Geo-Location Addition to Electrosurgical Generator

• US 20120239020A1
• Filed: 03/15/2011
• Published: 09/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Cunningham, James S.
• Application Number:
  US13/048,639
• Publication Number:
  US 20120239020A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/33
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1206 Generators therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00988 Means for storing information, e.g. calibration constants, or for preventing excessive use, e.g. usage, service life counter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/258 providing specific settings for specific users

Abstract

A system and method for determining the location of an electrosurgical generator using a geo-location device within the generator. The geo-location device determines the location of the generator and the controller sets a default language of the generator based on the determined location. The default language may be overridden by a user when necessary. The geo-location device is coupled to a communication port. The communication port allows for a wireless signal to be sent upon the generator being reported stolen or for tracking location of the generators. The communication port is coupled to the controller to allow for remote disablement, for example in response to the generator being stolen. Alternatively, the controller may disable the generator when the geo-location device determines that the generator has moved outside a predetermined location.

Claims

1. A method for operating an electrosurgical generator, the method comprising:

connecting a geo-location device to a controller within the generator;

determining a location of the generator;

automatically selecting a default language based on the determined location; and

modifying a display screen based on the default language.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

mapping the geo-location device to a generator ID.

3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising:

sending the location of the generator to an inventory control system.

4. The method according to claim 2, further comprising:

reporting the generator stolen; and

notifying a user of the location of the generator.

5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising:

remotely disabling the generator.

6. The method according to claim 2, further comprising:

programming predetermined boundaries to limit the location of the generator;

determining the generator is outside the boundary limitations; and

in response to determining the generator is outside the boundary limitations, automatically disabling the generator.

7. The method according to claim 2, wherein the generator ID is a serial number of the generator.

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising;

selecting a different language through a menu to change the language from the default geo-location set language.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the location is a state, country, region, address, or coordinates.

10. An electrosurgical generator, comprising:

a power supply;

a RF output state configured to generate an electrosurgical waveform;

a geo-location device configured to determine a location of the electrosurgical generator;

a controller coupled to the geo-location device and configured to automatically set a default language based on the location determined by the geo-location device.

11. The electrosurgical generator according to claim 10, further comprising:

a communication port connected to the geo-location device and the controller.

12. The electrosurgical generator according to claim 11, wherein the communication port is configured to wirelessly send the location of the generator to an external device or user.

13. The electrosurgical generator according to claim 11, wherein the communication port is configured to allow a user remote access to determine location of the generator.

14. The electrosurgical generator according to claim 11, wherein the communication port is configured to receive a software or firmware update.

15. The electrosurgical generator according to claim 11, wherein the communication port is configured to allow a user to remotely repair the generator.

16. The electrosurgical generator according to claim 11, wherein the communication port is configured to allow a user to remotely disable the generator.

17. The electrosurgical generator according to claim 11, further comprising an external database configured to map the geo-location device and a generator ID.

18. A method of operating an electrosurgical generator, the method comprising:

installing a geo-location device within the generator;

mapping the geo-location device to a generator ID of the generator;

determining a location of the generator; and

sending, wirelessly, the location of the generator to a remote device.

19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising:

automatically setting a default language based on the determined location.

20. The method according to claim 18, further comprising:

remotely disabling or updating the generator.