ClearCount Medical Solutions

SmartSponge System: The Most Efficient, Most Thorough!

The SmartSponge System is more efficient, more thorough and easier to integrate than any other sponge management system. The solution provides patient safety with a return on investment.

More efficient, reducing the number of miscounts. With the SmartSponge System, the count is confirmed quickly and efficiently. The SmartBucket screen will highlight any count discrepancies. A quick SmartWand scan will identify any sponges remaining in the patient. This translates to: time saved, unnecessary X-Rays avoided and patient safety preserved.
Reduces possibility of user error. The SmartSponge System utilizes a SmartMat to provide the user with notification that the scan is proceeding properly, elimating the possibility of user error.
Easy to integrate into your OR. Surgeons and nurses will be pleased with the system's augmentation of their current practices-minimizing delays in procedures and reducing hassles associated with count discrepancies.

Technology Overview

The ClearCount SmartSponge System is based on Radio Frequency Identification technology (RFID).

RFID systems are comprised of two basic components: a reader and tags which

are applied to the items to be tracked. RFID tags are tiny microchips that act as transponders listening for a radio signal sent by transceivers, or RFID scanners. When a transponder RFID chip sewn onto the sponge receives a certain radio query, the sponge responds with a unique ID code back to the scanner. RFID tags are powered by the radio signal from the scanner. These broadcast signals are designed to be read between a few inches and several feet away, depending on the size and power driving the RFID tags.

Advantages

ClearCount SmartSponge has the ability to count multiple sponges at once without separation. Our system also does not require line of sight technology similar to barcode technology. This means no longer separating soiled sponges!

Our SmartSponge also has the ability to distinguish different types of sponges such as a 4x4 and lap sponge.

Why RFID?

RFID is a proven and safe technology and has been used for the past 20 years in applications such as toll booths, building access and micropayments. There are also more than 50 million pets that have embedded RFID tags.

Benefits of RFID include:
- Passive: Non emitting tag and contains no battery
- Small: RFID tag is the size of a penny
- No line-of-sight required to detect sponges
- Can read multiple sponges simultaneously
- Can not count the same sponge twice

Future Products

ClearCount is currently in development of our RFID based instrument tracking system.