Recycling components in medical devices
US12183456B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 22, 2022 |
| Grant date | Dec 31, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 11, 2043 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG16H40/67
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Embodiments herein describe tracking the use of medical devices to update their remaining life. In addition to tracking the remaining life of the overall device, the embodiments herein can track the remaining life of each component which may be greater than the life of the medical device. Unlike typical modular devices which are replaced after they break or exceed their expected life, one-time use (or limited use) medical devices may be limited to use by a specific patient before they are discarded. The embodiments herein can use communication between healthcare providers and a tracker database to track the usage of a medical device and update the remaining life of its components to identify components that can be recycled after the medical device is no longer being used.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.