REPAIR OR REFURBISHMENT OF LIMITED USE MEDICAL DEVICES
A powered medical device includes electronic components on a circuit board embedded within the body of a plug for connecting the device with a control apparatus. The medical device may be repaired or refurbished without the need to access the embedded circuit board through the use of a supplemental circuit board installed into the open end of the plug adjacent the plug pins. The supplemental circuit board may include a variety of electronic components, including fuses or non-volatile memory.
1 . A plug adapted to connect the medical device to a device controller, the plug comprising:
a first circuit board comprising a first electronic component, wherein the first electronic component performs a function when the plug is connected a first time and the first electronic component is disabled from performing the function when the plug is connected a subsequent time; and
a second circuit board comprising a second electronic component, wherein the second electronic component performs the function when the plug is connected the subsequent time.
2 . The plug of claim 1 , wherein the second circuit board is inserted into the plug subsequent to the plug being connected the first time.
3 . The plug of claim 2 , wherein the second circuit board is inserted into the plug prior to the plug being connected the subsequent time.
4 . The plug of claim 1 , wherein the first electronic component comprises a fuse and is disabled by burning the fuse.
5 . The plug of claim 1 further comprising an electrical contact, wherein the first circuit board is electrically connected with the electrical contact.
6 . The plug of claim 5 , wherein the second circuit board is electrically connected with the electrical contact.
7 . The plug of claim 6 , wherein the second circuit board is electrically connected with the electrical contact by inserting the second circuit board into the plug.
8 . The plug of claim 7 , wherein the electrical contact comprises a pin.
9 . The plug of claim 8 , wherein the second circuit board comprises a hole through which the pin passes.
10 . The plug of claim 9 , wherein the hole is sized such that it is biased to contact the pin with a friction fit.
11 . The plug of claim 9 , wherein the second circuit board comprises an electrical conductor that extends from the hole to the second electronic component.
12 . The plug of claim 11 , wherein the electrical conductor extends at least partially around the hole.
13 . The plug of claim 7 , wherein the electrical contact comprises a hole.
14 . A plug adapted to connect the medical device to a device controller, the plug comprising:
an electrical contact;
a first electronic component electrically connected with the electrical contact, wherein the first electronic component performs a function when the plug is connected a first time and the first electronic component is disabled from performing the function when the plug is connected a subsequent time; and
a second electronic component, wherein the second electronic component performs the function when the plug is connected the subsequent time.
15 . The plug of claim 14 further comprising a first circuit board, wherein the first electronic component is attached to the first circuit board.
16 . The medical device of claim 15 further comprising a second circuit board, wherein the second electronic component is attached to the second circuit board.
17 . The plug of claim 14 , wherein the second electronic component is attached to the plug subsequent to the plug being connected the first time.
18 . The plug of claim 17 , the second electronic component is attached to the plug prior to the plug being connected the subsequent time.
19 . The plug of claim 14 , wherein the electrical contact comprises a pin that corresponds to a hole in a connector of the device controller.
20 . The plug of claim 14 , wherein the electrical contact comprises a hole that corresponds to a pin in a connector of the device controller.