Devices and Methods for Monitoring, Managing, and Servicing Medical Devices
A method and apparatus for billing entities for use of a medical device, which relates to the processing of regenerative cells to facilitate at least one of hard and soft tissue formation, are described. When an operator uses the medical device, a corresponding charge is determined. Billing for usage of the medical device is performed on a periodic or per-use basis. Communication over a network facilitates remote management and servicing of the medical device. Support is provided for automatic ordering of supplies consumed by the medical device.
1 . An automated medical system comprising:
a chamber assembly configured to receive adipose tissue removed from a patient, disaggregate said adipose tissue, and separate adipose-derived regenerative cells from said adipose tissue;
a concentration device comprising a filter, elutriator, or centrifuge connected to said chamber assembly and configured to concentrate said adipose-derived regenerative cells;
a programmable processing device configured to communicate with and control said chamber assembly and said concentration device, wherein the programmable processing device records a notable event of said automated medical system.
2 - 38 . (canceled)
39 . The automated medical system according to claim 1 , wherein the notable event comprises a recordation of the consumption of a reagent.
40 . The automated medical system according to claim 1 , wherein the notable event comprises a recordation of the consumption of a disposable element.
41 . The automated medical system according to claim 1 , wherein the notable event comprises routine use of the medical device.
42 . The automated medical system according to claim 1 , wherein the notable event comprises a recordation of patient information.
43 . The automated medical system according to claim 1 , wherein the notable event comprises a recordation of billing information.
44 . The automated medical system according to claim 1 , further comprising a conduit connected to the chamber assembly, wherein said conduit is configured to receive adipose tissue.
45 . The automated medical system according to claim 1 , further comprising an output chamber connected to the concentration device.
46 . The automated medical system according to claim 1 , wherein the programmable processing device comprises a user input port.
47 . The automated medical system according to claim 1 , wherein the programmable processing device comprises a display port.
48 . The automated medical system of claim 1 , further comprising a server in communication with said automated medical system, wherein the server is configured to receive a history of usage of said automated medical system and maintain a database of said history of usage.
49 . The automated medical system of claim 48 , wherein the server is in communication with the medical system through a recording device that can be accessed by the medical system and the server.
50 . The automated medical system according to claim 49 , wherein the recording device is a flash memory.
51 . The automated medical system according to claim 48 , wherein the server is in communication with the medical system through a network.
52 . The automated medical system according to claim 51 , wherein the network is wireless.
53 . The automated medical system according to claim 48 , wherein the network is wired.
54 . The automated medical system according to claim 48 , further comprising a second medical device that is in communication with the server.
55 . The automated medical system according to claim 48 , further comprising a history of items consumed by the medical system.
56 . The automated medical system according to claim 55 , wherein the items consumed are disposable elements.
57 . The automated medical system according to claim 55 , wherein the items consumed are reagents.
58 . A method for recording a history of usage of an automated medical system that is configured to isolate adipose-derived regenerative cells, comprising:
introducing adipose tissue removed from a patient into the automated medical system of claim 1 ;
processing said adipose tissue removed from said patient to isolate said adipose-derived regenerative cells; and
recording the usage of said automated medical system.
59 . The method of claim 58 , wherein said automated medical system further comprises a server in communication with said medical system, wherein the server is configured to receive a history of usage of said automated medical system and maintain a database of said history of usage.
60 . A method for billing a user for the isolation of adipose-derived regenerative cells comprising:
providing the automated medical system of claim 1 ;
recording the usage of said automated medical system;
receiving a usage history from the automated medical system;
determining a billed amount according to the usage history; and
generating a report of the billed amount.
61 . The method according to claim 60 , wherein a report is generated when a usage event is received.
62 . The method according to claim 60 , further comprising receiving a charge code.
63 . A method of maintaining an inventory of items consumed by an automated medical system comprising;
providing the automated medical system of claim 1 ;
maintaining a database of an inventory of consumable items;
receiving a history of usage of the automated medical system; and
recalculating the inventory of consumable items.
64 . The method according to claim 63 further comprising generating a report of the inventory of consumable items.
65 . The method according to claim 63 further comprising receiving a history of consumable items that are added to the inventory of consumable items.
66 . The method according to claim 63 , further comprising generating an alert when the inventory of consumable items is below a predetermined amount.
67 . The method according to claim 63 , further comprising ordering more consumable items from a vendor when an inventory of consumable items is below a predetermined amount.
68 . The method of claim 63 , wherein the inventory of consumable items comprises an inventory of disposable elements.
69 . The method of claim 63 , wherein the inventory of consumable items comprises an inventory of reagents.
70 . A method of maintenance of an automated medical system, comprising:
providing the automated medical system of claim 1 ;
maintaining a database of the maintenance history of said medical system;
receiving the maintenance history from the medical system; and
determining if maintenance is needed.
71 . The method according to claim 70 , further comprising providing a communication to elicit maintenance of said device.
72 . The method according to claim 70 , wherein maintenance is needed if the time of operation since the last maintenance is greater than a predetermined amount.
73 . The method according to claim 70 , wherein maintenance is needed if a recent history of usage deviates from a recorded historical usage by a predetermined amount.