Smart card control of medical devices

• US 20070167720A1
• Filed: 12/06/2006
• Published: 07/19/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Stereotaxis, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Stereotaxis, Inc.
• Inventors: Viswanathan, Raju R., Hogg, Bevil J., Olson, David, Kinder, John
• Application Number:
  US11/634,826
• Publication Number:
  US 20070167720A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/407
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/70 Manipulators specially adapted for use in surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/73 Manipulators for magnetic surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/08 Accessories or related features not otherwise provided for

Abstract

A method of exploiting a medical technology comprising: providing at least two types of medical systems incorporating the medical technology. Each of the systems has first capabilities useful in performing a first type of medical procedure, and second capabilities useful in performing a second type of medical procedure. One of the medical systems is offered in exchange for payment allowing access to both the first and second capabilities, and the other of the medical system is offered will full access to the first capabilities in exchange for payment, while access to the second capabilities are restricted and separately sold to the purchaser on an episodic basis.

Claims

1. A method of exploiting a medical technology comprising:

providing at least two types of medical systems incorporating the medical technology, each system having first capabilities useful in performing a first type of medical procedure, and second capabilities useful in performing a second type of medical procedure;

offering to transfer one type of medical system in exchange for payment allowing access to both the first and second capabilities or to transfer the other type of medical system in exchange for payment, while restricting access to the second capabilities of the system, and separately selling access to the second capabilities of the medical system on an episodic basis.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein access to the second capabilities are sold on a per procedure basis.

4. The method according to claim 1 wherein access to the second capabilities are sold on a per unit time basis.

5. The method according to claim 1 wherein access is restricted to predetermined periods on a calendar.

6. The method according to claim 1 wherein access to the second capabilities are delivered by providing a token which causes the medical system to permit access to the systems second capabilities.

7. The method according to claim 4 wherein the token provides access to the second capabilities for a single procedure.

8. The method according to claim 4 wherein a user can replenish the token.

9. The method according to claim 4 wherein the token provides access to the second capabilities for a plurality of procedures.

10. The method according to claim 9 wherein the user can replenish the token.

11. The method according to claim 4 wherein the token provides access to the second capabilities for a predetermined period of time.

12. The method according to claim 1 wherein the system is adapted for use with a medical device, and wherein operation of the system is dependent upon a token associated with the medical device.

16. The system according to claim 1 wherein the wherein the system is adapted for use with a medical device, and wherein operation of the system is dependent upon a token associated with the medical device.

2. A method of commercializing a medical system having first capabilities useful in performing a first type of medical procedure, and second capabilities useful in performing a second type of medical procedure, the method comprising:

transferring the medical system to a user in exchange for payment, while restricting access to the second capabilities of the system, and separately selling access to the second capabilities of the medical system on an episodic basis.

13. A medical system having first capabilities useful in performing a first type of medical procedure, and second capabilities useful in performing a second type of medical procedure, the first capabilities being available to all users, and the second capabilities being available only to users with a token which enables the second capabilities of the medical system.

14. The medical system according to claim 13 wherein the token provides access to the second capabilities for a single procedure.

15. The medical system according to claim 13 wherein the token provides access to the second capabilities for a predetermined period of time.

17. A method of controlling access to a medical system having first capabilities useful in performing a first type of medical procedure, and second capabilities useful in performing a second type of medical procedure, the method comprising restricting access to the second capabilities to users with a procedure token.

18. The method according to claim 17 wherein the medical system is adapted for use with a medical device, the method further comprises restricting operation of the system without a device token associated with the device.

19. A medical system having first capabilities useful in performing a first type of medical procedure, and second capabilities useful in performing a second type of medical procedure, the system including a control for restricting access to the second capabilities to users with a procedure token.

20. The medical system of claim 19 where the token is an electronic smart card.

21. The medical system according to claim 19 wherein the procedure token provides access to the second capabilities for a single procedure.

22. The medical system according to claim 19 wherein the procedure token provides access to the second capabilities for at least one predetermined period of time.

23. The method according to claim 19 wherein the medical system is adapted for use with a medical device, the method further comprises restricting operation of the system without a device token associated with the device.

24. A medical system having first capabilities useful in performing a first type of medical procedure, and second capabilities useful in performing a second type of medical procedure, the system including a control for restricting access to the second capabilities to users with a procedure token, based on which a corresponding User Interface is displayed to users of the medical system.

25. The medical system according to claim 24 wherein the procedure token provides access to the second capabilities for at least one predetermined period of time.