DE102018132533A1 - Method for marking an object with a radio label and an object marked with a radio label - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for marking an object with a radio tag comprises the steps of introducing an undercut groove (12) which is continuous in a longitudinal direction and is open on three sides into a section (10) of the object to be marked and producing at least one projection and / or recess ( 22) in the longitudinal direction of the groove (12), introducing a radio label (14) into the groove, casting the radio label in the groove (12) with a hardenable sealing compound and hardening of the sealing compound.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

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

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For various reasons, it may be desirable to mark objects of the type mentioned and much more. So it is e.g. In the medical field, it is extremely important to be able to document exactly which medical instruments were used for a particular operation due to the sharply increased requirements for the documentation requirement for operations. In this area in particular, RFID technology offers great opportunities for automatic detection of the instruments, implants and other medical devices used, if these are marked with RFID tags, which are known in general and not restrictively as radio tags and which are known in a wide variety of designs. In particular, e.g. the systems and methods presented by the applicant to automatically collect a whole range of information about the course of the operation and in particular also to ensure that what happens surprisingly frequently, no instruments remain inadvertently in the patient.

A big problem is 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 subject to heavy material loads, e.g. exposed to cleaning, disinfection and sterilization.

Various proposals have been made to attach a radio tag to an object such as a medical instrument. This is how it beats WO 2009/063503 A2 before pouring the radio tag into a so-called "plug" (a kind of plastic stopper), which protects the radio label from environmental influences, and then pressing the plug into a receiving hole, where it is held essentially frictionally. The plug is put under great tension, which, together with the high temperatures that occur during autoclaving, for example, leads to a special material load and increased wear.

From the WO 2011/054355 A2 A method for sticking a radio tag onto an object to be marked is known, in particular a medical instrument, by means of which a radio tag is advantageously covered with a protective layer on the object to be marked, which has a double function: on the one hand it attaches the radio tag to the object, on the other hand, it protects the radio tag from environmental influences and at the same time forms a transition to the object free of dirt edges. Since the radio label 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 a very similar method is known, in which a radio label is also stuck on. In both processes, the radio tags are held solely by the adhesive effect of the protective layer.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The invention has for its object to provide a method for marking an object with a radio tag, which enables the radio tag to be attached as tension-free and permanently as possible so that the radio tag is easy to read out and yet protected from environmental influences without the aesthetic effect of the marked Affect the property. The process should be cost-effective and easy to use. The invention is also based on the object of specifying an object marked with a radio label, in which the radio label is attached to the object in the said manner.

The object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1 or an object having the features of claim 8. The respective subclaims relate to advantageous refinements and developments.

According to the invention, an undercut groove which is continuous in a longitudinal direction and is open on three sides is introduced into a section of the object to be marked, at least one projection and / or recess is produced in the longitudinal direction of the groove, the radio label is inserted into the groove, the radio label is in the groove cast with a hardenable casting compound and the casting compound is hardened. The steps of inserting the groove and producing the at least one projection or recess can take place in succession or simultaneously, depending on the configuration of the groove and the projection or recess and the tool used. In particular, it is also possible to process the object in such a way that, for example, a hole is first made in a section of the object to be marked, whereupon the undercut groove mentioned is then worked out in the section of the object the bore then forms a recess in the groove.

An undercut groove which 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 in a plan view of this side, the groove in this plan view in a Direction of view extends orthogonal direction and is open at both ends.

After the casting compound has hardened, it forms a form-locking connection with the object, not just frictionally or solely based on adhesive forces. With the casting compounds typically used, the connection is practically stress-free at room temperature and can therefore be subjected to loads such as compensate better during autoclaving due to different thermal expansion coefficients of the casting compound and the object 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 make an undercut groove and to produce the at least one projection or recess in the longitudinal direction of the groove.

Further details and advantages of the invention result from the following purely exemplary and non-restrictive description of exemplary embodiments in connection with the drawing comprising eight drawing figures.

Figure list

• 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention.
• 2nd shows the embodiment according to 1 in side view.
• 3rd shows the embodiment according to 1 in top view.
• 4th shows a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention.
• 5 shows the embodiment according to 4th in side view.
• 6 shows the embodiment according to 4th in top view.
• 7 shows a schematic sectional view of a third embodiment of the invention.
• 8th shows a schematic sectional view of a fourth embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

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

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

In the groove 12th a radio tag has been introduced 14 . For better understanding of the formation of the groove, a hardenable sealing compound with which the groove is not shown is not shown 12th after inserting the radio tag 14 is poured out completely. This casting compound can be, in a manner known per se, a mixture of polymerizable acrylates or methacrylates or a solid, partially polymerized mixture of polymerizable acrylates or methacrylates. 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, alkylphosphine oxide, camphorquinone and their derivatives and mixtures of these photoinitiators. Alternatively, the mixture can also be designed such that the polymerization is started and / or the mixture is cured 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 is formed.

The mixture can advantageously also comprise a preferably non-crystalline filler which is selected in particular from quartz, crystal-free highly disperse silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide, ceramic, glass, silanized glass powder, glass ceramic, barium glass and mixtures of these fillers. It is apparent 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, that is to say, in the case of medical instruments, in particular resistance to cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing.

After the casting compound has hardened, the section 10th any protruding areas of the hardened casting compound are processed in a manner known per se, for example ground, in such a way that the section returns to its original shape, ie looks as if no groove had been introduced. For this purpose, the potting compound can be matched in color to the section of the object to be marked, into which the groove is introduced. However, it can also have a different color than the section and / or be partially transparent, so that the radio label remains visible. In doing so, certain signal colors can be deliberately used, which can also be read without reading the radio tag 14 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 in their by the dash-dotted double arrows 16 in 1 and 3rd indicated at least one projection or recess. In the in the 1 to 3rd The example shown shows the groove 12th one by making a hole in a side wall 18th of the two side walls 18th and 20 the undercut groove 12th generated return 22 on. After the mixture has hardened, this creates a connection that positively locks the casting block of mixture and radio label produced in all directions: With reference to 2nd down the potting block through the section 10th of the floor to be marked 24th the groove 12th don't fall out. The block cannot slide out to the front and back because the block is from the recess 22 is held positively. The block cannot slide upwards because of the groove 12th is undercut and the side walls 18th , 20 taper the groove upwards.

In the 4th to 6 is shown a second embodiment, in turn in a section 10th an undercut groove of an object to be marked 12th is introduced, in which a radio tag 14 is placed. The casting compound is again not shown. In this embodiment, both side walls 18th and 20 the undercut groove 12th to the outside of the section 10th partially removed, so that with reference to 6 a protrusion approximately in the middle of the side walls 26 , 28 results, similar to the recess described above, a positive connection of the casting block resulting after the casting compound has hardened to the section 10th enables. The appropriately trained groove 12th can advantageously be produced in that the section and a for introducing the cross section in this exemplary embodiment as in FIG 5 easy to see about trapezoidal groove 12th used tool relative to each other by 90 ° by a dash-dotted line 30th in 6 indicated axis pivoted and then placed so that the tool is not across the section 10th , but acts in the area of the center of the groove from above, so as to produce two conically diverging sections of the side walls of the groove. Then the object and tool are rotated 180 ° relative to each other by an inch 5 through the dash-dotted line 32 indicated axis pivoted and then placed so that the opposite sections of the side walls can be machined accordingly and the in 6 shown course of the side walls 18th and 20 results.

In the 7 is a third embodiment in a schematic sectional view through a section 10th of an object to be marked, being in the ground 24th the undercut groove, which is also essentially trapezoidal here 12th a hole 34 is introduced, which forms a recess in the sense of the invention and through which potting material can be poured in or poured out of the potting material. After the potting material has hardened, a positive connection also results in this exemplary embodiment.

Another peculiarity of this embodiment is that a radio tag 36 used in the longitudinal direction of the groove 12th seen two different outer dimensions, so that the radio tag 36 at least in the in 7 not pointing out of the groove without potting compound 12th can fall. If an antenna of the radio tag in the 7 upper section of the radio tag 36 is arranged, this section can advantageously completely in the area of the object 10th shielded side are placed so that the corresponding section of the radio label is flush with the top of the groove or even protrudes slightly from the same, in order to ensure that the radio label is particularly easy to read.

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

Within the framework of the inventive concept, numerous modifications and further developments are possible, which are e.g. refer to the exact 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 casting compound has hardened, there is a positive connection securing the casting block in all spatial directions. The groove can be machined, in particular roughened, before the casting compound is introduced.

Reference list

10th

section

12th

Groove

14

Radio tag

16

Longitudinal direction

18th

Side wall

20

Side wall

22

Return

24th

ground

26

head Start

28

head Start

30th

Swivel axis

32

Swivel axis

34

drilling

36

Radio tag

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is only included 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]

Claims (11)

Method for marking an object with a radio tag, comprising the steps: Introduction of an undercut groove which is continuous in a longitudinal direction and is open on three sides in a section of the object to be marked and produces at least one projection and / or recess in the longitudinal direction of the groove, - inserting a radio tag into the groove, - Potting the radio label in the groove with a curable potting compound and - hardening of the sealing compound. Procedure according to Claim 1 , wherein a recess is produced in the longitudinal direction of the groove by introducing a hole in the bottom of the groove or in at least one of the side walls of the groove. Procedure according to Claim 1 or 2nd , characterized in that a preferably central projection is produced in the longitudinal direction of the groove by partially removing the side walls of the groove. Procedure according to Claim 3 , characterized in that the same tool is used to partially remove the side walls as to produce the undercut groove. Procedure according to one of the Claims 1 to 4th , characterized in that a combination of at least one projection and at least one recess is generated in the longitudinal direction of the groove. Procedure according to one of the Claims 1 to 5 , characterized in that a radio label is used for insertion into the undercut groove, which has at least two different external dimensions when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the groove. Procedure according to Claim 6 , characterized in that a radio label is used in which a portion facing away from the bottom of the groove closes with an upper side of the groove or protrudes from the groove after the radio label has been introduced into the groove. Object marked with a radio tag, characterized in that it has a section into which an undercut groove which is continuous in a longitudinal direction and is open on three sides is introduced, the groove having at least one projection or recess in the longitudinal direction and in the groove Radio label is cast using a hardenable potting compound. Object after Claim 8 , wherein the groove has at least one recess, characterized in that the recess is a hole in the bottom or in at least one of the side walls of the groove. Object after Claim 8 or 9 , characterized in that the side walls of the groove are partially removed. Object after Claim 10 , characterized in that the side walls of the groove, seen in the longitudinal direction, diverge conically in the end regions.

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