Self-contained electronic instrument with a microcontroller, in particular an ambulatory medical recorder

• US 8,109,793 B2
• Filed: 11/16/2005
• Issued: 02/07/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sorin CRM USA (MicroPort Scientific Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sorin CRM SAS
• Inventors: Faisandier, Yves, Christophle-Boulard, Sylvain
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, III, Henry M
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rajan, Kai
• Application Number:
  US11/281,345
• Publication Number:
  US 20060121755A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,274 Days
• Field of Search: 600/300, 600/301, 128903-905, 128/920, 439/630, 439/660
• US Class Current: 439/630
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0475 Special features of memory means, e.g. removable memory cards
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/335 using integrated circuit memory devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/654 using techniques specially adapted for alterable solid state memories, e.g. for EEPROM or flash memories

Abstract

The instrument includes a connector block (24) suitable for receiving a removable memory card (12), a printed circuit (20), a case including an opening (16) for insertion of the memory card, and contacts (48) for reprogramming the microcontroller (22). The reprogramming contacts (48) are disposed on the printed circuit (20) at a distance from terminals (26) for making contact with the memory card, in the space that the connector block (24) occupies on the printed circuit, and they are available from the inside volume of the connector block. The instrument is essentially lacking in any opening dedicated to accessing the reprogramming contacts, with access to these contacts being possible via the opening in the case and the inside volume of the connector block by inserting an insert (52) into the instrument instead of and replacing a memory card.

Claims

1. A self-contained electronic instrument comprising:

circuitry and a set of electronic components including a microcontroller or microprocessor;

a connector block defining an inside volume suitable for receiving a removable memory card having therein a first set of contact terminals, the connector block having a second set of contact terminals for correspondingly making contact with the first set of contact terminals of the removable memory card;

a printed circuit carrying the set of electronic components, the circuitry, and the connector block;

a case housing the printed circuit and including, in registration with a lateral orifice of the connector block, a first opening through which the removable memory card is receivable; and

a plurality of reprogramming contacts for reprogramming the microcontroller or microprocessor from a programming device outside of the instrument;

wherein the plurality of reprogramming contacts are disposed on the printed circuit at a distance from the second set of contact terminals for making contact with the first set of contact terminals of the memory card, in a space occupied by the connector block,

wherein the plurality of reprogramming contacts are accessible via a second opening from the inside volume of the connector block, and

wherein the microcontroller or microprocessor is reprogrammed from the programming device using an insert having a plurality of contact blades, and when the insert is inserted for programming the microcontroller or microprocessor into the connector block, the plurality of contact blades of the insert extend through the second opening and make contact with the plurality of reprogramming contacts.

2. The instrument of claim 1, in which the instrument is essentially lacking in any opening dedicated to accessing the plurality of reprogramming contacts, said inside volume being empty of any memory card inserted in the instrument.

3. The instrument of claim 1, in which the instrument is an ambulatory medical recorder.

4. The instrument of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor or microcontroller comprises a set of predetermined pins, further comprising an interface circuit between said plurality of reprogramming contacts and lines connected to said set of predetermined pins, the number of the lines being greater than the number of the plurality of reprogramming contacts.

5. The instrument of claim 4, wherein said plurality of reprogramming contacts further comprise at least three reprogramming contacts, a ground contact, and two serial inlet/outlet contacts.

6. The instrument of claim 5, wherein said plurality of reprogramming contacts further comprise a presence contact to force the microprocessor or microcontroller into a reprogramming mode.

7. The instrument of claim 5, wherein said plurality of reprogramming contacts further comprise JTAG contacts for externally controlling and diagnosing the instrument.

8. The instrument of claim 1, in which the connector block has an anterior portion, the second set of contact terminals for contacting the first set of contact terminals of the memory card, and between said anterior portion and the lateral orifice for receiving the memory card, a portion including at least one window formed between the inside volume of the connector block and the printed circuit, the plurality of reprogramming contacts being disposed on the printed circuit in the region of said window.

9. The instrument of claim 1, in which the plurality of reprogramming contacts further comprise contact areas formed on said printed circuit.

10. The instrument of claim 1, wherein the programming device is connected to the instrument using a connection cord.

11. The instrument of claim 10, wherein one end of the connection cord is connected to the plurality of contact blades of the insert.

12. The instrument of claim 11, wherein the other end of the connection cord is terminated by a plug for connecting to the programming device.

13. The instrument of claim 10, wherein the connection cord is a USB cable.

14. The instrument of claim 1, wherein the first opening is removably closed with a closure flap.

15. The instrument of claim 1, wherein the insert is dimensioned to the format of the removable memory card.