MODULAR MEDICAL DEVICES
First Claim
1. Apparatus comprising:
- a medical device formed from a plurality of modules adapted to be directly plugged together or to a bus via connectors of the modules so that the modules can function together as a system;
wherein the modules are selected from a group of modules adapted to be used in combination to perform one or more medical functions for a particular patient;
wherein the plurality of modules forming the medical device includes at least one capability to store data, at least one capability to perform a communication function, at least one capability to control the medical device, at least one capability to provide a sense function, and at least one capability to provide energy to the medical device; and
further wherein the plurality of modules are mechanically and electrically compatible to allow them to be assembled together in a variety of combinations to provide desired functionality.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus and method provide for forming a modular medical device by selecting a combination of medical device modules and combining them to form the modular medical device, for example by plugging them together or into a common bus. In one embodiment, the modules are selected from a group of modules adapted to be used in combination to perform one or more medical functions for a particular patient. In one embodiment at least one module is adapted to store data, at least one module is adapted to perform a communication function, at least one module is used to control the medical device, at least one module is adapted to provide a sense function, and at least one module provides energy to the medical device. In another embodiment the modular medical devices may be rented or sold to patients, or prescribed by physicians and covered by medical insurance.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. Apparatus comprising:
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a medical device formed from a plurality of modules adapted to be directly plugged together or to a bus via connectors of the modules so that the modules can function together as a system; wherein the modules are selected from a group of modules adapted to be used in combination to perform one or more medical functions for a particular patient; wherein the plurality of modules forming the medical device includes at least one capability to store data, at least one capability to perform a communication function, at least one capability to control the medical device, at least one capability to provide a sense function, and at least one capability to provide energy to the medical device; and further wherein the plurality of modules are mechanically and electrically compatible to allow them to be assembled together in a variety of combinations to provide desired functionality. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method comprising:
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assembling a medical device from a plurality of modules, the assembling comprising directly plugging the modules together or to a bus via connectors of the modules so that the modules can function together as a system and selecting the modules forming the medical device based on one or more medical functions to be performed by the medical device for a particular patient; wherein the modules are selected from a group of modules adapted to be used in combination to perform one or more medical functions; wherein the plurality of modules forming the medical device includes at least one capability to store data, at least one capability to perform a communication function, at least one capability to control the medical device, at least one capability to sense a physiological parameter, and at least one capability to provide energy to the medical device; and further wherein the plurality of modules are mechanically and electrically compatible to allow them to be assembled together in a variety of combinations to provide desired functionality. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification