MEDICAL DEVICE AND CARTRIDGE

• US 20120101470A1
• Filed: 02/12/2010
• Published: 04/26/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Novo Nordisk A/S
• Original Assignee: Novo Nordisk A/S
• Inventors: Berggren, Bo Erik Lennart, von Münchow, Bodo, Rasmussen, Henrik
• Application Number:
  US13/148,868
• Publication Number:
  US 20120101470A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/404
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/2488 via rotation, e.g. threads or bayonet
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/2492 via snap connection
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6027 Electric-conductive bridges closing detection circuits, with or without identifying elements, e.g. resistances, zener-diodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2207/00 Methods of manufacture, assembly or production
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/24 Ampoule syringes, i.e. syringes with needle for use in combination with replaceable ampoules or carpules, e.g. automatic ampoules or carpules A61J1/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31525 Dosing burettes, pipettes B01L3/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31533 Dosing mechanisms, i.e. setting a dose administrating mechanisms A61M5/31565
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/067 Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/0291 Labels or tickets undergoing a change under particular conditions, e.g. heat, radiation, passage of time
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 Electrical device making

Abstract

A cartridge is engageable with a medical device, the cartridge comprising an ordered arrangement of N electrical components (540) each with different respective values of an electrical property, and an ordered arrangement of N conductors (522, 524, 526) operably coupled to the ordered arrangement of the N electrical components. A medical device is arranged to receive a cartridge and comprises for each of N conductors on the cartridge, at least a first respective contact arranged to electrically couple with the corresponding conductor when the cartridge is engaged with the medical device; the medical device also comprises an evaluation means operable to evaluate the different respective values of an electrical property of N electrical components on the cartridge, wherein the N electrical components form an ordered arrangement which is operably coupled to the N conductors on the cartridge, and a switching arrangement operable to selectively electrically couple a respective pair of contacts to said evaluation means.

Claims

1. A cartridge engageable with a medical device, the cartridge comprising:

an ordered arrangement of N electrical components each with different respective values of an electrical property; and

an ordered arrangement of N conductors operably coupled to the ordered arrangement of the N electrical components.

2. A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein each of the N components has a value of the electrical property selected from a respective one of N non-overlapping sets of M possible values of the electrical property.

3. A cartridge according to claim 2, wherein within the ordered arrangement of N electrical components, the order of the N electrical components is arranged with respect to the ordered arrangement of N conductors to encode information.

4. A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein each of the N components has a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact;

the first electrical contact of each of the N electrical components share a common connection; and

the second electrical contact of each respective one of the N electrical components is connected to a respective one of the N conductors.

5. A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein each of the N components has a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact;

the first electrical contact of each respective one of the N electrical components is connected to the second electrical contact of a respective other of the N electrical components to form N links; and

each respective one of the N links is connected to a respective one of the N conductors.

6. A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the electrical property is impedance.

7. A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein all of the N electrical components are one selected from the list consisting of:

i. resistors;

ii. capacitors;

iii. inductors; and

iv. diodes.

8. A cartridge according to claim 1, comprising a further conductor separate to the ordered arrangement of N conductors and not electrically coupled to the ordered arrangement of N electrical components on the cartridge.

9. A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the conductors and the ordered arrangement of N electrical components are mounted on an outer surface of the cartridge.

10. A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein

the conductors and the ordered arrangement of N electrical components are mounted on a label;

the label is affixed to an outer surface of the cartridge; and

the label extends around the cartridge and overlaps itself to cover the ordered arrangement of N electrical components.

11. A cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising a non-conductive protective layer applied over at least the N conductors.

13. A medical device arranged to receive a cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising:

for each of N conductors on the cartridge, at least a first respective contact arranged to electrically couple with the corresponding conductor when the cartridge is engaged with the medical device;

an evaluation means operable to evaluate the different respective values of an electrical property of N electrical components on the cartridge, wherein the N electrical components form an ordered arrangement which is operably coupled to the N conductors on the cartridge; and

a switching arrangement operable to selectively electrically couple a respective pair of contacts to said evaluation means.

14. A medical device according to claim 13, wherein the switching arrangement is operable to short-circuit all but one component that is electrically in parallel with a first component currently electrically coupled to said evaluation means.

12. A label for attachment to a cartridge, the cartridge being engageable with a medical device, the label comprising:

an ordered arrangement of N electrical components each with different respective values of an electrical property; and

an ordered arrangement of N conductors operably coupled to the ordered arrangement of the N electrical components.

15. A method of manufacturing a cartridge engageable with a medical device, the method comprising:

selecting a code, responsive to the intended contents of the cartridge;

selecting a respective one of M possible values of an electrical property from each of N non-overlapping sets;

associating with the cartridge an ordered arrangement of N electrical components operably coupled to an ordered arrangement of N conductors, wherein each component embodies a respective one of the selected values of the electrical property; and

selecting a particular order of the N electrical components with respect to the ordered arrangement of N conductors, wherein

the selected of values of electrical properties together with the selected order with respect to the N conductors of the N electrical components embodying these values signify in combination the selected code.