GB2420288A

GB2420288A - Resilient RFID tag for use with an umbilical clip

Info

Publication number: GB2420288A
Application number: GB0602466A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Deborah Gould
Original assignee: HAMMERSMITH HOSPITAL S NHS TRU
Current assignee: HAMMERSMITH HOSPITAL S NHS TRU
Priority date: 2003-09-26
Filing date: 2003-09-26
Publication date: 2006-05-24
Anticipated expiration: 2023-09-26
Also published as: GB2420289B; GB0322547D0; GB0602466D0; GB0602467D0; GB2420291B; GB0602468D0; GB0602266D0; GB2407935A; GB2420289A; GB2420290B; GB2420288B; GB2420290A; GB2407935B; GB0602470D0; GB2420291A

Abstract

An umbilical cord clip incorporating a two-part security tag, or button, is provided wherein the tag comprises remotely-readable surveillance means, and the clip is constructed from resilient material. The tag may also contain RFID technology.

Description

RESILIENT UMBILICAL CLIP

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a security device comprising a non-removable umbilical cord clip incorporating a tag comprising electronic article surveillance means. The invention may also further comprise radio frequency identification means.

Review of the Art known to the Applicant The importance of maintaining the security and identity of newborn babies, particularly in Hospitals, is well known. It is important to ensure that babies are not removed from the Hospital by unauthorised personnel, and that the identity of babies is not inadvertently confused. Ensuring the identity of a newborn baby beyond doubt is clearly important to ensure that the child returns home with the correct mother, but also to ensure that any medication is correctly administered. Furthermore, it can be important to be able to track, automatically, the location of a child in a multi-room facility. This allows a certain amount of freedom of movement between, for example various treatment, bathing, sleeping and other locations, whilst maintaining appropriate security in a generally non- intrusive fashion.

Whilst such identification was traditionally carried out by the use of a wrist or leg band, more recent developments have recognised the usefulness of incorporating such devices in umbilical cord clips. Non- removable umbilical cord clips are known in themselves, and in this context offer advantages in that they cannot be easily removed without the use of cutting devices. Furthermore, the potential or perceived harm that may be inflicted on a child is itself a very strong deterrent to their removal. US patent number 5,006,830 describes a method and device for deterring the unauthorised removal of a newborn from a defined area, this device comprises a locking umbilical clamp with an attached identification mark and an attached triggering device capable of triggering a detection system if the umbilical clamp is removed from a defined area. The device also comprises a wrist band with an identification mark corresponding to the mark on the umbilical clamp. This wrist band is used to identify persons authorised to remove the newborn from the defined area. Thus, the marking has the function of linking the childlclip to an authorised adult. The device and system described does not however identify the child, not does it allow for any remote monitoring of the movement of individual babies within different sections of eg. a medical facility.

As development of these devices progressed, the identification marks were dispensed with. UK patent application GB23328 19 describes an umbilical cord clip including solely a transponder device whose presence may be detected remotely.

None of these devices is capable of identifying the wearer of the clip either automatically or remotely.

A yet further development of this kind of device has been a separate, remotely-readable tag, generally rectangular in shape, and comprising a post and flange arrangement, to enable it to be clipped into the hinge portion of a standard umbilical clip before the clip is fastened around the umbilical cord. Devices of this type are unwieldy and their shape size and configuration provides opportunity for poor hygiene, with the associated increased risk of infection. Furthermore, the devices must be attached to the umbilical cord clip before the clip is used to seal the cord. This requires that they are fitted in the delivery room. It is highly inconvenient to have to fit a security device at this stage, when the presence of the attending staff already provide adequate security, and have their time and hands occupied with other more pressing matters.

Another problem with tags of this sort arises when it is required to remove the umbilical clip from the cord. As these tags utilise the rounded hinge end of the umbilical clip for attachment, there is no convenient location through which shears or other cutting devices may be inserted to cut the tag open.

Summary of the Invention

In one aspect of the invention there is provided an umbilical cord clip incorporating a tag comprising electronic article surveillance means wherein the tag comprises two parts that clip together, non-releasably, securing the tag to the clip.

In a second aspect of the invention there is provided an umbilical cord clip incorporating a tag comprising electronic article surveillance means wherein said tag and clip are adapted or adaptable to be linkable at a point other than at an apex of the clip.

A third aspect of the invention provides an umbilical cord clip incorporating a tag comprising electronic article surveillance means wherein said tag and clip are so shaped, and constructed of such material, as to allow the tag to be pushed-fitted into the clip, if desired, after the clip has been closed around an umbilical cord, in use.

A fourth aspect of the invention provides an umbilical cord clip incorporating a tag comprising electronic article surveillance means wherein at least one end face of said tag is of button-like form, and approximately no larger than the other end face of said tag.

A fifth aspect of the invention provides an umbilical cord clip incorporating a tag comprising electronic article surveillance means wherein said tag is constructed from a substantially resilient material.

In any aspect of the invention, the umbilical cord clip further comprises radio frequency identification means.

Included within the scope of the invention is an umbilical cord clip andlor tag substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated by any appropriate combination of the accompanying drawings.

The invention will be described by reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figures 1 and 2 show respectively an elevation and top view of part of a two part tag.

Figures 3 and 4 show an elevation and top view of a second part of a twopart tag.

Figures 5, 6 and 7 show alternative arrangements for positioning electronic article surveillance means and radio frequency identifying means within a two-part assembly.

Figure 8 shows a two-part tag assembly wherein the two parts are connected by hinging means.

Figure 9 shows the assembly of Figure 8 in the closed position.

Figure 10 is an illustration of a lockable umbilical clip in the open position.

Figure 11 shows an illustration of the clip of Figure 10 in the closed position.

Figure 12 illustrates a two-part tag clipped into the hinge aperture of an umbilical clip.

Figure 13 shows an umbilical clip adapted to link to a tag at a position on the side of the clip.

Figure 14 shows a two-part tag in position on the clip of Figure 13.

Figure 15 illustrates an umbilical clip adapted to receive a single part tag.

Figure 16 illustrates the clip of Figure 15 linked to a single part tag.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Umbilical cord clips of the type that have a locking mechanism, such as a ratchet, are well known in the art and will not be needlessly described here.

Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) means are known in themselves, and are commonly used in retail environments to prevent theft of goods. Systems such as these typically comprise a tag attached to the goods, and a corresponding sensor mechanism. These tags may be inactivated by the retailer on payment by the customer such that the goods can be removed from the store without triggering the alarm. EAS systems are so-called single bit' radio frequency identification systems, and are able to convey their presence, but are not capable of conveying any information.

A number of technologies may be used for EAS system such as microwave, magnetic, acousto-magnetic and radio frequency systems.

The different EAS technologies have a wide range of performance characteristics, chiefly concerning the reading range and reliability, these qualities are often related to the price of the tags. For example, magnetic and radio frequency tags are often inexpensive and are generally attached permanently to goods or their packaging, while microwave tags, being more expensive, are removed by store personnel when the item is paid for using a special removal tool. In the art, labels that are left on the goods and neutralised by sales staff are called deactivatable labels. One such type of deactivatable label incorporates an electronic circuit comprising inductance and capacitance elements, which resonate at radio frequency. The circuit is either a very thin metal circuit embedded between the adhesive and the label or laminated between the label and the top label covering. An alternative to a thin metal circuit is to print the circuit using conductive inks.

To de-activate the tag a relatively high radio frequency power pulse is applied to the tag.

The high power acts to short the capacitor, or burn out a weak portion of the coil (circuit).

In either case, the circuit is no longer resonant and will no longer respond to the RF (radio frequency) interrogation from the base station (i.e. tag detection means).

Magnetic tags comprise a strip of soft magnetic material, which interacts with a ferromagnetic element made of a hard magnetic material that can be magnetised or de- magnetised. The soft magnetic strip resonates and generates harmonics in the presence of a magnetic field having a certain frequency. This allows the marker to be identified. The hard ferromagnetic element can be magnetised or de-magnetised thereby providing the means for de-activating or activating the tag.

Acousto-magnetic or magneto mechanical markers comprise a strip of magnetostrictive material and a strip of magnetic material of high coercivity. The magnetostrictive material resonates mechanically in the presence of a magnetic field of a particular frequency. This magnetic resonance can then be detected using a receiver sensitive to the magnetic field present. The magnetic field is created by the mechanical resonating magnetostrictive material. The marker may be de-activated by modifying the magnetic bias of the strip of magnetic material.

In order to carry out this invention, an umbilical cord clip may be manufactured incorporating electronic article surveillance means, for example by embedding such a tag within the body of the clip. It is envisaged that as such electronic article surveillance technology develops, more up to date technology can be used within the clip without inventive departure from the teaching of this specification.

In addition to the EAS technology described above which is primarily concerned with detecting the presence or absence of a tag, there are also remotely-readable tags that we shall refer to as Radio Frequency Responsive Identifiers (RFID). Such RFID systems include storage means such as a small electronic microchip, that allows the storage of information. Such systems behave similar to the EAS technology described above but allows for storage and reading of information which can optionally be turned on and turned off by command to allow the same tagging system to be customised for use in different environments. Systems such as this may therefore be programmed with identification codes, numbers and other information. Such other information could conveniently include in this context, the gender, name, Hospital reference code of the child and any particular indications concerning the child's medical requirements.

Figures 1 and 2 show respectively an elevation and plan view of one part of a two-part tag generally indicated by 1. In this embodiment, the tag takes the form of a circular button' portion 2, a stem portion 3 and a ratchet portion 4. Incorporated within the body of the tag is the electronic article surveillance means 5.

Figures 3 and 4 show respectively an elevation and plan of a second part of a two-part tag, generally indicated by 6. This part has a hole 7 through which the ratchet element 4 may be pushed to lock and engage on the shoulder portion 8. This part 6 has incorporated within it radio frequency identification means 9.

Figures 5, 6 and 7 illustrate the assembly of the two parts in their locked position, and illustrate a variety of ways in which the electronic article surveillance means 5 and the radio frequency identification means 9 can be positioned either together in the same part of the two-part tag assembly, or may each be put into one of the individual parts.

Figure 8 illustrates another embodiment of a two-part clip comprising the button portion I and the receiving portion 6. In this embodiment the button portion 1 contains both the electronic article surveillance means 5 and the radio frequency identification means 9.

The receiving portion 6 again has a hole 7 adapted to receive the ratchet means 4. In this assembly, the two parts are in fact joined together by a hinge means 10 to keep the two parts together, but allowing the fixing operation to be undertaken, as illustrated by the arrows. Such a hinge means 10 could conveniently be built into a single part moulding of a suitable plastics material such that the whole assembly illustrated in Figure 8 was, in reality, a single piece. Figure 9 illustrates the embodiment of Figure 8 in the closed position.

Figure 10 illustrates an umbilical cord clip, generally 11, of a type known in the art. The clip 11 comprises two arms 12 and 13 connected by a hinge portion 16 forming the apex of the connection. At the other end of the arms 12, 13 there are two interacting portions 14 and 15 that provide the locking mechanism. Figure 11 shows the clip 11 of Figure 10 in the closed and locked position and illustrates how the hinge portion 16 forms a hole 17 when rocked.

Figure 12 illustrates a two-part tag 1, 6 incorporating electronic article surveillance means and radio frequency identification means 9 locked into position on an umbilical clip 11 and secured there by the ratchet means 4. The tag is secured through the hole portion 17 of the tag 11. At the other end of the tag 11 are the locking portions, 14, 15.

Figure 13 illustrates another embodiment of the invention wherein the umbilical cord clip 11 is provided with securement means 18 away from the hinge portion 16 of the clip 11.

The securement means 18 is provided with a hole 19 through which a tag may be fitted.

Figure 14 illustrates the clip of Figure 13 together with a two-part security tag 1, 6 incorporating both electronic article surveillance means 5 and radio frequency identification means 9. The ratchet part 4 of the first part of the tag 1 passes through the hole 19 in the securement means 18 to engage its ratchet portion 4 in the second part of the tag 6.

Figure 15 illustrates an alternative embodiment of an umbilical clip 11 provided again with securement means 18 away from the hinge portion 16 at the apex of the clip 11. In this embodiment the securement means 18 is provided with a hole 20 that is so adapted to engage directly with the ratchet means 4 of a tag 1. Figure 16 illustrates the connection of a tag I with the umbilical clip of Figure 15. In this case, the tag 1 comprises both electronic article surveillance means 5 and radio frequency identification means 9 and the ratchet portion 4 of the tag I engages directly with the hole 20 in the securement means 18. This arrangement leaves the hole 17 formed by the hinge means 16 unimpeded, thus facilitating removal of the clip by cutting with shears when necessary.

It will be appreciated that the electronic article surveillance means 5 and radio frequency identification means 9 may also comprise remote location means such as a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver or a receiver to detect and transmit the location of the clip (and therefore of the child wearing it) by use of eg. the mobile telephone cellular network.

Claims

1. An umbilical cord clip incorporating a tag comprising electronic article surveillance means wherein said tag is constructed from a substantially resilient material.

2. An umbilical cord clip according to claim 1 further comprising radio frequency identification means.