Self-contained electronic instrument with a microcontroller, in particular an ambulatory medical recorder

• US 20060121755A1
• Filed: 11/16/2005
• Published: 06/08/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sorin CRM USA (MicroPort Scientific Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Ela Medical S.A. (LivaNova Plc)
• Inventors: Christophle-Boulard, Sylvain, Faisandier, Yves
• Granted Patent: US 8,109,793 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/76.100
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0475 Special features of memory means, e.g. removable memory cards
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/335 using integrated circuit memory devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/654 using techniques specially adapted for alterable solid state memories, e.g. for EEPROM or flash memories

Abstract

The instrument includes a connector block (24) suitable for receiving a removable memory card (12), a printed circuit (20), a case including an opening (16) for insertion of the memory card, and contacts (48) for reprogramming the microcontroller (22). The reprogramming contacts (48) are disposed on the printed circuit (20) at a distance from terminals (26) for making contact with the memory card, in the space that the connector block (24) occupies on the printed circuit, and they are available from the inside volume of the connector block. The instrument is essentially lacking in any opening dedicated to accessing the reprogramming contacts, with access to these contacts being possible via the opening in the case and the inside volume of the connector block by inserting an insert (52) into the instrument instead of and replacing a memory card.

Claims

1. A self-contained electronic instrument comprising:

circuitry and a set of electronic components including a microcontroller or microprocessor;

a connector block defining an inside volume with a lateral orifice suitable for receiving a removable memory card having therein a first set of contact terminals, the connector block having a second set of contact terminals for making contact with corresponding first set of contact terminals of the memory card;

a printed circuit carrying the electronic components, the circuitry, and the connector block;

a case housing the printed circuit and including, in registration with the lateral orifice of the connector block, an opening for receiving a removable memory card; and

a plurality of reprogramming contacts on the printed circuit and suitable for enabling electrical signals for reprogramming the microcontroller to be applied to the circuitry from the outside of the instrument;

wherein the reprogramming contacts are disposed on the printed circuit at a distance from said served set of contact terminals for making contact with the memory card, in the space occupied by the connector block on the printed circuit, and opening out into the inside volume of the connector block.

2. The instrument of claim 1, in which the instrument is essentially lacking in any opening dedicated to accessing the reprogramming contacts, with access to said contacts being possible via said opening from said inside volume of the connector block, said volume being empty of any memory card inserted in the instrument.

3. The instrument of claim 1, in which the instrument is an ambulatory medical recorder.

4. The instrument of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor or microcontroller comprises a set of predetermined pins, further comprising an interface circuit between said reprogramming contacts and lines connected to said set of predetermined pins of the microcontroller, the number of lines being greater than the number of reprogramming contacts.

5. The instrument of claim 4, wherein said plurality of reprogramming contacts further comprise at least three reprogramming contacts, a ground contact, and two serial inlet/outlet contacts.

6. The instrument of claim 1, in which the connector block has an anterior portion, the terminals for contacting the memory card, and between said anterior portion and the lateral insertion orifice for receiving the memory card, a portion including at least one window formed between the inside volume of the connector block and the printed circuit, the reprogramming contacts being disposed on the printed circuit in the region of said window.

7. The instrument of claim 1, in which the reprogramming contacts further comprise contact areas formed on said printed circuit.

8. A connection cord for connecting an external unit to a self-contained electronic instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the cord comprising a multiconductor cable provided at one of its ends with an insert dimensioned to the format of a removable memory card so as to be capable of being inserted into the instrument via said opening instead of and replacing a memory card, said insert carrying a plurality of contact members disposed, when the insert is inserted into the instrument, in respective positions so as to come into contact with the reprogramming contacts, and/or with certain contacts for the memory card, each of said contact members being connected to a respective conductor of the cable and/or to another contact member.

9. The connection cord of claim 8, in which the contact members are directly connected to the respective conductors of the cable and/or to another contact member.

10. The connection cord of claim 8, in which the contact members are connected to the respective conductors of the cable and/or to another contact member via a circuit for adapting the characteristics of the signals interchanged between the external unit and the microcontroller or microprocessor.

11. The connection cord of claim 8, adapted to connect with an external unit for reprogramming the microcontroller or microprocessor.

12. The connection cord of claim 8, adapted to connect with an external unit for diagnosing and taking control of the instrument.