Systems and methods for preventing automatic identification of re-used single use devices
First Claim
1. A method of limiting usage of a medical probe, the medical probe including an electronic storage component for storing a probe identification code, the method comprising:
- determining if the medical probe has been previously used; and
disabling the electronic storage component if the medical probe is determined to have been previously used.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A medical system for limiting the re-use of a medical probe, such as, e.g., a catheter or a surgical probe, is provided. The medical system includes a medical probe that includes an electronic storage component for storing a probe identification code. The medical probe further includes a disabling circuit, the activation of which disables the electronic storage component. The medical system further includes a control unit, such as, e.g., an RF generator, for connection to the medical probe. The control unit includes control circuit that is configured for automatically reading the probe identification code from the electronic storage component and preventing the medical probe from being operated if the probe identification code is not approved. The control circuit is also configured for determining if the medical probe has been previously used. If the medical probe has been previously used, the control circuit prevents operation of the medical probe and activates the disabling circuitry to disable the electronic storage component in the medical probe. Thus, when the medical probe is reconnected to the control unit, the control circuitry will attempt to read the probe identification code from the disable electronic storage component. Alternatively, the disabling circuitry internally determines whether the medical probe has been previously used and disables the electronic storage component.
33 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method of limiting usage of a medical probe, the medical probe including an electronic storage component for storing a probe identification code, the method comprising:
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determining if the medical probe has been previously used; and
disabling the electronic storage component if the medical probe is determined to have been previously used. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A medical probe, comprising:
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an elongate member having a distally located functional component;
an electronic storage component having stored therein a probe identification code; and
disabling circuitry electrically coupled to the electronic storage component, the disabling circuitry configured for detecting whether the medical probe has been previously used, and for disabling the electronic storage component if the medical probe is determined to have been previously used. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A control unit for connection to a medical probe, the medical probe having an electronic storage component for storing a probe identification code, the control unit comprising:
control circuitry configured to electrically couple to the electronic storage component for determining if the medical probe has been previously used, and for disabling the electronic storage component if the medical probe is determined to have been previously used. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
Specification