Assemblies, Systems and Methods for Programming Medical Devices

Abstract

The present invention relates to medical device programming assemblies, systems and methods for programming a medical treatment parameter on a medical device, via a programming key. The programming key may be adapted to mate with the medical device which comprises a programmable, non-transitory, computer readable storage device. The storage device comprises a data connector which is configured to mate with a corresponding data connector on the medical device. The storage device may be affixed to a fastener coupling configured to mate with a corresponding coupling on the medical device when the data connector is brought into proximity with the corresponding data connector on the medical device. The programming key is configured to occupy a space formed within the medical device when the data connector and fastener coupling are mated with the corresponding data connector and fastener coupling of the medical device.

1 . A medical device programming assembly for programming a medical treatment parameter on a medical device configured to receive a programming key comprising;
 a programming key adapted to mate with the medical device further comprising,
 a programmable, non-transitory, computer readable storage device comprising a data connector wherein the data connector is configured to mate with a corresponding data connector on the medical device, 
 the storage device affixed to a fastener coupling configured to mate with a corresponding coupling on the medical device when the data connector is brought into proximity with the corresponding data connector on the medical device, 
   wherein the programming key is configured to occupy a space formed within the medical device when the data connector and fastener coupling are mated with the corresponding data connector and fastener coupling on the medical device.   
     
     
         2 . A medical device programming assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the fastener coupling comprises a tongue and groove sliding fastener. 
     
     
         3 . A medical device programming assembly according to  claim 2  wherein the sliding fastener comprises a substantially planar portion and a tongue or groove portioned formed at one or more edges of the planar portion, wherein the tongue or groove is configured to mate with a corresponding tongue or groove partially defining the space within the medical device. 
     
     
         4 . A medical device programming assembly according to  claim 3  wherein the sliding fastener comprises a locking means configured to engage with a corresponding means on the medical device to secure the sliding fastener in position when the data connector and fastener coupling are mated with the corresponding data connector and fastener coupling on the medical device. 
     
     
         5 . A medical device programming assembly according to any one of  claims 1  to  4  wherein the data connector comprises a unique data connector configured to impede mating with commonly available data connectors. 
     
     
         6 . A medical device programming assembly according to  claim 5  wherein the data connector is configured to impede mating with USB, micro USB, ethernet ports, HDMI, micro HDMI, modular plugs, modular jacks, or firewire connectors. 
     
     
         7 . A medical device programming assembly according to any one of  claims 1  to  6  wherein the programmable, non-transitory, computer readable storage device encodes one or more medical treatment parameter for operating the medical device. 
     
     
         8 . A medical device programming assembly according to any one of  claims 1  to  7  comprising a data hub device adapted to receive data transmitted from the medical device, and store the data, process the data or communicate the data to the same or another electronic device. 
     
     
         9 . A medical device programming assembly according to any one of  claims 1  to  8  comprising;
 a medical device comprising,
 a central processing unit, and 
 a storage device reader 
 
 wherein the medical device is configured to define a space for receiving the programming key when the data connector and fastener coupling on the medical device are mated with the corresponding data connector and fastener coupling of the programming key. 
 
     
     
         10 . A medical device programming assembly according to  claim 8  or  9  wherein the data hub device comprises a server or a router. 
     
     
         11 . A method of manufacturing a medical device programming assembly according to any one of  claims 1  to  7 . 
     
     
         12 . A method of manufacturing a medical device programming assembly according to  claim 7  wherein the method comprises the steps of;
 obtaining a programmable, non-transitory, computer readable storage device comprising a data connector wherein the data connector is configured to mate with a corresponding data connector on the medical device, 
 programming the programmable, non-transitory, computer readable storage device to encode one or more medical treatment parameters for operating the medical device, and 
 affixing the storage device to a fastener coupling configured to mate with a corresponding coupling on the medical device when the data connector is brought into proximity with the corresponding data connector on the medical device. 
 
     
     
         13 . A method of manufacturing a medical device programming assembly according to  claim 12  wherein the step of programming the programmable, non-transitory, computer readable storage device comprises the subsequent step of rendering the medical treatment parameter substantially non-editable. 
     
     
         14 . A system for programming a medical treatment parameter on a medical device configured to receive a programming key comprising;
 a programming key adapted to mate with the medical device further comprising,
 a programmable, non-transitory, computer readable storage device comprising a data connector wherein the data connector is configured to mate with a corresponding data connector on the medical device, 
 the storage device affixed to a fastener coupling configured to mate with a corresponding coupling on the medical device when the data connector is brought into proximity with the corresponding data connector on the medical device, 
   wherein the programming key is configured to occupy a space formed within the medical device when the data connector and fastener coupling are mated with the corresponding data connector and fastener coupling on the medical device.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14  comprising;
 a data hub device adapted to receive data transmitted from the medical device, and store the data, process the data or communicate the data to the same or another electronic device. 
 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14  or  15  comprising;
 a medical device comprising,
 a central processing unit, and 
 a storage device reader 
 
 wherein the medical device is configured to define a space for receiving the programming key when the data connector and fastener coupling on the medical device are mated with the corresponding data connector and fastener coupling of the programming key. 
 
     
     
         17 . A method for the transfer of data from a programmable, non-transitory, computer readable storage device to a data hub device comprising the steps of;
 obtaining a programming key further comprising,
 a programmable, non-transitory, computer readable storage device encoding a medical treatment parameter for operating a medical device further comprising a data connector wherein the data connector is configured to mate with a corresponding data connector on the medical device, 
   obtaining the medical device further comprising,
 a central processing unit, and 
 a storage device reader comprising a data connector wherein the data connector is configured to mate with a corresponding data connector on the storage device, 
   mating the storage device data connector with the medical device data connector, communicating the medical treatment parameter to the medical device, and communicating the medical treatment parameter from the medical device to the data hub device.   
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 17  wherein;
 the step of communicating the medical treatment parameter to the medical device is followed by the step of sensing a medical treatment parameter during or following the medical treatment, and 
 the step of communicating the medical treatment parameter from the medical device to the data hub device further comprises the step of communicating the sensed medical treatment parameter to the data hub device.