Measuring device with connection for a removable sensor
First Claim
1. A measuring device for use with a removable sensor, said sensor having at least an active zone for sensing a physical or chemical parameter, and having at least two electrical contact surfaces electrically connected to said active zone, said measuring device having a normal mode and a test mode, and comprising:
- an electric measuring circuit for measuring, in said normal mode, said physical or chemical parameter based on said sensing of said active zone;
a connection comprising at least two first contacts, each of said first contacts establishing a respective electric connection between said two electrical contact surfaces of said removable sensor and said electric measuring circuit;
a testing unit for testing said electric connection between said two electrical contact surfaces of said removable sensor and said electric measuring circuit; and
said connection also comprising at least two second contacts, each of said second contacts;
a) establishing a respective electric connection between said two electrical contact surfaces of said removable sensor and said testing unit, andb) enabling an electric test current to flow, in said test mode, between any one of said two first contacts and a respective one of said second contacts which is associated with an identical one of said two electrical contact surfaces.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention concerns a measuring device, notably for measuring the level of glucose in blood, intended to be used with a removable sensor comprising at least one active zone. In particular, the invention concerns the electrical connection between the measuring device and the removable sensor. Each electrical contact surface of the removable sensor is connected to two electrical contact organs to enable the condition of the electrical contacts between these electrical contact organs and the corresponding contact surfaces to be checked before a measurement is carried out.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A measuring device for use with a removable sensor, said sensor having at least an active zone for sensing a physical or chemical parameter, and having at least two electrical contact surfaces electrically connected to said active zone, said measuring device having a normal mode and a test mode, and comprising:
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an electric measuring circuit for measuring, in said normal mode, said physical or chemical parameter based on said sensing of said active zone; a connection comprising at least two first contacts, each of said first contacts establishing a respective electric connection between said two electrical contact surfaces of said removable sensor and said electric measuring circuit; a testing unit for testing said electric connection between said two electrical contact surfaces of said removable sensor and said electric measuring circuit; and said connection also comprising at least two second contacts, each of said second contacts; a) establishing a respective electric connection between said two electrical contact surfaces of said removable sensor and said testing unit, and b) enabling an electric test current to flow, in said test mode, between any one of said two first contacts and a respective one of said second contacts which is associated with an identical one of said two electrical contact surfaces. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A measuring device for use with a removable sensor, said sensor having at least an active zone for sensing a physical or chemical parameter, and having at least two electrical contact surfaces electrically connected to said active zone, said measuring device having a normal mode and a test mode, and comprising:
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electric measuring means for measuring said physical or chemical parameter based on said sensing of said active zone; connecting means comprising at least two first contact means, each of which establishes a portion of a respective electric connection between said two electrical contact surfaces of said removable sensor and said electric measuring means; testing means for testing said electric connection between said two electrical contact surfaces of said removable sensor and said electric measuring means; said connecting means also comprising at least two second contact means, each of which; a) establishes a respective electric connection between said two electrical contact surfaces of said removable sensor and said testing means, and b) enables an electric test current to flow between any one of said two first contact means and a respective one of said second contact means which is associated with an identical one of said two electrical contact surfaces; said testing means comprising; a first switch, capable of switching between a first terminal and a second terminal, and a second switch capable of switching between a third terminal and a fourth terminal; said first and said second switch being connected to said electric measurement means; said first and third terminals being respectively connected to said two first contact means; said second and fourth terminals being respectively connected to said two second contact means; one of said measuring means and said testing means including a voltage supply electrically connected, in said test mode, in series to said first and said second switch; said testing means activating said first and said second switch independently to connect one of said two first contact means and said respective one of said two second contact means with said electric measuring means, thereby enabling said electric test current to flow through said one of said two first and said respective one of said two second contact means; said testing means also including comparing means for enabling said value of said electric test current to be compared to a first reference value; and said testing means being arranged to indicate a malfunction when said value of said electric test current is less than said first reference value. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7)
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8. A measuring device for use with a removable sensor having an active zone for sensing a physical or chemical parameter of a substance, said active zone being electrically connected to electrical contact surfaces, said measuring device having a normal mode and a test mode, and comprising:
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a measuring circuit for electrically measuring (1) in said normal mode, said physical or chemical parameter based on said sensing of said active zone, and (2) in said test mode, an electrical test current; a connection for connecting said electrical contact surfaces with said measuring circuit when said removable sensor operably engages said measuring device; and a tester using said electrical test current to test a connection between one of said electrical contact surfaces and said measuring circuit. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification