Medical device recognition system with write-back feature
First Claim
1. A medical radiation treatment system with recognition and write-back capability for improved safety and efficiency, having a radiation source and a medical radiation delivery system, comprising:
- a recognition/control unit, connected to said radiation source, comprising means for sending and receiving radio frequency signals, and means to control use of said medical radiation delivery system with said radiation source;
an identification/recordation unit attached to said medical radiation delivery system comprising a transponder and a read/write, nonvolatile memory;
wherein said memory stores information about said delivery system to be used by said control means to prevent improper use of said delivery system;
said transponder, being independent of any electrical connection with said irradiation source and accompanying sending/receiving means, is powered solely by said sending/receiving means in said recognition/control unit through said radio frequency waves traveling in free space from said sending/receiving means to said transponder, said transponder can transmit information from said memory to said control means, and can encode new information onto said memory as said optical delivery device is used with said radiation source; and
wherein, in a medical procedure, an optical connection is in place between said radiation source and said medical radiation delivery system, said transponder and said sending/receiving means in communication by means of said radio frequency waves before and during the medical procedure for improved safety and efficiency of use.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A medical radiation treatment system is disclosed for identifying and monitoring the use of disposable or reusable optical fibers or other optical accessories. The treatment system comprises a radiation source unit connected to a recognition/control unit, and a medical radiation delivery system connected to an identification/recordation unit. This forms a read-write system to ensure that radiation parameters conform to delivery device characteristics, and to prevent the use of overused or incompatible delivery devices. This is achieved by reading previously encoded information in the identification/recordation unit that provides all usage history, including number of uses or total duration of use. The encoded information is updated after use, and preferably frequently or continuously during use, to guarantee a complete usage history even after an incomplete treatment. Additionally, the treatment system can differentiate between completed treatments, incomplete treatments and calibration, to retain an accurate record of all the stresses on a fiber. A transponder sends information to the source unit, and also receives and writes information to a non-volatile memory chip or other storage means. The identification/recordation unit, including the transponder and memory, is powered by sending/receiving means in the recognition/control unit without physical, optical or electrical connection between the source unit and delivery system.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A medical radiation treatment system with recognition and write-back capability for improved safety and efficiency, having a radiation source and a medical radiation delivery system, comprising:
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a recognition/control unit, connected to said radiation source, comprising means for sending and receiving radio frequency signals, and means to control use of said medical radiation delivery system with said radiation source;
an identification/recordation unit attached to said medical radiation delivery system comprising a transponder and a read/write, nonvolatile memory;
wherein said memory stores information about said delivery system to be used by said control means to prevent improper use of said delivery system;
said transponder, being independent of any electrical connection with said irradiation source and accompanying sending/receiving means, is powered solely by said sending/receiving means in said recognition/control unit through said radio frequency waves traveling in free space from said sending/receiving means to said transponder, said transponder can transmit information from said memory to said control means, and can encode new information onto said memory as said optical delivery device is used with said radiation source; and
wherein, in a medical procedure, an optical connection is in place between said radiation source and said medical radiation delivery system, said transponder and said sending/receiving means in communication by means of said radio frequency waves before and during the medical procedure for improved safety and efficiency of use. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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14. A method for identifying and calibrating a medical radiation delivery device, comprising the steps of:
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a. inputting information into a memory in an identification/recordation unit attached to said delivery device, wherein said information comprises identification and maximum use information;
b. placing said delivery device in proximity to a radiation source without requiring a physical, electrical or optical connection;
c. allowing a recognition/control unit to determine whether said delivery device can properly be used with said radiation source, and whether said delivery device has been overused;
d. if said delivery device may be used with said source based on previously entered parameters into said recognition/control unit, optically connecting said delivery device to said radiation source. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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Specification