Instrument tracking arrangement based on real time clock information
An energy module is disclosed. The energy module includes a real time clock and a control circuit coupled to the real time clock. The circuit is configured to detect the presence of a surgical instrument coupled to the energy module, track usage of the surgical instrument in real time based on the real time clock, and deactivate the surgical instrument based on a predetermined total elapsed time based on the real time clock.
1. An energy module, comprising:
a real time clock; and
a control circuit coupled to the real time clock, wherein the control circuit is configured to:
detect the presence of a surgical instrument coupled to the energy module;
track usage of the surgical instrument in real time based on a total elapsed time, wherein the total elapsed time comprises at least one of an elapsed time from initial plug in of the surgical instrument to the energy module, or an elapsed time between a connection of the surgical instrument and at least one other surgical instrument into the energy module, based on at least one reading of the real time clock; and
deactivate the surgical instrument based on the total elapsed time equaling or exceeding a real time limit.
2. The energy module of claim 1 , comprising an ultrasonic transducer drive circuit.
3. The energy module of claim 1 , comprising a radio frequency drive circuit.
4. The energy module of claim 1 , comprising a combination ultrasonic transducer drive circuit and radio frequency drive circuit.
5. The energy module of claim 1 , wherein the energy module is configured to deliver therapeutic energy.
6. The energy module of claim 1 , wherein the energy module is configured to deliver sub-therapeutic energy.
7. The energy module of claim 1 , wherein the control circuit is further configured to control a length of time that the surgical instrument can be operated based on on/run length of time of the energy module.
8. The energy module of claim 1 , wherein the control circuit is configured to:
detect a period between power cycles applied to the surgical instrument based on the real time clock; and
determine the surgical instrument is being used on a same patient during on the period between the power cycles.
9. The energy module of claim 1 , wherein the control circuit is configured to:
determine usage history of the surgical instrument; and
determine the expiration of the surgical instrument.
10. An energy module, comprising:
a real time clock;
a control circuit coupled to the real time clock; and
a port configured to engage an electrical connector of a surgical instrument, wherein the port comprises a sensor configured to detect the engagement of the electrical connector and send a detection signal to the control circuit;
wherein the control circuit is configured to:
detect a presence of a surgical instrument coupled to the port;
read real time from the real time clock;
store the real time in a memory of the surgical instrument read the real time from the memory of the surgical instrument;
determine, a total elapsed time, wherein the total elapsed time comprises at least one of an elapsed time from initial plug in of the surgical instrument to the port, or an elapsed time between a connection of the surgical instrument and at least one other surgical instrument into the energy module, based on at least one reading of the real time clock;
compare the total elapsed time to a real time limit for the surgical instrument; and
deactivate the surgical instrument based on the total elapsed time equaling or exceeding a real time limit.
11. The energy module of claim 10 , wherein the control circuit is further configured to energize the surgical instrument based on a determination that the total elapsed time is less than the real time limit for the surgical instrument.
12. An energy module, comprising:
a real time clock;
a control circuit coupled to the real time clock; and
a port configured to engage an electrical connector of a surgical instrument, wherein the port comprises a sensor configured to detect the engagement of the electrical connector and send a detection signal to the control circuit;
wherein the control circuit is configured to:
detect a presence of the surgical instrument coupled to the port;
read real time from the real time clock;
store the real time in a memory of the surgical instrument;
read the real time from the memory of the surgical instrument;
determine a total elapsed time, wherein the total elapsed time comprises at least one of an elapsed time from initial plug in of the surgical instrument to the port, or an elapsed time between a connection of the surgical instrument and at least one other surgical instrument into the energy module, based on at least one reading of the real time clock; and
deactivate the surgical instrument based on the total elapsed time equaling or exceeding a real time limit.
13. The energy module of claim 12 , wherein the control circuit is further configured to detect a run time of the energy module.
14. The energy module of claim 12 , wherein the control circuit is further configured to:
determining a swapping of at least one of a patient, or a procedure, based on the total elapsed time meeting a predetermined period.