Devices and Methods for Monitoring, Managing, and Servicing Medical Devices

• US 20080140451A1
• Filed: 01/12/2005
• Published: 06/12/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lorem Vascular Pte. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Cytori Therapeutics Incorporated
• Inventors: Hedrick, Marc H., Calhoun, Christopher
• Application Number:
  US11/813,579
• Publication Number:
  US 20080140451A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/3
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 45/00 Means for pre-treatment of biological substances
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/00 ICT specially adapted for therapies or health-improving plans, e.g. for handling prescriptions, for steering therapy or for monitoring patient compliance
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/40 for the management of medical equipment or devices, e.g. scheduling maintenance or upgrades

Abstract

A method and apparatus for billing entities for use of a medical device, which relates to the processing of regenerative cells to facilitate at least one of hard and soft tissue formation, are described. When an operator uses the medical device, a corresponding charge is determined. Billing for usage of the medical device is performed on a periodic or per-use basis. Communication over a network facilitates remote management and servicing of the medical device. Support is provided for automatic ordering of supplies consumed by the medical device.

Claims

1. An automated medical system comprising:

a chamber assembly configured to receive adipose tissue removed from a patient, disaggregate said adipose tissue, and separate adipose-derived regenerative cells from said adipose tissue;

a concentration device comprising a filter, elutriator, or centrifuge connected to said chamber assembly and configured to concentrate said adipose-derived regenerative cells;

a programmable processing device configured to communicate with and control said chamber assembly and said concentration device, wherein the programmable processing device records a notable event of said automated medical system.

39. The automated medical system according to claim 1, wherein the notable event comprises a recordation of the consumption of a reagent.

40. The automated medical system according to claim 1, wherein the notable event comprises a recordation of the consumption of a disposable element.

41. The automated medical system according to claim 1, wherein the notable event comprises routine use of the medical device.

42. The automated medical system according to claim 1, wherein the notable event comprises a recordation of patient information.

43. The automated medical system according to claim 1, wherein the notable event comprises a recordation of billing information.

44. The automated medical system according to claim 1, further comprising a conduit connected to the chamber assembly, wherein said conduit is configured to receive adipose tissue.

45. The automated medical system according to claim 1, further comprising an output chamber connected to the concentration device.

46. The automated medical system according to claim 1, wherein the programmable processing device comprises a user input port.

47. The automated medical system according to claim 1, wherein the programmable processing device comprises a display port.

48. The automated medical system of claim 1, further comprising a server in communication with said automated medical system, wherein the server is configured to receive a history of usage of said automated medical system and maintain a database of said history of usage.

49. The automated medical system of claim 48, wherein the server is in communication with the medical system through a recording device that can be accessed by the medical system and the server.

50. The automated medical system according to claim 49, wherein the recording device is a flash memory.

51. The automated medical system according to claim 48, wherein the server is in communication with the medical system through a network.

52. The automated medical system according to claim 51, wherein the network is wireless.

53. The automated medical system according to claim 48, wherein the network is wired.

54. The automated medical system according to claim 48, further comprising a second medical device that is in communication with the server.

55. The automated medical system according to claim 48, further comprising a history of items consumed by the medical system.

56. The automated medical system according to claim 55, wherein the items consumed are disposable elements.

57. The automated medical system according to claim 55, wherein the items consumed are reagents.

58. A method for recording a history of usage of an automated medical system that is configured to isolate adipose-derived regenerative cells, comprising:

introducing adipose tissue removed from a patient into the automated medical system of claim 1;

processing said adipose tissue removed from said patient to isolate said adipose-derived regenerative cells; and

recording the usage of said automated medical system.

59. The method of claim 58, wherein said automated medical system further comprises a server in communication with said medical system, wherein the server is configured to receive a history of usage of said automated medical system and maintain a database of said history of usage.

60. A method for billing a user for the isolation of adipose-derived regenerative cells comprising:

providing the automated medical system of claim 1;

recording the usage of said automated medical system;

receiving a usage history from the automated medical system;

determining a billed amount according to the usage history; and

generating a report of the billed amount.

61. The method according to claim 60, wherein a report is generated when a usage event is received.

62. The method according to claim 60, further comprising receiving a charge code.

63. A method of maintaining an inventory of items consumed by an automated medical system comprising;

providing the automated medical system of claim 1;

maintaining a database of an inventory of consumable items;

receiving a history of usage of the automated medical system; and

recalculating the inventory of consumable items.

64. The method according to claim 63 further comprising generating a report of the inventory of consumable items.

65. The method according to claim 63 further comprising receiving a history of consumable items that are added to the inventory of consumable items.

66. The method according to claim 63, further comprising generating an alert when the inventory of consumable items is below a predetermined amount.

67. The method according to claim 63, further comprising ordering more consumable items from a vendor when an inventory of consumable items is below a predetermined amount.

68. The method of claim 63, wherein the inventory of consumable items comprises an inventory of disposable elements.

69. The method of claim 63, wherein the inventory of consumable items comprises an inventory of reagents.

70. A method of maintenance of an automated medical system, comprising:

providing the automated medical system of claim 1;

maintaining a database of the maintenance history of said medical system;

receiving the maintenance history from the medical system; and

determining if maintenance is needed.

71. The method according to claim 70, further comprising providing a communication to elicit maintenance of said device.

72. The method according to claim 70, wherein maintenance is needed if the time of operation since the last maintenance is greater than a predetermined amount.

73. The method according to claim 70, wherein maintenance is needed if a recent history of usage deviates from a recorded historical usage by a predetermined amount.

2-38. -38. (canceled)