System and methods for monitoring and controlling use of medical devices

• US 9,750,559 B2
• Filed: 08/31/2014
• Issued: 09/05/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mederi Rf, LLC
• Original Assignee: Mederi Therapeutics, Inc. (Respiratory Technology Corp.)
• Inventors: Bek, Robin, Gaiser, John, Qin, Jay, Utley, David S.
• Primary Examiner(s): PEFFLEY, MICHAEL F
• Application Number:
  US14/474,162
• Publication Number:
  US 20140371739A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,101 Days
• 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 18/1206 Generators therefor
• 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 2018/046 in liquid form
• 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 usage key card is adapted to be handled separate from a tissue treatment device. The usage key card has a storage medium formatted to contain an identification code, which is unique to the usage key card. The usage key card is also adapted to be read by a reader separate from the device. The storage medium is also formatted, when inserted into the reader, to retain data generated pertaining to operation of the device.

Claims

1. A controller linked to a radiofrequency generator and governing power levels and duration that radiofrequency is distributed to electrodes of a treatment device operatively connected to the generator, the controller evaluating a storage medium associated with the treatment device to either enable or not enable use of the device, the controller constructing and maintaining in memory a use table containing prior identification codes associated with particular treatment devices and previously registered by the controller and added to the use table, the controller adding to its registry an identification code of the treatment device operatively connected thereto if absence of prior use of the device is determined, and not adding to its registry the identification code of the treatment device if already in its registry, for each identification code a time record of a period of use of the treatment device being maintained by the controller to reflect the time period which energy was applied to the treatment device to ascertain the time period of previous use to maintain the time record separate from the device, and the time record maintained by the controller updated and maintained by the controller as further use occurs, such further use being limited to a time period remaining.

2. The controller of claim 1, wherein the storage medium is adapted to be read by a reader separate from the device.

3. The controller of claim 1, wherein the controller governs delivery of fluid.

4. The controller of claim 1, wherein the controller includes an input/output device which receives feedback information.

5. The controller of claim 1, wherein the input/output device includes a graphical user interface to graphically present processing information to a physician.

6. The controller of claim 4, wherein the feedback information is received from temperature sensors for processing by the controller to govern application of fluid.

7. The controller of claim 5, wherein the feedback information is received from temperature sensors for processing by the controller to govern application of fluid.

8. The controller of claim 1, wherein the controller governs removal of aspirated material.

9. The controller of claim 3, wherein the controller governs removal of aspirated material.

10. The controller of claim 5, wherein the graphical user interface displays changes depending on a treatment procedure using the device.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the operation of the device is disabled if characteristics of the device are incompatible with characteristics of the controller.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the operation of the device is disabled if characteristics of the device are incompatible with characteristics of the controller.