Unified systems and methods for controlling use and operation of a family of different treatment devices

• US 8,257,346 B2
• Filed: 08/23/2007
• Issued: 09/04/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mederi Rf, LLC
• Original Assignee: Mederi Therapeutics, Inc. (Respiratory Technology Corp.)
• Inventors: Qin, Jay, Bek, Robin, Gaiser, John, Croft, Rachel, Muller, Peter, Utley, David S
• Primary Examiner(s): PEFFLEY, MICHAEL F
• Application Number:
  US11/895,205
• Publication Number:
  US 20070294108A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,839 Days
• Field of Search: 606 32- 34, 606/41, 606/42, 606 45- 50, 607101-102
• US Class Current: 606/1
• 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 18/12 by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1206 Generators therefor
• 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 2017/00199 with a console, e.g. a control panel with a display
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00482 with a code
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00011 with fluids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00214 Expandable means emitting energy, e.g. by elements carried thereon
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00261 arranged in a line
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00267 having a basket shaped structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00273 Anchoring means for temporary attachment of a device to tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00285 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00291 using suction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00494 Stomach, intestines or bowel
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0066 without feedback, i.e. open loop control
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00898 Alarms or notifications created in response to an abnormal condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1475 Electrodes retractable in or deployable from a housing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2218/002 Irrigation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/40 : relating to mechanical, radiation or invasive therapies, e.g. surgery, laser therapy, dialysis or acupuncture
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 : for local operation

Abstract

Unified systems and methods enable control of the use and operation of a family of different treatment devices, to treat dysfunction in different regions of the body.

Claims

1. A system for controlling operation of a family of treatment devices comprising

a family of treatment devices comprising at least first and second different treatment devices which are intended to be individually deployed,

a controller including a connector to which a selected one of the first or second treatment device is coupled for use, and

a reader to download information to the controller to identify the selected treatment device coupled to the connector, the information comprising first data containing an identification code unique to the selected treatment device and second data containing a functional code identifying a functional characteristic of the selected device, the identification codes and the functional codes for the first and second treatment devices being different, the controller including a usage monitoring function comprising a first data state prior to downloading of the identification code and operating to process the identification code and enabling operation of the selected device if the identification code correlates in a pre-established manner with the first data state, the usage monitoring function further operating, in response to enabling operation of the selected device, to change the first data state to a second data state that prevents subsequent operation of the selected device in response to downloading of the identification code,

the controller also including a first or second control function enabled only if the usage monitoring function enables operation of the selected device, the first control function being enabled in response to downloading the functional code of the first treatment device and the second control function being enabled in response to downloading of the functional code of the second treatment device.

2. A system according to claim 1 further including

a first usage key card for the first treatment device and a second usage key card for the second treatment device, each usage key card adapted to be handled separate from the respective treatment device and comprising a storage medium formatted to contain, for the respective treatment device, the identification code and the functional code that, upon reading by the reader, is downloaded to the controller.

3. A system according to claim 1

wherein the usage monitoring 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 the control function for the selected treatment device when a new identification code is registered in the table.

4. A system according to claim 3

wherein the usage monitoring function causes the controller to disable the first or second control function for the selected treatment device when the given identification code matches an identification code in the table.

5. A system according to claim 3

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

6. A system according to claim 5

wherein the usage monitoring function causes the controller to disable the control function for the selected treatment device when the time period of use exceeds a prescribed period.

7. A system according to claim 1

wherein the reader downloads through the connector an electrical identification signal that varies according to the identification and functional codes of the selected treatment device.

8. A system according to claim 1

wherein the controller includes an input adapted to be attached to a sensor carried by the selected treatment device to monitor an operating condition.

9. A system according to claim 8

wherein the sensor monitors tissue temperature.

10. A system according to claim 8

wherein the sensor monitors impedance.

11. A system according to claim 8

wherein the controller includes an output to process the monitored operating condition as data for storage or manipulation.

12. A system according to claim 11

wherein the output communicates with a storage medium to save the data.

13. A system according to claim 11

wherein the output communicates with a printer to print the data.

14. A method for controlling operation of a family of treatment devices comprising the steps of

providing a family of treatment devices comprising at least first and second different treatment devices which, in use, are intended to be individually deployed in association with different tissue regions,

selecting one of the first or second treatment device for use,

connecting the selected treatment device to a unified controller having a first control function for the first treatment device and a second control function for the second treatment device,

communicating to the controller through a reader information relating to the selected treatment device coupled to the connector, the information comprising first data containing an identification code unique to the selected treatment device and second data containing a functional code identifying a functional characteristic of the selected device, the identification codes and the functional codes for the first and second treatment devices being different,

executing a usage monitoring function having a first data state prior to downloading of the identification code and operating to process the identification code and enabling operation of the selected device only if the identification code correlates in a pre-established manner with the first data state, the usage monitoring function further operating, in response to enabling operation of the selected device, to change the first data state to a second data state that prevents subsequent operation of the selected device in response to downloading of the identification code,

enabling either the first or second control function only if the usage monitoring function enables operation of the selected device, the first control function being enabled in response to downloading the functional code of the first treatment device and the second control function being enabled in response to downloading of the functional code of the second treatment device, and

enabling execution on a display screen of a first graphical interface guiding and monitoring use of the first treatment device when the first control function is enabled.

15. A method according to claim 14

wherein the communicating step includes providing a first usage key card for the first treatment device and a second usage key card for the second treatment device, each usage key card adapted to be handled separate from the respective treatment device and comprising a storage medium formatted to contain, for the respective treatment device, the identification code and the functional code that, upon reading by the reader, is downloaded to the controller.