There are two types of RFID product tags widely used in medical applications.  The first are HF (High Frequency) tags, which have short read ranges (up to 3 inches).  These tags can be used to tag tissue samples, blood and other critical fluids.  They work well in proximity to liquids and human tissue.  UHF RFID products have longer read ranges, but unless they are properly engineered, can be detuned by proximity to tissue, fluids and metals.   These RFID products are used to track and locate critical medical devices, manage inventories of medical items, and, sometimes for tracking and identifying patients.  The vast majority of these RFID products are compatible with worldwide standards and are easily deployed, because of their compatibility with widely available and competitively priced RFID readers.

One of the fastest growing applications for RFID product tags is to track of the pharmaceuticals and ensure their authenticity.  Application of RFID products to solve the problem of counterfeit drugs will dramatically increase the effectiveness of anti-counterfeiting efforts.  This will improve U.S. drug safety.

In the medical equipment field, RFID product tags can be used to track and locate medical devices. The use of RFID products on equipment and RTLS (Real time locating systems), enables hospital staff to rapidly locate critical medical devices.  When you need a defribulator, you need to locate it fast!  This enhances patient safety, and can reduce the amount of equipment investment needed.   Additionally these tags can be used to inventory equipment and consumables used in an operation, including scalpels, sponges, clamps and other surgical equipment.  At the end of an operation everything can be automatically accounted for.   Finally, applying RFID products to assets aids medical institutions in automating inventory management, reducing overhead and minimizing duplicate supplies of critical inventory.

RFID product tags can also be used in patient identification. These RFID products, in the form of ID cards, wrist or ankle bands, or labels applied to patient records, can greatly aid in assuring that the right procedures and medications are applied.  In addition, the RFID products enable data system to call the correct record for the patient who is scanned, and aids in the reducing errors associated with data entry.  Finally, RFID products can be used to track patient movements within a facility.  Patients with afflictions such as Alzheimer’s, can be tracked within a facility to ensure they do not get lost or enter an area where they might harm themselves.

Laboratories can use RFID products to track tissue or fluid samples.  As samples move through various preparation steps, they can be automatically tracked, reducing errors from data entry or mishandling. Samples that arrive at the pathologist for analysis will automatically have the patient record and the indication called to the computer screen to ensure proper association of the sample with the patient.

Finally, drug discovery firms are thinking of ways to use RFID products to automate the tracking and location of the millions of proprietary pharmaceutical compounds they have in their libraries.  These very valuable assets are difficult to inventory, but it is essential that it be done with a very high level of accuracy.  RFID products are perceived as an enabling technology for the automation of this task, but the high density and small size of these samples still present challenges.

The implementation of RFID products in the medical field has raised some concerns related to the confidentiality of medical information.  In the vast majority of cases, RFID product tags are used only as ‘license plates’ for the items they tag.  That is, they contain only an identifying number, and all the ‘human readable’ information about an asset, drug, tissue sample or patient, resides in a database on a computer that is linked to the RFID product via that license plate number.   Thus, security for the information resides in the data system, rather than in the RFID product or the transmissions between the RFID product and the RFID reader.  The FDA has outlined four components for ensuring medical information security.  Information must be kept confidential, it must be accurate and complete and it is available and accessible by following the prescribed process.  By storing this information in a computer based system, where security measures are already well established, the use of RFID products in medical processes does in not put at risk the security of this confidential information.

The implementation of RFID products in medical applications is reaching maturity in many areas.  Reduction of data entry errors, automation of work and information flows, improvement of asset and consumable inventories and better association of treatment plans with patients are all benefits of RFID products in the medical field.  The results are better patient outcomes and lower costs.  It is clear that established applications will continue to grow and that new applications will emerge for RFID products in the medical arena.

Types of Problems RFID Tags Can Solve

RFID is a  fundamental technology  used to solve many types of tracking, identification and security problems.  When used correctly, it allows real time monitoring and decision-making.   For example, RFID tags are applied to cargo containers and trailers.  When the containers enter and leave the freight yard, their contents are automatically logged into or out of inventory, and the owners of the cargo can be automatically updated regarding progress.  RFID tags user memory can, also,  be used as local information repositories, and can store service information on aircraft parts, or chain of custody information for pharmaceuticals.   RFID tags can, also, be used for security, to ensure tagged assets do not leave their assigned locations, or to ensure only properly authorized people enter secure facilities.

A November 2009 report from ABI Research suggests three areas where RFID will grow the most during the next five years.

• Fashion apparel
• Asset tracking and management – spare parts, tools, IT and medical assets, and rental-item management
• And active RFID tags – real-time location systems

Choosing the right RFID Tag

Many RFID applications can be satisfied with a standard RFID tag.  However, there are many use cases where a custom RFID tag is needed.  Applications where high or very specific RF performance is required will need a custom RFID tag.  If the tag will see extraordinary environmental or processing conditions, such as pressure washing, autoclaving or steam cleaning, a custom tag may be required.  It sometimes occurs that the tag must fit in an existing physical footprint on a product or container, and this will require a specially designed tag.  In people tracking applications, whether using cards, wristbands or tags, the interaction of the tag and the human body must be managed, and a custom tag will be needed to get the RF performance needed in the application.

If you should need a custom RFID tag design, be sure to choose a partner with a proven track record,  knowledge and experience in a wide variety of RFID applications and environments, and a solid network of partners.  The RFID tag design firm should be able to use your specifications to design and configure a custom RFID tag for optimal data collection and security.

Testing the Custom RFID Tag Design in the Application

Because communication with the tag is the essential data link that makes RFID deployment work, it is vital to test the tag in your application.   Conformance to specification is not always enough in custom RFID deployments.  Structures, vehicles, fluids and people as well as readers and tags can affect the performance of the system.  Many of these problems can be anticipated by a seasoned RFID tag designer, but it is always best to test in the ‘real world’ before rolling out a program.

RCD Technology has just released the newest addition to its Sentry family of asset tracking tags; the Sentry-M WW.  This patent pending, mount-on-metal asset tag is functional across the worldwide UHF frequency band of 860-960 MHz.  Developed in cooperation with Sun Microsystems, Inc. RCD is the first to deliver a true, global mount-on-metal tag with a footprint small enough for use on IT Assets.  It exceeds the FSTC performance guidelines in the North American, European and Japanese frequency bands making it ideal for source tagging of the OEM’s IT equipment. As a mount on metal solution, the Sentry-M WW can be used for tracking many metal assets, such as tools, metal containers or equipment.

Sun Microsystems plans to attach the Worldwide RFID tag to its products to help customers track their IT assets and comply with regional legal requirements. A large number of Sun customers are global and therefore require global solutions to run their businesses. A Sun customer in the financial services industry reported a 30% improvement in accuracy and a 60x reduction in time spent tracking assets after moving from bar-code to RFID.

The need for a worldwide tag stems from doing business in a global economy.  Today’s RFID asset tags are tuned for a specific region of the world, putting a global RFID asset tracking solution out of reach. The need for a worldwide tag is well justified as seen by the current global and volatile economies.  More than ever, we seek greater efficiency and less human error.   Additionally, customers are increasing their tracking and data collection requirements – either by choice or by government regulation.  OEM’s supply product to and from countries around the world.

Given these market, industry and operational dynamics, RCD’s Sentry-M WW is poised to improve the OEM’s internal supply chain management and meet customer demand for source tagging of IT assets.  The Sentry-M WW can accomplish this regardless of the country in which the equipment is manufactured, distributed or sold.  Further, as corporate operations are merged or expanded, the equipment and other assets therein must be reallocated and transferred to different facilities, even different countries.   As for the end users, they also have stringent demands.  They seek an automated and reliable solution to authenticate and track their equipment for repair, warranty and data collection.  Used internally to reduce supply chain costs or as a feature benefit for end customers, the Sentry-M WW is currently the only tag of its kind that functions across the frequency bands of countries around the world.

What is an RFID tag?

RFID tags are tiny microchips, almost invisible to the naked eye, attached to a printed or plated antenna that is embedded in a card or other object. These devices listen for a radio query. When they sense one, they transmit a response. Many RFID tags are passive, meaning that they use the power from the querying radio signal to transmit their responses. Active tags have batteries, and can transmit a more powerful, longer range response. Each RFID tag has a unique identifier, usually a 64-bit to 128 bit number that can have thousands of trillions of possible values.

Who uses RFID tags?

RFID tags are used in a wide range of applications in industry, government, defense and healthcare. They are used to track and monitor inventory, monitor and locate valuable assets, provide secure identity cards or fobs for premisis access, to track disaster victims in an evacuations and for easy and secure contactless payment systems. The greatest advantage of RFID is that it greatly speeds the acquisition and processing of information, since line of site and close physical interaction between the tag and the reader is not necessary, as it is with bar codes and other identification technologies. The applications for RFID systems are continually expanding.

How are RFID systems implemented?

There are many ‘system integrators’ who have packages that provide tags, RFID readers and the software that collects and manages the information gathered by the RFID network. The system integrator provides a ‘soup to nuts’ implementation service for the customer. These systems can be cost effective for standard track and trace applications. Other firms prefer a more customized approach, because their business process does not fit a system integrator’s cookbook, or because they believe they can build a competitive advantage by designing and building the system themselves. That is, the RFID system becomes part of their ‘secret sauce’. In this approach, elements of the system will be customized to the unique requirements of the implementer. In these cases it is highly advantageous for the firm to engage with RFID specialists, who can ensure that the ‘physical layer’ of the system works as it should, i.e. that the readers and tags communicate reliably and consistently. RF engineering is complex, and having experience in deployment is crucial for rapid, successful implementations.

Though your business and process may be unique, RFID technology may help your company. RFID can help you understand in real time where your inventory or assets are, where your employees are, and if those assets and people are secure. If you already monitor this information, RFID can greatly reduce the time spent collecting it, reducing cost and improving accuracy.

RFID asset tags can allow for worldwide tracking as your product travels around the globe, simplifying manufacturing and distribution problems. RFID consultants can create the correct tag for your own company and help improve your business.

Many RFID consulting services can identify and solve RFID problems, while optimizing options just for you. As each business practice and product is unique, so are each business’s needs. Find out what a RFID consultant can do for you.

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative strives to improve border security between Mexico, the Caribbean, Canada and the United States. An element of this initiative includes the creation of a Passport/Border card to replace less secure credentials, such as driver’s licenses, which had previously been accepted at border crossing points for travel within North America. The design of this new Passport card included many physical security features, such as a hologram, special inks and printing, opacity marks as well as an RFID inlay. Because of this full feature set, and a durability requirement of ten years, the manufacturing of this card is a very demanding process.

A major provider of secure credentialing systems to governments and enterprises worldwide, partnered with RCD to develop an RFID inlay that met both the RFID performance and the demanding card manufacturing requirements. Over a relatively brief period, an inlay was developed and tested, which passed the requirements. The card went into product in the second quarter of 2008, and RCD delivered over 6 million inlays during the following twelve months.

In early 2009, a decision was made to upgrade the RFID inlay and other security features of the card, and, once again, the provider turned to RCD for its design expertise. A new inlay was developed, tested and qualified, and is now in production for the second generation of US Passport cards.

Our Sentry family of UHF asset tracking tags has been designed to track and identify IT Assets and are particularly beneficial for use in Data Centers.  All of the patent-pending products in this family of tags conform to the FSTC performance guidelines for Data Center Asset Tracking.  The Sentry-M and Sentry-M Slim are tags intended for attachment directly to metal assets, such as blade servers and racks, and provide the longest read distances for metal assets.  The Sentry tag is an excellent all-surface tag for environments with a mixture of surfaces.

The most recent addition to the Sentry family is the worldwide Sentry-M.  This innovative product is the first true Global mount on metal tag for IT Assets.  It conforms to the FSTC performance guidelines in the North American, European and Japanese frequency bands making it ideal for source tagging of IT equipment by the OEM.

Sentry Asset Tags Overview (pdf)
Sentry-M (WW) Spec Sheet (pdf)
Sentry Spec Sheet (pdf)
Sentry-M Spec Sheet (pdf)
Sentry-M Slim Spec Sheet (pdf)

Long Range Cargo Tag

For long range vehicle, rail or trailer locating applications, the Atlas Cargo tag provides exceptional read distances of up to 100’ in a durable, weather-resistant package.   Engineered for use on metal surfaces, the Atlas is designed with industrial environments in mind and will withstand repeated exposure to vibration, weather elements, salt sprays and more.  With its extended read range, the 5”x 8”, ABS-protected tag is a real alternative in applications previously requiring costlier active tags.  These include:

• Cargo and container tracking
• Yard/fleet Management
• Military asset tracking
• Rail car identification and tracking

The Atlas Cargo Tag is currently available in prototype samples for evaluation.  Production quantities will be available Q1 2010.

Atlas Cargo Tag Specifications

RCD’s durable and highly reliable Vehicle Windshield tag is the idieal solution to optimize your automotive asset management operations.  Our innovative RCDSecure™ Antenna solution self-destructs and renders the windshield tag useless if tampered with or removed.

Frequency: UHF

Download Product Data Sheet (pdf)

George W. Bush wearing UHF Wristband after Hurricane Gustav

During a natural disaster or other emergency evacuation, tracking individuals is vital for public safety officials. Manual systems involving key-punched or bar code based data entry are subject to many sources of error during the chaos associated with evacuations.

Radiant RFID, an Austin, TX based system integrator developed a software system for accurately tracking evacuees. However, they needed a method for ensuring accurate data capture in the field. Together, RCD and Radiant developed a highly reliable UHF wristband, which utilizes multiple inlays to ensure very high read reliability regardless of band orientation or subject body type. RCD uses a unique process to manufacture these bands, which have both RFID inlays and unique bar codes. As part of the RCD manufacturing process, a file is created which associates each RFID device with its bar code.

This information, combined with Radiant’s highly effective software system and portal setup has resulted in highly accurate and speedy tracking of evacuees. This system greatly out performs prior systems involving manual or bar code based data collection.

An article about this application can be found here:
http://www.rfidjournal.com/article/articleview/4443/1/1/

LBL2-511-xxxxxxx

• Small form factor; 13mm x 33mm
• 2K memory
• Customer specified graphics
• Optional serial number & programming services

RCD has designed this extremely small form factor ISO15693 HF label for virtually any close range application. At 13mm x 33mm, it is suitable for item level tracking and other closed loop applications where size is a critical feature. Manufactured with the NXP I-CODE SLI-S integrated circuit, it features 2K memory for additional data requirements.

Even with the small size, RCD can supply this label with up to an eight digit human readable number. We will also work with you to customize the label with a 2-color design.