Application of RFID special tags in the medical field of Pittsburgh, USA
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The research team of the University of Pittsburgh has completed the development and testing of a dedicated orthopedic tag and RFID system. The system reads passive tags through radio frequency signals and has now passed patent registration.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh in the United States have developed an orthopedic tag system that attaches RFID tags with embedded sensors to orthopedic instruments, so that tags implanted in the human body can track the use of the device in the body. The signal from the tag in the human body is transmitted to the reader outside the skin through the skin tissue. The system can not only track the implantation environment of the human body, but also has a certain degree of anti-counterfeiting for the orthopedic instrument itself.
The university laboratory tested the solution and was chaired by Professor Marlin Mickle from the School of Engineering, who is also the chairman of the Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee of the Orthopedic Labeling Company. The company mainly supplies specific tags for orthopedic equipment manufacturers, but also provides handheld tag readers (this type of reading device is specially developed for such tags to collect data for doctors).
This special label was invented by orthopedic surgeon Lee Berger and was patented in early 2008. It has been effective in helping patients and doctors track the healing status of the implant site. Berger envisioned the development of a system: using sensors to measure the physical pressure of the device implanted in the human body and the surrounding chemical balance and temperature, to determine whether it will cause infection, and then to decide whether to replace the original device. The doctor uses a handheld reader to receive the unique ID number and sensor data sent by the RFID chip. Berger first used passive ultra-high frequency (UHF) EPC Gen 2 RFID tags to establish a prototype, and the technology needed to be further tested and improved before it was introduced to the market.
Started working with Berger in 2008. The School of Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh has developed a contact probe that can be used to read tags attached to metals and can also test radio waves propagating through the human body. In May 2010, he determined the available financial support to further improve the orthopedic labeling system using the existing contact probe tests in universities.
Since then, the researchers built a contact probe system based on a flexible dual RFID tag antenna. These modified antennas can transmit data through the human body, and the data can be carried by ultra-high frequency or high frequency (HF) signals. The solution consists of a tag with multiple built-in sensors and a touch probe connected to a handheld reader. The size of the commercially available labels has yet to be determined, but the size used in the test is approximately 5 mm * 10 mm (0.2 inches to 0.4 inches). The engineering department is also developing software to analyze the tag data received through the touch probe. In order to accurately read the information of the tag, the contact probe should be inserted into the position closest to the tag. This is also to ensure the security of the data to prevent others from obtaining the ID number and sensor data of the tag.
The orthopedic label will provide patients and doctors with the following benefits: First, it will help track infections. The sensor measures the pH value of the tissue where the tag is located, and then transmits these sensor readings through the tag to a reading device, such as a tag implanted in the knee. The sensor obtains electric energy by carrying an onboard supercapacitor, which is similar to a rechargeable battery, which is charged by a piezoelectric transducer built into the tag, or obtains energy through a radio frequency signal emitted by a contact probe. In addition, the sensor can be directly powered by the radio frequency signal sent by the contact probe. The contact probe will capture the ID and sensor data (increased pH may indicate, for example, infection), displayed on the screen of the handheld device, or through the Wi-Fi connection or USB port to transmit detailed information to the background system. In this way, doctors can prevent infection before symptoms appear.
In addition, the sensor can also be used to obtain the movement frequency of the implanted joint, which provides a basis for better use of the joint. If the results of the implanted tag transmission indicate that the joint is rarely used, the doctor can solve this problem: arrange a suitable physical therapist for the patient to further check for diseases that hinder joint movement.
The label also has other functions, such as determining whether the implanted joint should be recalled. Because the implanted product is difficult to maintain for a long time, it needs to be replaced regularly. Using this system, users can capture the ID of the tag, which is linked to the back-end database, so that the manufacturer, date of production, and shelf life of the implanted device can be found. Through this information, it is possible to determine whether the joints implanted in the human body are genuine, and to prevent counterfeit products more effectively.
Researchers from the university carried out tests on the system, which mainly included the following steps: the first step was to use high-frequency structure simulator software that can simulate electromagnetic fields to test; next, the label was read through a salt solution (simulating the environment of human tissue). Third, use pigskin to simulate human flesh. Mickle said that the next step may be to use human corpses for experiments, but this has not been approved by the experimental leader.
The research team is working hard to find silicon chips that can withstand gamma radiation. Because the label is sterilized by gamma ray before implantation. Mickle said that the researchers are testing Tego’s chip, perhaps this chip has a larger memory (currently testing is mainly 8 to 64 kilobit memory range), can store more data, and has strong radiation resistance .
Mickle did not specify when the product was commercialized. Because it is not easy to put products on the market in batches, it has to go through several stages, such as the cooperation of equipment manufacturers and the approval of the US FDA. A system has been developed: Passive high-frequency (13.56 MHz) tags complying with ISO 18000-3 standard or EPC Gen 2 standard UHF tags are embedded into credit cards, which can store implant information and manufacturer , Production date and product serial number and other information. Patients can put their cards in their wallets, and Mickle noted that the system will be on the market within a year.
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