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. 04, 2015
Filed:
Oct. 19, 2011
Kevin L. Houser, Springboro, OH (US);
Foster B. Stulen, Mason, OH (US);
Timothy G. Dietz, Terrace Park, OH (US);
John W. Willis, Cincinnati, OH (US);
Donna L. Korvick, Maineville, OH (US);
Ashvani K. Madan, Mason, OH (US);
Aron O. Zingman, Cambridge, MA (US);
Kevin L. Houser, Springboro, OH (US);
Foster B. Stulen, Mason, OH (US);
Timothy G. Dietz, Terrace Park, OH (US);
John W. Willis, Cincinnati, OH (US);
Donna L. Korvick, Maineville, OH (US);
Ashvani K. Madan, Mason, OH (US);
Aron O. Zingman, Cambridge, MA (US);
Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc., Cincinnati, OH (US);
Abstract
A surgical instrument includes a handle assembly having a lower portion with a hingedly attached end piece. When open, the end piece allows for receipt of a data card in a lower portion aperture. When closed, the end piece covers the aperture. In another version, the aperture is configured to receive a data card and battery pack assembly. Information is readable from and to the data card to measure a number of minutes the instrument was used during a procedure. Such information is communicated via wired or wireless communication to another device to determine a payment for the number of minutes used. Minutes are buyable from the device and writable onto the data card prior to insertion of the card into the instrument. In another version, a testing sequence is used in saline or via a tissue proxy to test the functionality of an instrument prior to a procedure.