System and method for controlling access to features of a medical instrument
First Claim
1. A system for controlling access to operating features of a medical instrument that has a plurality of operating features, the system comprising:
- an input device with which an operator may provide control signals for the operation of the medical instrument, the control signals including selection signals to select single features or combinations of features for operation of the medical instrument;
an access key having an access component and a feature control component; and
a controller responsive to the access key to determine if the access component is acceptable and if so, to enable and disable particular operating features of the medical instrument in accordance with the feature control component of the access key, wherein the controller is responsive to control signals from the input device to permit operator control over such enabled features and does not permit operator control over such disabled features.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An access key is required for operation of features of a medical instrument. A control program is used to control access to the operating features of the medical instrument. All programs of the medical instrument are validated for operation of any and all of the features of the medical instrument either alone or in any combination. However access to use of those features or combinations of features of the medical instrument requires an access key that is recognized by the control program. The pump may be usable in a basic operational configuration without entry of any access key; however, more advanced features will be disabled unless the operator enters a correct access key to enable one or more of those features. Operator input for enabled features will be accepted by the instrument but operator input for disabled features will not be accepted. Disabled features are not displayed, nor is information about them displayed. By means of the invention, the medical instrument and all of its control programs are completely validated for all uses and modes of operation during manufacture; however, users are restricted from use of certain features by means of the requirement for an access key.
-
Citations
25 Claims
-
1. A system for controlling access to operating features of a medical instrument that has a plurality of operating features, the system comprising:
-
an input device with which an operator may provide control signals for the operation of the medical instrument, the control signals including selection signals to select single features or combinations of features for operation of the medical instrument;
an access key having an access component and a feature control component; and
a controller responsive to the access key to determine if the access component is acceptable and if so, to enable and disable particular operating features of the medical instrument in accordance with the feature control component of the access key, wherein the controller is responsive to control signals from the input device to permit operator control over such enabled features and does not permit operator control over such disabled features. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A method for controlling access to operating features of a medical instrument that has a plurality of operating features, the method comprising:
-
providing control signals for the operation of the medical instrument, the control signals including selection signals to select single features or combinations of features for operation of the medical instrument;
providing an access signal, the access signal having an access component and a feature control component;
determining if the access component is acceptable and if so, enabling and disabling particular operating features of the medical instrument in accordance with the feature control component of the access key; and
accepting control signals for operator control over such enabled features and not accepting operator control over such disabled features. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
-
21. A system for controlling access to subprograms and combinations of subprograms of an application program, the subprograms being operable individually and in selectable combinations with each other, the system comprising:
-
an input device with which an operator of the application program may provide control signals for the operation of the application program, the control signals including selection signals to select single subprograms or combinations of subprograms;
an access key having an access component and a feature control component; and
a controller program responsive to the access key to determine if the access component is acceptable and if so, to enable and disable particular subprograms of the application program in accordance with the feature control component of the access key, wherein the controller program is responsive to control signals from the input device to permit operator control over such enabled subprograms and does not permit operator control over such disabled subprograms. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
-
Specification