US6237604B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Systems and methods for preventing automatic identification of re-used single use devices
Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed Inc
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Filing: 1999-09-07
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Granted: 2001-05-29
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Expires: 2019-09-07
Abstract
Abstract A medical system for limiting the re-use of a medical probe, such as, e.g., a catheter or a surgical probe, is provided. The medical system includes a medical probe that includes an electronic storage component for storing a probe identification code. The medical probe further includes a disabling circuit, the activation of which disables the electronic storage component. The medical system further includes a control unit, such as, e.g., an RF generator, for connection to the medical probe. The control unit includes control circuit that is configured for automatically reading the probe identification code from the electronic storage component and preventing the medical probe from being operated if the probe identification code is not approved. The control circuit is also configured for determining if the medical probe has been previously used. If the medical probe has been previously used, the control circuit prevents operation of the medical probe and activates the disabling circuitry to disable the electronic storage component in the medical probe. Thus, when the medical probe is reconnected to the control unit, the control circuitry will attempt to read the probe identification code from the disable electronic storage component. Alternatively, the disabling circuitry internally determines whether the medical probe has been previously used and disables the electronic storage component.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert R. Burnside
- 👤 Bruce Wand
- 👤 David K. Swanson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 23:51
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B90/00; A61B90/90; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/148; A61B2018/00053; A61B2018/00172; A61B2018/00178; A61B2018/00988; A61B90/08; A61B2090/0803; A61B2090/0814
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
A method of limiting usage of a medical probe, the medical probe including an electronic storage component for storing a probe identification code that can be read by a control unit, the method comprising: determining if the medical probe has been previously used; and disabling the electronic storage component so that the probe identification code can no longer be read by the control unit if the medical probe is determined to have been previously used.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
75 words
A method of limiting usage of a medical probe, the medical probe including an electronic storage component for storing a probe identification code that can be read by a control unit, the method comprising: determining if the medical probe has been previously used; and disabling the electronic storage component so that the probe identification code can no longer be read by the control unit if the medical probe is determined to have been previously used.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the electronic storage component is disabled by modifying the probe identification code.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein the probe identification code is modified by clearing the probe identification code from the electronic storage component.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the electronic storage component is disabled by modifying a function of the electronic storage component.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 4 , wherein the function of the electronic storage component is modified by shorting the electronic storage component.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the determination of whether the medical probe has been previously used is based on an elapsed time since an initial operation of the medical probe.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the determination of whether the medical probe has been previously used is based on a number of times the medical probe has been operated.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the determination of whether the medical probe has been previously used is based on determining whether there has been a previous operation of the medical probe and a sterilization of the medical probe.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the probe identification code is a unique serial number.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the probe identification code identifies a characteristic of the medical probe.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
89 words
A medical probe, comprising: an elongate member having a distally located functional component; an electronic storage component having stored therein a probe identification code that can be read by a control unit; and disabling circuitry electrically coupled to the electronic storage component, the disabling circuitry configured for detecting whether the medical probe has been previously used, and for disabling the electronic storage component so that the probe identification code can no longer be read by the control unit if the medical probe is determined to have been previously used.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
89 words
A medical probe, comprising: an elongate member having a distally located functional component; an electronic storage component having stored therein a probe identification code that can be read by a control unit; and disabling circuitry electrically coupled to the electronic storage component, the disabling circuitry configured for detecting whether the medical probe has been previously used, and for disabling the electronic storage component so that the probe identification code can no longer be read by the control unit if the medical probe is determined to have been previously used.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The medical probe of claim 11 , wherein the disabling circuitry disables the electronic storage component by shorting the electronic storage component.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The medical probe of claim 11 , wherein the electronic storage component comprises one or more resistors.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The medical probe of claim 11 , wherein the electronic storage component comprises a semiconductor device.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
The medical probe of claim 11 , wherein the disabling circuitry detects whether the medical probe has been previously used by sensing a disable signal transmitted from a source external to the medical probe.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The medical probe of claim 11 , wherein the probe identification code is a unique serial number.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The medical probe of claim 11 , wherein the probe identification code identifies a characteristic of the medical probe.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The medical probe of claim 11 , wherein the elongate member forms a catheter.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The medical probe of claim 11 , wherein the elongate member forms a surgical probe.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
89 words
A control unit for connection to a medical probe, the medical probe having an electronic storage component for storing a probe identification code that can be read by the control unit, the control unit comprising: control circuitry configured to electrically couple to the electronic storage component for determining if the medical probe has been previously used, and for disabling the electronic storage component so that the probe identification code can no longer be read by the control unit if the medical probe is determined to have been previously used.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
89 words
A control unit for connection to a medical probe, the medical probe having an electronic storage component for storing a probe identification code that can be read by the control unit, the control unit comprising: control circuitry configured to electrically couple to the electronic storage component for determining if the medical probe has been previously used, and for disabling the electronic storage component so that the probe identification code can no longer be read by the control unit if the medical probe is determined to have been previously used.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
The control unit of claim 20 , wherein the electronic storage component is disabled by modifying the probe identification code.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
The control unit of claim 20 , wherein the electronic storage component is disabled by modifying a functioning of the electronic storage component.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
33 words
The control unit of claim 20 , wherein the determination of whether the medical probe has been previously used is based on an elapsed time since an initial operation of the medical probe.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
32 words
The control unit of claim 20 , wherein the determination of whether the medical probe has been previously used is based on a number of times the medical probe has been operated.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
36 words
The control unit of claim 20 , wherein the determination of whether the medical probe has been previously used in based on determining whether that has been an initial operation and sterilization of the medical probe.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
The control unit of claim 20 , wherein the probe identification code is a unique serial number.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
14 words
The control unit of claim 20 , wherein the control circuitry comprises a microprocessor.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
28 words
The control unit of claim 20 , further comprising: an RF power source; and an interlocking device electrically coupled between the RF power source and the control circuit.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of limiting usage of a medical probe, the medical probe including an electronic storage component for storing a probe identification code, the method comprising: determining if the medical probe has been previously used; and disabling the electronic storage component if the medical probe is determined to have been previously used; wherein the electronic storage component is disabled by clearing the probe identification code from the electronic storage component.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of limiting usage of a medical probe, the medical probe including an electronic storage component for storing a probe identification code, the method comprising: determining if the medical probe has been previously used; and disabling the electronic storage component if the medical probe is determined to have been previously used; wherein the electronic storage component is disabled by clearing the probe identification code from the electronic storage component.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
95 words
A medical probe, comprising: an elongate member having a distally located functional component; an electronic storage component having stored therein a probe identification code that can be read by a control unit; a usage counter that can be read by the control unit; and disabling circuitry electrically coupled to the electronic storage component, the disabling circuitry configured for detecting the state of the usage counter, and for disabling the electronic storage component so that the probe identification code can no longer be read by the control unit if the usage counter exceeds a threshold value.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
95 words
A medical probe, comprising: an elongate member having a distally located functional component; an electronic storage component having stored therein a probe identification code that can be read by a control unit; a usage counter that can be read by the control unit; and disabling circuitry electrically coupled to the electronic storage component, the disabling circuitry configured for detecting the state of the usage counter, and for disabling the electronic storage component so that the probe identification code can no longer be read by the control unit if the usage counter exceeds a threshold value.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
20 words
The medical probe of claim 30 wherein the usage counter is incremented each time the medical probe is used therapeutically.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
25 words
The medical probe of claim 30 wherein the usage counter is incremented each time the probe is used and a predetermined period of time elapses.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
44 words
The medical probe of claim 32 wherein the predetermined period of time is greater than the maximum time expected to perform a therapeutic procedure with the medical probe and less than the minimum time expected to complete a sterilization cycle on the medical probe.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
19 words
The medical probe of claim 30 wherein the usage counter is incremented each time the medical probe is sterilized.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-05-28 | 2004-11-27 | 2005-05-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-05-28 | 2008-11-27 | 2009-05-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-05-28 | 2012-11-27 | 2013-05-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |