Systems and methods to identify and disable re-used single use devices based on time elapsed from first therapeutic use
First Claim
1. A method of monitoring usage of a medical probe, comprising:
- initially effectively operating the medical probe;
determining a time coincident with the initial effective operation of the medical probe to obtain an initial probe usage time; and
electronically storing the initial probe usage time in the medical probe.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A medical system for limiting usage of a medical probe, such as, e.g., a catheter or surgical probe, is provided. The medical system includes a medical probe that includes electronic storage componentry for storage of data. The medical system further includes a control unit to which the medical probe is connected. The control unit is configured for writing and reading data to and from the electronic storage componentry of the medical probe when the medical probe is connected to the control unit. The control unit includes a clock that generates a time signal, which is used to determine an initial probe usage time and a reference time. The control unit further includes a control circuit that writes the initial probe usage time to the electronic storage componentry of the medical probe when the medical probe is initially operated. During a subsequent procedure, the control circuit reads the initial probe usage time from the electronic storage componentry. The control circuit determines an elapsed probe usage time based on the initial probe usage time and the reference time. The control circuit then determines whether a predetermined elapsed time limit has expired based on the elapsed probe usage time. The control circuit then prevents operation of the medical probe if the predetermined elapsed time limit has expired.
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Citations
43 Claims
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1. A method of monitoring usage of a medical probe, comprising:
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initially effectively operating the medical probe;
determining a time coincident with the initial effective operation of the medical probe to obtain an initial probe usage time; and
electronically storing the initial probe usage time in the medical probe. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 40)
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9. A method of limiting usage of a medical probe having electronically stored therein an initial effective probe usage time, the method comprising:
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reading the initial effective probe usage time from the medical probe;
comparing the initial effective probe usage time with a reference time; and
conditionally operating the medical probe based on the time comparison. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 41)
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17. A control unit for connection to a medical probe, the medical probe having electronic storage componentry, the control unit comprising:
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a clock configured for generating a time signal; and
a control circuit electrically coupled to the clock, the control circuit configured to electrically couple to the electronic storage component of the medical probe for deriving an initial probe usage time from the time signal when the medical probe is initially effectively operated, and for writing the initial probe usage time to the electronic storage componentry substantially permanently. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 42)
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22. A control unit for connection to a medical probe, the medical probe comprising electronic storage componentry having an initial effective probe usage time stored therein, the control unit comprising:
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a clock configured for generating a time signal; and
a control circuit electrically coupled to the clock, the control circuit configured to electrically couple to the electronic storage componentry for reading the initial probe usage time stored in the electronic storage componentry, and for conditionally generating a control signal based on the initial probe usage time. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 43)
an RF power source; and
an interlocking device coupled between the RF power source and the control circuit, wherein the control signal is an interlocking control signal.
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31. The control unit of claim 22, wherein the control circuit includes a microprocessor.
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43. The control unit of claim 22, wherein the initial probe usage time is stored substantially permanently in the electronic storage componentry.
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32. A medical probe, comprising:
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an elongate member having a distally located operative element; and
electronic storage componentry having a predetermined elapsed time limit for effective operation stored therein. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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Specification