Patient Device with Separate User Interface

• US 20070165020A1
• Filed: 12/11/2006
• Published: 07/19/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Roche Diagnostics International AG (Roche Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Roche Diagnostics International AG (Roche Holding AG)
• Inventors: Kaufmann, Heiner, Rufer, Thomas, Haueter, Ulrich, Jeckelmann, Joel, Bosshard, David, Heutschi, Ivan, Stoller, Hans-Peter, Ducret, Maurice, Brugger, Martin
• Granted Patent: US 9,050,409 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/418
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4839 combined with drug delivery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/742 using visual displays A61B5/339 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7445 Display arrangements, e.g. multiple display units
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7475 User input or interface means, e.g. keyboard, pointing device, joystick
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/502 User interfaces, e.g. screens or keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/505 Touch-screens; Virtual keyboard or keypads; Virtual buttons; Soft keys; Mouse touches
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14244 adapted to be carried by the patient, e.g. portable on the body
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt

Abstract

A patient device including a case and a user interface for interaction between a patient and the patient device, wherein at least a part of the user interface is separable from the case and may be used or recognized by the patient.

Claims

1. A patient device comprising a case and a user interface for interaction between a patient and the patient device, wherein at least a part of the user interface is separable from the case and is recognizable by the patient.

2. The patient device according to claim 1, wherein the case comprises a projection unit which projects information onto a surface separate from the case to display the information to the patient.

3. The patient device according to claim 2, wherein the projection unit comprises an optical lens, a light source for visible light and an imaging matrix arranged between the lens and the light source, the information being projected by the lens onto the surface.

4. The patient device according to claim 2, wherein the projection unit comprises a light source for visible light and an imaging matrix positioned in a case wall, the imaging matrix projecting the information onto the surface when the light source is switched on, the information being represented on the imaging matrix when the light source is switched off.

5. The patient device according to claim 2, wherein the projection unit comprises a virtual keyboard on the surface, the keyboard providing for the input of data by the patient.

6. The patient device according to claim 1, wherein an external display unit on which the information can be presented is operably coupled to the case.

7. The patient device according to claim 6, wherein the external display unit is coupled to the case such that it can be at least one of folded, tilted, pulled out or unrolled relative to the case.

8. The patient device according to claim 6, wherein the case comprises a display unit on which the information can be represented.

9. A system comprising a device which is at least one of therapeutic and diagnostic, the device comprising a housing and a user interface, wherein at least a part of the user interface comprises an instrument separable from the housing.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the device comprises a transmitter and the instrument comprises a receiver compatible with the transmitter, the transmitter capable of transmitting data to the receiver.

11. The system according to claim 9, wherein the instrument is a projection instrument which provides at least a part of the user interface on a surface.

12. The system according to claim 9, wherein the instrument may be carried by a user and comprises a light source.

13. The system according to claim 9, wherein the instrument comprises a virtual retina display.

14. A patient system comprising a patient device which comprises a user interface and a case, wherein at least a part of the user interface comprises an instrument separable from the case.

15. The patient system according to claim 14, wherein the patient device comprises a transmitter and the instrument has a receiver compatible with the transmitter, the transmitter capable of transmitting data to the receiver thereby comprising at least a part of the user interface.

16. The patient system according to claim 15, wherein the instrument is a projection instrument which provides at least a part of the user interface on a surface.

17. The patient system according to claim 15, wherein the instrument may be carried by the patient and comprises a light source to present data as optical signals.

18. The patient system according to claim 14, wherein the instrument is a virtual retina display.

19. A method of using a device comprising a case and a user interface for interaction between a user and the device, the method comprising the step of providing at least a portion of the user interface away from the case, wherein a user can interact with the device by using the portion.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the portion comprises a virtual retinal display.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the device is one of therapeutic or diagnostic.