System and method to enable re-use of surgical instrument
US10175096B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 1, 2016 |
| Grant date | Jan 8, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 25, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2090/0809
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Some surgical instruments become partially or fully disabled at a device firmware level after being used in a surgical procedure in order to prevent overuse or abuse of the surgical instrument that could create patient safety concerns. A reconditioning device may be used by the end user of such a surgical instrument to perform diagnostics and reconditioning of the surgical instrument so that the surgical instrument may be placed back into service without the direct intervention of the manufacturer. The reconditioning device provides power to the surgical instrument, analyzes device usage history, activates and tests the surgical instrument cutting and gripping functions, and measures electrical characteristics and mechanical characteristics of the surgical instrument. Gathered data is used to determine if the surgical instrument may be safely reconditioned for further use. If reconditioning is possible, the device will be reconfigured for safe use, reactivated, and then sterilized for subsequent re-use.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.