Pretec RFID USB

Pretec integrates RFID with USB for application in healthcare and other industries where information and identification convergence is critical. ...

... "Pretec i-Disk RFID leads the new trend of Store with Innovation, combines the smallest USB flash in the world and RFID technology to a tiny form factor in a sturdy and waterproof construction, which can be conveniently incorporated with any systems in need of both digital mass storage and easy identification. The feature of being automatically identified and data remotely retrieved when i-Disk RFID passes within the proximity of a RFID reader and the added feature of ubiquitous USB flash drive, Pretec i-Disk RFID can be widely applied to variety of markets and applications such as hospitals, airports, warehouses, POS systems for access control, asset or inventory management, etc. " ...

Via Pretec: Pretec i-Disk RFID

RFID Tags Diabetes Patients

VeriChip tags 18 diabetic patients with its RFID-enabled VeriMed Patient Identification System at the Atlanta Diabetes EXPO, under sponsorship of the American Diabetes Association (ADA). ...

... "At the EXPO, physicians implanted VeriMed RFID microchips in conference attendees who signed up for the voluntary procedure. The VeriMed Patient Identification System, which utilizes an implantable RFID microchip in combination with a handheld RFID scanner and a secure patient database, provides immediate access to important health information for patients who arrive at an emergency department unable to communicate. " ...

Via VeriChip: Diabetic Patients RFID Tagged with Microchip ...

Robot RFID Asset Management for Hospitals

Aethon Inc makes availabile its mobile RFID-enabled solution that locates, delivers and recovers hospital assets. The solution performs automated transportation featuring an RFID-based asset tracking system and a robotic asset delivery and recovery system. The solution helps hospitals to improve efficiency and patient satisfaction, increase utilization of assets, and improve regulatory compliance. ...

... "HOMER's unique asset tracking capabilities are an outgrowth of technology made possible by TUG, the most successful automated courier system for the delivery and recovery of hospital goods and supplies. Leveraging the TUG platform, HOMER employs a single mobile antenna that eliminates the typical infrastructure hurdles of competitors’ systems. This translates into more efficient organization and location of pumps, wheelchairs, monitors, respirators, beds and virtually any other assets hospitals are interested in tracking. A cost-effective and comprehensive solution, HOMER can seamlessly merge with existing hospital systems and requires minimal installation. HOMER works with active RFID tags (unique identifiers). Because it can use any third-party tag, HOMER is tag independent. Furthermore, HOMER can be integrated into existing asset management software. Aethon provides installation, tag selection and setup, software integration, training and support. TUG is an autonomous mobile robot that requires no extra infrastructure investment, is simple to install and has many applications such as central supply, dietary, pharmacy, laboratory, medical records, nursing and linens. Currently, the TUG delivery and recovery system is being used in hospitals across 75 sites. Many hospitals have deployed multiple TUGs to save time and money, while increasing staff and patient satisfaction. " ...

Via Aethon: Aethon Redefines Hospital Asset Utilization ...

RFID-Enabled Mobile Clinical Assistant, MCA

Motion Computing introduces new C5 mobile clinical assistant (MCA) at UCSF Medical Center. The MCA is a new computing category that enables the healthcare processes of nurses, physicians and other clinicians with mobility. The Motion C5 integrates reliable, automated patient data management at the point of care. UCSF piloted the the mobile clinical assistant to assess clinician productivity improvements through enabling mobile point of care. Its analysis demonstrates a substantial improvement in nurse productivity, satisfaction and documentation accuracy. ...

... "This collaborative effort resulted in development of the Motion C5 - designed with and for clinicians - that is now being implemented in clinician usability studies worldwide. The C5 is the first highly sealed, fully disinfectable computer to integrate into one durable device the relevant technologies important to clinician workflow and productivity. The C5 combines multiple devices into one - including a built-in barcode and RFID reader for patient identification and supply, specimen and medication administration verification; a built-in camera; and a fingerprint reader to improve security and simplify clinician authentication. " ...

Via Motion Computing: Motion Launches Industry's First Mobile Clinical Assistant Designed Specifically for Clinicians ...

Hospital RFID Realizes Patient Benefits

HP and Precision Dynamics implement patient management system based on radio frequency identification (RFID) technology in Taiwan at the Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital (CGMH). The hospital CIO sees the hospital realizing benefits through a reduction in medical errors, from root causes such as manual processes, compliance to standard operating procedures, and visibility to real-time patient status and medical process exceptions. The system is architected with PDC's RFID wristbands and HP's mobile and fixed RFID infrastructure. Privacy is managed by storing confidential patient information on the RFID chip rather than printing the information on the wristband. ...

... "CGMH implemented the RFID system in its operating rooms to improve patient safety by verifying and positively identifying patients, gathering real-time data, reducing risk of wrong-site and/or wrong-patient surgery, and ensuring compliance with hospital patient safety procedures or standard operating procedures. Since the implementation, CGMH has achieved 100% accuracy in patient ID in the OR. The new RFID system automates many manual functions of the previous operating room processes. The system helps verify that the five rights of medication safety are met - right patient, medication, dose, time, and route - as well as right surgery and surgical site. Automating patient data verification processes has saved CGMH medical staff an average of 4.3 minutes per patient. Also, automated data collection has helped prevent common manual data entry mistakes, which if gone undetected could lead to medical errors." ...

Via HP: Precision Dynamics Corporation and HP Provide Chang Gung Memorial Hospital with RFID System for Patient Management

Healthcare RFID MayoClinic

3M and Mayo Clinic demonstrate pilot installation of a radio frequency identification (RFID) system in Mayo Clinic's endoscopy surgical suites for management of the collection and tracking of patient tissue samples. 3M RFID system was configured to enable Mayo Clinic's business processes for specimen management. ...

... "Utilizing 3M Track and Trace Technology, this RFID system enhances Mayo Clinic's ability to manage specimen and tissue samples from the collection stage to the pathology laboratory. Collecting and analyzing patient tissue is a crucial medical procedure. Mayo Clinic continues to take a leadership role in health care's effort focused on patient safety and care. Multiple 3M technologies were brought forward during the five-month pilot project at Mayo Clinic. Results demonstrated quantifiable operational efficiencies in the specimen-management process, accurate communication of data, and verification of information. Expansion of the Track and Trace system within the endoscopy practice will take place in planned, controlled phases. 3M and Mayo Clinic expect this rollout to be completed in early 2007. " ...

Via 3M: Two Minnesota Institutions Advance RFID Technologies in Health Care

RFID Sensor Tag: Medical Product Logistics

DHL develops RFID sensor tag with IBM and partners in the pharmaceutical industry. The RFID sensor tag is used successfully in the overseas transport of diagnostic material and vaccines. ...

... "A special RFID sensor tag controls and documents the temperature of items throughout transport. The measuring data are available at every read point so that senders, recipients and inspectors alike can check the condition of the products at any time. After all, fluctuations in temperature outside of the recommended range can have a negative effect on the lifespan of medical products such as vaccines. The new sensor tag is a combination of temperature sensor and RFID radio chip. It permits continuous monitoring and recording of a pre-defined temperature range as well as read-out of the data at any time, without having to open the shipment. Thanks to the sensor's special design, it can be attached especially close to the product, not just on the inside of the packaging as before. In addition, the current lifespan of the product can be calculated and read out at any time. This was previously possible only at the end of a transport. " ...

Via DHL: DHL and partners develop RFID sensor solution for the pharmaceutical industry ...

RFID Improves Stroke Treatment: Access Health Records

National Stroke Association endorses implantable RFID microchips as a treatment to enable access to the critical health records of stroke victims. A stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery or a blood vessel breaks, interrupting blood flow to an area of the brain. National Stroke Association is the leading national non-profit organization devoting all of its efforts and resources to stroke. VeriMed Patient Identification System is used to rapidly and accurately identify people who arrive in an emergency room and are unable to communicate. This RFID identification system uses the first human-implantable passive microchip, the implantable VeriChip. ...

... "The National Stroke Association (NSA) has recognized that implantable RFID microchip technology offers the ability to improve stroke treatment by providing medical professionals with immediate access to vital health information of stroke-afflicted patients. An excerpt from the letter, signed by James Baranski, CEO of the National Stroke Association, states: Personal Health Records, including implantable RFID microchips such as VeriMed, could play a critical role in assisting medical professionals in delivering appropriate stroke treatment promptly, leading to better patient outcomes. The VeriMed Patient Identification System which consists of a handheld radio frequency identification (RFID) scanner, an implantable RFID microchip and a secure patient database, is being used to help rapidly identify and provide access to important health information on participating patients who arrive at an emergency department unconscious, delirious or unable to communicate. This implantable RFID system is the only system of its type cleared by the United States Food and Drug Administration for use in people. " ...

Via VeriChip: National Stroke Association Views Implantable RFID Microchip such as VeriMed as a Potential Life-Saving Medical Device ...

RFID Company Merger, Private Placement

InfoLogix expands through private placement and merger to accelerate its growth strategy in the RFID healthcare market. ...

... "2006 has been a monumental year for InfoLogix, said David Gulian, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of InfoLogix. We have been recognized by Entrepreneur Magazine as the sixth fastest growing company in the nation, and have reached significant milestones in installing over 1,900 customer solutions and 1,100 solutions specifically for hospitals. With $17 million of equity financing behind us, we can confidently execute our growth strategy as a public company. Gulian noted that the market for healthcare and RFID-based solutions continues to witness exceptional growth. Our RFID-based software, infrastructure, and services solution portfolio is poised to take advantage of this market opportunity. " ...

Via InfoLogix: InfoLogix, Inc. Completes Over-Subscribed $17 Million Private Placement and Merger with Publicly Traded New Age Translation, Inc., Creating Newly Public RFID & Healthcare Technology Company ...

RFID Context Aware Location Services

Sybase enhances its RFID Anywhere solution to support advanced services that enable context-aware locating capabilities. Location information is given a business context in applications that support asset management, access control, resource management in industries, such as logistics, healthcare, and other supply chain environments. Location information will integrate sensor technology data associated with assets. Assets will be identified and associated with fixed locations and temporal information to provide location and timing insights. Conditions can be monitored and alerts will be provided based on events. ...

... "RFID Anywhere 3.0 breaks new ground with the delivery of a context-aware Location Information System. Using RFID Anywhere, businesses can not only track assets from a range of data collection points [such as passive RFID, active RFID, real-time location systems (RTLS), barcode, global positioning systems (GPS) and environmental sensors], but can dramatically enhance the value of this data by associating environmental inputs (e.g., temperature) along with the location data. In addition, the RFID Anywhere 3.0 Location Information System exposes its complete feature set via a rich service oriented architecture (SOA) web services layer allowing organizations to easily transform static business information into business-aware intelligence. " ...

Via Sybase: Sybase iAnywhere Pioneers Context-Aware Location Information System with RFID Anywhere 3.0 ...

RFID Anywhere simplifies the development, deployment, configuration and management tasks for highly distributed, multi-site, intelligent sensor networks, and abstracts the interaction with the physical network of devices. With support for over forty devices, this powerful infrastructure enables the creation of intelligent sensor networks out-of-the-box. By using RFID Anywhere, sensors are able to work together as an intelligent network by combining, organizing and coordinating these technologies through a common management structure, advanced feature set and event-driven development framework.

RFID Asset Management Course

Course on RFID technology for asset management to be offered in the first quarter of 2007 at Univ of Kansas. Registration. ...

... "RFID for Intelligent Asset Management: Wednesday-Friday, February 28-March 2, 2007, Hampton Inn and Suites Country Club Plaza, Kansas City, Mo. This intensive three-day course will focus on radio frequency identification closed-loop applications for managing assets and controlling processes. Participants will learn to apply RFID to drive more flexible, lean manufacturing operations and to manage their assets more efficiently. Professionals from a wide variety of businesses-from heavy industry to healthcare-will benefit from attending this seminar. " ...

Via University of Kansas Continuing Education: RFID for Intelligent Asset Management Course

Philips RFID: Healthcare Assets

Philips RFID technology is focused on the healthcare market combined with services. The first customer to deploy the Philips asset tracking solution is the University Medical Center (UMC) in Tucson, Ariz. Philips installation at UMC is one of the healthcare industry's largest Wi-Fi-based asset tracking projects. This RFID implementation covers eight floors and a million square feet with 2,300 RFID-tagged assets in use throughout the hospital. The hospital workforce will use the Philips RFID solution to track and manage medical equipment, such as infusion pumps, beds, monitors, wheelchairs and other portable devices. ...

... "Helping hospitals to focus on the patient, Philips' asset tracking solution helps locate hospital assets through Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. The solution is designed to work within existing wireless infrastructure, allowing hospitals to leverage investments they have already made in wireless technology. Philips' asset tracking solution consists of a suite of services to maximize the solution's benefits, including wireless tags, a location engine and the MobileView user interface. Product tracking information is fed into the location engine and the asset's position can then be portrayed on a map, in a table, or in a report format for any networked hospital user. In addition to pinpointing lost equipment, the information gathered from the asset tracking solution can help improve asset utilization and work flow efficiencies.

The Philips asset tracking solution is designed around each hospital's specific use cases to help solve problems such as productivity, regulation requirements, utilization, theft, and loss. With an understanding of the unique requirements that the healthcare environment demands, Philips has an advanced solution that can enable hospitals to make facility-wide improvement. The Philips asset tracking solution utilizes technology that includes wireless tags, a location engine, and the MobileView user interface. The tags, which can be attached to most mobile assets, transmit to the hospital’s existing 802.11 infrastructure. This information is fed into the location engine and the asset's position can then be portrayed on a map, or in a table or report format for any networked hospital user. " ...

Via Philips: Philips Delivers New Radiology Products At 2006 RSNA That Present Clinicians with a Clear View of Patient Data and a Clear Path to Patient Care

HighSpeed RFID Read Rates: Pharma Cases

Impinj discusses results of live demonstration of RFID technology in pharmaceutical packaging application with Owens-Illinois (O-I) at the RFID Health Care Industry Adoption Summit in D.C. ...

... "In pharmaceutical manufacturing and fill-line demonstrations, a near-field UHF Gen 2 RFID solution, comprising Impinj's Speedway reader and O-I's item-level embedded RFID tags powered by Impinj's Monza chips, achieved 100% reliability when reading and writing tags at high speed on pharmaceutical bottles. In the first demonstration, the UHF Gen 2 system programmed 96-bit EPC numbers at rates exceeding 600 tags per minute on bottles containing the four most common dose types - liquids, gel caps, solids and powder. In the second demonstration, the system developed by Impinj and O-I flawlessly read 600 tags per minute on cases containing 48 individually tagged bottles and a case-level tag. " ...

Via Impinj: Impinj-Powered UHF Gen 2 RFID Solution Delivers Exceptional Results for Item Tagging of Pharmaceuticals

RFID Pilot: Cardinal Health Completes

Cardinal Health completes its RFID pilot, which tested RFID tags for end-to-end pharma packaging and distribution business processes. The pilot tested the application of tags and the utilization of item level tracking techniques. Alien Technology, IBM, and Verisign provided hardware, software and implementation services. The application and encoding of the RFID tags approached 100 percent success rates. Reliable read rates were best achieved at the individual case level. The pilot was a fruitful learning experience for the pharma industry. ...

... "The pilot program tested whether ultra-high frequency (UHF) radio frequency identification (RFID) tags could be applied, encoded and read at normal production speeds during packaging and distribution of pharmaceuticals. Verifying the authenticity of medications along each step of the distribution process adds an additional layer of security to lessen the chance of counterfeit pharmaceuticals entering the supply chain. It is also hoped that RFID data could improve efficiencies in the supply chain. Pilot Program Background: In conducting the industry's first end-to-end pilot program, Cardinal Health used new technology to place RFID tags on the labels of brand-name solid-dose prescription drugs, then encoded the electronic product code (EPC) standard data at the unit, case and pallet levels during the packaging process. The products were shipped to a Cardinal Health distribution center in Findlay, Ohio, where the data was read and authenticated as products were handled under typical operating conditions. Normal procedures were enhanced with RFID hardware and software from Alien Technology Corporation and IBM along with project management support from VeriSign.

RFID Labeling and Online Encoding: Data collected from the pilot suggest that it is feasible for RFID tags to be inlaid into existing FDA-approved pharmaceutical label stock, and the tags can be applied and encoded on packaging lines at normal operational speeds. Online encoding yields were 95 percent to 97 percent, and fine tuning of the process is expected to produce yields that approach 100 percent. The RFID tag application and encoding requires minimal adjustments to current labeling and packaging lines.

RFID Read Rates: Unit-level read rate data varied widely depending on the locations and type of reading stations throughout the supply chain. Highly reliable unit-level read rates in excess of 96 percent were found when reading individual cases one at a time and when reading units mixed with other products in tote containers prepared for delivery to a pharmacy. However, as expected, unit-level read rates were not found to be reliable when attempting to read units within a full pallet of product. " ...

Via Cardinal Health: Cardinal Health Releases RFID Pilot Results ...

RFID Patent Portfolio: Zebra Purchase

Zebra acquires RFID intellectual property portfolio of over 200 patents from BTG PLC for cash payment. The company believes this patent purchase positions it for success in high-performance RFID technology. ...

... "Zebra Technologies Corporation, a global leader in ondemand printing solutions for business improvement, announced it has acquired an extensive portfolio of radio frequency identification (RFID) patents, which the company believes are important for the implementation of cost-effective high-performance RFID technology. The portfolio was acquired from BTG plc. for total cash consideration of approximately $10 million. " ...

Via Zebra: Zebra Technologies Strengthens IP Asset Portfolio with Acquisition of RFID Patents: A Pioneer in RFID, Zebra Now One of the Largest Patent Holders ...

Healthcare RFID Industry Adoption ...

Conference will focus on adoption of RFID in the healthcare industry ...

... "The National Association of Chain Drug Stores and Healthcare Distribution Management Association are pleased to sponsor this comprehensive overview of RFID Operational and Implementation strategies for the pharmaceutical supply chain. Given the high degree of interest by regulatory agencies and the commitment of our industry to transmit pharmaceutical products across a safe and secure supply chain, this conference will focus solely on RFID and how it impacts the pharmaceutical supply chain ... " ...

NACDS 2006 RFID: RFID User Adoption Summit ...

UWB RFID Hospital Tracking System ...

Parco Wireless plans next-generation of RFID ultra-wideband (UWB) tracking system targeted for healthcare environments. ...

... "Precis incorporates Time Domain Corporation's Pulson ultra-wideband technologies in its design. The new line will include a full suite of products that include assets tags, patient wristbands, personnel badges and two design type readers. According to company leadership, the new Precis tags and receivers will help dispel all misconceptions about the higher cost of implementing a UWB tracking system. While the cost of UWB tracking technologies were historically higher when compared to competing technologies such as Infrared (IR) or WiFi systems, many hospitals felt compelled to hold off on implementing a UWB active RFID tracking system despite the superior benefits UWB systems offered.

The locations of the tags are tracked by UWB readers installed at fixed locations within a medical facility providing the location of patients, caregivers, and equipment within accuracy of 1.5 feet. The tags use extremely low-power as evidenced by their average life of over four years using a single 3 volt battery. " ...

Via Parco Wireless: Parco Wireless Set to Release World Class Tracking System ...

RFID Healthcare RTLS Solutions ...

SYMX and RF Code collaborate to deliver active RFID solutions for real-time location services in the healthcare industry. ...

... "RF Code, Inc., a leading provider of Real-Time Location and Sensor (RTLS) solutions, announced an agreement with SYMX Technologies Inc., a division of SYMX Corporation, a global provider of medical equipment services and products, to supply SYMX with health care RTLS solutions under a contract worth $30 million over the next three years. Under this exclusive agreement, SYMX will enable broader utilization of RF Code's complete health care solution platform. SYMX will integrate RF Code's RTLS capabilities into its SYMX Solutions offering, thus, giving hospitals the ability to quickly and accurately track the exact location and status of vital devices, ranging from infusion pumps to expensive implantable products. To accomplish this, SYMX will establish RF Code's active RFID technology as the platform into a broad range of medical and surgical equipment services. Through this approach, costly equipment and mission critical devices can be more effectively utilized and life-saving equipment can be found quickly. Health care professionals will have the management tools necessary to improve quality control and patient care while reducing costs by providing the systems needed to track and manage life-critical assets across the hospital. " ...

RFID Healthcare RTLS Solutions: Via RF Code: RF Code Inks $30 Million Deal with SYMX ...

RFID Alternative: Rubee Network Tags ...

IEEE works on the IEEE P1902.1 standard, an improvement on the RuBee visibility network protocol. RuBee is a bidirectional, on-demand, peer-to-peer, radiating, transceiver protocol operating at wavelengths below 450 Khz. The RuBee protocol works in harsh environments with networks of many thousands of tags and has an area range of 10 to 50 feet. ...

... "One of the advantages of long-wavelength technology is that the radio tags can be low in cost, near credit card thin (1.5 mm), and fully programmable using 4 bit processors. Despite their high functionality, RuBee radio tags have a proven battery life of ten years or more using low-cost, coin-size lithium batteries. The RuBee protocol works with both active radio tags and pas