Novo Surgical unveiled its first-generation RFID-enabled surgical instrument prototypes, at IAHCSMM 2017, in Nashville, Tennessee, USA. The prototypes are the result of month-long research and development efforts, by Novo Surgical’s engineering and quality control teams, and using patented Xerafy RFID technology.
“We’re excited to present our first-generation of smart instruments developed in collaboration with Xerafy,” said Abed Moiduddin, the Vice President (VP) of Business Development at Novo Surgical.
Xerafy RFID technology
Novo customers have demonstrated a strong interest in these next-generation devices"
Abed Moiduddin adds, “Novo customers have demonstrated a strong interest in these next-generation devices and while our development efforts are ongoing, we couldn’t be happier than to partner with Xerafy, a pioneer in RFID technologies for healthcare environments.”
Michel Gillmann, Xerafy’s Director for Product & Marketing, said “Our development cooperation with Novo Surgical is a significant step towards our vision of seamless tracking in healthcare. By integrating Xerafy’s technology into the very design of instruments, Novo Surgical is transforming ‘next’ into ‘now’.”
UHF RFID tags
Xerafy developed and validated its medical-grade RFID technology, over the years, with UHF RFID tags and the design-in concept for surgical instruments, both patented by Xerafy. Following the deployment of RFID-enabled surgical instrument tracking, Rigshospitalet in Denmark estimated it saved 31,000 hours per year, in OR procedures alone.
RFID tracking comes with unique capabilities and benefits, compared to procedures, such as manual surgical counts or visual identification systems, making it the new standard for hospitals.
Automated tracking and tracing
From automated tracking and tracing that reduces errors and avoids loss of equipment, to store large amounts of user data, including instrument location, history, and sterilisation, RFID and ‘smart’ instruments, result in reduced errors, decreased loss of surgical instruments, increased visibility and efficiency, superior demand forecasting and ultimately, improved patient outcomes.