TOOL WITH A WORKING END DETERMINATION DEVICE ARRANGED IN THE SHAFT AREA

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a tool or instrument, and in particular relates to a medical / surgical tool or medical / surgical instrument configured to provide automatic and / or automatically documenting end of work determination and / or end of work recognition. State of the art

[0002] To date, a device for automatically recognizing tool-specific data from interchangeable tools inserted into the handheld power tool has been known, for example, in the field of non-medical electric handheld power tools. In this device, a tool such as a cutting drill, a chisel, or the like has a geometric coding, for example a mechanical coding in the form of coding steps, in the area of ​​an insertion shank. Using a reading device built into the tool holder and aligned with the coding, such as an electronic, optical, or mechanical sensor, signals corresponding to the coding are generated and transmitted to a control unit of a machine tool for further processing.

[0003] Tools and / or instruments used particularly in the medical field, such as hand tools, essentially consist of three sections: a handle section, a shaft section, and at least one working end / terminator. The shaft section connects the handle section to the working end of the tool. The working end is located opposite the handle section at the other end of the tool, is the actual functional part of the tool, and can be shaped in a variety of ways depending on the application. Tools of the type referred to herein generally include tools, instruments, spray nozzles, HF tips, ultrasonic blades, and the like that can be used in the medical field. However, there is no restriction to products of the aforementioned type specifically from the medical field.

[0004] In the field of medicine, due to the type of tools and / or instruments used and the conditions of the respective work environments, coupled coding recording as mentioned above is neither feasible nor practical. Instead, work has so far been carried out using labels or stickers, which can be attached to the tool itself or to the tool's outer packaging. For example, to identify which tool is plugged in, the label of the or each individual tool or its outer packaging must be viewed. Therefore, there is currently no automatic and / or automatically documented work end determination or work end recognition, so that a user or customer must identify, or can only identify, which product / work end is involved using labels or labels with inscriptions and must then document this manually.

[0005] This adversely affects both users and dealers, customers and manufacturers of such tools. Among other things, a user or customer of such a tool cannot easily determine whether or not an intended tool is suitable for their specific application without looking at the label or outer packaging. For example, a dealer or customer cannot usually determine which product stocks are still in a warehouse or consignment store without taking inventory. A manufacturer, for example, cannot determine which products have been combined and / or used, cannot trace an overload of tools and any associated product damage, and cannot provide a customer with customized logistics.

[0006] There is therefore a need (not only, but especially in the field of medicine or medical technology) for automatic detection of tools and / or instruments, spray nozzles, RF tips, ultrasonic blades and the like, by means of which the aforementioned disadvantages are eliminated and associated problems are solved.

[0007] Relevant prior art is disclosed, for example, in the documents DE 10 2015 111757 A1, US 2011 / 0245833 A1, US 2004 / 0092991 A1 and EP 3 182 337 A1. Brief description of the invention

[0008] The invention therefore aims to provide a tool, such as a medical tool, whose proximal working end can be detected, for example, during a plug-in process (into a handpiece, handle). Furthermore, it should be possible to display or transmit data, such as data related to the working end and / or additional data, to a user or customer.

[0009] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a tool having the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention are the subject of the appended subclaims. Brief description of the revelation

[0010] The invention is based on the general idea of ​​arranging a (recognition, identification, communication) device on a tool, in particular a medical (drilling, milling, screwing) tool, which device enables a determination or recognition of a working end (or tool) inserted into a handpiece / handle / drive unit and a transmission of further data, optionally previously written to a data carrier and / or into a storage device, i.e. a working end recognition in conjunction with a readable data memory (using a communication device with low power consumption based, for example, on Bluetooth, RFID, NFC and the like) together with the working end.

[0011] To this end, the invention provides for arranging on the tool a device determining the end of its working time, comprising at least one data storage device or a data storage area with a predetermined data storage capacity. Data stored in the data storage device relate to the end of the working time in such a way that they determine the end of the working time and / or can be used to detect it. In addition, the data storage device can store further data, for example, application-related or process-related data and the like. The device is preferably a low-power communication device with which devices can be networked within a communication range of typically a few meters up to a few tens of meters or can wirelessly transmit and / or exchange data. Further preferably, the communication device can be a Bluetooth device or RFID device.Alternatively, the invention provides for a resistor and / or a memory device to be integrated into the tool, wherein the resistor is designed or specified for determining the end of work, and the memory device can store further data, for example application-related or process-related data and the like.

[0012] Application-related, product-related or process-related data can be, for example, an article number and / or a graphic representation of the article, a LOT specification, i.e. information about a compiled batch of a specific product, an MHD or best-before date and the like.

[0013] With such application-related or process-related data, a user or customer, in conjunction with a data processing device, is enabled to document usage in a variety of ways. For example, the customer can be shown which product is being handled on a display device, such as an external device or a portable computer, tablet, smartphone, or other terminal. Furthermore, inventory-related information can be displayed to the user or customer and / or an automatic replenishment can be triggered if the inventory level falls below a predefined number (for example, a message stating "Your consignment stock will soon be exhausted. Based on the consumption of the last four weeks, a requirement of 50 units will be delivered to you."Tracking ID: 123456, Delivery by courier"), the user or customer can be informed of an undesirable condition and guided towards improvement (message, for example, "Caution: Handpiece overload detected. Excessive contact pressure. Please use a different working end if possible"), or diagnostic information can be provided to the user or customer (message, for example, "Handpiece overload detected. The working ends used during the recording period were type A, type B, ... X excessive current consumption was detected" (X can be a numeric number)).In addition, direct logging of used components in analog and / or digital form is also possible, for example in an IT infrastructure with, for example, storage space, computing power and / or application software locally and / or via the Internet (cloud), in decentralized databases, in server structures or the like, and / or in a patient file.

[0014] According to the invention, this advantageously results in direct, automated tool recognition for a user, customer and / or a manufacturer, the ability to transmit any number of additional data to a user, customer and / or a manufacturer, and the possibility of direct writing into, for example, an electronic patient record for a user or customer.

[0015] In particular, the object is achieved by a tool having a working end determination device arranged in a shank region thereof for determining a working end of the tool, wherein the working end determination device includes a writable and / or readable data storage device which is configured to store at least data relating to the working end of the tool in at least one first storage area, and wherein the working end determination device is arranged to provide the data relating to the working end of the tool in an externally detectable manner for detecting the working end of the tool.

[0016] Preferably, the work end determining device is a low power consumption communication device comprising at least the data storage device and an antenna device.

[0017] Also preferably, the low-power communication device is accommodated in a hollow body which is arranged at a handle or shaft end of the tool opposite the working end, extending the handle or shaft end.

[0018] Further preferably, the low-power communication device is arranged embedded in the tool at a handle or shaft end opposite the working end.

[0019] Alternatively, the low power consumption communication device is preferably accommodated in a ring body encompassing a shaft portion or a handle portion.

[0020] Advantageously, the antenna device can be designed in a coil-shaped manner in the annular body accommodating the communication device with low power consumption, and / or the annular body accommodating the communication device with low power consumption can be designed as an overmolded and / or potted assembly.

[0021] Alternatively, the low-power communication device is preferably arranged in a ring shape on an outer ring of a bearing device arranged on the tool, wherein the writable and / or readable data storage device is arranged on a first partial section of the outer ring of the bearing device and the antenna device is arranged on a second partial section of the outer ring of the bearing device, and wherein the antenna device is coil-shaped. It is particularly advantageous in this case that the outer ring of the bearing device is held stationary and therefore does not rotate, so that no vibrations due to any imbalance or the like are to be expected.

[0022] Alternatively, the communication device with low power consumption is preferably accommodated in a sleeve-shaped or ring-shaped spacer forming a carrier element for positioning on an outer circumference of the tool, wherein the writable and / or readable data storage device is arranged in a first partial section of the spacer and the antenna device is arranged in a second partial section of the spacer, and wherein the antenna device is designed in the shape of a coil.

[0023] Alternatively, the communication device with low power consumption is preferably accommodated in an element forming a splash guard on an outer circumference of the tool, wherein the writable and / or readable data storage device is arranged in a first partial section of the splash guard element and the antenna device is arranged in a second partial section of the splash guard element, and wherein the antenna device is designed in a coil shape.

[0024] The element forming the splash guard can advantageously be a splash guard body for a bearing device arranged on the tool.

[0025] Furthermore advantageously and preferably, the low power communication device may be an RFID device or a Bluetooth Low Energy device.

[0026] According to the invention, the working end determination device is a unit integrated into the tool, which can be connected to an external control unit via an electrical contact in a handpiece area of ​​the tool.

[0027] In this case, the unit integrated into the tool can advantageously comprise a resistor determining the working end of the tool and / or a storage device storing data relating to the working end.

[0028] Preferably, the unit integrated into the tool extends from a handle-side or shaft-side end of the tool with a channel-shaped structure in the direction of the working end into the tool, wherein in the channel-shaped structure, at a first end facing the working end, the resistor determining the working end of the tool and / or the memory device storing the data relating to the working end is arranged and at a second end facing away from the working end, the electrical contact is arranged, wherein at least one conductor section electrically contacts the resistor and / or the memory device and wherein the channel-shaped structure is enclosed by an insulator and is electrically insulated from the tool by this.

[0029] In this case, the writable and / or readable data storage device can advantageously include at least one second memory area which is configured to store predetermined data other than the data stored in the at least one first memory area, which are the data relating to the working end of the tool. Short description of the characters

[0030] The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a tool with a working end determination device according to a first example (not covered by the claimed invention); Fig. 2 a schematic representation of a tool with a working end determination device according to a second example (not covered by the claimed invention); Fig. 3 , 3a, 3b a schematic representation of a tool with a working end determination device according to a third example (not covered by the claimed invention); Fig. 4 a schematic representation of a tool with a working end determination device according to a fourth example (not covered by the claimed invention); Fig. 5 a schematic representation of a tool with a working end determination device according to a fifth example (not covered by the claimed invention); Fig. 6 a schematic representation of a tool with a working end determination device according to a sixth example (not covered by the claimed invention); Fig. 7 a schematic representation of a tool with a working end determination device in an embodiment according to an embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 8 , 8a-d a partial sectional view showing a working end determination device formed as an integrated unit in the tool in the exemplary embodiment.

[0031] In the figures, like reference numerals designate like or at least equivalent parts and components. For convenience, redundant descriptions of such parts and components are omitted. Character description

[0032] A working end determination device herein means a device arranged on a tool, for example a tool for medical purposes such as a drilling, milling, or screwing tool that can be rotatably inserted into a drive handpiece, for determining or recognizing at least one working end of the (medical) tool. A working end detection device is therefore synonymous or equivalent to the working end determination device. For this purpose, the working end determination device holds, stores, or contains data that determine the working end of the tool, ieData relating to the working end of the tool, and is configured to output or signal this data externally outside the tool in such a way that an external device communicatively connected to the working end determination device can detect the working end located on the tool based on the output data or signaling. Furthermore, the working end determination device is configured to store further data, for example application-related, product-related, or process-related data, in addition to the data relating to the working end and to output this data to the external device as needed.

[0033] Application-related, product-related or process-related data as mentioned above can be, for example, an article number and / or a graphic representation of the article, a LOT indication, i.e. information about a compiled batch of a specific product, an MHD or best-before date and the like.

[0034] With such application-related or process-related data, a user or customer, in conjunction with a data processing device, is enabled to document usage in a variety of ways. For example, the customer can be shown which product is being processed on a display device, such as an external device such as a portable computer, tablet, smartphone, virtual reality, augmented reality, or other terminal. Furthermore, inventory-related information can be displayed to the user or customer and / or an automatic reorder can be triggered if the inventory level falls below a predefined number (for example, a message such as "Your consignment stock will soon be exhausted. Based on the consumption of the last four weeks, a requirement of 50 units will be delivered to you."Tracking ID: 123456, Delivery via delivery service"), the user or customer can be informed of an undesirable condition and guided towards improvement (message, for example, "Caution: Handpiece overload detected. Contact pressure too high. Please use a different working end if possible"), or diagnostic information can be provided to the user or customer (message, for example, "Handpiece overload detected. The working ends used during the recording period were type A, type B, ... X excessive current consumption was detected"). In addition, direct logging of used components is also possible, for example in a patient file.

[0035] The transmission, i.e. the output of each of the aforementioned data, takes place in the present first example using a communication (or communication device or communication method) based, for example, on a transmission technology or radio technology with low power consumption, with which devices in a near-field environment, typically in a communication range of a few meters to a few tens of meters, can be networked or can wirelessly transmit and / or exchange data. Examples of such a transmission technology are Bluetooth Low Energy, Bluetooth LE (BLE for short) or Bluetooth Smart as an extension to the industry standard Bluetooth, RFID or NFC. In this example, communication components of the transmission technology with low power consumption, such as a Bluetooth (Low Energy) device (BLE) or an RFID device, for example an RFID chip orA transponder or tag with a predetermined data storage capacity is received and arranged in the end-of-work determination device. Each device further comprises at least one antenna for wireless data transmission. Bluetooth itself is well documented, so further details will not be redundantly described here.

[0036] An RFID device is defined here as a radio frequency identification (RFID) device. Generally, a wide variety of information can be stored on an RFID chip, and a reader can read this data or information wirelessly at any time. Near-field communication (NFC) in devices such as smartphones and the like is a special version of RFID.

[0037] RFID chips or transponders typically contain a microchip, an antenna, preferably in the form of a coil, with a diameter dependent on the desired range, a carrier or housing to protect the transponder electronics from the environment, and, in the case of active RFID chips, a power source, such as a battery. With passive RFID chips, the power is supplied externally via the antenna. This means that RFID / NFC can operate passively and requires no battery or other power supply. Instead, it can be powered by a radio frequency wave emitted by a scanner, which it stores in a small capacitor, and thus supplies power to a microcontroller on the chip.The transmission of data to the scanner can be carried out using so-called load modulation, in which a field of the scanner is subjected to a greater or lesser load, whereby these load fluctuations can be registered by the scanner as serial data, or using the principle of "modulated backscattering", in which spurious frequencies are scattered back by the scanner as interpretable digital data.

[0038] The available storage capacity of an RFID chip's writable memory can range from a few bits to several kilobytes. The transponder's data set is stored permanently in the chip during manufacture as a unique sequential number (inherent identity) or as non-unique data during application. Tags that are already available can also be modified later or written with additional data. Writable transponders can use non-volatile memory, which retains data without a power supply and is therefore preferably suitable for inductively powered RFID, such as EEPROM or FRAM, and / or volatile memory, which requires a continuous power supply to retain the data, such as SRAM.

[0039] RFID is well documented in the prior art and therefore will not be described further herein. However, it should be understood that RFID as used herein is not limited to the exemplary embodiments and embodiments described above.

[0040] The following description of examples refers to embodiments using an RFID device as a low-power communication device. However, this is not limited to this. It is understood that a Bluetooth device, for example, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) device, or another communication device with predeterminably low power consumption can be used instead of the RFID device.

[0041] Fig. 1 represents as a first example a tool with readable data storage, in which an RFID device (not shown) is arranged on a tool 10, preferably a milling tool with a distal milling head, a tool shaft and a proximal insertion end section at an end (insertion end section) of the shaft section or handle (insertion) section 30 remote from the working end (milling head), ie on the shaft end side or handle side.

[0042] In this case, the insertion end section has a non-circular profile for torque introduction / transmission into the tool shank. The RFID device is positioned proximal to the non-circular profile section, such that it is located outside the torque transmission path and thus remains unloaded by torque.

[0043] In the first example, the RFID device with antenna (not shown) and transponder electronics (not shown) is installed and accommodated in, for example, a housing 40 that is open on one side and can be round-tubular ("ampoule-shaped"), and the housing 40 is preferably articulated / fixed / integrated in a fluid- and gas-tight manner at the proximal end of the tool 10.

[0044] Fig. 2 As a second example, also represents a tool with readable data storage, in which the RFID device 20 is arranged in a recess forming a type of housing interior on the tool 10 at a proximal end of the shaft section or handle section 30 remote from the working end, i.e. on the shaft end side or handle side, i.e. countersunk into the tool. The RFID device 20 with antenna (not shown) and transponder electronics (not shown) is received in the second example, for example in the recess, which can be open on one side and designed with a cover element that closes the opening in a fluid-tight and gas-tight manner, and the recess is preferably articulated / fixed in a suitable manner and shape, for example as a grip-friendly, round extension 50 with approximately the diameter of the tool at the articulation point on the tool end.

[0045] At this point it should be noted that the extension 50 according to the Fig. 2 is only shown schematically and must of course be adapted at least in terms of its axial dimensions to the RFID device accommodated in its recess.

[0046] Fig. 3 As a third example, also represents a tool with readable data storage, in which the RFID device is arranged in an annular body 60 that is fixedly attached, for example in a latching manner, to the end section of the shaft section / tool ​​shaft or handle section 30 remote from the distal working end, i.e. on the shaft end side or handle side of the tool 10, or that can be moved slidably thereover. The RFID device with antenna (not shown) and transponder electronics (not shown) is accommodated in the third example, for example, in the volume of the annular body 60. For a fluid-tight and gas-tight design of the annular body 60, it can preferably be produced as an overmolded and / or cast assembly made of, for example, a plastic material or the like. In addition, the antenna of the RFID device can be designed in a coil-shaped manner in the annular space of the annular body 60.

[0047] In addition to the above-described Fig. 3 be additionally on the Fig. 3a und 3b In these further figures, the medical tool 10 is shown in accordance with Fig. 3 shown, in which the Fig. 3 The already known annular body 60 for receiving the RFID device is mounted at different axial positions of the tool shaft. For example, it is possible to mount the annular body 60 immediately distal to the non-circular proximal insertion end section of the tool 10 or in a central section of the tool shaft. The Fig. 3a und 3b that the ring body 60 according to the Fig. 3 can vary at least in terms of its axial dimensions in order to be optimally adapted to the dimensions of the RFID device accommodated therein.

[0048] Fig. 4 As a fourth example, also represents a tool with a readable data storage device, in which the RFID device is arranged on an outer ring of a bearing device 70, for example a ball bearing, which is preferably permanently installed along the shaft section. The RFID device with antenna and transponder electronics (not shown) is received in the fourth example, for example, in a recess along the periphery of the bearing device 70, wherein in particular the installed readable data storage device 12 can be embedded in the outer ring and at the same time sufficient space remains for a coil-shaped antenna 14 that is also embedded in the outer ring. To make the outer ring space fluid- and gas-tight, it can preferably be produced by encapsulating it with, for example, a plastic material or the like.It may be particularly advantageous in this example that the RFID device remains rotation-free, since the outer ring of the bearing device 70 is fixed in a corresponding counterpart of a surrounding installation or housing arrangement.

[0049] Fig. 5 As a fifth example, also represents a tool with readable data storage, in which the RFID device is accommodated in a spacer sleeve element 80, for example of the bearing device 70, which is preferably permanently installed along the shaft section, wherein the spacer sleeve is used as a carrier for the RFID / NFC chip. In this example too, sufficient installation space is provided to install an antenna, so that in this example too, the RFID device with antenna and transponder electronics (not shown) can be accommodated, for example, in a space along the periphery of the spacer sleeve element 80, wherein in particular the installed readable data storage (not shown) can be embedded in an annular space section and at the same time sufficient space remains for the coil-shaped antenna (not shown) which is also embedded in the annular space section.To ensure a fluid- and gas-tight design of the annular space section, it can preferably be encapsulated, for example, with a resin or plastic material or the like. It may be particularly advantageous in this example that the RFID device remains rotation-free when the spacer sleeve element 80 is firmly seated in a corresponding counterpart of a surrounding installation or housing arrangement.

[0050] Fig. 6 As a sixth example, also represents a tool with readable data storage, in which the RFID device is accommodated in a splash guard element 90, for example of the bearing device 70, which is preferably permanently installed along the shaft section, wherein the splash guard element 90 is used as a carrier for the RFID / NFC chip. In this example too, sufficient installation space is provided to install an antenna, so that in this example too, the RFID device with antenna (not shown) and transponder electronics (not shown) can be accommodated, for example, in a space along the periphery of the splash guard element 90, wherein in particular the installed readable data storage (not shown) can be embedded in an annular space section and at the same time sufficient space remains for the coil-shaped antenna (not shown) which is also embedded in the annular space section.To ensure a fluid- and gas-tight design of the annular space section, it can preferably be encapsulated, for example, with a resin or plastic material or the like. It may be particularly advantageous in this example that the RFID device remains rotation-free if the splash guard element 90 is fixedly positioned in a corresponding counterpart of a surrounding installation or housing arrangement and / or is rotationally fixedly coupled to, for example, a bearing device 70 or the like to be protected.

[0051] Fig. 7 shows, in one embodiment, as an exemplary embodiment of the medical tool with a working end determination device arranged in the shaft region thereof, a unit 100 integrated in the tool 10, which forms the working end determination device, with a resistor determining the working end of the tool, which can be, for example, an SMD resistor or the like, and / or a memory device storing data relating to the working end, which can be, for example, an SMD memory chip or the like, wherein the unit 100 integrated in the tool 10 can be connected to an external device (not shown), for example a control device or a signal and / or data processing device, via an electrical contact 104 led outward from the unit 100 in a handpiece 106 of the tool 10.

[0052] Fig. 8 shows in more detail the arrangement of the integrated unit 100 in the tool 10 in a sectional view through the proximal end section 106 of the tool. According to Fig. 8 The unit 100 integrated into the tool 10 extends from a proximal end of the tool 10 on the handle or shaft side, on which the electrical contact 104 is arranged on the outside of the tool, with a channel-shaped structure 108 in the direction of the distal working end into the tool. In the channel-shaped structure, at a first end facing the distal working end (e.g. milling head), the resistor determining the working end (e.g. milling head) of the tool and / or storing the data relating to the working end (e.g. milling head) is arranged, and the electrical contact 104 is arranged at a second end facing away from the distal working end. At least one conductor section electrically contacts the resistor and / or the storage device 102.In the channel-shaped structure, contacts 109 connect the resistor and / or the storage device 102 to a conductor 110 leading to the electrical contact 104 and a potential-side ground, and the channel-shaped structure extends within an insulator or insulating material which electrically insulates its internal components from the tool 10.

[0053] At this point it should be noted that contacts 109 according to the Fig. 8 purely functionally represented as contact points or stripes. The Fig. 8a und 8b However, they show a possible structural design of these contacts 109, preferably as contact rings, which can therefore be held in contact in any rotational position of the tool relative to a tool holder on the side of a handle or a drive unit with contact pins (not shown) present there. The resistor 102 can be arranged inside the shaft and have an electrical connection to the ring contacts via a line.

[0054] An alternative design of the contact points is shown in the Fig. 8c und 8d, according to which the contact points 109 are formed as two contact pads or contact surfaces arranged at diametrically opposed shaft circumferential positions (i.e., opposite one another). These are electrically connected to one another via a transverse line, into which a resistor is interposed. Advantageously, the writable and / or readable data storage device can have at least one second memory area configured to store data other than the data relating to the working end of the tool.

[0055] As described above, a tool 10 has a working end determination device arranged in a shank region thereof for determining and / or recognizing a working end of the tool 10. The working end determination device includes a writable and / or readable data storage device configured to store at least data relating to the working end of the tool in at least a first memory area, and the working end determination device is arranged to provide the data relating to the working end of the tool in an externally detectable manner for recognizing the working end of the tool. The working end determination device can be an RFID device comprising at least the data storage device and an antenna device.Alternatively, the unit can be integrated into the tool and connectable to an external control unit via an electrical contact in a handpiece area of ​​the tool. The unit integrated into the tool includes a resistor that determines the working end of the tool and / or a memory device that stores data related to the working end. Thus, working ends can be detected and, depending on the design variant, data previously written to the readable data memory can be read out and reused.

[0056] It is understood that the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiment described above, but rather changes and modifications within the scope of protection defined in the claims are also encompassed by the invention. For example, pay-per-use applications and consignment warehouse approaches are conceivable as possible applications, for which such changes and modifications will readily occur to a person skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A tool having a working end determining device arranged in a shaft region thereof for determining a working end of the tool (10), wherein the working end determining device includes a writable and / or readable data storage device configured to store at least data related to the working end of the tool (10) in at least a first memory area, and wherein the working end determining device is arranged to provide the data related to the working end of the tool (10) in an externally detectable manner for recognizing the working end of the tool (10), characterized in that the working end determination device is a unit (100) integrated into the tool and connectable to an external control device via an electrical contact (104) in a handpiece region of the tool (10).

2. The tool according to claim 1, wherein the unit (100) integrated in the tool (10) comprises a resistor determining the working end of the tool (10) and / or a storage device (102) storing data related to the working end.

3. The tool according to claim 2, wherein the unit (100) integrated in the tool (10) extends into the tool (10) starting from an end of the tool on the handle side or shaft side with a channel-shaped structure (108) in the direction towards the working end, wherein the resistor determining the working end of the tool (10) and / or the storage device (102) storing data related to the working end is arranged in the channel-shaped structure (108) at a first end facing the working end, and wherein the electrical contact (104) is arranged at a second end facing away from the working end, wherein at least one conductive section (110) makes electrical contact with the resistor and / or the storage device (102), and wherein the channel-shaped structure (108) is enclosed by an insulator (112) and is electrically insulated by the latter with respect to the tool (10).

4. The tool according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the writable and / or readable data storage device includes at least one second memory area configured to store predetermined data other than the data stored in the at least one first memory area, which is the data related to the working end of the tool (10).