A sensor configured to detect and record measured conditions, such as temperature, pressure, volume, displacement, acceleration, and/or other measureable conditions. The sensor may incorporate radio frequency identification (RFID) components. The sensor may also incorporate micro-electro-mechanical devices and/or systems (MEMS) and/or nano-electro-mechanical devices and/or systems (NEMS) that are configured to change in response to certain conditions encountered by the MEMS/NEMS and provide indications of the same. The sensor may include a detector configured to detect the changes in the MEMS/NEMS. The detected changes may be stored by the MEMS and/or the NEMS and/or the RFID components, allowing information about the changes to be retrieved through a RFID reading and/or scanning process. The sensor may be used to monitor and/or track conditions associated with certain objects and/or environments, among other uses.

One example is directed to a reader device having a first resonance circuit and being configured to interrogate one or more other remotely-located resonance circuits, each associated with a second resonance circuit which may be part of a passive sensor circuit. The first resonance circuit is operated to cause the inductively-coupled oscillating signal to be swept over a range of frequencies and therein cause a jump or sudden transition in a frequency of the oscillating signal while the first and second resonance circuits are in sufficient proximity for inductively-coupling via an oscillating signal via their respective resonance circuits. Sensing circuitry may be used to detect the jump or sudden transition in the frequency of the oscillating signal and, by way of or in response to an indication of timing and/or a set of inductively-related parameters, data is conveyed from the sensor to the reader device via the inductively-coupled oscillating signal.

A sensor configured to detect and record measured conditions, such as temperature, pressure, volume, displacement, acceleration, and/or other measureable conditions. The sensor may incorporate radio frequency identification (RFID) components. The sensor may also incorporate micro-electro-mechanical devices and/or systems (MEMS) and/or nano-electro-mechanical devices and/or systems (NEMS) that are configured to change in response to certain conditions encountered by the MEMS/NEMS and provide indications of the same. The sensor may include a detector configured to detect the changes in the MEMS/NEMS. The detected changes may be stored by the MEMS and/or the NEMS and/or the RFID components, allowing information about the changes to be retrieved through a RFID reading and/or scanning process. The sensor may be used to monitor and/or track conditions associated with certain objects and/or environments, among other uses.

A method includes transmitting, by a radiofrequency identification (RFID) reader device, a first electromagnetic radiation at a first polarization to a scan area and second electromagnetic radiation at a second polarization to the scan area. Re-radiated first electromagnetic radiation is received from an RFID tag located in the scan area at the first polarization. Re-radiated second electromagnetic radiation is received from the RFID tag at the second polarization. A radar image is generated based on the first and second re-radiated electromagnetic radiation. One or more items of information encoded in one or more microstructure elements located on the RFID tag are decoded based on the generated radar image. An RFID reader device and an RFID system are also disclosed.

An electrosurgical return electrode configured for operable association with a transponder detection unit. The return electrode includes a conductive element having an aperture array configured to allow passage of a magnetic, electric, or electromagnetic interrogation signal from the transponder detection unit through the conductive element and through the return electrode. The return electrode is positionable over a transponder detection unit such that the return electrode may be placed upon the transponder detection unit and a patient may be positioned upon the return electrode. The return electrode enables the detection of a transponder located on, within, and/or near the patient without the need for repositioning the patient relative to the return electrode and without the need for positioning an ancillary transponder reader or transmitter above the patient.

Inductive identification systems and methods are described. The system may include an inductive detector configured to identify objects having inductive identifiers. An inductive detector may include conductive coils and inductance readout circuitry for measuring an inductance of each coil. An inductive identifier may include a conductive pattern configured to induce a desired inductance in the coils of the inductive detector. An inductive identifier may include a film having openings, each opening configured to be disposed over a corresponding coil to induce differing inductance changes in the corresponding coils. A pattern of inductance values may be determined and used to identify the object. The detector may be implemented in a cassette recess of an infusion pump system. The inductive identifier may be disposed on a pump cassette configured to be received in the cassette recess and identified based on an inductive interaction between the inductive detector coils and the inductive identifier.

An RFID system for selectively communicating with a targeted transponder from among a group of multiple adjacent transponders is provided. The RFID system may include a transponder conveyance system adapted to transport at least one targeted transponder from a group of multiple adjacent transponders through a transponder encoding area along a feeding direction and an antenna having a resonant inductor and a ferrite material, wherein the ferrite material at least partially covers the resonant inductor and defines an exposed portion of the resonant inductor. In one antenna-transponder alignment, the exposed portion extends substantially parallel to the feeding direction.

A passive wireless electronics detection system is disclosed having one or more radio antenna assemblies able to receive digital data from a wireless electronic device located within a predetermined range, and storage associated with the radio antenna assemblies for storing at least some of the digital data received. The storage is through connection to the internet, or can be local to the antenna assemblies. The digital data includes wireless device meta-data such as the device name, MAC address, BSSID, previous Wi-Fi networks connected to, etc. A device listing is complied through frequency of detection or user input, and an alert may be triggered when an unexpected device is detected, which can then be sent to one or more digital devices.

Inductive identification systems and methods are described. The system may include an inductive detector configured to identify objects having inductive identifiers. An inductive detector may include conductive coils and inductance readout circuitry for measuring an inductance of each coil. An inductive identifier may include a conductive pattern configured to induce a desired inductance in the coils of the inductive detector. An inductive identifier may include a film having openings, each opening configured to be disposed over a corresponding coil to induce differing inductance changes in the corresponding coils. A pattern of inductance values may be determined and used to identify the object. The detector may be implemented in a cassette recess of an infusion pump system. The inductive identifier may be disposed on a pump cassette configured to be received in the cassette recess and identified based on an inductive interaction between the inductive detector coils and the inductive identifier.

An electrosurgical return electrode configured for operable association with a transponder detection unit. The return electrode includes a conductive element having an aperture array configured to allow passage of a magnetic, electric, or electromagnetic interrogation signal from the transponder detection unit through the conductive element and through the return electrode. The return electrode is positionable over a transponder detection unit such that the return electrode may be placed upon the transponder detection unit and a patient may be positioned upon the return electrode. The return electrode enables the detection of a transponder located on, within, and/or near the patient without the need for repositioning the patient relative to the return electrode and without the need for positioning an ancillary transponder reader or transmitter above the patient.