Instrument With A Memory Card Updating Measurement Algorithms And Methods Of Using The Same

• US 20070255503A1
• Filed: 08/19/2005
• Published: 11/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bayer Healthcare LLC (Bayer AG)
• Original Assignee: Bayer Healthcare LLC (Bayer AG)
• Inventors: Dodson, Neil
• Application Number:
  US11/660,242
• Publication Number:
  US 20070255503A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/19
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0475 Special features of memory means, e.g. removable memory cards
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0295 Strip shaped analyte sensors for apparatus classified in A61B5/145 or A61B5/157 disposable multilayered or laminated electrodes G01N27/307; details of handling chemical test elements G01N33/4875
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0264 Electrical interface; User interface
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/8483 Investigating reagent band test-element handling not specific to a test method G01N33/4875; analytical elements specific to chemical analysis of biological material G01N33/52; autometer with reagent band G01N35/04
• 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

Abstract

A programming strip is adapted to provide updated information to a processor of an instrument. The instrument is adapted to determine the concentration of an analyte. The programming strip comprises non-volatile memory and a communication bus. The non-volatile memory is adapted to store the updated information and being adapted to be in communicatively coupled with the processor of the instrument. The communication bus has at least two lines that are adapted to assist in communicatively coupling the memory and the processor of the instrument.

Claims

1. A programming strip that is adapted to provide updated information to a processor of an instrument, the instrument being adapted to determine the concentration of an analyte, the programming strip comprising non-volatile memory and a communication bus, the non-volatile memory being adapted to store the updated information and being adapted to be communicatively coupled with the processor of the instrument, the communication bus having at least two lines that are adapted to assist in communicatively coupling the memory and the processor of the instrument.

2. The programming strip of claim 1 wherein the communication bus comprises exactly two lines.

3. The programming strip of claim 1 wherein the communication bus comprises exactly five lines.

4. The programming strip of claim 1 wherein the non-volatile memory is an EEPROM.

5. The programming strip of claim 1 wherein the non-volatile memory is a flash memory.

6. The programming strip of claim 1 wherein the programming strip forms an indentation that receives the non-volatile memory.

7. A programming strip that is adapted to provide updated information to a processor of an instrument, the instrument being adapted to determine the concentration of an analyte, the programming strip comprising:

non-volatile memory being adapted to store the updated information and being adapted to be communicatively coupled with the processor of the instrument, the non-volatile memory being an EEPROM; and

a communication bus having exactly two lines that are adapted to assist in communicatively coupling the memory and the processor of the instrument, the first line being a power-data communication line and the second line being a ground line.

8. The programming strip of claim 7 wherein the communication bus comprises a plurality of traces.

9. The programming strip of claim 7 wherein the programming strip forms an indentation that receives the EEPROM.

10. A programming strip that is adapted to provide updated information to a processor of an instrument, the instrument being adapted to determine the concentration of an analyte, the programming strip comprising:

non-volatile memory being adapted to store the updated information and being adapted to be communicatively coupled with the processor of the instrument, the non-volatile memory being a flash memory; and

a communication bus having exactly two lines that are adapted to assist in communicatively coupling the memory and the processor of the instrument, the first line being a power-data communication line and the second line being a ground line.

11. The programming strip of claim 10 wherein the communication bus comprises a plurality of traces.

12. The programming strip of claim 10 wherein the programming strip forms an indentation that receives the flash memory.

13. A cartridge that is adapted to be used in a sensor-dispensing instrument, the instrument being adapted to determine the concentration of an analyte and includes a processor, the cartridge comprising a programming strip and a plurality of test sensors, the programming strip including non-volatile memory and a communication bus, the non-volatile memory being adapted to store updated information and being adapted to be communicatively coupled with the processor of the instrument, the communication bus having at least two lines that are adapted to assist in communicatively coupling the memory and the processor of the instrument.

14. The cartridge of claim 13 wherein the plurality of test sensors is reagent-test sensors.

15. The cartridge of claim 13 wherein the cartridge is a sensor pack.

16. The cartridge of claim 15 wherein the sensor pack is a blister-type pack.

17. The cartridge of claim 13 wherein the plurality of test sensors is stacked.

18. The cartridge of claim 17 further including at least one seal to assist in protecting the plurality of test sensors.

19. The cartridge of claim 13 wherein the programming strip and the plurality of test sensors have the same dimensions.

20. A cartridge that is adapted to be used in a sensor-dispensing instrument, the instrument being adapted to determine the concentration of an analyte and includes a processor, the cartridge comprising a programming strip and a plurality of test sensors, the programming strip including non-volatile memory and a communication bus, the non-volatile memory being adapted to store updated information and being adapted to be communicatively coupled with the processor of the instrument, the communication bus having exactly two lines that are adapted to assist in communicatively coupling the memory and the processor of the instrument, the first line being a power-data communication line and the second line being a ground line.

21. The cartridge of claim 20 wherein the non-volatile memory is an EEPROM.

22. The cartridge of claim 20 wherein the non-volatile memory is a flash memory.

23. The cartridge of claim 20 wherein the plurality of test sensors is reagent-test sensors.

24. The cartridge of claim 20 wherein the cartridge is a sensor pack.

25. The cartridge of claim 24 wherein the sensor pack is a blister-type pack.

26. The cartridge of claim 20 wherein the plurality of test sensors is stacked.

27. The cartridge of claim 26 further including at least one seal to assist in protecting the plurality of test sensors.

28. The cartridge of claim 20 wherein the programming strip and the plurality of test sensors have the same dimensions.

29. An instrument for determining the analyte concentration of a fluid, the instrument comprising:

a programming strip including non-volatile memory and a communication bus, the non-volatile memory being adapted to store updated information, the communication bus having at least two lines;

an opening adapted to receive at least the programming strip; and

a processor adapted to receive information from the non-volatile memory of the programming strip after the programming strip has been positioned at least partially in the opening such that the programming strip and processor are communicatively coupled via the communication bus.

30. The instrument of claim 29 further including a plurality of test sensors.

31. The instrument of claim 30 wherein the opening is adapted to receive both the programming strip and the plurality of test sensors.

32. The instrument of claim 30 wherein the plurality of test sensors is reagent-test sensors.

33. The instrument of claim 29 wherein the fluid is blood and the analyte is glucose.

34. The instrument of claim 29 further including a plurality of electrical connection pads that is adapted to assist in communicatively coupling the programming strip and the processor.

35. An instrument for determining the analyte concentration of a fluid, the instrument comprising:

a programming strip including non-volatile memory and a communication bus, the non-volatile memory being adapted to store the updated information, the communication bus having exactly two lines, the first line being a power-data communication line and the second line being a ground line;

an opening adapted to receive at least the programming strip; and

a processor adapted to receive information from the non-volatile memory of the programming strip after the programming strip has been positioned at least partially in the opening such that the programming strip and processor are communicatively coupled via the communication bus.

36. The instrument of claim 35 wherein the non-volatile memory is an EEPROM.

37. The instrument of claim 35 wherein the non-volatile memory is a flash memory.

38. The instrument of claim 35 further including a plurality of test sensors.

39. The instrument of claim 38 wherein the opening is adapted to receive both the programming strip and the plurality of test sensors.

40. The instrument of claim 38 wherein the plurality of test sensors is reagent-test sensors.

41. The instrument of claim 35 wherein the fluid is blood and the analyte is glucose.

42. The instrument of claim 35 further including a plurality of electrical connection pads that is adapted to assist in communicatively coupling the programming strip and the processor.

43. A method of updating information to an instrument adapted to determine the analyte concentration of a fluid, the method comprising the acts of:

providing the instrument including a programming strip, an opening adapted to receive at least the programming strip, and a processor, the programming strip including non-volatile memory and a communication bus, the non-volatile memory being adapted to store the updated information, the communication bus having at least two lines;

positioning the programming strip at least partially in the opening such that the programming strip and processor are communicatively coupled via the communication bus; and

updating the processor with the information stored in the non-volatile memory.

44. The method of claim 43 wherein the positioning of the programming strip including a user grasping the programming strip and placing the programming strip at least partially in the opening.

45. The method of claim 43 wherein the opening is adapted to receive the programming strip and the plurality of test sensors.

46. The method of claim 43 wherein the positioning of the programming strip is performed automatically by the instrument without the user handling the programming strip.

47. The method of claim 43 further including removing the programming strip from the opening.

48. A method of updating information to an instrument adapted to determine the analyte concentration of a fluid, the method comprising the acts of:

providing the instrument including a programming strip, an opening adapted to receive at least the programming strip, and a processor, the programming strip including non-volatile memory and a communication bus, the non-volatile memory being adapted to store the updated information, the communication bus having exactly two lines, the first line being a power-data communication line and the second line being a ground line;

positioning the programming strip at least partially in the opening such that the programming strip and processor are communicatively coupled via the communication bus; and

updating the processor with the information stored in the non-volatile memory.

49. The method of claim 48 wherein the positioning of the programming strip including a user grasping the programming strip and placing the programming strip at least partially in the opening.

50. The method of claim 48 wherein the opening is adapted to receive the programming strip and the plurality of test sensors.

51. The method of claim 48 wherein the positioning of the programming strip is performed automatically by the instrument without the user handling the programming strip.

52. The method of claim 48 further including removing the programming strip from the opening.

53. The cartridge of claim 48 wherein the non-volatile memory is an EEPROM.

54. The cartridge of claim 48 wherein the non-volatile memory is a flash memory.