The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 11, 2009
Filed:
Dec. 10, 2001
James Pawlikowski, Aspinwall, PA (US);
Andrew L. Shissler, Delmont, PA (US);
Michael T. Kane, Delmont, PA (US);
Winslow K. Duff, Export, PA (US);
James Pawlikowski, Aspinwall, PA (US);
Andrew L. Shissler, Delmont, PA (US);
Michael T. Kane, Delmont, PA (US);
Winslow K. Duff, Export, PA (US);
RIC Investments, LLC, Wilmington, DE (US);
Abstract
A method of upgrading a medical device having a controller that controls operation of the medical device according to an operating routine executed by the controller. Upgrading the medical device includes communicating an external device, such as a conventional computer, with the controller. An external access key is provided to the external device and compared to an internal access key provided by the medical device. Upgrading of the medical device is enabled if the two access keys match. Upgrading includes modifying or rewriting the operating routine stored in the medical device. A medical device manufacturer, supplier, or seller controls the distribution of the external access keys, thereby providing the ability to track the medical devices being upgraded and the upgrade provided to that device.