CARRIER ELEMENT FOR SUPPORTING AT LEAST ONE MEDICAL OR DENTAL INSTRUMENT IN A CLEANING OR CARE DEVICE

Abstract

A carrier element for supporting at least one medical or dental instrument in a cleaning or care device, wherein the instrument comprises a first transmitting and receiving unit for wireless transmission of electromagnetic radiation having data and/or energy with a second transmitting and receiving unit. A coupling antenna is provided on the carrier element, which receives and in turn emits the electromagnetic radiation wirelessly transmitted between the first and second transmitting and receiving units in order to support the wireless transmission of the electromagnetic radiation between the first transmitting and receiving unit and the second transmitting and receiving unit. A method for wireless transmission of electromagnetic radiation with a corresponding carrier element is also described.

Claims

1. A carrier element for supporting at least one medical or dental instrument in a cleaning or care device for cleaning or caring for the at least one medical or dental instrument, the carrier element comprising: at least one coupling antenna provided on the carrier element and configured to receive electromagnetic radiation comprising data and/or energy transmitted wirelessly between a first transmitting and receiving unit arranged on the medical or dental instrument and a second transmitting and receiving unit, and wherein the at least one coupling antenna is configured to emit the received electromagnetic radiation again in order to support the wireless transmission of the electromagnetic radiation comprising data and/or energy between the first transmitting and receiving unit and the second transmitting and receiving unit.

2. The carrier element according to claim 1, wherein the carrier element comprises a carrier plate, a tray, a basket or a cassette.

3. The carrier element according to claim 1, wherein at least one positioning element is provided on the carrier element in order to position the at least one medical or dental instrument on the carrier element.

4. The carrier element according to claim 1, wherein the at least one coupling antenna is configured as a linear antenna.

5. The carrier element according to claim 4, wherein the linear antenna is arranged in a recess of an outer wall of the carrier element.

6. The carrier element according to claim 1, wherein the at least one coupling antenna is configured as a flat top antenna.

7. The carrier element according to claim 6, wherein the flat top antenna comprises an elongated slot in an outer wall of the carrier element.

8. The carrier element according to claim 1, wherein the at least one coupling antenna is a first antenna and wherein the carrier element comprises at least one additional coupling antenna, wherein the first coupling antenna comprises a flat top antenna having an elongated slot in an outer wall of the carrier element and wherein the at least one additional coupling antenna comprises a linear antenna, wherein the linear antenna is disposed in the elongated slot of the flat top antenna.

9. The carrier element according to claim 6, wherein the flat top antenna is surrounded by a metallic component of the carrier element.

10. The carrier element according to claim 1, wherein the at least one coupling antenna is a first antenna and wherein the carrier element comprises at least one second coupling antenna, wherein the first and second coupling antennas are configured to transmit electromagnetic radiation of different frequencies.

11. A cleaning or care device for at least one medical or dental instrument, comprising a carrier element according to claim 1 and a second transmitting and receiving unit.

12. Use of a carrier element according to claim 1 in a cleaning or care procedure of at least one medical or dental instrument in a cleaning or care device for supporting a wireless transmission of electromagnetic radiation comprising data and/or energy between a first transmitting and receiving unit arranged on the medical or dental instrument and a second transmitting and receiving unit.

13. A method for supporting a medical or dental instrument, comprising: providing a carrier element for supporting the medical or dental instrument, wherein at least one coupling antenna is provided on the carrier element, which is configured to receive and in turn emit electromagnetic radiation transmitted wirelessly between a first transmitting and receiving unit arranged on the medical or dental instrument and a second transmitting and receiving unit to support wireless transmission of electromagnetic radiation comprising data and/or energy between the first transmitting and receiving unit and the second transmitting and receiving unit, inserting the carrier element with the medical or dental instrument having the first transmitting and receiving unit into a cleaning or care device for cleaning or care of the medical or dental instrument, and wirelessly transmitting electromagnetic radiation comprising data and/or energy via the at least one coupling antenna between the first transmitting and receiving unit and the second transmitting and receiving unit.

14. The method for the wireless transmission of electromagnetic radiation comprising data and/or energy according to claim 13, wherein the electromagnetic radiation comprising data and/or energy is transmitted before or after closing an opening of the cleaning or care device, through which the carrier element with the medical or dental instrument to be cleaned or cared for and having the first transmitting and receiving unit is introduced into the cleaning or care device.

15. The method for wireless transmission of electromagnetic radiation comprising data and/or energy according to claim 13, wherein the at least one medical or dental instrument is fixed to the carrier element by a holder.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0057] FIG. 1 shows a carrier element for supporting or holding at least one medical or dental instrument in a cleaning or care device in the form of a tray with a slot-shaped coupling antenna arranged in a bottom of the tray.

[0058] FIG. 2 shows a carrier element in the form of a tray with a plurality of slot-shaped coupling antennas arranged in a bottom of the tray.

[0059] FIG. 3 shows a carrier element in the form of a tray with a slot-shaped, curved coupling antenna arranged in a bottom of the tray.

[0060] FIG. 4 shows a carrier element in the form of a tray with a plurality of slot-shaped coupling antennas arranged in a bottom of the tray at an angle to each other.

[0061] FIG. 5 shows a carrier element for supporting or holding at least one medical or dental instrument in a cleaning or care device in the form of a cassette with a plurality of coupling antennas provided in a bottom and in a cover of the cassette.

[0062] FIG. 6 shows a carrier element in the form of a cassette with a plurality of curved coupling antennas provided in a bottom and in a cover of the cassette.

[0063] FIG. 7 shows a carrier element in the form of a cassette with a coupling antenna provided in a side wall of the cassette.

[0064] FIG. 8 shows a carrier element in the form of a cassette with a slot-shaped coupling antenna in a side wall of the cassette, in which a linear coupling antenna is accommodated.

[0065] FIG. 9 shows a carrier element in the form of a tray with a slot-shaped coupling antenna provided in a bottom of the tray, in which a linear coupling antenna is accommodated.

[0066] FIG. 10 shows a carrier element in the form of a tray with a base plate of electrically non-conductive material inserted into the tray.

[0067] FIG. 11 shows a carrier element in the form of a tray with a base plate of electrically non-conductive material inserted into the tray, in which a linear coupling antenna is accommodated.

[0068] FIG. 12 shows an embodiment of a cleaning or care device for at least one medical or dental instrument for use with a carrier element with at least one coupling antenna.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0069] FIGS. 1-11 show different carrier elements 1 for supporting or holding at least one medical or dental instrument 2 (see FIGS. 4 and 6) in a cleaning or care device 50 for cleaning or care of the at least one medical or dental instrument 2 in the cleaning or care device 50. The carrier element 1 is provided to be accommodated in the cleaning or care device 50.

[0070] FIGS. 1-4 and 9-11 show a carrier element 1 configured as a tray 6. The tray 6 comprises a plurality of outer walls 10, for example a flat and/or plate-shaped base 12 and a plurality of side walls 13 connected to it and surrounding the base plate 12. The base 12 comprises a large number of openings 14 or screen openings which serve as a passage for a cleaning or care product. The openings 14 are preferably round, oval or polygonal, the corners of which are all arranged on a common circumference.

[0071] FIGS. 5-8 show a carrier element 1 in the form of a cassette 7. The cassette 7 comprises a plurality of outer walls 10, for example a base 15, a plurality of side walls 16 connected to it and surrounding the base 15, and a lid 17, which is configured to pivot relative to the base 15 and the side walls 16. The base 15, the side walls 16 and the lid 17 delimit an inner space 18 of the cassette 7 from the surroundings. A large number of openings 19, preferably elongated openings, are provided on the base 15 and on the lid 17, which serve as a passage for a cleaning or care product.

[0072] At least one positioning element 8, in particular a holder 8A, may be provided on the carrier element 1, 6, 7 in order to position and/or fix the at least one medical or dental instrument 2 on the carrier element 1, 6, 7 (see in particular FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 6 and 9). Alternatively, it is also possible not to provide a positioning element 8 on the carrier element 1, 6, 7 or to remove it from the carrier element 1, 6, 7 (if the positioning element 8 and the carrier element 1, 6, 7 are detachable from each other) so that the at least one medical or dental instrument 2 is accommodated loosely or without a defined position or fastening in the carrier element 1, 6, 7.

[0073] For the detachable connection of the at least one positioning element 8, 8A with the carrier element 1, 6, 7, it is in particular provided to insert a connecting element of the positioning element 8, 8A, for example an extension, in one of the openings 14, 19 of the carrier element 1, 6, 7.

[0074] The at least one positioning element 8 is configured as a holder 8A with a plug-in receptacle or a clamping element into which the medical or dental instrument 2 to be cleaned or cared for can be inserted. The positioning element 8 is configured in particular such that the medical or dental instrument 2 is disposed in a specific or predefined position, orientation and/or arrangement with respect to the carrier element 1, 6, 7 and/or a coupling antenna 4 of the carrier element 1, 6, 7, so that preferably a transmitting and receiving unit 3 of the instrument 2 faces the at least one coupling antenna 4.

[0075] FIGS. 4 and 6 show an instrument 2 to be cleaned or cared for or maintained, which is positioned and fixed to the carrier element 1 by a positioning element 8, 8A. The instrument 2 is configured as a dental handpiece or contra-angle handpiece. The handpiece or contra-angle handpiece 2 comprises a head section 20, which has a tool holder for fastening a treatment tool and/or a treatment medium delivery device, and a handle section 21 adjoining the head section 20, and preferably bent along a longitudinal axis. The handle section 21 preferably ends in a coupling 22 for connecting the instrument 2 to a control and/or supply unit for supplying energy and/or a treatment medium.

[0076] A first transmitter and receiver unit 3, for example an RFID label, is arranged on the instrument 2 for wireless transmission of data and/or energy comprising electromagnetic radiation, especially in the UHF and/or SHF frequency or wavelength range. The first transmitter and receiver unit 3 can be arranged outside the instrument 2, in particular on its outer sleeve, or inside the instrument 2, in particular in its hollow outer sleeve. The first transmitter and receiver unit 3 can be located in the head section 20 or in the handle section 21, both in that part of the handle section 21 which extends between the head section 20 and the bend, or in that part of the handle section 21 which extends between the bend and the coupling connection 22, or directly in the area of the bend of the handle section 21.

[0077] The first transmitting and receiving unit 3 and a second transmitting and receiving unit 5 (see FIG. 1) spaced therefrom are configured to communicate (see numeral 23) with each other in order to establish a wireless transmission of electromagnetic radiation comprising data and/or energy, in particular in the UHF and/or SHF frequency or wavelength range, between the transmitting and receiving units 3, 5. The second transmitting and receiving unit 5 is configured as a reading and/or receiving device, for example. The second transmitter/receiver unit 5 can either be configured as a separate, independent device (see FIG. 1) or as an (integral) part of a device that is operatively and/or communicatively connected to the medical or dental instrument 2, for example the cleaning or care device 50 (see FIG. 12).

[0078] Energy transmitted between the first and second transmitting and receiving units 3, 5 comprises in particular energy for operating the first transmitting and receiving unit 3. Data transmitted between the first and second transmitting and receiving units 3, 5 comprise in particular data for identifying the instrument 2, for example a code for identifying the instrument 2, and optionally further data, for example data concerning the cleaning or care status of the instrument 2, the number and/or type of cleaning or care processes which the instrument 2 has already undergone or may still undergo, an operating program or at least one operating parameter which is to be set automatically on the cleaning or care device 50 during the cleaning or care of the instrument 2, and similar data.

[0079] The carrier elements 1, 6, 7 of FIGS. 1-9 and 11 have at least one coupling antenna 4 which is configured to receive and in turn emit the electromagnetic radiation transmitted wirelessly between the first and second transmitting and receiving units 3, 5 in order to support or improve the wireless transmission of the electromagnetic radiation comprising data and/or energy between the first and second transmitting and receiving units 3, 5. The at least one coupling antenna 4 affects, for example, the direction of emission of the electromagnetic radiation comprising data and/or energy and/or increases the energy density of the electromagnetic radiation and/or causes a concentration of the electromagnetic radiation.

[0080] The at least one coupling antenna 4 can have a variety of different dimensions and/or shapes and/or designs, some of which are shown as examples in FIGS. 1-9 and 11 and described below. All coupling antennas 4 according to any embodiment, which are configured to receive the electromagnetic radiation transmitted wirelessly between the first and second transmitting and receiving units 3, 5 and to emit it again in order to support the wireless transmission of the electromagnetic radiation comprising data and/or energy between the first and second transmitting and receiving units 3, 5, are, however, common in that they are configured, in particular dimensioned and shaped to match the wavelength or frequency of the electromagnetic radiation to be transmitted or transmitted between the first and second transmitting and receiving units 3, 5, in particular electromagnetic radiation in the UHF and/or SHF frequency or wavelength range. Preferably, the coupling antennas 4 are configured in such a way that the transmission of the electromagnetic radiation between the first and second transmitting and receiving units 3, 5 is improved due to the effect of the coupling antennas 4 compared to a transmission of the electromagnetic radiation without the coupling antennas 4. For example, due to the effect of the coupling antennas 4 during the wireless transmission (and in comparison with the transmission of the electromagnetic radiation without the coupling antenna 4), at least one of the following effects is achievable: a reduced influence of interference variables on the electromagnetic radiation or its transmission; a lower loss of data and/or transmitted energy transmitted by the electromagnetic radiation; a lower noise in the transmitted data; a (per time unit) higher amount of transmitted energy and/or data; a (per time unit) faster transmission of a certain amount of energy and/or data.

[0081] The coupling antennas 4 shown in FIGS. 1-9 and 11 comprise either only at least one flat top antenna (see FIGS. 1-7) or only at least one (geometrically) linear antenna, the electrical conductor 26 of which comprises in particular a metallic wire or rod (see FIG. 11), or at least one flat top antenna and one linear antenna, the electrical conductor 26 of which comprises in particular a metallic wire or rod (see FIGS. 8, 9).

[0082] The trays 6 shown in FIGS. 1-4, 9 comprise one or more coupling antennas 4 formed as flat top antennas. The flat top antennas are formed as elongated slots 11 in an outer wall 10, i.e., in the base 12, of the carrier element 1, 6. At least the bottom 12 of the tray 6, preferably the entire tray 6, is made of metal, which additionally improves the wireless transmission of electromagnetic radiation comprising data and/or energy.

[0083] The cassettes 7 shown in FIGS. 5-8 comprise one or more coupling antennas 4. The coupling antennas 4 are formed as elongated slots 11 in an outer wall 10, i.e., in the bottom 15 and/or in the lid 17 and/or in a side wall 16 (long side or narrow side), of the carrier element 1, 7. At least that outer wall 10 of the cassette 7 in which a flat top antenna is provided, preferably the entire cassette 7, is made of metal, so that the wireless transmission of electromagnetic radiation comprising data and/or energy is additionally improved.

[0084] The positioning elements 8, 8A are preferably arranged on the tray 6 or on the cassette 7 in such a way that a medical or dental instrument 2 positioned therein projects over a flat top antenna or a slot 11 and in particular the first transmitter and receiver unit 3 is located near or above the flat top antenna or slot 11 (see in particular FIGS. 4 and 6; such an arrangement of the positioning elements 8, 8A is also possible for FIGS. 1-3, 5, 9). This further improves the wireless transmission of electromagnetic radiation comprising data and/or energy.

[0085] The slot 11 is formed as a passage or opening passing through the outer wall 10 (12; 15-17) and in particular does not comprise any solid body. Alternatively, the slot 11 may be filled with an electrically non-conductive material, for example plastic or glass or ceramic, to form a continuous outer wall 10, in particular a continuous bottom 12, 15, to prevent the instrument 2 to be cleaned or cared for from falling through the slot 11 and possibly being lost. The electrically non-conductive material is, for example, in the form of a continuous plate or a plate with holes which partially or completely fills slot 11.

[0086] The slots 11 in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 5 and 7-9 are straight and/or essentially rectangular. The slots 11 of FIGS. 3 and 6 are curved, allowing the slot 11 to be longer than the long side of the tray 6 or cassette 7, for example to have the appropriate length for the wavelength of electromagnetic radiation to be transmitted. A curved slot 11 can have a variety of other shapes in addition to the circular arc shape shown in FIGS. 3, 6, for example S-shaped, spiral or similar shapes.

[0087] The slot 11 or at least one of the slots 11 of the flat top antennas may be arranged differently with respect to a longitudinal axis 24 of the tray 6 or with respect to a longitudinal axis 25 of the cassette 7 and may have one or more of the following arrangements: central in the carrier element 1, 6, 7 so that in particular the longitudinal axis 24, 25 also forms the central axis of slot 11 (see FIGS. 1 and 4long slot, 9); off-centre (see FIGS. 2, 3, 4short slot, 5-8) and preferably parallel to the longitudinal axis 24 (see FIGS. 2, 5-8), in particular when there are a plurality of slots 11; angled, for example orthogonal, to the longitudinal axis 24 (see FIGS. 3 and 4short slot, 6). The different arrangement and shape of slots 11 can be used to create carrier elements 1, 6, 7, which are advantageously adapted to certain instruments 2, for example to the length of instrument 2 and/or to the position of the first transmitter and receiver unit 3 on instrument 2.

[0088] The carrier elements 1, 6, 7 of FIGS. 1, 3, 7, 11 have a single coupling antenna 4 which is either a flat top antenna, in particular with a slot 11 (see FIGS. 1, 3, 7), or a metallic linear antenna with a rod or wire-shaped electrical conductor 26 (see FIG. 11).

[0089] The carrier elements 1, 6, 7 of FIGS. 2, 4-6, 8, 9 comprise a plurality of coupling antennas 4, which are either only configured as slot-shaped flat top antennas 11 (see FIGS. 2, 4-6) or have at least one slot-shaped flat top antenna 11 and at least one metallic linear antenna with a rod-shaped or wire-shaped electrical conductor 26 (see FIGS. 8-9). Of course, it is also possible to produce a carrier element 1, 6, 7 with exclusively a plurality of metallic, linear antennas, each with a rod-shaped or wire-shaped electrical conductor 26. As can be seen from the Figures, the multiple coupling antennas 4 can either all be provided on a single and/or common outer wall 10, especially on the base 12, 15 or a side wall 16 (see FIGS. 2, 4, 8, 9), or on different outer walls 10, especially on the base 12, 15 and the cover 17 (see FIGS. 5, 6).

[0090] In FIGS. 8, 9, the metallic linear antenna is located in a recess 9, this recess 9 being formed by the slot 11 of the flat top antenna, which is advantageous to facilitate the manufacture of the carrier element 1 with the two coupling antennas 4. The slot 11 is at least partially filled with an electrically non-conductive material (as described above) in which the metallic linear antenna is accommodated or embedded. However, it is of course also possible to arrange the flat top antenna formed by the slot 11 and the metallic linear antenna at a distance from each other, either on the same outer wall 10 or on different outer walls 10. If the two coupling antennas 4 are arranged separately and at a distance from each other, the metallic linear antenna is thus arranged in its own separate receptacle 9.

[0091] If a plurality of coupling antennas 4 of the same type, i.e., exclusively flat top antennas or exclusively metallic linear antennas, are present on a carrier element 1, the a plurality of coupling antennas 4 of the same type may be identical (see FIGS. 2, 5, 6) or they may differ in at least one parameter or property, for example with respect to their shape and dimensions (see FIG. 4). The two slot antennas 11 of tray 6 of FIG. 4 differ, for example, in their length. Similar coupling antennas 4 with at least one different property can of course also be provided in the same way on a cassette 7.

[0092] The provision of a plurality of coupling antennas 4 on a carrier element 1 offers a plurality of advantages: for example, different frequencies or wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation can be transmitted if the coupling antennas 4 have different lengths (see FIGS. 4, 8, 9) and/or exact positioning of at least one instrument 2 relative to the coupling antennas 4 is less critical, since the multiple coupling antennas 4 ensure that the first transmitting and receiving unit 3 of instrument 2 is at least sufficiently close to one of the multiple coupling antennas 4 (see FIGS. 4-6).

[0093] The provision of at least one slot antenna 11 in a side wall 16 (see FIGS. 7, 8) reduces the risk of the at least one instrument 2 falling unintentionally through a slot 11 compared to the arrangement of the slot 11 in the base 12, 15. The arrangement of a slot antenna 11 in a side wall 13 is conceivable in a corresponding manner for a tray 6.

[0094] FIG. 11 shows a tray 6 with a metallic, linear antenna arranged in a recess 9. In contrast to the embodiment in FIGS. 8 and 9, however, the recess 9 in FIG. 11 is not dimensioned in such a way that it acts as a coupling antenna 4 or as a flat top antenna, in particular not as a coupling antenna 4 for electromagnetic radiation in the UHF and/or SHF frequency or wavelength range. The wireless transmission, i.e., the reception and emission of electromagnetic radiation comprising data and/or energy, is thus exclusively effected by the metallic linear antenna according to the embodiment in FIG. 11.

[0095] The recess 9 is in turn at least partially filled with an electrically non-conductive material (as already described above), in which the metallic linear antenna is accommodated or embedded. The tray 6, especially the bottom 12 and the side walls 13, can be made of metal, plastic, glass or ceramic.

[0096] The coupling antenna 4, configured in FIG. 11 as a (geometrically) linear antenna, comprises an electrical conductor 26, in particular in the form of a metallic wire or rod. The (geometrically) linear antenna is configured in particular as a rod antenna or as a wire antenna or as a dipole antenna. Preferably an electrical component 27 is connected to the electrical conductor 26. The electrical component 27 comprises, for example, a signal amplifier to support the transmission of the electromagnetic radiation comprising data and/or energy and/or a memory element, which in particular stores an identification code of carrier element 1 or a code for identification of carrier element 1 via an external database.

[0097] The embodiment shown in FIG. 11 and described above can be transferred to a cassette 7 in a corresponding manner.

[0098] The tray 6 shown in FIG. 10 does not have a coupling antenna 4, in particular a coupling antenna 4 for electromagnetic radiation in the UHF and/or SHF frequency or wavelength range. The tray 6 is preferably intended for use with a carrier element 1, 6, 7 described above with a coupling antenna 4, in particular for joint use in a cleaning or care appliance 50, wherein the tray 6 is configured in such a way that it interferes (negatively) as little as possible a wireless transmission of electromagnetic radiation comprising data and/or energy, preferably in the UHF and/or SHF frequency or wavelength range, in particular between a first transmitting and receiving unit 3 and a second transmitting and receiving unit 5, particularly preferably with the aid of a coupling antenna 4.

[0099] For this purpose, at least a part of floor 12, preferably the entire floor 12 is made of an electrically non-conductive material, for example plastic or glass or ceramic. Preferably, the electrically non-conductive material is formed as a plate, which is inserted in particular in a recess 29 of the tray 6. The recess 29 is formed, for example, by the side walls 13 and/or parts of the bottom 12. The side walls 13 and/or parts of the bottom 12 can be made of metal or alternatively of one of the mentioned electrically non-conductive materials.

[0100] The cleaning or care device 50 shown in FIG. 12 for at least one medical or dental instrument 2 is configured as a sterilizer, in particular a steam sterilizer. The cleaning or care device 50 is intended for use with a carrier element 1 with at least one coupling antenna 4 and/or the tray of FIG. 10.

[0101] The sterilizer 50 comprises an outer housing 51 with a plurality of walls and a cover 52 which is movable relative to the walls. An opening 53 is provided on one of the walls of the housing 51, which is connected to a cleaning or care room 54 of the sterilizer 50. Through this opening 53 an instrument 2 to be cleaned or maintained and a carrier element 1, 6, 7 can be inserted into or removed from the cleaning or care room 5.

[0102] One or more operating elements 55 are provided on the housing 51, which are used, for example, to select different operating programs or to set operating parameters. A display 56 shows the selected operating programs or operating parameters or other data or characteristic values relevant to the operation of the sterilizer 50.

[0103] Inside the housing 51, in addition to the cleaning or care room 54 configured as a pressure vessel, a supply device for introducing at least one cleaning or care medium, in particular steam, into the cleaning or care room 54 and a control device 57 are provided. The cleaning or care room 5 is configured to accommodate the at least one carrier element 1. As already described above, it is also possible that the second transmitting and receiving unit 5, in particular a reader, is arranged on the sterilizer 50, in particular on the housing 51 or inside the housing 51.

[0104] The control device 57 is configured to control and/or regulate the operation of the cleaning or care unit 50, in particular the course of the cleaning and/or care procedures and the keeping of the parameters during the cleaning and/or care procedures. The second transmitting and receiving unit 5 is either configured as an integral part of the control device 57 and/or is at least communicatively connected to the control device 57. The one or more antennas of the second transmitting and receiving unit 5 are arranged on the outer housing 51, for example on one of the walls of the outer housing 51, in particular at least one antenna is arranged on the wall with the opening 53, and/or on the cover 52 and/or on a projection 58 projecting over a wall of the outer housing 51, in particular that wall with the opening 53.

[0105] The second transmitting and receiving unit 5, in particular the reader, are configured to communicate with the first transmitting and receiving unit 3, in particular the RFID label, to transmit energy to the first transmitting and receiving unit 3, if necessary, via the coupling antenna 4 of the carrier element 1, and to interrogate the data stored on the first transmitting and receiving unit 3 wirelessly via the coupling antenna 4 of the carrier element 1. The second transmitting and receiving unit 5 can preferably have further, in particular electrical, components, for example a signal amplifier for the transmissible data, a signal processing unit, an energy source or a connection to an energy source. Alternatively, one or more of these elements are part of the control device 57.

[0106] Preferably the control device 57 is configured to receive the data read out from the first transmitting and receiving unit 3 by the second transmitting and receiving unit 5 and, based on these data, to identify the at least one medical or dental instrument 2 located on the carrier element 1. Furthermore, the control device 57 can also be configured to operate the cleaning or care device 50 on the basis of the received data, in particular to select a cleaning or care method or to set parameters for the operation of the cleaning or care device 50 automatically.

[0107] The control device 57 is preferably configured to transmit data about a cleaning or care method performed by the cleaning or care device 50 to the second transmitting and receiving unit 5, so that the second transmitting and receiving unit 5 transmits these data via the coupling antenna 4 to the first transmitting and receiving unit 3, in particular to the RFID label of the instrument 2. Data transmitted to the first transmitting and receiving unit 3 comprises, in particular, information on whether instrument 2 has been cleaned or maintained, the method used to clean or maintain it, the parameters (temperature, pressure, etc.) for which it has been cleaned or maintained, or the total number of times it has been cleaned or maintained.

[0108] The described or depicted embodiments serve in particular to illustrate the invention. The features disclosed in an embodiment are therefore not limited to this embodiment but can be combined individually or together with one or more features of one of the other embodiments. In particular, the type, number, shape and position of the coupling antennas shown in the individual embodiments are exemplary and can be transferred between the embodiments.