User's Manual

Table Of Contents
1-1
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Chapter 1: System Description
The SmartSponge® System is used in an operating room to detect and identify tagged surgical items for the
purpose of reconciling surgical counts. The system employs radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology
to detect ClearCount SmartSponge surgical sponges and towels. The system combines the benefits of counting
and detection of surgical items (sponges, gauze, and towels) used during a surgical case. It has a user-friendly
color display that provides detailed item counts. The counts are automatically updated as SmartSponge RFID-
tagged sponges and towels are scanned “in” and “out” of the surgical procedure.
This chapter includes a brief overview of the system and a detailed description of its components.
System Components
Count In Scanner
The Count In Scanner, shown in Figure 1-1, is used to count items into the surgical case prior to using the
items. The Count In Scanner is located below the area marked
Touch Here to Scan.
The proximity sensor
activates the Count In Scanner when sponges are present. As surgical sponges and towels are placed on the
Count In Scanner, it adds the tagged items to the In-Scan Inventory. This inventory or quantity of scanned-in
items appears in the
IN
column of the Count Mode screen on the display. Table 1-1 lists the scanner
components.
Figure 1-1 Count In Scanner Components