Regulating Use Of A Device To Perform A Procedure On A Subject
First Claim
1. A method comprisinggoverning whether a procedure can be performed on a subject, using a procedure device, based on control data prestored on a portable memory device, andstoring on the portable memory device, procedure data generated in connection with performing the procedure, the procedure data being stored in a manner that protects the privacy of the data in accordance with regulatory privacy restrictions that protect the subject with respect to the procedure.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Among other things, whether a procedure can be performed on a subject using a procedure device, is governed based on control data prestored on a portable memory device; procedure data generated in connection with performing the procedure is stored on the portable memory device; the procedure data being stored in a manner that protects the privacy of the data in accordance with regulatory privacy restrictions that protect the subject with respect to the procedure.
54 Citations
89 Claims
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1. A method comprising
governing whether a procedure can be performed on a subject, using a procedure device, based on control data prestored on a portable memory device, and storing on the portable memory device, procedure data generated in connection with performing the procedure, the procedure data being stored in a manner that protects the privacy of the data in accordance with regulatory privacy restrictions that protect the subject with respect to the procedure.
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7. A method comprising
using a computer associated with a procedure device to store, on a portable memory device, digital information associated with performance of a succession of similar procedures on a subject using the procedure device, tracking a time period that elapses during the performance of the succession of the similar procedures, and when the elapsed time period exceeds a predetermined period representing a single session, restricting the storage of digital information associated with any subsequent similar procedures on the portable memory device.
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12. A method comprising
lending to a clinician a computer that is owned by a supplier, selling portable memory devices to the clinician for use with the computer in regulating the use of a procedure device to perform procedures on a subject and enabling data generated in connection with the performance of the procedures to be stored on the portable memory devices, the generated data being stored on the portable memory devices, and not stored on the computer, in a manner that enables the clinician to comply with privacy regulations that protect the subject with respect to the data.
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17. A method comprising
a physician using a computer associated with a skin scanner to store, on a memory card, digital information associated with performance of a skin scanning procedure on a patient using the skin scanner, and the physician obtaining advice from a consultant with respect to the patient by providing the digital information to the consultant from the memory card.
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21. A method comprising
a supplier selling memory cards to a clinician for controlling the use of a procedure device to perform procedures on subjects, each of the cards authorizing a specified number of a specific procedure to be performed, and receiving information, from a computer that interacts with the cards, at a host controlled by the supplier, to prevent uses of the procedure device to perform procedures that are not authorized by the cards.
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26. A method comprising
acquiring one image of a skin lesion at one time and storing the image on a first portable memory device, at a later time, acquiring a second image of the skin lesion and storing the second image on a second portable memory device, and enabling a comparison of the one image and the second image using by accessing the images from the portable memory devices using a computer.
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31. A method comprising
using a computer associated with a procedure device to store, on a portable memory device, digital information associated with performance of a procedure on a subject - using the procedure device, a portion of the digital information being restricted, permitting at least some of the restricted information to be accessed by the computer associated with the procedure device, and in connection with enabling a second computer to access at least some of the digital information on the portable memory device that is not restricted, excluding from access by the second computer, at least some of the restricted information.
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32. A method comprising
using a computer associated with a procedure device to store, on a portable memory device, digital information associated with performance of a procedure on a subject using the procedure device, and storing on the portable memory device an image that relates to the procedure and is generated by an imaging device that is separate from the procedure device.
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38. A method comprising:
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determining that an actual usage of a procedure device by a user to perform a procedure on a subject corresponds to an available pre-paid permitted usage represented by indicia manifested on a portable device, reporting the occurrence of the actual usage to a remote location, and after the actual usage has occurred, treating the permitted usage as no longer available. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47)
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48. A method comprising
providing to physicians memory devices that store data that represent authorized usages of a skin scanner, automatically receiving through a communication network, confirmation of actual usages of the skin scanner corresponding to the authorized uses, and in an accounting system, automatically recognizing revenue corresponding to the actual usages in response to the confirmation.
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49. An apparatus comprising
a portable storage device storing indicia representative of pre-paid permitted usage of a procedure device to perform a procedure on a subject.
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52. A memory card on which is stored data representing prepaid permitted use of a skin scanner to scan regions of skin of a patient.
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53. A method comprising
providing to a clinician a pre-paid storage device, a computer, and a skin scanner, based on interaction of the pre-paid storage device and the computer, permitting the clinician to use the skin scanner to perform an authorized amount of scanning of skin of a patient to produce skin scan data, using the computer to analyze the skin scan data to produce diagnostic information, and storing the skin scan data and the diagnostic information on the pre-paid storage device for later access and use by at least the clinician.
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55. A system for use in performing a procedure on a subject, comprising:
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a procedure device to perform the procedure on the subject, a memory to store information including one or more data selected from the group consists of procedure data generated when performing the procedure and control data related to governing delivery of the procedure to the subject, and a control unit operatively connected with the procedure device and with the memory, the control unit being programmed to exchange the data with the memory. - View Dependent Claims (56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 89)
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84. A system comprising:
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a skin scanner, a memory card, and a processor in communication with the skin scanner and with the memory card, the processor being programmed to carry out at least the following steps; receiving from the skin scanner digital information associated with performance of a skin scanning procedure on a patient using the skin scanner, storing on the memory card the digital information associated with performance of a skin scanning procedure on a patient using the skin scanner, and rendering the digital information stored on the memory card remotely accessible to a consultant at a station remote from the processor to obtain advice with respect to the patient. - View Dependent Claims (85, 86, 87)
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88. A system comprising
a pre-paid storage device, a processor in communication with the pre-paid storage device, and a skin scanner, the processor being programmed to: -
based on interaction of the pre-paid storage device, permit a clinician to use the skin scanner to perform an authorized amount of scanning of skin of a patient to produce skin scan data, analyze the skin scan data to produce diagnostic information, and store the skin scan data and the diagnostic information on the pre-paid storage device for later access and use by at least the clinician.
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Specification