DE202019005693U1 - Object marked with a radio label and radio label for marking objects - Google Patents

Abstract

Object marked with a radio tag, comprising
- An undercut groove, which is formed in a section of the object and is continuous in a longitudinal direction and open on three sides, and
- a radio tag arranged in the groove and encapsulated by means of a hardenable potting compound,
- wherein the groove has at least one projection or recess in the longitudinal direction.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an object marked with a radio label, in particular a metallic object such as a tool, implant, component, piece of jewelry, medical instrument, etc. The invention also relates to a radio label for marking an object, in particular a metallic object such as a tool, implant, component , Jewelry, medical instrument, etc.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For a wide variety of reasons it can be desirable to provide objects of the type mentioned and much more with a marking. In the medical field, for example, due to the greatly increased requirements for documentation requirements for operations, it is extremely important to be able to document exactly which medical instruments were used in a particular operation. In this area in particular, RFID technology offers great possibilities for the automatic detection of the instruments, implants and other medical equipment used, if these are marked with RFID tags, generally and non-restrictively referred to here as radio tags, which are known in a wide variety of designs. In particular, the systems and methods presented by the applicant allow, for example, a whole range of information about the course of the operation to be recorded automatically and, in particular, also to ensure that, which is a surprisingly frequent occurrence, no instruments remain unintentionally in the patient.

When marking objects with radio tags, there are two major problems, namely, firstly, the permanent attachment of a radio tag to the object to be marked, especially if it is an object such as a medical instrument that is exposed to heavy material loads, e.g. during cleaning, disinfection and sterilization is., and secondly, ensuring good readability of the radio tag, especially if it is a metallic object that shields the electromagnetic waves used to read the radio tag.

Various proposals have been made to attach a radio tag to an object such as a medical instrument. So is from the WO 2009/063503 A2 an object marked with a radio tag cast in a so-called “plug” (a type of plastic plug) is known, the plug providing excellent protection for the radio tag from environmental influences. The plug is pressed into a receiving bore in the object, where it is held essentially by friction. The plug is placed under great tension, which, together with the high temperatures that occur during autoclaving, for example, leads to particular material stress and increased wear.

From the WO 2011/054355 A2 An object marked with a radio label, such as a medical instrument in particular, is known in which the radio label is glued to the object by means of a protective layer, the protective layer fulfilling a double function: on the one hand, it attaches the radio label to the object and, on the other hand, it protects the radio label from environmental influences and at the same time forms a dirt-free transition to the object. Since the radio tag is stuck on, it protrudes from the surface to which it is stuck, which is undesirable in certain applications and can also impair the aesthetic effect. From the WO 2015/086775 A1 an object marked with a glued-on radio label is also known. According to the teachings of both publications, the radio tags are held solely by the adhesive effect of the protective layer.

From the US 7,837,694 B2 It is known, inter alia, to make a recess in an edge of a metallic object to be marked, so that a step-like recess is produced, open on two sides, into which a radio label can be inserted and potted.

It should already be pointed out at this point that “potting” here generally means the filling of free spaces between the object to be marked and the radio label with a hardenable potting compound, whereby the potting compound can harden by itself or the hardening can be initiated, that is can be triggered, for example, by irradiating light of certain wavelengths.

It should also be pointed out that “open to one, two or more sides” is understood here to mean that the recess, recess, groove, etc. designated in this way in the object is accessible from one, two or three sides of the object, with Especially with round objects, the term "side" should be understood in the sense of directions: if the object is in front of a viewer (or an antenna for reading radio tags), one side would be the side facing the viewer, for example, and two sides the viewer side facing exactly away in the viewing direction and a third side a side viewed from a direction orthogonal to the current viewing direction. If the object was a standard dice in which the six numbers on opposite sides add up to seven, a first side would be, for example Side with the number one, a second side with the number six and a third side with the number two.

The ones from the US 7,837,694 B2 Known recess open on two sides increases the readability of a radio tag introduced into the recess, but its permanent attachment remains problematic, especially if the object to be marked and the potting compound have different coefficients of thermal expansion.

For at least a partial solution to this problem, the US 7,722,531 B1 the introduction of a recess open on one side or on two sides with a relatively complicated shape in the object to be marked, in order to permanently anchor casting compound in this recess in a form-fitting manner. However, the proposed recess shapes are complex, so that they cannot easily be made in an object to be marked, such as a medical instrument.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The invention is based on the object of specifying an object marked with a radio label, in which the radio label is fixed as tension-free and permanently as possible in such a way that the radio label is both very easy to read and also safely protected from falling out and from environmental influences, without the aesthetic effect of the the marked object. The marking should be cost-effective and easy to apply.

The object is achieved by an object with the features of claim 1. The subordinate claim 19 relates to a radio tag which can advantageously be used in the invention. The subclaims relate to advantageous configurations and developments.

According to the invention, an undercut groove that is continuous in a longitudinal direction and is open on three sides is formed in a section of the marked object, which can easily be introduced into the object and in the longitudinal direction of which at least one projection and / or recess is provided, the radio tag in the Groove is arranged and potted with a curable potting compound. When forming a corresponding groove, the steps of forming the groove in the section of the object and of producing the at least one projection or recess in the longitudinal direction of the groove can take place one after the other or simultaneously, depending on the design of the groove and the projection or recess and the used tool. In particular, it is also possible to process the object in such a way that initially, for example, an opening such as in particular a bore is made in a section of the object to be marked, whereupon the mentioned undercut groove is worked out in the section of the object, the opening (bore ) then forms a recess in the groove. It is also possible to design the object to be marked with a corresponding groove directly during its production, e.g. by producing the object by means of 3D printing or, in the case of cast objects, by using appropriate molds. In general, depending on the material of the object to be marked, different methods are suitable for creating the groove, e.g. milling or making using a water jet or laser.

An undercut groove that is continuous in a longitudinal direction and is open on three sides is understood to mean an undercut groove which is open to a first side of the section of the object and is undercut to this side in the plan view, the groove being in this plan view in a to Viewing direction extends orthogonal direction and is open at both ends.

When the groove is formed and the radio tag is arranged in the groove, the groove is filled with potting compound which, after hardening, forms a connection with the object that is not merely frictional or based solely on adhesive forces, but rather a form-fitting connection. With the potting compounds that are typically used, the connection is practically tension-free at room temperature and can therefore compensate for loads such as those that can occur during autoclaving due to different thermal expansion coefficients of the potting compound and the object, better than if it were constantly under tension. In addition, it has been shown that the type of attachment presented can be carried out very cost-effectively and that, in certain configurations, only a single tool is sufficient to form an undercut groove and generate the at least one projection or recess in the longitudinal direction of the groove.

Further details and advantages of the invention emerge from the following, purely exemplary and non-limiting description of exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the drawing comprising 17 figures.

Figure list

• 1 shows a first embodiment of the invention in a schematic perspective view.
• 2 shows the embodiment according to 1 in a schematic side view.
• 3 shows the embodiment according to 1 in a schematic plan view.
• 4th shows in a schematic perspective view a second embodiment of the invention.
• 5 shows the embodiment according to 4th in a schematic side view.
• 6th shows the embodiment according to 4th in a schematic plan view.
• 7th shows a third embodiment of the invention in a schematic sectional view.
• 8th shows a fourth embodiment of the invention in a schematic sectional view.
• 9a shows a fifth embodiment of the invention in a schematic perspective view.
• 9b shows the embodiment according to 9a in a schematic side view.
• 9c shows the embodiment according to 9a in a schematic plan view.
• 10a shows a sixth embodiment of the invention in a schematic perspective view.
• 10b shows the embodiment according to 10a in a schematic side view.
• 10c shows the embodiment according to 10a in a schematic plan view.
• 11a shows a seventh embodiment of the invention in a schematic perspective view.
• 11b shows the embodiment according to 11a in a schematic side view.
• 11c shows the embodiment according to 11a in a schematic plan view.
• 12a shows a schematic side view of a milling insert for forming an undercut groove in an object to be marked.
• 12b shows the milling insert according to 12a in a schematic plan view.
• 13a shows an eighth embodiment of the invention in a schematic perspective view.
• 13b shows the embodiment according to 13a in a schematic side view.
• 13c shows the embodiment according to 13a in a schematic plan view.
• 14a shows a ninth embodiment of the invention in a schematic perspective view.
• 14b shows the embodiment according to 14a in a schematic side view.
• 14c shows the embodiment according to 14a in a schematic plan view.
• 15a shows a tenth embodiment of the invention in a schematic perspective view.
• 15b shows the embodiment according to 15a in a schematic side view.
• 15c shows the embodiment according to 15a in a schematic plan view.
• 16a shows an eleventh embodiment of the invention in a schematic perspective view.
• 16b shows the embodiment according to 16a in a schematic side view.
• 16c shows the embodiment according to 16a in a schematic plan view.
• 17th illustrates in a schematic perspective view the readability of a radio tag using the in 9a shown embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the drawings, identical reference symbols denote parts having the same effect, even if these, for example, the undercut grooves, have different shapes, and it has been omitted to mention all reference symbols separately in each figure. At the end of this description there is a list of reference symbols from which the meaning of the reference symbols can be taken.

In the 1 until 3 is a section 10 an object to be marked is shown in which an undercut groove 12th is trained. The object is, for example, surgical scissors, and the section is a section of a blade of the scissors. The objects to be marked are typically made of metal, in particular stainless steel.

How it looks in particular 2 results is the groove 12th open on three sides, namely in 2 to the side of the section facing the viewer 10 , to the opposite side, facing away from the viewer, and to the top.

In the groove 12th is a radio tag 14th brought in. For a better understanding of the design of the groove, a curable potting compound with which the groove is not shown is shown 12th after inserting the radio tag 14th is completely poured out. This casting compound can, in a manner known per se, be a mixture of polymerizable acrylates or methacrylates or a solid, partially polymerized mixture of act polymerizable acrylates or methacrylates. The polymerization leads to the hardening of the mixture. It is preferably a mixture whose polymerization can be started by irradiation with light, for example with an activation wavelength of 400-500 nm. For this purpose, the mixture can comprise a photoinitiator which is selected, for example, from the group consisting of benzophenone, benzoin, an alpha-diketone, acylphosphine oxide, camphorquinone and their derivatives and mixtures of these photoinitiators. Alternatively, the mixture can also be designed in such a way that the start of the polymerization and / or the curing of the mixture take place by applying pressure and / or temperature.

The mono more units of the mixture are preferably selected from the group constituting of tetraethylene glycol dimethacrylate, forming monomers diethylene glycol dimethacrylate, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, polyethylene glycol dimethacrylate, butanediol dimethacrylate, hexanediol dimethacrylate, decanediol dimethacrylate, dodecanediol dimethacrylate, bisphenol A dimethacrylate, trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate, tetraethylene glycol diacrylate, diethylene glycol diacrylate, ethylene glycol diacrylate, polyethylene glycol diacrylate monomers, butanediol diacrylate , Hexanediol diacrylate, decanediol diacrylate, dodecanediol diacrylate, bisphenol A diacrylate, trimethylolpropane triacrylate, their derivatives and mixtures of these compounds, in particular BIS-GMA and TEDMA, mixtures of these compounds or urethane dimethacrylate and / or tetraethylene glycol dimethacrylate.

The mixture can advantageously also comprise a preferably non-crystalline filler, which is selected in particular from quartz, crystal-free highly dispersed silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide, ceramic, glass, silanized glass powder, glass ceramic, barium glass and mixtures of these fillers. It follows from the present disclosure for the person skilled in the art that any other casting compounds can be considered as casting compounds, provided that they have the properties required for the respective application, i.e. in the case of medical instruments, in particular, resistance to cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing.

After the casting compound has hardened, the section 10 Any protruding areas of the hardened potting compound are processed, eg ground, in a manner known per se so that the section assumes its original shape again, that is, it looks as if no groove had been formed. For this purpose, the color of the casting compound can be matched to the section of the object to be marked in which the groove is formed. However, it can also have a different color than the section and / or be partially transparent, so that the radio label remains visible. Certain colors can be used deliberately, which can also be used without reading out the radio label 14th allow the marked object, for example a medical instrument, to be assigned to a specific set of objects and thus to enable presorting.

A special feature of the undercut groove 12th is that this is in their by the dash-dotted double arrows 16 in 1 and 3 indicated longitudinal direction has at least one projection or recess. The one in the 1 until 3 shown example has the groove 12th one by making a hole in a side wall 18th of the two side walls 18th and 20th the undercut groove 12th generated return jump 22nd on. After the mixture has hardened, this results in a connection that secures the potting block produced in this way, which contains the radio label, in all directions in a form-fitting manner: With reference to 2 the potting block can go down through the section 10 of the object to be marked 24 the groove 12th don't fall out. The block cannot slip out forwards and backwards because the block is from the recess 22nd is held positively. The block cannot slip upwards because the groove 12th is undercut and the side walls 18th , 20th narrow the groove upwards.

In the 4th until 6th a second embodiment is shown, in which again in a section 10 an undercut groove of an object to be marked 12th is designed in which a radio tag 14th is placed. Again, the potting compound is not shown. Since the potting compound can also be transparent, it would not be visible in the drawings anyway. In this embodiment, both are side walls 18th and 20th the undercut groove 12th to the outsides of the section 10 partially removed, so that with reference to 6th approximately in the middle of the side walls each have a projection 26th , 28 results, the similar to the recess described above a form-fitting connection of the potting block resulting after the curing of the potting compound with the section 10 enables. The appropriately designed groove 12th can advantageously be produced in that the section and a for introducing the in this exemplary embodiment in cross section as in 5 easy to see about trapezoidal groove 12th tool used relative to each other by 90 ° by a line indicated by the dash-dotted line 30th in 6th indicated axis and then placed so that the tool does not cross the section 10 , but acts on this approximately in the area of the middle of the groove from above in order to produce two conically diverging sections of the side walls of the groove. Then the object and tool are rotated 180 ° relative to one another by an in 5 by the dash-dotted line 32 indicated axis swiveled and then placed so that the opposite sections of the side walls can be edited accordingly and the in 6th Shown course of the side walls 18th and 20th results.

In the 7th is a third embodiment in a schematic sectional view through a portion 10 of an object to be marked is shown, being in the ground 24 the essentially trapezoidal undercut groove 12th an opening 34 is introduced, which forms a recess within the meaning of the invention. When potting, potting material can be filled in through the opening or potting material can emerge from it. After the potting material has hardened, a form-fitting connection also results in this exemplary embodiment.

Another special feature of this exemplary embodiment is that a radio tag 36 is used that is in the longitudinal direction of the groove 12th seen has two different external dimensions, so that the radio tag 36 at least in the in 7th in the upward direction not out of the groove even without potting compound 12th can fall. If an antenna of the radio tag in the in 7th upper section of the radio tag 36 is arranged, this section can advantageously be completely in the area not from the object 10 shielded side are placed in such a way that the corresponding section of the radio label ends with the top of the groove or even protrudes slightly from the same in order to ensure particularly good readability of the radio label.

In the 8th is a fourth embodiment in one with 7th Comparable sectional view shown, wherein the groove is not trapezoidal, but essentially round and without special tools, but with a simple drill in the section 10 of the object to be marked was introduced. Since the groove 12th from the outside of the section 10 to its interior (i.e. in 8th from top to bottom) initially expanded, it also forms an undercut groove within the meaning of the invention and enables a positive connection if a projection in the groove in the manner described above or, as here, by means of the bore 34 a return is generated.

In the 9a , 9b and 9c is a fifth embodiment of a section 10 of an object to be marked with an undercut groove 12th shown, whereby the representation of a radio tag was omitted. The side walls of the groove 12th run in this exemplary embodiment beveled in such a way that there are two recesses 30th and 32 which in turn result in a form-fitting mounting of one in the groove 12th enable introduced radio tags by potting.

In the 10a , 10b and 10c is a sixth embodiment of a section 10 of an object to be marked with an undercut groove 12th shown, whereby again the representation of a radio tag was omitted. The two side walls of the groove 12th were each by drilling from above (i.e. towards the ground 24 the groove 12th zu) excepted in the middle, so that there is a return 38 , 40 results in each of a form-fitting holder one in the groove 12th introduced radio label enabled by potting.

In the 11a , 11b and 11c is a seventh embodiment shown, which is in the 4th until 6th The illustrated embodiment is similar and in which the side walls of the undercut groove 12th to the outsides of the section 10 diverge conically towards each other, so that there is a projection in each case in the middle of the side walls 26th , 28 results, which in each case a form-fitting connection of the potting block resulting after the curing of the potting compound with the section 10 enables.

In the 12a and 12b is a schematic of a milling insert 42 for making a groove like the one in the 11a and 11b shown groove 12th shown. That kind of groove 12th can advantageously be done quickly and inexpensively with the milling insert alone 40 be introduced, for which purpose this as in 11c indicated initially along a first milling direction 44 through the section 10 is led to what section 10 and milling insert as indicated by the double arrow 46 indicated relative to each other, whereupon the milling insert 42 along a second milling direction 48 again through the section 10 is performed so that work can be carried out without re-clamping a tool.

In the 13a , 13b and 13c is an eighth embodiment of a section 10 of an object to be marked with an undercut groove 12th shown, whereby again the representation of a radio tag was omitted. The two side walls of the groove 12th were each by drilling from above (i.e. towards the ground 24 the groove 12th zu) excepted in the middle, so that there is a return 38 , 40 results in a form-fitting Holding one in the groove 12th introduced radio label enabled by potting.

In the 14a , 14b and 14c is a ninth embodiment of a section 10 of an object to be marked with an undercut groove 12th shown, whereby again the representation of a radio tag was omitted. The two side walls of the groove 12th were cut in the middle in such a way that there is a recess in each side wall 38 , 40 results in a form-fitting mounting of one in the groove 12th introduced radio label enabled by potting.

In the 15a , 15b and 15c is a tenth embodiment of a section 10 of an object to be marked with an undercut groove 12th shown, whereby again the representation of a radio tag was omitted.

In at least one of the two side walls of the groove 12th became a hole 50 introduced, which forms a recess, which is a form-fitting holder in the groove 12th introduced radio label enabled by potting.

In the 16a , 16b and 16c Fig. 11 is an eleventh embodiment of a section 10 of an object to be marked with an undercut groove 12th shown, whereby again the representation of a radio tag was omitted. The two side walls of the groove 12th were removed in three places in such a way that three recesses in each side wall 38 , 40 are formed, each a form-fitting holder one in the groove 12th enable introduced radio tags by potting.

17th illustrates in a schematic perspective view the readability of a radio tag using the in 9a shown embodiment of the invention. A radio tag placed in the groove 14th Since the groove is open on three sides, it can be easily read over a wide area, for example in a first direction 52 , in the opposite direction 54 and a direction orthogonal to the two directions 56 . Of course, the radio tag can also be read from directions that lie in between these three directions, namely also from directions that are more or less oblique to the plane spanned by the three directions, so that good readability results over a large spatial area . The width of the room area depends on the radio tag used in each case.

Numerous modifications and developments are possible within the scope of the concept of the invention, e.g. relating to the precise design of the shape of the groove. It is essential to the invention that the groove is shaped in such a way that, after the potting compound has hardened, a form-fitting connection is obtained that secures the potting block in all spatial directions. The groove can be machined, in particular roughened, before the casting compound is introduced.

List of reference symbols

10

section

12th

Groove

14th

Radio tag

16

Longitudinal direction

18th

Side wall

20th

Side wall

22nd

Return

24

floor

26th

head Start

28

head Start

30th

Return

32

Return

34

opening

36

Radio tag

38

Return

40

Return

42

Milling insert

44

Milling direction

46

Direction of movement

48

Milling direction

50

drilling

52

Readout direction

54

Readout direction

56

Readout direction

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• WO 2009/063503 A2 [0004]
• WO 2011/054355 A2 [0005]
• WO 2015/086775 A1 [0005]
• US 7837694 B2 [0006, 0009]
• US 7722531 B1 [0010]

Claims (19)

Object marked with a radio tag, comprising - An undercut groove formed in a section of the object, continuous in a longitudinal direction, open on three sides, and - a radio tag arranged in the groove and encapsulated by means of a hardenable potting compound, - wherein the groove has at least one projection or recess in the longitudinal direction. Object after Claim 1 , wherein the groove has at least one recess, characterized in that the recess is a bore in the bottom or in at least one of the side walls of the groove. Object after Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the side walls of the groove are partially removed. Object after Claim 3 , characterized in that the side walls of the groove, viewed in the longitudinal direction, diverge conically in the end regions. Object after one of the Claims 1 until 4th , characterized in that a combination of at least one projection and at least one recess is provided in the longitudinal direction of the groove. Object after one of the Claims 1 until 5 , characterized in that the radio label introduced into the undercut groove has at least two different external dimensions, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the groove. Object after Claim 6 , characterized in that a section of the radio label facing away from the bottom of the groove terminates with an upper side of the groove or protrudes from the groove. Object after one of the Claims 1 until 7th , characterized in that the groove is trapezoidal seen transversely to the longitudinal direction. Object after one of the Claims 1 until 7th , characterized in that the groove, seen transversely to the longitudinal direction, has the shape of a truncated circle or oval. Object after one of the Claims 1 until 9 , characterized in that the potting compound is a mixture of polymerized acrylates or methacrylates. Object after Claim 10 , characterized in that the potting compound is a mixture whose curing was started by irradiation with light. Object after Claim 11 , characterized in that the mixture comprises a photoinitiator, in particular a photoinitiator selected from the group consisting of benzophenone, benzoin, an alpha-diketone, acylphosphine oxide, camphorquinone and their derivatives and mixtures of these photoinitiators. Object after Claim 10 , characterized in that the potting compound is a mixture, the hardening of which was started by applying pressure and / or temperature. Object after one of the Claims 10 until 13th , Characterized in that the mixture has single multi-unit, which, from the forming of tetraethylene glycol dimethacrylate, forming monomers diethylene glycol dimethacrylate, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, polyethylene glycol dimethacrylate, butanediol dimethacrylate, hexanediol dimethacrylate, decanediol dimethacrylate, dodecanediol dimethacrylate, bisphenol A dimethacrylate, trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate, tetraethylene glycol diacrylate, diethylene glycol diacrylate, ethylene glycol diacrylate, polyethylene glycol diacrylate monomers Butanediol diacrylate, hexanediol diacrylate, decanediol diacrylate, dodecanediol diacrylate, bisphenol A diacrylate, trimethylol propane triacrylate, their derivatives and mixtures of these compounds, in particular BIS-GMA and TEDMA, mixtures of these compounds or urethane dimethacrylate and / or tetraethylene glycol formed are selected. Object after one of the Claims 10 until 14th , characterized in that the mixture comprises a non-crystalline filler, in particular a filler selected from the group consisting of quartz, crystal-free highly dispersed silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide, ceramic, glass, silanized glass powder, glass ceramic, barium glass and mixtures of these fillers. Object after one of the Claims 1 until 15th , characterized in that the casting compound is processed, in particular ground, in such a way that the section has its original shape. Object after one of the Claims 1 until 16 , characterized in that the casting compound is colored to match the section of the marked object into which the groove is made. Object after one of the Claims 1 until 16 , characterized in that the casting compound has a different color than the section of the marked object into which the groove is made and / or is partially transparent. Radio tag in particular for use in an object according to one of the Claims 1 until 18th , characterized in that, viewed in a longitudinal direction, the radio tag has at least two different external dimensions.

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