Pier Francesco Orru

Electromagnetic compatibility analysis of RFID and implantable medical devices

An analysis of Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) between a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) device and an Implantable Cardiac Defibrillator (ICD) is presented in this paper. In particular, the analysis focuses on the effects of EMI produced by an RFID reader on ICD operation. Thus, a brief overview of both ICD and RFID devices is presented at first. Subsequently, several experimental tests are performed inside an anechoic RF chamber, which ensures an appropriate shielding against external EMI sources. As a result, the comparison among ICD operating thresholds highlights its susceptibility against the RFID device.

Performance analysis of a healthcare supply chain for RFID-enabled process reengineering

This study is part of a project which aims to study innovative RFID-based management systems, to optimise logistics in a blood transfusion centre (BTC). In 2009, an analysis of transfusion processes (AS IS 2009) and criticalities was carried out and a RFID-based process reengineering was performed (TO BE 2009). After several technical and management changes in BTC, a further process analysis was carried out and a new model (AS IS 2013) was implemented. The aim of the study is to evaluate efficiency and safety levels of BTC at present, and to compare the models using a coherent methodological approach. A failure modes, effects and criticalities analysis (FMECA) was carried out, in order to highlight criticalities related to patient safety and ad hoc key performance indicators (KPI) were designed and calculated for the two as is models. This paper describes a significant step prior to the design of UHF RFID systems.

RFID technology for blood tracking: An experimental approach for benchmarking different devices

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the paper is to design a testing protocol to measure performances of RFID devices applied to blood supply chain, and to implement an experimental campaign in order to collect performance data. The protocol matches operational conditions in blood supply chain and is particularly tailored to some critical processes, which can benefit from RFID adoption. The paper thus strives at benchmarking performances of inlays, fixed and handheld RFID readers, when deployed in the blood supply chain processes. DESIGN, METHODOLOGY, APPROACH: The adopted testing protocol enables the assessment of performances of RFID devices in processes of the blood supply chain, since it has been developed peculiarly to emulate critical logistics processes. The testing protocol has been designed jointly with hospital personnel involved in every day operations on blood bags and tubes in order to improve processes, in terms of safety and reliability. The testing protocol has been applied to 3 inlays, 2 fixed readers, 1 mobile handheld in 3 logistics processes, all operating according to UHF EPC class 1 gen 2 protocols and ETSI regulations. We measured and compared read rates, accuracies and read times. FINDINGS: The results of the test give a direct insight of performances to be expected from different RFID devices when deployed in a real-world environment. Therefore, it is possible to give answers to how a specific piece of hardware —such as an inlay or a reader —performs, and how it can be effectively used to improve security of patients in healthcare. At the same time, researchers focusing on the business process reengineering of blood supply chain can assess the technical feasibility of the RFID-reengineered logistics processes in order to improve the safety of end users.

Analysis of End-of-Life Vehicle Processes: A Case Study in Sardinia (Italy)

The present work aimed at giving a review of the end-of life phase for motor vehicles, providing accurate process modeling, indicating critical aspects, and finally suggesting improvements. For the study, one of the principal dismantler in Sardinia (Italy) was considered. The main innovation is the bottom-up approach to the problem; this was carried out by field observing the process activities and sharing the criticalities identification with the actors. The study has confirmed that the simplicity of disassembling the components and the ease of identification of the different materials to be separated is fundamental for an efficient dismantling of motor vehicles. It is finally crucial that the dismantling processes, being highly complicated, mainly involve the same manufacturers.

FMECA Modelling and Analysis in Blood Transfusion Chain

This paper describes the modelling and analysis of the processes and activities used in the Blood Transfusion Centre of Hospital Brotzu (Cagliari – Italy), via FMECA (Failure Modes Effects and Criticalities Analysis) method, in order to enhance patient safety and improve clinical risk management. The first part of the study consists on an analysis of the present blood transfusion chain processes (AS-IS), obtained by reverse engineering. Then a concise description of the FMECA methodology is presented. After the introduction of the reengineered process (TO-BE), developed via introduction of RFID technology, the results of simulation will be presented. For each activity of the two configurations studied (AS-IS and TO-BE) some performance indicators were evaluated, then a sensitivity analysis has been carried out to investigate the consistency of FMECA analysis. Finally follows the comparison of results between the simulation of actual process and the reengineered one.

EM level evaluation in indoor environment

In order to show that a given set of EM sources comply with national rules on exposition, a prediction model for EM propagation is needed. For indoor environment, the test presented her show that reflections and multipath can significantly affect the field level respect to the free-space situation, which sometimes can doubles.