Reusable instruments and related systems and methods
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of charging a client for use of a reusable instrument, the method comprising:
- charging the client for use of the reusable instrument, the charge to the client being at least partially based on a number of times the client has used the reusable instrument since last being charged for use of the reusable instrument.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Reusable instruments, such as reusable medical instruments, and related systems and methods, are disclosed. In some embodiments, the reusable instrument can be an endoscope.
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Citations
111 Claims
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1. A method of charging a client for use of a reusable instrument, the method comprising:
charging the client for use of the reusable instrument, the charge to the client being at least partially based on a number of times the client has used the reusable instrument since last being charged for use of the reusable instrument. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 105)
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31. A method of charging a client for use of a reusable instrument, the reusable instrument having an identity, the method comprising:
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reading recognition data from the reusable instrument to determine the identity of the reusable instrument;
determining the client based on the identity of the reusable instrument; and
charging the client based on data associated with the client. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 106)
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45. A method of managing a condition of a reusable instrument, the reusable instrument having an identity, the method comprising:
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determining the identity of the reusable instrument; and
determining, based on the identity of the reusable instrument, a number of times the reusable instrument has been used since the reusable instrument last underwent a maintenance procedure. - View Dependent Claims (46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 107)
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54. A method of maintaining a supply material associated with uses of a reusable instrument, the reusable instrument having an identity, the method comprising:
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determining the identity of the reusable instrument; and
determining, based on the identity of the reusable instrument, a number of times the reusable instrument has been used since the supply material was last acquired by a client associated with the reusable instrument. - View Dependent Claims (55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 108)
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63. A method of preventing use of a reusable instrument, the reusable instrument having an identity, the method comprising:
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determining a client associated with the reusable instrument based on the identity of the reusable instrument; and
preventing the reusable instrument from being used in a procedure based on data associated with the client. - View Dependent Claims (64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 109)
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70. A method of maintaining a database for a reusable instrument, the method comprising:
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determining, each time the reusable instrument has been used in a procedure, that the reusable instrument has been used in a procedure; and
updating, each time the reusable instrument has been used in a procedure, the database to indicate that the reusable instrument has been used in another procedure. - View Dependent Claims (71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 110)
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76. A method of charging a client, the method comprising:
charging the client, the charge to the client being at least partially based on a number of times the client has treated a reusable instrument since last being charged. - View Dependent Claims (77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 111)
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91. A computer program product residing on a computer readable medium having a plurality of instructions stored thereon which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:
cause a process to occur, the process including;
charging a client for use of the reusable instrument, the charge to the client being at least partially based on a number of times the client has used a reusable instrument since last being charged for use of the reusable instrument. - View Dependent Claims (92)
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93. A computer program product residing on a computer readable medium having a plurality of instructions stored thereon which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:
cause the occurrence of a process, the process including;
reading recognition data from a reusable instrument to determine an identity of the reusable instrument;
determining a client associated with the reusable instrument based on the identity of the reusable instrument; and
charging the client based on data associated with the client. - View Dependent Claims (94)
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95. A computer program product residing on a computer readable medium having a plurality of instructions stored thereon which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:
cause the occurrence of a process, the process including;
determining an identity of the reusable instrument; and
determining, based on the identity of the reusable instrument, a number of times the reusable instrument has been used since the reusable instrument last underwent a maintenance procedure. - View Dependent Claims (96)
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97. A computer program product residing on a computer readable medium having a plurality of instructions stored thereon which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:
cause the occurrence of a process, the process including;
determining an identity of the reusable instrument; and
determining, based on the identity of the reusable instrument, a number of times the reusable instrument has been used since the supply material was last acquired by a client associated with the reusable instrument. - View Dependent Claims (98)
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99. A computer program product residing on a computer readable medium having a plurality of instructions stored thereon which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:
cause the occurrence of a process, the process including;
determining an account for a client based on an identity of a reusable instrument; and
preventing the client from using the reusable instrument in a procedure based on data associated with the client. - View Dependent Claims (100)
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101. A computer program product residing on a computer readable medium having a plurality of instructions stored thereon which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:
cause the occurrence of a process, the process including;
determining, each time a reusable instrument has been used in a procedure, that the reusable instrument has been used in a procedure; and
updating, each time the reusable instrument has been used in a procedure, the database to indicate that the reusable instrument has been used in another procedure. - View Dependent Claims (102)
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103. A computer program product residing on a computer readable medium having a plurality of instructions stored thereon which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:
cause the occurrence of a process, the process including;
charging a client, the charge to the client being at least partially based on a number of times the client has treated a reusable instrument since last being charged. - View Dependent Claims (104)
Specification