Method and apparatus for tracking usage of a respiratory measurement device

A monitoring device for detachable engagement with at least a portion of a respiratory measurement device, comprising:

• a memory including calibration information for measurements of the respiratory device;
• a counter that determines a number of measurements taken by the respiratory measurement device;
• and
• a state indicator, wherein, when a current value of the counter is different from a selected number of measurements, the state indicator indicates that the respiratory measurement device is enabled and, when the current counter value is the same as the selected number of measurements, the state indicator indicates that the respiratory measurement device is disabled.

A method for monitoring use of a respiratory measurement device, comprising:

• (a) engaging a flow tube with at least a portion of the respiratory measurement device;
• (b) engaging a monitoring unit with the at least a portion of the respiratory measurement device, the monitoring unit including a memory including calibration information associated with at least one of the respiratory measurement device and the flow tube and a counter for determining a number of measurements taken by the respiratory measurement device;
• (c) performing a respiratory measurement with the respiratory measurement device;
• and
• (d) at least one of decrementing and incrementing the counter in response to the performing step, wherein the monitoring unit is not part of the flow tube and detachably engages the respiratory measurement device.

A method for monitoring use of a respiratory measurement device, comprising:

• (a) providing a monitoring unit in detachable engagement with at least a portion of the respiratory measurement device, the monitoring unit including a memory;
• (b) performing a respiratory measurement with the respiratory measurement device;
• (c) at least one of decrementing and incrementing a counter in response to the performing step to provide a counter value;
• (d) comparing the counter value with a predetermined value;
• (e) enabling the respiratory measurement device when the counter value is different from the predetermined value;
• and
• (f) disabling the respiratory measurement device when the counter value is the same as the predetermined value.

A method for supplying a disposable component for a respiratory measurement device, comprising:

• (a) manufacturing at least a first disposable component for a respiratory measurement device;
• (b) providing first calibration information for the first disposable component;
• (c) manufacturing a first enabling device, including a first memory storing at least one of the first calibration information and a first counter for counting a number of measurements performed by the respiratory measurement device;
• and
• (d) packaging at least the first disposable component together with the corresponding first enabling device for use by a respiratory measurement device user;
• (e) manufacturing at least a second disposable component;
• (f) determining second calibration information for the second disposable component;
• (g) manufacturing a second enabling device, including a second memory storing at least one of the second calibration information and a second counter for counting a number of measurements performed by a respiratory measurement device attached to at least the second disposable component;
• and
• (h) packaging at least the second disposable component together with the corresponding second enabling device for use by a respiratory measurement device user, wherein the second disposable component and second enabling device are in a different package than the first disposable component and first enabling device.

A method for monitoring use of a respiratory measurement device, comprising:

• (a) engaging a flow tube with the respiratory measurement device;
• (b) engaging a monitoring unit with the respiratory measurement device, the monitoring unit including a memory including calibration information associated with at least one of the respiratory measurement device and the flow tube and a counter for determining a number of measurements taken by the respiratory measurement device;
• (c) performing a respiratory measurement with the respiratory measurement device;
• and
• (d) at least one of decrementing and incrementing the counter in response to the performing step;
• (e) comparing the counter value with a predetermined value;
• (f) when the counter value is the same as the predetermined value, disabling the respiratory measurement device;
• and
• (g) when the counter value is different from the predetermined value, enabling the respiratory measurement device.

A method for supplying a disposable component for a respiratory measurement device, comprising:

• (a) manufacturing at least a first disposable component for a respiratory measurement device;
• (b) determining first calibration information for the first disposable component;
• (c) manufacturing a first enabling device, including a first memory storing at least one of the first calibration information and a first counter for counting a number of measurements performed by the respiratory measurement device;
• (d) packaging at least the first disposable component together with the corresponding first enabling device for use by a respiratory measurement device user;
• (e) manufacturing at least a second disposable component;
• (f) determining second calibration information for the second disposable component;
• (g) manufacturing a second enabling device, including a second memory storing the second calibration information and a second counter for counting a number of measurements performed by a respiratory measurement device attached to at least the second disposable component;
• and
• (h) packaging at least the second disposable component together with the corresponding second enabling device for use by a respiratory measurement device user wherein the first counter has the same value as the second counter.

A method for monitoring use of a respiratory measurement device, comprising:

• (a) engaging a flow tube from a set of flow tubes with the respiratory measurement device;
• (b) engaging a monitoring unit with a body member of the respiratory measurement device, the monitoring unit including a memory comprising usage information associated with the set of flow tubes;
• (c) performing a respiratory measurement with the respiratory measurement device;
• and
• (d) at least one of decrementing and incrementing a use counter in response to the performing step;
• (e) comparing the use counter with a predetermined number of respiratory measurements;
• (f) when the use counter is different from the predetermined number of respiratory measurements, enabling the respiratory measurement device;
• and
• (g) when the use counter is the same as the predetermined number of respiratory measurements, disabling the respiratory measurement device.

A respiratory measurement device, comprising:

• (a) a detachable flow tube;
• (b) a body member engaging the detachable flow tube;
• (c) a processor;
• and
• (d) a detachable monitoring unit engaging the body member, the monitoring unit including a memory comprising usage information associated with the detachable flow tube, wherein the processor is operable to (i) at least one of decrement and increment a use counter when a respiratory measurement is performed;
• (ii) compare the use counter with a predetermined number of respiratory measurements;
• (iii) when the use counter is different from the predetermined number of respiratory measurements, enable the respiratory measurement device;
• and (iv) when the use counter is the same as the predetermined number of respiratory measurements, disable the respiratory measurement device.