System and method to track usage of surgical instrument

US10624667B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Ethicon, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Craig N. Faller · Batavia, US
• Benjamin D. Dickerson · Cincinnati, US
• Jeffrey L. Aldridge · Lebanon, US
• Jeffrey A. Bullock · Cincinnati, US
• Richard W. Timm · Cincinnati, US
• Ryan M. Asher · Cincinnati, US
• Timothy S. Holland · Madison, US
• Craig T. Davis · Cincinnati, US
• Christina M. Hough · Cincinnati, US
• Cory G. Kimball · Cincinnati, US
• Ashvani K. Madan · Mason, US
• David C. Yates · Morrow, US
• Shan Wan · Plymouth, US
• Jacob S. Gee · Cincinnati, US
• Joseph E. Hollo · Kyles, US
• Chad P. Boudreaux · Cincinnati, US
• John B. Schulte · Sharonville, US
• Tylor C. Muhlenkamp · Cincinnati, US
• Brian D. Black · Loveland, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 19, 2017
• Grant date: Apr 21, 2020
• Expiry date: Aug 9, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B2560/028
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Systems, devices, and methods are operable to track usage of a surgical instrument and modify the performance of the surgical instrument based on the prior usage of the surgical instrument. Some surgical instruments are designed to have a limited service life beginning at their first use, or a limit to their overall usage in order to ensure safe use of the sensitive instruments. However, a lack of ability to track usage characteristics when the instrument is separated from an external power supply allows for user abuse and avoidance of such safety mechanisms. Adding a battery or capacitor to the instrument may allow for an ability to track usage when the instrument is separated from an external power supply. Implementing special user prompts, device use ratios, and device use half-life upon powering down of an instrument may additionally be used to prevent circumvention of safety features.