Device and method for enabling an orthopedic tool for parameter measurement
View Patent ↗A system for enabling and disabling a medical device. The system includes a cradle having a magnet for generating a magnetic field. The cradle supports and aligns the medical device in a predetermined orientation. Medical device placed in the cradle exposes a magnetic sensitive switch to the magnetic field of the magnet that produces a change in state of the magnetic sensitive switch. Medical device further includes a switch, indicator, logic circuitry, delay circuit, and detect circuit for coupling a power source to electronic circuitry. In a first mode of operation the medical device can be turned on and then turned off. In a second mode of operation the medical device cannot be turned off after being turned on.
1. A method of enabling and disabling a single use medical device having an internal power source comprising the steps of:
emitting a signal wherein a device is configured to emit the signal a predetermined distance; and
detecting the signal wherein detection circuitry in the medical device is configured to detect the signal if placed within the predetermined distance from the device, wherein electronic circuitry in the medical device is initially decoupled from an internal power source in the medical device, wherein the detection circuitry detects the signal for a first predetermined time period, and wherein the detection circuitry couples the electronic circuitry to the internal power source after the first predetermined time period to enable the medical device;
moving the medical device outside the predetermined distance before the first predetermined time period wherein the detection circuitry is configured to leave the electronic circuitry decoupled from the internal power source of the medical device;
detecting the signal for a second predetermined time period with the detection circuitry of the medical device wherein the medical device remains within the predetermined distance of the device for the second predetermined time period or greater, wherein the second predetermined time period is greater than the first predetermined time period, wherein the medical device is enabled and wherein if the medical device is moved outside the predetermined range after the first predetermined time period but before the second predetermined time period such that the signal is no longer detected the detection circuitry decouples the electronic circuitry from the internal power source; and
disabling the detection circuitry after the second predetermined time period wherein the detection circuitry does not respond to the signal.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the signal is a magnetic field.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the detection circuitry includes a magnetic sensitive switch configured to change state when the medical device is placed in the magnetic field.
4. A method of enabling and disabling a single use medical device having an internal power source comprising the steps of:
emitting a signal wherein a device is configured to emit the signal a predetermined distance; and
detecting the signal wherein detection circuitry in the medical device is configured to detect the signal if placed within the predetermined distance from the device, wherein electronic circuitry in the medical device is initially decoupled from the internal power source in the medical device, wherein the detection circuitry maintains the electronic circuitry being decoupled from the internal power source if the medical device is moved outside the predetermined distance prior to a first predetermined time period, wherein the detection circuitry is configured to couple the electronic circuitry to the internal power source of the medical device after the first predetermined time period if the medical device is maintained within the predetermined distance for greater than the first time period, and wherein the medical device is enabled for use when the medical device is maintained within the predetermined distance for greater than a second predetermined time period; and
disabling the detection circuitry from responding to the signal after the second predetermined time period.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein the signal is a magnetic field and wherein the detection circuitry includes a magnetic sensitive switch configured to change state when the medical device is placed in the magnetic field.
6. A method of enabling and disabling a single use medical device having an internal power source comprising the steps of:
emitting a signal wherein a device is configured to emit the signal a predetermined distance; and
detecting the signal wherein detection circuitry in the medical device is configured to detect the signal if placed within the predetermined distance from the device, wherein electronic circuitry in the medical device is initially decoupled from an internal power source in the medical device, wherein the detection circuitry couples the electronic circuitry to the internal power source when the medical device is maintained within the predetermined distance for longer than a first predetermined time period but less than a second predetermined time period, wherein moving the medical device outside the predetermined distance from the device prior to the second predetermined time period results in the signal is not being detected by the detection circuitry causing the detection circuitry to decouples the internal power source from the electronic circuitry, and wherein the electronic circuitry remains coupled to the internal power source when the medical device is maintained within the predetermined distance for greater than the second predetermined time period and the detection circuitry is disabled from responding to the signal;
using the medical device; and
maintaining a current drain on the internal power source after the medical device is used until the medical device is inoperable.
7. The method of claim 6 further including a step of moving the medical device outside the predetermined distance prior to the first predetermined time period wherein the internal power source remains decoupled from the electronic circuitry and wherein the signal is not detected by the detection circuitry.
8. The method of claim 6 further including a step of disposing of the medical device.
9. The method of claim 6 wherein the signal is a magnetic signal.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein the detection circuitry includes a magnetic sensitive switch configured to change state when the medical device is placed in the magnetic signal.