METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DISABLING AN ENDOSCOPE AFTER USE
First Claim
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1. An endoscope, comprising:
- a lens;
a usage detector; and
a disabling device coupled to the usage detector, wherein the disabling device is configured to permanently disable the endoscope at least partly in response to;
(a) a mechanical output from the usage detector,(b) an optical output from the usage detector,(c) electrical output from the usage detector, or(d) any combination of (a), (b), or (c),wherein the usage detector is configured to detect;
(i) an initiation of use of the endoscope,(ii) a termination of use of the endoscope,(iii) a cable insertion,(iv) a cable removal,(v) a switch activation, or(vi) any combination of (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), or (v).
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Abstract
Various embodiments comprise endoscopes for viewing inside a cavity of a body such as a vessel like a vein or artery. These endoscopes may include a usage detector and a disabling device coupled to the usage detector, wherein the disabling device is configured to disable the endoscope at least partly in response to an electrical, optical, and/or mechanical output from the usage detector.
83 Citations
37 Claims
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1. An endoscope, comprising:
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a lens; a usage detector; and a disabling device coupled to the usage detector, wherein the disabling device is configured to permanently disable the endoscope at least partly in response to; (a) a mechanical output from the usage detector, (b) an optical output from the usage detector, (c) electrical output from the usage detector, or (d) any combination of (a), (b), or (c), wherein the usage detector is configured to detect; (i) an initiation of use of the endoscope, (ii) a termination of use of the endoscope, (iii) a cable insertion, (iv) a cable removal, (v) a switch activation, or (vi) any combination of (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), or (v). - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for disabling an endoscope, comprising:
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detecting, via a usage detector device, a usage event, the usage event including one or more of; (i) an initiation of use of the endoscope, (ii) a termination of use of the endoscope, (iii) a cable insertion to the endoscope, (iv) a cable removal from the endoscope, (v) a switch activation, or any combination of (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), or (v); and permanently disabling the endoscope at least partly in response to; (a) a first mechanical output from a usage detector, (b) a first optical output from the usage detector, (c) a first electrical output from the usage detector, or (d) any combination of (a), (b), or (c). - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A method for manufacturing an endoscope for viewing portions of a body, the method comprising:
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disposing on at least one portion of an endoscope body a usage detector device configured to detect a usage event related to the endoscope, the usage event including one or more of; (i) an initiation of use of the endoscope, (ii) a termination of use of the endoscope, (iii) a cable insertion to the endoscope, (iv) a cable removal from the endoscope, (v) a switch activation, or any combination of (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), or (v); and disposing on at least one portion of an endoscope body a disabling device configured to permanently inhibit the use of the endoscope at least partly in response to; (a) a first mechanical output from a usage detector, (b) a first optical output from the usage detector, (c) a first electrical output from the usage detector, or (d) any combination of (a), (b), or (c). - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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Specification