Limited use medical probe
First Claim
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1. A method for limiting the use of a medical probe to a threshold use value, the method comprising the following steps:
- coupling a memory storage component to a medical probe;
coupling the medical probe to a medical monitoring device;
coupling the medical probe to a patient;
retrieving a use value associated with use of the medical probe from the memory storage component;
decrypting stored data to verify that the use value has not been corrupted or tampered with;
updating the use value of the medical probe during use; and
disabling monitoring functions when the use parameter is substantially equivalent to the threshold use value.
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Abstract
A limited use medical probe is disclosed. The medical probe includes a memory storage component for maintaining a use value, representing either the number of uses and/or the duration of use of the medical probe. The medical probe is coupled to a medical monitoring device which prevents the performance of monitoring functions when the number of uses or the total duration of use reaches a predetermined threshold value, thereby preventing overuse of the probe.
996 Citations
34 Claims
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1. A method for limiting the use of a medical probe to a threshold use value, the method comprising the following steps:
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coupling a memory storage component to a medical probe;
coupling the medical probe to a medical monitoring device;
coupling the medical probe to a patient;
retrieving a use value associated with use of the medical probe from the memory storage component;
decrypting stored data to verify that the use value has not been corrupted or tampered with;
updating the use value of the medical probe during use; and
disabling monitoring functions when the use parameter is substantially equivalent to the threshold use value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A method for limiting the use of a medical probe to a threshold use value, the method comprising the following steps:
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coupling a memory storage component to a medical probe;
coupling the medical probe to a medical monitoring device;
coupling the medical probe to a patient;
monitoring a use value of the medical probe;
disabling monitoring functions when the use parameter is substantially equivalent to the threshold use value;
storing identifying information in the memory storage of the medical probe; and
encrypting the identifying information stored in the medical probe, transmitting the encrypted serial number to the monitoring device, and decrypting the serial number in the monitoring device. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A limited use fetal sensor device comprising:
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a housing;
at least one sensor device; and
a token chip card including a communications port, the token chip card storing a use value for limiting the use of the probe to a predetermined threshold value.
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15. A medical monitoring system comprising:
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a medical probe including at least one sensor, a memory storage component, a communications port, a sensor, and a probe connector, wherein the memory storage component includes a use value for limiting a usage of the medical probe, a serial number identifying the medical probe and at least one encryption key; and
a monitoring device including a monitor connector, a controller, a memory storage device storing a serial number identifying the monitoring device and at least one encryption key, and a communications port, wherein the monitoring device limits the usage of the medical probe to a predetermined threshold value. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for verifying the identity of components of a medical monitoring system to prevent tampering with stored data:
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storing a serial number, an encryption key, and at least one medical monitoring parameter in a memory storage component of a medical probe;
storing a serial number and an encryption key in a memory storage component of a medical monitoring device;
coupling the medical probe to the medical monitoring device, encrypting the serial number stored in the medical probe, transmitting the encrypted serial number to the medical monitoring device, and decrypting the serial number in the medical monitoring device;
verifying the identity of the medical monitoring device through the decrypted data;
allowing the medical monitoring device to access the medical monitoring parameter if the identity of the medical monitoring device is verified; and
preventing the medical monitoring device from accessing the medical monitoring parameter if the identity of the monitoring device is not verified. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method for maintaining a history of the use of a medical probe, the method comprising the following steps:
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storing a serial number identifying the medical probe in a memory component of the medical probe;
storing a date and time stamp in the memory component of the medical probe;
storing the identity of a medical worker associated with a procedure and storing the identity of the medical worker in the memory component of the medical probe;
storing patient data in the medical probe; and
retrieving the stored information to provide a history of a medical procedure. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A limited use fetal sensor device comprising:
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a housing;
at least one sensor device; and
a memory storage component storing a protected use value for limiting the use of the probe to a predetermined threshold value, wherein the memory storage component further includes a medical history of the use of the fetal sensor device. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33)
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34. A medical monitoring system comprising:
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a medical probe including at least one sensor, a token card chip, a communications port, a sensor, and a probe connector, wherein the token card chip includes a use value for limiting a usage of the medical probe and a serial number identifying the medical probe; and
a monitoring device including a monitor connector, a controller, a memory storage device storing a serial number identifying the monitoring device, and a communications port, wherein the monitoring device limits the usage of the medical probe to a predetermined threshold value.
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Specification