Patent ID: 7048687
Filing Date: 2006-05-23
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A method for limiting the use of a medical probe according to a set of usage criteria using a security function, the method comprising the following steps: (a) coupling a probe memory to a medical probe, the probe memory having an identifying data about the medical probe, therein; (b) coupling the medical probe to a medical device; (c) coupling the medical probe to a patient; (d) retrieving a set of use values associated with use of the medical probe from the probe memory; (e) using a security function to verify that the contents of the probe memory have not been corrupted or tampered with; (f) applying a set of usage criteria periodically during use of the medical probe, comprising repetition of the following steps: (g) retrieving and storing the identifying data about the medical probe from the probe memory, and storing the data in a memory component of the medical device; (h) storing a time and date stamp of the use of the medical probe memory in a memory component of the medical device; (i) comparing the identifying data about the medical probe, read from the probe memory, with the identifying data and time and date stamp of the use(s) corresponding to a previously coupled medical probe(s) as stored in the medical device memory; and including determining whether an interrupted usage of the medical probe has resumed, or a new usage of the medical probe has begun.