Reusable medical device with usage memory, system using same

United States Patent m

Chin et al.

[54] REUSABLE MEDICAL DEVICE WITH

USAGE MEMORY, SYSTEM USING SAME

[75] Inventors: Donald Chin; Mir A. Imran, both of Palo Alto, Calif.

[73] Assignee: Cardiac Pathways Corporation, Sunnyvale, Calif.

[21] Appl. No.: 119,973

[22] Filed: Sep. 9,1993

[51] Int. Cl.« A61B 5/00

[52] U.S. CI 128/736; 374/142;

374/208; 364/557

[58] Field of Search 128/672, 673, 675, 713,

128/692, 662.03, 662.09; 374/142, 208, 104, 141, 151, 163, 184; 364/557

[56] References Cited

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

1,397,313 11/1921 Copellietal. .

1,455,268 5/1923 Sapienza .

2,391,309 12/1945 Harriott .

4,303,984 12/1981 Houvig 364/571

4,407,298 10/1983 Lentz et al 128/713

4,418,392 11/1983 Hata 364/571

4,858,615 8/1989 Meinema 128/672

4,868,476 9/1989 Respaut 318/632

4,986,276 1/1991 Wright 128/662.04

5,018,874 5/1991 Weynant nee Girones .

US005425375A

[ii] Patent Number: 5,425,375 [45] Date of Patent: Jun. 20,1995

5,046,505 9/1991 Sekii et al 128/713

Primary Examiner—William E. Kamm
Assistant Examiner—Robert L. Nasser, Jr.
Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Flehr, Hohbach, Test,
Albritton & Herbert; Edward N. Bachand

[57] ABSTRACT

A reusable medical device for performing an operation on a body. The device includes a flexible elongate member having proximal and distal extremities. The distal extremity is adapted to be inserted into the body for performing the operation therein and the proximal extremity is adapted to be disposed outside the body. At least one sensor for sensing a parameter relating to each use of the medical device and generating an electrical signal with respect to each use is provided. At least one memory device is carried by the proximal extremity for recording information relating to the use of the medical device to aid in detennining whether the medical device is within warranty. A method is provided for determining usage of the medical device and includes the steps of sensing a parameter relating to each use of the medical device, noting the time at which use of the device is sensed and recording information relating to the use on the memory device to aid in detennining whether the medical device is within warranty.

12 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets