System with a pluggable data transfer module which transfers data from an analytical system to a data processing unit

• US 20030139653A1
• Filed: 12/11/2002
• Published: 07/24/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Roche Diabetes Care Inc. (Roche Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations Incorporated (Roche Holding AG)
• Inventors: Manser, Udo, Schaefer, Dieter, Kuenstler, Peter, Schabbach, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 8,262,995 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/300
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0475 Special features of memory means, e.g. removable memory cards
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/48792 Data management, e.g. communication with processing unit for in vivo diagnostics A61B5/0002; transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/11 Automated chemical analysis

Abstract

The invention concerns a pluggable data transfer module and a method that can be used to transfer data from an analytical system to a data processing unit in a galvanically decoupled manner. This invention is particularly suitable for medical fields of application in which recently it has become more and more desirable to process analytical data of a patient.

Claims

1. Pluggable data transfer module (32) comprising

an interface which is compatible with a calibration module interface of an analytical instrument (40) and enables data transfer of electrical signals between the data transfer module (32) and the analytical instrument (40) and

a conversion unit which converts electrical signals into electromagnetic or acoustic signals or converts electromagnetic or acoustic signals into electrical signals and

a communication unit (33) which enables data transfer of electromagnetic or acoustic signals between the data transfer module (32) and a data processing unit (43).

2. Pluggable data transfer module as claimed in claim 1

in which an infrared module is integrated into the data transfer module.

3. Pluggable data transfer module as claimed in claim 1

in which a radio module is integrated into the data transfer module.

4. Pluggable data transfer module as claimed in claim 1

in which an energy supply unit is integrated.

5. Pluggable data transfer module as claimed in claim 1

in which the data transfer module contains a storage device.

6. Pluggable data transfer module as claimed in claim 2,

in which the data transfer module contains a microcontroller.

21. Pluggable data transfer module as claimed in claim 1

which is used to carry out a method as claimed in one of the claims 12-18.

7. Analytical system having a pluggable data transfer module (32) which enables data transfer between an analytical instrument (40) and a data processing unit (43) comprising

an analytical instrument (40) with an interface to which a calibration module (20) or alternatively a pluggable data transfer module (32) can be attached)

a pluggable data transfer module (32) containing

an interface which enables data transfer of electrical signals between the data transfer module (32) and the interface of the analytical instrument (40) and also containing

a conversion unit which converts electrical signals into electromagnetic or acoustic signals or converts electromagnetic or acoustic signals into electrical signals and also containing

a communication unit (33) which enables data transfer of electromagnetic or acoustic signals between the data transfer module (32) and a data processing unit (43).

8. Analytical system as claimed in claim 7

in which the analytical instrument has an evaluation unit for test elements and is preferably an instrument for measuring glucose concentrations.

9. Analytical system as claimed in claim 7

which contains a calibration module which is plugged into the interface of the analytical instrument.

10. Analytical system as claimed in claim 7

in which the data transfer module obtains its energy from the analytical system.

11. Analytical system as claimed in claim 7

in which the data transfer module contains a radio module and is a component of a transponder system.

20. Method as claimed in claim 11

in which an analytical system as claimed in one of the claims 7-11 is used.

12. Method for transferring data between an analytical system and a data processing unit (43) comprising

plugging a pluggable calibration module (20) into an interface of the analytical system (40) and unplugging it from the interface after data has been transferred from the calibration module (20) to the analytical system (40),

plugging a pluggable data transfer module (32) into the interface of the analytical system (40) and

transferring electrical signals from the analytical system (40) to the data transfer module (32),

converting the electrical signals of the analytical system (40) into electromagnetic or acoustic signals by means of the data transfer module (32),

transferring the converted data to a data processing unit (43).

13. Method as claimed in claim 12

in which the data transfer module is activated by contact with the instrument interface.

14. Method as claimed in claim 12

in which the data transfer module is activated by a start impulse from the data transfer module or the analytical system.

15. Method as claimed in claim 12

in which the data transfer module is deactivated after a defined time period in which no data transfer has occurred.

16. Method as claimed in claim 12

in which electrical signals are converted into IR signals or IR signals are converted into electrical signals in the data transfer module.

17. Method as claimed in claim 12

in which electrical signals are converted into RF signals or RF signals are converted into electrical signals in the data transfer module.

18. Method as claimed in claim 12

in which the data transfer module stores data and the stored data can be transferred to the data processing unit even if the data transfer module is not in contact with the analytical system.

19. Analytical system as claimed in claim 7

in which a pluggable data transfer module as claimed in one of the claims 16 is used.