Ortho-tag Inc. & the University of Pittsburgh enter Into a global licensing agreement of Transcutaneous Near Field Communication Technology

FROM PR NEWSWIRE (November 22, 2011) ... Ortho-tag, Inc., a high-technology development and sales company, has signed a global licensing agreement with the University of Pittsburgh to utilize Transcutaneous Near Field Communication (TNFC) technology in "smart" medical devices for orthopaedic implants and recipient patients. In addition, Ortho-tag and the University of Pittsburgh's Swanson School of Engineering entered into an agreement for the on-going research for future Ortho-tag technologies and products.

TNFC is a critical component of the Ortho-tag stable of products which enables the transcutaneous transmission of information between the patented Orthotag affixed to an orthopaedic implant and a proprietary Ortho-tag Touch Probe/Reader. As part of an all-inclusive system, the Orthotag enables orthopaedic surgeons to easily identify vital information about a patient's orthopaedic implant. Included in the ground-breaking technology is an Ortho-tag Card which is designed for all previous implant patients as well as future ones. The Ortho-tag Card gives patients the ability to have with them, at all times, pertinent information related to their implant and implant surgery.

According to Ortho-tag's CEO Ken Laing, "The cutting-edge technology of the Ortho-tag System is a result of the joint research among innovative orthopaedic, surgeons, engineers, and the University of Pittsburgh. This technology will bring patient care to an all new level and is not only designed for surgeons, but driven by surgeons."

Ortho-tag is a development of the RFID Center of Excellence. As radio frequency identification (RFID) technology expands and improves, researchers at the University of Pittsburgh are advancing with it. The RFID Center of Excellence in Pitt's School of Engineering will enable the school to increase its capabilities and remain a world leader in establishing the direction of radio frequency identification technology. Pitt's RFID research is world renowned, and its research program has been identified as one of the top three in the world-with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the University of Cambridge in England. The RFID Center of Excellence serves as an international resource to academics and members of the business community. The RFID Center of Excellence is led by Executive Director Marlin Mickle, Ph.D., Nickolas A. DeCecco Professor. Dr Mickle is currently involved in RF energy harvesting and the development of totally passive and un-tethered networks. His research also includes the fundamental science and technology involved in RFID.

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