Apparatus for administering acoustic shock waves having a removable and replaceable component with a data storage medium

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of medical devices for delivering acoustic shock waves, and in particular to a device for delivering acoustic shock waves having a removable, replaceable component with a data storage unit.

[0002] Medical devices frequently have items exposed to a great deal of wear or consumption. Therefore, it is desirable to place these high-wear items in separate removable and replaceable components connected with the basic device and replace them when necessary. In general, these components are identified by the manufacturer's embossed serial and/or lot numbers. This identification is documented at the manufacturing facility before delivery. Thus, while the component can be traced if it is returned to the manufacturer, no information is provided on the wear of the component during operation of the medical device.

[0003] To ensure the necessary safety when medical devices are in operation, it is necessary for the manufacturer and/or operator of the device to be continuously informed of the status of all the device components. This is particularly important for liability issues. It is especially important to replace parts that are consumable or exposed to wear promptly. Because wear and consumption are heavily dependent on the use of the device, for safety reasons replacement is usually done early and at fixed intervals regardless of actual use. This runs counter to economical use of the device components.

[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 6,036,661 assigned to the assignee of the present invention discloses a medical device for application of acoustic shock waves in which a replaceable treatment head connected with a basic device has a memory that can be read by the basic device so that the operating values of the basic device can be adjusted to the specific treatment head being used. In addition, usage data on the treatment head such as total operating time, number of shots, and number of shots remaining for the service life are stored, and are read, processed, and displayed by the basic device. However, data exchange to and from the treatment head memory is possible only through the basic device.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need for a replaceable component such as for example a treatment head that stores usage data of the component, and can download/transmit data from the component head.

[0006] Briefly, according to an aspect of the invention, a removable and replaceable component for use in a device for delivering acoustic shock waves includes a storage medium that stores component usage information.

[0007] According to another aspect of the invention, a removable and replaceable component for use in a device for delivering acoustic shock waves includes a storage medium that stores component identification information.

[0008] The information within the component storage medium can be read from the component, even while the component is removed from the device for delivering acoustic shock waves. The component may be for example a treatment head, and/or a power supply unit. A basic idea of the invention is to place the replaceable items of the device that are exposed to wear or consumption in separate components, and provide them with a storage medium that stores information relevant to the component and its use, which can be read from the removable and replaceable component independently of the basic device via for example a standardized interface. The interface may be associated with a wireline or wireless communication channel.

[0009] The relevant information can be read from the component (e.g., a treatment head) even when the component is not mounted on the basic device. As a result, removable and replaceable components can be easily inventoried to determine for example the use information for each of the treatment heads in inventory. It is thus possible to ensure that the components are available in the proper number, are procured on time, and are serviced or reprocessed promptly, with economically optimal use of the components.

[0010] The operationally relevant information can also be read by the manufacturer from the memory of the component returned for repair or reprocessing. This facilitates improved quality management by the manufacturer. This information can also be evaluated for manufacturing logistics to document, evaluate, and optimize manufacturing, storage, delivery, reprocessing, etc.

[0011] The relevant information can also be read by the user at the site where the device is used and forwarded to the manufacturer without the component having to be shipped. If such data transfers are done at regular intervals, the manufacturer can perform remote maintenance. The user can be promptly alerted about necessary servicing and reprocessing tasks, thus facilitating planning by the manufacturer and operator.

[0012] Reading the component memory externally also makes it possible to document device use continuously. While using the device, the physician can read and document the treatment measures performed by the device as they relate to the patient. It is also possible for leases of such devices to be based on actual use of the device, rather than time. For example, the use information can be read by the user and transmitted to the device owner for billing purposes via the Internet, e-mail, or a data carrier, for example.

[0013] These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent in light of the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a pictorial illustration of a removable and replaceable treatment head 10 having a storage medium 16 for use in a device for generating acoustic shock waves for extracorporeal shock wave therapy. The treatment therapy head 10 includes electrodes, for example for electrohydraulic shock wave generation, between which there is an electrical spark discharge. This causes the electrodes to be consumed, such that after a certain number of spark discharges the treatment head 10 has to be reprocessed. The treatment head 10 is connected via a cable 14 and a plug 12 to a basic device, not shown. U.S. Pat. No. 6,036,661 incorporated herein by reference and assigned to the assignee of the present invention, illustrates a removable treatment head connected to a basic unit. The basic device contains the power supply and control for the treatment head 10.

[0017] The storage medium 16 is mounted on the part of plug 12 connected to the treatment head 10. The attachment of the storage medium 16 to the treatment head 10 (e.g., the plug of the therapy head) is fixed so that the storage medium 16 is continuously connected to the plug 12 of the treatment head. The storage medium 16 is preferably a read-write memory. An optical memory (CD-R, CD-R/W), an electric flash card, a magnetic storage card, or a smart card for example can be used as the storage medium. In one embodiment, the storage medium 16 is configured as a chip card attached to the plug 12 of the treatment head 10.

[0018] Data can be read from the storage medium 16, and data can be written from the basic device into the storage medium 16. If the plug 12 is separate, the treatment head 10 can be connected via this interface to an independent reader or a data carrier. In this way, the data stored in the storage medium 16 can be read independently of the basic device. It is also possible to write data to the storage medium 16 independently of the basic device.

[0019] The removable and replaceable component shown in FIG. 2 is a removable and replaceable power supply 18 of a device for generating acoustic shock waves. The power supply 18 is configured as a replaceable cartridge that is inserted into the basic device, and supplies for example the treatment head 10 illustrated in FIG. 1. The power supply 18 includes a charging capacitor and a spark gap serving as a high-voltage switch. The spark gap is subjected to heavy wear, and as a result the power supply 18 has to be reprocessed or replaced after a certain amount of use.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, the storage medium 16 is permanently connected to the cartridge of the power supply 18 via a flexible connecting element 20, such as for example a cord, a wire, or a cable. In one embodiment, the storage medium 16 is provided with a separate interface and can be inserted into a corresponding socket either of the basic device or of a separate reader or data transmitting device.

[0021] The storage medium 16 may include the serial number and batch number of the removable and replaceable component that it is associated with. For example, if the storage medium is associated with the treatment head as shown in FIG. 1, then the storage medium may include the serial number and batch number of that treatment head.

[0022] The information may also include the serial number and batch number of the basic device into which the component is placed. In addition, any other information/parameters of the component (e.g., 10 or 18) that identify its properties and method of operation may also be stored in the storage medium. This information is preferably entered into the storage medium 16 by the manufacturer and continues unchanged.

[0023] The storage medium 16 may include information documenting the use of the removable and replaceable component. The stored information may also include for example the current model version, and information on any servicing or reprocessing. This information is preferably entered by the manufacturer or service organization. In addition, information indicative of the use of the removable and replaceable component, such as for example the number, duration, and operating parameters of use may also be stored in the storage medium. This information can be entered into the storage unit either by the component itself and/or by the basic unit. If the component is a treatment head 10, this information can be used for documentation of the medical treatment and for billing use.

[0024] Although the present invention has been shown and described with respect to several preferred embodiments thereof, various changes, omissions and additions to the form and detail thereof, may be made therein, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.