Device with time indicating means

• US 7,133,329 B2
• Filed: 07/14/2003
• Issued: 11/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Novo Nordisk A/S
• Original Assignee: Novo Nordisk A/S
• Inventors: Alvarez-Icaza, Manuel, Skyggebjerg, Ole, Weben, Barry, Bjorlig, Nina, Syme, Steven, Panduro, Rasmus, Lav, Steffen, Christensen, Lars Hofmann
• Primary Examiner(s): Hirshfeld, Andrew H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hinze, Leo T.
• Application Number:
  US10/618,878
• Publication Number:
  US 20040062148A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,212 Days
• Field of Search: 368/10, 368/107, 368/108, 368/113, 368/118, 368/120
• US Class Current: 368/113
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0436 resulting from removing a drug from, or opening, a container
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3125 specific display means, e.g. to indicate dose setting
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/50 with microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/581 by audible feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/178 Syringes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/20 Automatic syringes, e.g. with automatically actuated piston rod, with automatic needle injection, filling automatically A61M5/142 , A61M5/46 take precedence; hypodermic projectiles F42B12/54
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/28 Syringe ampoules or carpules, i.e. ampoules or carpules provided with a needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3129 Syringe barrels A61M5/3205 and A61M5/50 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G04B 25/06 by moving figures, e.g. cuckoo clocks, trumpet clocks figures or part of figures set in motion by the clockwork and creating an optical special effect G04B45/0007; figures or parts of figures not used to indicate time G04B45/0038; clockworks driving inscriptions or figures G04B45/0023; time indication by means of plates or bands driven electrically G04C19/04
• CPC Class Codes: G04F 1/005 using electronic timing, e.g. counting means pulse time delay arrangements H03K5/13; modifications of electronic switches for introducing a time delay before switching H03K17/28

Abstract

The invention relates to a timer device capable of performing one or more control actions in response to the time lapsed since a user initiated action took place. The timer device comprises contact means operatable between two conditions, timer means, and means for storing first and second time stamps. The device further comprises control means for setting a first time stamp in response to the contact means being operated between first and second conditions, setting a second time stamp in response to the contact means being operated between the second and first conditions, calculating the time elapsed between the two time stamps, comparing the elapsed time with a preset time value, and performing a control action if the elapsed time is greater than the preset time value.

Claims

1. A timer device, comprising:

contact means (35) operatable between a first condition and a second condition,

timer means (31),

means (32) for storing a first time stamp, a second time stamp, and a first time-period value,

control means (31) adapted for;

setting a first time stamp in response to the contact means being operated between the first condition and the second condition,

setting a second time stamp in response to the contact means being operated between the second condition and the first condition,

calculating the time elapsed between the first and second time stamps,

comparing the elapsed time with the first time-period value, and

performing a first control action if the elapsed time is greater than the first time-period value;

means (32) for storing a second time-period value, and wherein the control means is further adapted for;

comparing the elapsed time with the second time-period value, and

performing a second control action if the elapsed time is greater than the second time-period value and further comprising;

first actuation means (25) for cancelling the second control action, and

second actuation means (26), and wherein the second control action replaces a third time stamp with the second time stamp or, in response to actuation of the second actuation means, with the first time stamp.

2. A timer device as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

first actuation means (25) for confirming the second control action, whereby no confirmation will cancel the second control action, and

second actuation means (26), and wherein the second control action replaces the third time stamp with the second time stamp or, in response to actuation of the second actuation means, with the first time stamp.

3. A timer device as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

first actuation means (25) for confirming the second control action, whereby no confirmation will cancel the second control action, and

second actuation means (26), and wherein the second control action replaces the third time stamp with the first time stamp or, in response to actuation of the second actuation means, with the second time stamp.

4. A cap (20) having an open end and an interior space adapted to receive a medical device, the medical device comprising means for administering a preset dose of a drug to the patient, the cap comprising a timer device as defined in claim 3, wherein the contact means can be operated between the first condition and the second condition when the cap and the medical device are removed from each other, and the contact means can be operated between the second condition and the first condition when the medical device are received in the cap interior.

5. A timer device as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

display means (33, 27, 28, 29) for displaying one or more time stamps and/or for indicating the time lapsed since the third time stamp.

6. A device use by a patient for medical self treatment, further comprising:

a first device portion (10) for performing an operation,

a second device portion (20) comprising a timer device as defined in claim 1,

wherein the first and second device portions have mutually cooperating coupling means for detachably assembling the first and second device portions to form a single portable unit, the contact means being operated between the first condition and the second condition when the first and second device portions are detached from each other, and the contact means being operated between the second condition and the first condition when the first and second device portions are attached to each other.

7. A device as defined in claim 6, wherein the first device portion comprises means for administering a preset dose of a drug to the patient.

8. A device as defined in claim 7, wherein the first device portion further comprises a distal end portion at which an infusion needle is or can be mounted, and the second device portion is in the form of a cap adapted to cover the distal end portion when the first and second device portions are attached to each other, the cap preferably comprising a body fluid analyzer.