communication buses of a circuit board and/or through communication cables such as serial ATA cables or other types of cables. The memory <NUM> includes computer-readable instructions that are executable by the processor <NUM> to operate the controller <NUM>. In other aspects of the disclosure, the controller <NUM> may include a network interface <NUM> to communicate with other computers or to a server. A storage device <NUM> may be used for storing data.

Referring to <FIG>, there is shown a flow chart of an exemplary computer-implemented method <NUM> for reducing variability in detecting and counting surgical items within surgical sites in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. Although the steps of <FIG> are shown in a particular order, the steps need not all be performed in the specified order, and certain steps can be performed in another order. For simplicity, <FIG> will be described below, with the controller <NUM> performing the operations. However, in various aspects, the operations of <FIG> may be performed in part by the controller <NUM> of <FIG> and in part by another device, such as a remote server. These variations are contemplated to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

Initially at step <NUM>, the controller scans, using an antenna, for an RFID tag. The antenna is configured to receive a return signal transmitted by the RFID tag.

In aspects, the controller may project a pattern of visible light on a patient by a light source on the area to be scanned. For example, the pattern may be configured to indicate a proximity of the antenna <NUM> to the patient.

Next, at step <NUM>, the controller senses, by a sensor, a signal indicative of a spatial parameter of an antenna <NUM> over a period of time. The sensor may include a proximity sensor, a gyro <NUM>, an accelerometer <NUM>, a laser sensor <NUM>, or a sensor configured to detect an electronic marker.

The sensor is configured to generate a signal indicative of a spatial parameter of the antenna when scanning for the RFID tag. The spatial parameter may include a proximity of the antenna to a patient.

In aspects, electronic markers may be incorporated in the surgical table and/or in sterile drapes so that the clinician has to "hit" each target marker in order for a scan to be completed. For example, the markers may illuminate once scanned.

In aspects, the sensor may further interpret motion (e.g., motion of the antenna relative to the surgical table, including vertical motion such as up and/or down, and/or horizontal motion).

Next, at step <NUM>, the controller determines if the spatial parameter of the antenna over time meets a predetermined rule. For example, the predetermined rule may include verification that specific antenna scan patterns were used ('W' or 'Z'/'N' pattern), verification that the velocity/speed of motion of the antenna did not exceed a maximum or minimum limit, verification that the antenna is oriented properly (e.g., parallel to the patient), and/or verification that the antenna is close enough to the patient.

Next, at step <NUM>, the controller provides an indication that the spatial parameter of the antenna over time meets the predetermined rule. For example, the controller may determine if a velocity or a speed of motion of the antenna was within a predetermined window based on the sensed spatial parameter over the period of time and the controller may provide an indication that the velocity or the speed of motion of the antenna was within a predetermined window based on the determination.

In aspects, the controller may determine if the antenna was moved in a predetermined scanning pattern based on the sensed spatial parameter over the period of time. The controller may provide an indication that the antenna was moved in the predetermined scanning pattern based on the determination. The scanning may be performed for a predetermined period of time (e.g., about ten minutes).

Thus, the system may verify that the clinicians are not only are utilizing proper scanning technique but also that they are scanning for a minimum pre-defined time. Only when the clinician meets both criteria will a scan complete be possible. In aspects, the system may provide an audible indication (such as an audible tick) to tell the clinician how long each individual scanning pass should be.

In aspects, the antenna may include two or more coils. The controller may determine the spatial parameter of the antenna over a period of time, based on the two or more coils.

In aspects, the clinician may initiate a scan, using a terminal/console, an activation button on the antenna, which can either be pressed once to activate or require the button to be pressed for the entirety of the scan; and/or sound activation. For example, the clinician may say out loud "Begin Scan.

In aspects, the system may alert the clinician and provide troubleshooting feedback (audible and/or visual) to warn and train the clinician of proper/improper use or to help locate a missing sponge/tag. For example, an alert is triggered when the scanning peripheral gets closer to a sponge/tag. In another example, the audio signal (or a plurality of LEDs showing detection strength) may increase in volume and/or frequency as the wand gets closer to the object to aid in locating the object (such as when the object is outside of the body). In another example, an alert can help pinpoint an exact location by indicating a last known location of a sponge/tag that was detected by the antenna, such as a light that illuminates in the direction of the last known "detection" point or a signal strength indicator. In yet another example, the system may include a visual display of the scanned field and the 'completeness' of the scan in a given spatial location coupled with an elapsed time of scan.

The system may include an antenna <NUM> integrated in the surgical table <NUM> (or integrates into a surgical table's mattress and/or a mat that is placed on top of the surgical table's mattress) (e.g., to cover the entire surgical site). The antenna <NUM> could be put into a continuous monitoring mode to allow for the clinician to know at any point during the procedure if a sponge is located within the confines of the surgical site. The RFID tag <NUM> may include additional information such as SKU level information and quantity of sponges located within the confines of the antenna <NUM>.

In aspects, the controller <NUM> may optimize a retained surgical instrument prevention system algorithm by increasing/decreasing RF power level which is propagated through patient. In aspects, the controller <NUM> may prevent system interference by integrating a room calibration mode to help cancel out these known sources of interference that could impact the system's ability to solicit an RFID tag <NUM> response. The controller <NUM> may actively monitor the scanning peripherals impedance characteristics when a patient or RFID tag <NUM> is not present to get a baseline reading and then optimize the system algorithm taking this baseline reading into account.

Initially, at step <NUM>, the controller <NUM> receives patient data from an electronic medical record (EMR). An electronic medical record may include an electronic health record (EHR). For example, the controller <NUM> may access the patient's EMR from the hospital's database.

Next, at step <NUM>, the controller <NUM> determines a parameter of a scanning procedure based on the patient data. For example, the patient data may include a surgical procedure and/or a patient physical characteristic (e.g., high body mass index). The parameter of the scanning procedure may include a scanning pattern (such as a 'W' or a 'Z'/'N' pattern), a scanning peripheral, and/or a power level (e.g., a maximum range mode, a minimum range mode, or any power level therebetween). In aspects, the scanning peripheral may include a hand-held wand 110a and/or an antenna integrated into a surgical table <NUM> (or integrates into a surgical table's mattress and/or a mat that is placed on top of the surgical table's mattress), based on the patient data (<FIG>).

For example, in a case where the parameter of the scanning procedure is the scanning pattern, the controller may recommend a particular scanning pattern based on the surgical procedure in the EMR and displaying the recommended scanning pattern on a display.

For example, if the patient has a high BMI, the controller <NUM> may determine that both the hand-held wand 110a and the antenna integrated into a surgical table (or integrates into a surgical table's mattress and/or a mat that is placed on top of the surgical table's mattress) be deployed (the hand-held wand 110a to scan up and the antenna integrated into a surgical table (or integrates into a surgical table's mattress and/or a mat that is placed on top of the surgical table's mattress to scan down). In another example, to address high BMI patients, the controller would put the scanning peripherals into a maximum range mode to optimize power delivery for that particular patient.

For example, in a case where the parameter of the scanning procedure is the scanning peripheral, the controller may determine if scanning should be performed based on a first hand-held wand 110a and/or a second antenna <NUM> integrated into a surgical table <NUM> (or integrates into a surgical table's mattress and/or a mat that is placed on top of the surgical table's mattress), based on the patient data. The controller may scan, using the determined first antenna and/or the determined second antenna, for an RFID tag <NUM>. Next, the controller may sense, by a sensor, a signal indicative of a spatial parameter of an antenna over a period of time, wherein the sensor is configured to generate a signal indicative of a spatial parameter of the antenna when scanning for the RFID tag <NUM>. The controller may determine if the spatial parameter over time meets a predetermined rule and provide an indication that the spatial parameter over time meets the recommended scanning pattern.

Next, at step <NUM>, the controller <NUM> verifies the parameter of the scanning procedure. The controller may verify the parameter of the scanning procedure based on the sensor. For example, the sensor may sense the movement of the first antenna to determine that the first antenna was moved in the recommended scanning pattern.

Next, at step <NUM>, the controller <NUM> provides an indication that the parameter of the scanning procedure was verified. For example, the controller may provide a visual indication on a display, a visual indication using a light such as a green or red LED (indicating passing or failing verification), or an audio indication.

In aspects, the controller may record into the hospital's EMR for documentation and record keeping purposes as well as to inform OR management of staff proper/improper use and which type of scanning peripheral was utilized.

In aspects, the clinician may scan, using a hand-held wand (i.e., a first antenna), for the RFID tag <NUM>. The controller may sense, by a sensor, a signal indicative of a spatial parameter of the first antenna over a period of time. The sensor is configured to generate a signal indicative of a spatial parameter of the first antenna when scanning for the RFID tag <NUM>. For example, the spatial parameter may be the velocity/speed of motion in a particular pattern (such as a 'Z'/'N') of the first antenna. The controller may determine if the spatial parameter over time meets the recommended scanning pattern. The controller may provide an indication that the spatial parameter over time meets the recommended scanning pattern, by displaying a confirmation on a display or by an audio indication such as a voice stating, "scan complete.

Claim 1:
An inventory system configured for reducing variability in detecting and counting surgical items, the inventory system comprising:
an RFID tag affixed to a surgical item, the RFID tag configured to transmit a return signal when energized;
a signal generator configured to generate an energizing signal for the RFID tag;
an antenna operably coupled to the signal generator, the antenna configured to receive the return signal transmitted by the RFID tag;
a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a spatial parameter of the antenna when scanning for the RFID tag;
a processor; and
a memory, including instructions stored thereon, which when executed by the processor cause the system to:
scan, using the antenna, for the RFID tag;
sense, by the sensor, the signal indicative of a spatial parameter of the antenna over a period of time; and
provide an indication that the spatial parameter of the antenna over time meets a predetermined rule
wherein the sensor includes at least one of a proximity sensor, a gyro, an accelerometer, a laser sensor, or a sensor configured to detect an electronic marker wherein the sensor is further configured to interpret motion wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the system to:
determine if the antenna was moved in a predetermined scanning pattern based on the sensed spatial parameter over the period of time; and
provide an indication that the antenna was moved in the predetermined scanning pattern based on the determination.