ELECTRICAL APPARATUS
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A medical syringe pump has a first processor (21) responsible for controlling infusion and a second processor (22) that functions as a watchdog to monitor operation of the first processor. A data communication connector (27) is located in the pump battery compartment (25) so that the batteries (24) have to be removed before external access can be made using an external connector (4). Removing the batteries (24) disables the infusion function of the first processor and ensures that the pump is prevented from infusing medication. When the external connector (4) is connected the first processor (21) can reprogram the second processor (22) or information about historical operation of the pump can be downloaded.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1-10. -10. (canceled)
- 11. Electrical apparatus including processing means and a first electrical connector for establishing data transfer communication between the processing means and an external device via a second, mating connector, characterized in that the first connector is located on the apparatus in such a manner that the second connector cannot be connected with it while a removable component of the apparatus remains assembled on the apparatus and such that removal of the component to provide access to the first connector disables at least a function of the apparatus before and after connection of the second connector.
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12. An arrangement including electrical apparatus including processing means, a first electrical connector, an external device, and an electrical cable extending from the external device and terminated by a second electrical connector mateable with the first electrical connector to establish data transfer between the external device and the processing means, characterized in that the first connector is located on the apparatus in such a manner that the second connector cannot be connected with it while a removable component of the apparatus remains assembled on the apparatus and such that removal of the component to provide access to the first connector disables at least a function of the apparatus both before and after connection of the second connector.
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15. A method of communicating data with electrical apparatus including the steps of removing a component of the apparatus so as to disable an operation of the apparatus and to enable access to a first electrical connector on the apparatus that is only accessible after removal of the component, and connecting a second electrical connector electrically connected with an external device with the first electrical connector such that the external device is put in data communication with the processing means in the electrical apparatus.
- 16. A medical infusion pump of the kind including a housing, a medication reservoir, means for expelling medication from the reservoir to a patient, processing means operable to control the means for expelling medication, and an electrical connector on the housing, characterized in that the connector is in a location where it is inaccessible during infusion but can be accessed after removal of a component of the pump to enable data communication with the processing means in the pump, and that the pump is arranged to prevent infusion operation by the processing means after removal of the component even after connection is made to the connector.
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17. A medical infusion pump of the kind including a housing, a medication reservoir, means for expelling medication from the reservoir to a patient, processing means operable to control the means for expelling medication, and an electrical connector on the housing, characterized in that the pump is operable in an infusion mode or a communications mode, that the connector is in a location where it is inaccessible during infusion but can be accessed after removal of a component of the pump, and that removal of the component disables the infusion mode of the pump and enables data communication with the pump in its communication mode via the connector.
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21. A medical infusion pump of the kind including a housing, a medication reservoir, a drive for expelling medication from the reservoir to a patient, a processor operable to control the drive for expelling medication, and an electrical connector on the housing, characterized in that the connector is located where it is inaccessible during infusion but can be accessed after removal of a removable medication reservoir such that the medication reservoir has to be removed before connection can be made to the connector.
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22. A medical infusion pump of the kind including a housing, a medication reservoir, a drive for expelling medication from the reservoir to a patient, a processor operable to control the drive for expelling medication, and an electrical connector on the housing, characterized in that the connector is in a location where it is inaccessible during infusion but can be accessed after removal of a component of the pump to enable connection of an external cable, and that the pump can only infuse medication to a patient after disconnection of the cable and replacement of the component, thereby preventing any anomalous signals on the cable being supplied to the pump during infusion.
Specification