Graphical user interface for monitoring and controlling use of medical devices

• US 6,994,704 B2
• Filed: 08/15/2002
• Issued: 02/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Mederi Rf, LLC
• Original Assignee: Curon Medical, Inc.
• Inventors: Bek, Robin, Gaiser, John W., Utley, David S., Qin, Jay
• Primary Examiner(s): PEFFLEY, MICHAEL F
• Application Number:
  US10/219,798
• Publication Number:
  US 20020193787A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,272 Days
• Field of Search: 606/1, 606 10- 12, 606/41, 606/42, 606 45- 50, 606/34
• US Class Current: 606/34
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/00 Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body eye surgery A61F9/007; ear surgery A61F11/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1477 Needle-like probes
• 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 2018/0022 Balloons
• 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 2018/00791 Temperature
• 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 2090/0814 Preventing re-use
• 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, and

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.

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.

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.

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.

6. A system according to claim 1

wherein the device applies radiofrequency 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, and

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.

8. A method according to claim 7

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

9. A method according to claim 8

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

10. A method according to claim 7

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