Systems and methods for usage replenishment

Abstract

Provided are dermatological medical devices and methods comprising a distal end for positioning at a region proximal a target therapeutic region of tissue, an output port at the distal end, an energy source that generates optical energy, which is output from the output port to the target therapeutic region of tissue, and a microcontroller that processes replenishment data that controls an operation parameter of the device. The device is activated for performing a treatment operation in response to a receipt and processing of the replenishment data.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for pay-per-use electronic replenishment, comprising:
 programming a handheld dermatological medical device with a use parameter;   determining whether current use data exceeds the use parameter; and   replenishing the handheld dermatological medical device with a new use parameter in response to a determination that the current use data exceeds the use parameter.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the use parameter includes data corresponding to a a maximum treatment time or usage. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the handheld dermatological medical device is replenished by a replenishment cartridge that outputs the new use parameter to a microcontroller at the handheld dermatological medical device. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising positioning the replenishment cartridge in the dermatological medical device. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising positioning the replenishment cartridge at a location external to the dermatological medical device and coupling an electrical connector between the replenishment device and the dermatological medical device for establishing communication with the dermatological medical device. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising coupling a disposable treatment tip to a distal end of the device, wherein the tip includes the replenishment cartridge. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the new use parameter is provided by a replenishment server in communication with the dermatological medical device.