Systems and methods for preventing automatic identification of re-used single use devices
US6578579B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 7, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jun 17, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 12, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2090/0814
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
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. 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.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.