Graphical user interface for monitoring and controlling use of medical devices

• US 6,464,689 B1
• Filed: 05/18/2000
• Issued: 10/15/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Mederi Rf, LLC
• Original Assignee: Curon Medical, Inc.
• Inventors: Bek, Robin, Utley, David S., Qin, Jay, Gaiser, John
• Primary Examiner(s): PEFFLEY, MICHAEL F
• Application Number:
  US09/574,704
• Time in Patent Office: 880 Days
• Field of Search: 606/1, 606/10-12, 606/41, 606/42, 606/45-50
• US Class Current: 606/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1477 Needle-like probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1485 having a short rigid shaft for accessing the inner body through natural openings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1492 having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation A61B18/1477 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00017 Electrical control of surgical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00084 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00199 with a console, e.g. a control panel with a display
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00269 endoscopic mucosal resection EMR
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00482 with a code
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00267 having a basket shaped structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00494 Stomach, intestines or bowel
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00553 Sphincter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00708 switching the power on or off
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00791 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00875 Resistance or impedance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/046 in liquid form
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/142 at least partly surrounding the target, e.g. concave, curved or in the form of a cave
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1422 Hook
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1432 curved
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1467 using more than two electrodes on a single probe
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/90 Identification means for patients or instruments, e.g. tags

Abstract

A device for treating a tissue region is supplied with a separate usage key card. The usage key card comprises a storage medium, which is formatted to contain an identification code unique to the usage key card. The usage key card is adapted to be read by a remote reader, to download the identification code for processing by a controller for the device. Processing of the identification code by the controller either enables or disables operation of the device according to prescribed criteria. A viewable image is generated on a display screen that changes in response to processing of the identification code.

Claims

1. A system for controlling use of a device for treating a tissue region comprising

a controller to control operation of the device,

a reader to download information to the controller,

a usage key card adapted to be handled separate from the device and comprising a storage medium formatted to contain an identification code unique to the usage key card that, upon reading by the reader, is downloaded to the controller,

the controller including a first data state prior to downloading of the identification code and a processing function for processing the identification code and enabling operation of the device if the identification code correlates in a pre-established manner with the first data state, the processing function operating, in response to enabling operation of the device, to change the first data state to a second data state that prevents subsequent operation of the device in response to downloading of the identification code,

a display screen, and

an operating system to generate a viewable image on the display screen that changes in response to processing of the identification code by the processing function.

2. A system according to claim 1

wherein the processing function causes the controller to create a table by registering unlike identification codes in memory as they are downloaded by the reader and to enable operation of the device when a new identification code is registered in the table, and

wherein the operating system displays a first image to prompt input to create the table for the device using the processing function.

3. A system according to claim 2

wherein the processing function causes the controller to disable operation of the device when the given identification code matches an identification code in the table, and

wherein the operating system displays a second image, different than the first image, to prompt exchange of the device when operation of the device is disabled as a result of the processing function.

4. A system according to claim 2

wherein the processing function causes the controller to register in the table, a time period of use of the device.

5. A system according to claim 4

wherein the processing function causes the controller to disable operation of the device when the time period of use exceeds a prescribed period, and

wherein the operating system displays a second image, different than the first image, to prompt exchange of the device when operation of the device is disabled as a result of the processing function.

6. A system according to claim 1

wherein the device applies radio frequency energy to the tissue region.

7. A method for controlling use of a device for treating a tissue region comprising the steps of

providing a usage key card for the device adapted to be handled separate from the device and comprising a storage medium formatted to contain an identification code unique to the usage key card,

reading the usage key card by a reader separate from the device to download the identification code to a controller for the device, the controller having a first data state prior to downloading of the identification code,

causing the controller to process the identification code by pre-programmed rules to enable operation of the device if the identification code correlates with the first data state,

changing, according to pre-programmed rules, the first data state to a second data state in response to enabling operation of the device, the second data state preventing a subsequent operation of the device in response to downloading of the identification code, and

generating a viewable image on a display screen that changes in response to processing of the identification code according to the pre-programmed rules.

8. A method according to claim 7

wherein the viewable image generating step generates a first image to prompt input to process the identification code for a given device according to the pre-programmed rules and a second image, different than the first image, to prompt exchange of the device when operation of the device is prevented by the pre-programmed rules.

9. A method according to claim 7

wherein the pre-programmed rules register a time period of use of the device.

10. A method according to claim 9

wherein the pre-programmed rules cause the controller to disable operation of the device when the time period of use exceeds a prescribed period.

11. A method according to claim 7

wherein the device, during use, applies radio frequency energy to the tissue region.