Have you ever wondered how many times the drill or screwdriver you’re using has been used before? Maybe your inventory management system reported that a set of instruments were available, but you had to cancel a surgery because actually there weren’t any that had been sterilized.
Patent Granted for Implant/Instrument Tracking System
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A patent has recently been granted for a system that uses Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) tags to track and monitor implants and instruments. The Pantheon Surgical, LLC. system tracks usage counts and location so that the healthcare supply chain can be monitored more accurately.
The system, brand named Oculus, uses autoclavable RFID tags that can be attached to instruments and implants, even individual screws, as shown in the image from the patent application. A master tag and specialized software allows for the use of RFID tags where they were not possible before, such as through metal obstacles.
The system is supported with cloud-based software allowing for remote monitoring and uses chaotic warehousing and persistent inventory algorithms to help streamline receiving and storage of items. With bridgeware, the system is compatible with most inventory and accounting software, and allows for third-party interface customization.
The system adds capabilities to the patient experience. Oculus tracks devices to specific procedures and patients, which can mitigate the risk of using the wrong implant and to automate billing. Improving accuracy of hospital inventory counts can also prevent delays to surgeries, and reduces overall costs.
The inventor of the Oculus System, David Crook, said, “I developed this system to fill a market void. The potential to revolutionize the ways hospitals and the medical supply chain do business. By making the system streamlined and efficient lends itself to removing the potential for human error both for the user and ultimately the patients they serve. These efficiencies translate into multi-million-dollar savings that can ultimately lower patient risk and costs.”
Pantheon Surgical also produces spinal implants such as the Epiphany lateral access lumbar interbody device, the Trident anchored cervical interbody, and the Orion Sacroiliac joint fusion system (previously known as the Blue Topaz/CompresSIve).
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This is a fascinating development. In my practice we've seen similar outcomes with the revised protocol. The key differentiator seems to be patient selection criteria. Has anyone else noticed the correlation with BMI thresholds?
Great point. I'd push back slightly on the conclusion, the sample size in the cited study is too small to draw population-level inferences. That said, the directional signal is compelling and worth a larger RCT.
We implemented a similar approach last year. Early results are promising but we're still gathering 12-month follow-up data. Happy to share our protocol if anyone is interested.
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