New syringes utilize RFID to prevent errors

In order to reduce the number of medical complications due to errors in injections, Covidien (St. Louis) has created what can arguably be called a "smart" syringe.

Utilizing radio frequency identification (RFID) with its Ultraject prefilled contrast media syringes and its Optivantage DH power advantage, the company has developed a syringe that will not shoot an injection if there is an incorrect dosage.

The company reported launching the device yesterday and discussed particulars of the product with Medical Device Daily from a makeshift conference room at this year's Association for Medical Imaging Management (AHRA; Sudbury, Massachusetts) annualmeeting in Denver.

"RFID is a fairly mature and well-known industry," Jeff Lockwood, director of marketing for imaging devices at Covidien, told MDD. "[But] RFID is new to this particular technology."

An RFID system consists of an antenna and a transceiver, which reads the radio frequency and transfers the information to a processing device, and a transponder, or tag, which is an integrated circuit containing the RF circuitry and information to be transmitted.

RFID systems can be used just about anywhere, from clothing tags to missiles to pet tags to food ? anywhere that a unique identification system is needed.

The RFID-enabled system Covidien uses creates an intelligentinterface between the contrast media syringe and the power injector that helps radiology technologists to better ensure that each patient receives the prescribed concentration and programmed dose of a contrast media-related drug during a procedure.