Instrument performance verification system
DCFirst Claim
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1. A portable analytical instrument having a verification system for verifying the performance of the instrument, said instrument comprising:
- (a) a housing;
(b) a multi-channel connector for receiving and electrically connecting to a disposable sensor device attached to said housing;
(c) electronic circuit means for operating said instrument, wherein said electronic circuit means is electrically coupled to said multi-channel connector and a power supply, said electronic circuit means being contained within said housing;
(d) instrument performance verification system contained within said housing including signal generating means for producing internally generated test signals and means for processing performance output signals corresponding to said internally generated test signals, said performance output signals being indicative of the performance of at least one of the group consisting of said multi-channel connector and components of said electronic circuit means, said instrument performance verification system being coupled to said electronic circuit means; and
(e) output means in said housing connected to transmit test result signals related to said performance output signals and indicative of results obtained from tests using said instrument performance verification system.
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Abstract
A device and method for testing and monitoring, either manually or automatically, the performance of various components electrically linked to the electronic circuitry of a diagnostic instrument. Components of the electrical circuitry, including potentiometric operational amplifiers and a multi-channel connector, are tested for leakage current, A/D reference voltage, edge connector contact resistance and background noise.
161 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A portable analytical instrument having a verification system for verifying the performance of the instrument, said instrument comprising:
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(a) a housing; (b) a multi-channel connector for receiving and electrically connecting to a disposable sensor device attached to said housing; (c) electronic circuit means for operating said instrument, wherein said electronic circuit means is electrically coupled to said multi-channel connector and a power supply, said electronic circuit means being contained within said housing; (d) instrument performance verification system contained within said housing including signal generating means for producing internally generated test signals and means for processing performance output signals corresponding to said internally generated test signals, said performance output signals being indicative of the performance of at least one of the group consisting of said multi-channel connector and components of said electronic circuit means, said instrument performance verification system being coupled to said electronic circuit means; and (e) output means in said housing connected to transmit test result signals related to said performance output signals and indicative of results obtained from tests using said instrument performance verification system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of testing the integrity of various components which are electrically coupled to diagnostic equipment using one or more test cycles, wherein the diagnostic equipment includes a multi-channel connector for electrical connection to a disposable sensor device, an electronic circuit electrically coupled to said multi-channel connector, a power supply linked to said electronic circuit, and testing means internally connected to said electronic circuit for processing output signals corresponding to internally generated test signals from at least one of the group consisting of said multi-channel connector and components of said electronic circuit, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) activating a test cycle of the diagnostic equipment; (b) measuring electrical leakage within the electronic circuit; (c) measuring a pin to pin leakage within the electronic circuit; (d) measuring a pin to ground leakage within the electronic circuit; (e) analyzing measurements corresponding to the electrical leakage within the electronic circuit, pin to pin leakage and pin to ground leakage; and (f) indicating results obtained from analyzing measurements corresponding to the electrical leakage within the electronic circuit, pin to pin leakage and pin to ground leakage. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. In a portable analytical instrument having a housing, a multi-channel connector attached to said housing for receiving an electrical connection to a disposable sensor device, and an electronic circuit means for operating said instrument, wherein said electronic circuit means is electrically coupled to said multi-channel connector and a power supply, said electronic circuit means being contained within said housing, a system for verifying the performance of the instrument, said system comprising:
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(a) verification system contained within said housing for verifying performance of the instrument, said verification system including signal generating means for producing internally generated test signals and means for processing performance output signals corresponding to said internally generated test signals, said performance output signals being indicative of the level of performance of at least one device selected from the group consisting of elements of said multi-channel connector and selected components of said electronic circuit, said verification system being coupled to said electronic circuit; and output means in said housing connected to transmit signals related to said performance output signals and indicative of results obtained from said verification means. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. In a portable analytical instrument having a housing, a multi-channel connector attached to said housing for receiving and electrically connecting to a disposable sensor cartridge device, and electronic circuit means for operating said diagnostic instrument, wherein said electronic circuit means is electrically coupled to said multi-channel connector and a power supply, said electronic circuit means being contained within said housing, a system for verifying the performance of the instrument, said system comprising:
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(a) passive externally connected test card means for testing the calibration of a temperature control system for controlling the temperature of said disposable sensor cartridge device, said test card means being one that removably electrically connects to said electronic circuit means; and (b) output means indicative of results obtained from using said test card means. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28)
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Specification