Intelligent Instruments
The concept of “Intelligent Instruments”, of Sferic Stellite holds in a RFID (Radio Frequency Identification Device ) – a tag with radio frequency integrated in the surgical instruments which ensures them a perfect traceability which means for the hospital a real progress.
A knee prosthesis surgical operation mobilizes more than 200 surgical instruments: over 120 instruments are dedicated to implant the knee prosthesis as well as standard instruments.
An instrument can be used a dozen times per day on different patients, by different surgeons and sometimes by several hospitals (lendings).
A new regulation applicable in 2008 has strengthened the rules of aftercare and traceability of the surgical instrument: the history of the individual instruments has to be controlled, recorded and linked to the patients, surgeons and hospitals.
We can easily figure out the workload that represents for the persons in charge of the operating room. The traceability of the instruments is a challenge which the hospitals have to cope with.
With the solution of “Intelligent Instruments”, Sferic Stellite brings a long-lasting traceability solution for the surgical instruments. In addition to the question of the traceability, this RFID technology facilitates the instruments reconditioning in the sterilization cases. It allows also a better flow management between operating room and sterilization laboratories, as well as a more rigorous management of their use and their maintenance.
To develop this project, we have established a partnership with two others companies:
- MBBS as Swiss based company which develops and manufactures the chips resistant to heat and moisture.
- AEGLE a French based company which develops the software which enables to manage the planning and flow of instruments and implants used in the operating room
Existing projects are ongoing with the hospital of Montreuil (Paris – France) on complete set of instrumentations, which are used every day. On December 15, 2008, Sferic Stellite received the 2008 innovation prize for the concept of “Intelligent Instruments” during the evening gala “2008 Top Companies” organized by the County Governance of the Loir-et-Cher.