Covidien LP

Paul E Ourada

Jeffrey L Jensen

William Gary Paterson

Erich M Velandia

Robert M Sharp

Scott E M Frushour

Patrick L Dumbauld

Robert H Wham

Methods and systems for controlling the usage of devices with embedded RFID tags including connecting a device to an energy source and reading data from a memory device incorporated in the device. The data may include a unique identifier (UID), a usage value, an activation value, a reprocessing value, and/or a sterilization indicator. The usage value is incremented when the device is connected to the energy source and the activation value is incremented when the device is activated permitting energy to flow from the energy source to the device. Usage of the device is prevented if the UID is on a list of prohibited UIDs, the usage value is not lower than a usage limitation value, the reprocessing value equals a reprocessing limitation value, the activation value equals an activation limitation value, and/or the sterilization indicator does not indicate that the device has been sterilized since its previous usage.

System and method for using RFID tags to determine sterilization of devices

A radio frequency identification (RFID) network is presented including a plurality of medical devices each including an RFID transponder and a single RFID transponder emulator configured to emulate functionality of each of the RFID transponders of the plurality of medical devices. The RFID network further includes a plurality of RFID interrogation devices configured to operatively communicate with the single RFID transponder emulator. The single RFID transponder emulator is used for development, testing, evaluation, and validation of each of the plurality of RFID interrogation devices.

Systems and methods for emulating RFID transponders of a plurality of medical devices

A surgical instrument includes a shaft having a proximal end and a bifurcated distal end defining a first shaft portion and a second shaft portion. An end effector assembly is disposed at the distal end of the shaft and includes first and second jaw members. One (or both) of the jaw members is moveable relative to the other between an open position and a closed position for grasping tissue therebetween. Each of the jaw members defines an opposed jaw surface and is independently coupled to one of the first and second shaft portions. The first and second shaft portions are configured to flex relative to one another during movement of the jaw members to the closed position to grasp tissue therebetween such that the opposed jaw surfaces of the jaw members are disposed in substantially parallel orientation relative to one another when grasping tissue therebetween.

Bifurcated shaft for surgical instrument

An end-effector assembly includes first and second jaw members disposed in opposing relation relative to one another, at least one of the jaw members moveable from an open position to a closed position for grasping tissue therebetween. First and second conductive plates are disposed on opposing surfaces of corresponding first and second jaw members. First and second compressible membranes are configured to electrically connect corresponding first and second conductive plates to a surgical field when subjected to a compression bias.

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Longmont, CO, United States of America

Paul E Ourada