Medical device usage data processing

US9095346B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Kevin L. Houser · Springboro, US
• Foster B. Stulen · Mason, US
• Timothy G. Dietz · Wayne, US
• John W. Willis · Cincinnati, US
• Donna L. Korvick · Maineville, US
• Ashvani K. Madan · Mason, US
• Aron O. Zingman · Cambridge, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 19, 2011
• Grant date: Aug 4, 2015
• Expiry date: May 13, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T29/53913
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A surgical instrument includes a handle assembly having a lower portion with a hingedly attached end piece. When open, the end piece allows for receipt of a data card in a lower portion aperture. When closed, the end piece covers the aperture. In another version, the aperture is configured to receive a data card and battery pack assembly. Information is readable from and to the data card to measure a number of minutes the instrument was used during a procedure. Such information is communicated via wired or wireless communication to another device to determine a payment for the number of minutes used. Minutes are buyable from the device and writable onto the data card prior to insertion of the card into the instrument. In another version, a testing sequence is used in saline or via a tissue proxy to test the functionality of an instrument prior to a procedure.