Patent US1779573A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US5124661A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5124661A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Reusable test unit for simulating electrochemical sensor signals for quality assurance of portable blood analyzer instruments
Assignee: Abbott Point of Care Inc
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Filing: 1990-07-23
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Granted: 1992-06-23
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Expires: 2010-07-23
Abstract
Abstract A reusable test unit is disclosed for testing the functionality of a portable blood analyzer, and particularly the interface between the high-impedance electrochemical sensors and the instrument. Signals are generated to simulate amperometric, conductimetric, and potentiometric sensors. Circuitry permits detection and discrimination between failures from damaged CMOS amplifiers and failures from leakage currents in contaminated connectors. The test unit may be configured to be insertable into the instrument to fit mechanically in the same fashion as a disposable sensor device. A scheme for three-dimensional routing of guard lines on a circuit board is disclosed for guarding against coupling between closely space traces and connector pads.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael Zelin
- 👤 David Jamieson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 14:11
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N33/00; G01N33/48; G01N33/483; G01N33/487; G01N33/48785; G01R; G01R31/00; G01R31/28; G01R31/282; G01R31/2829
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
A reusable test unit for quality assurance testing of a portable analyzer instrument, the instrument having a multi-channel connector for electrical connection to a disposable sensor device and front end amplifiers for receiving signals from said multi-channel connector, comprising: connector means for establishing electrical connection with the multi-channel connector of the instrument; simulated signal means for simulating on separate channels a plurality of microfabricated electrochemical sensors, each having a relatively high impedance with respect to the outputs of said front end amplifiers; means for enabling detection of instrument failures arising from said multi-channel connector; and means for enabling detection of instrument failures arising from said front end amplifiers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
108 words
A reusable test unit for quality assurance testing of a portable analyzer instrument, the instrument having a multi-channel connector for electrical connection to a disposable sensor device and front end amplifiers for receiving signals from said multi-channel connector, comprising: connector means for establishing electrical connection with the multi-channel connector of the instrument; simulated signal means for simulating on separate channels a plurality of microfabricated electrochemical sensors, each having a relatively high impedance with respect to the outputs of said front end amplifiers; means for enabling detection of instrument failures arising from said multi-channel connector; and means for enabling detection of instrument failures arising from said front end amplifiers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The reusable test unit of claim 1 wherein the simulated signal means simulates a combination of amperometric, potentiometric, and conductimetric sensors.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The reusable test unit of claim 1 wherein the simulated signal means further comprises means for applying a known voltage between a potentiometric channel and a reference channel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The reusable test unit of claim 3 wherein the simulated signal means applies voltages, of opposite polarity with respect to the reference channel, to adjacent potentiometric channels.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The reusable test unit of claim 1 wherein the simulated signal means further comprises means for establishing a known current between an amperometric channel and a reference channel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The reusable test unit of claim 5 wherein the means for establishing a known current applies a voltage across a resistor between the amperometric and reference channels.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The reusable test unit of claim 1 wherein the simulated signal means further comprises means for applying a know impedance between two conductimetric channels.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The reusable test unit of claim 1 wherein the test unit is provided as a circuit board within the instrument.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The reusable test unit of claim 1 further comprising a case for containing the simulated signal means, having a protrusion carrying the connector means and adapted for insertion into the instrument.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The reusable test unit of claim 9 further comprising retractable plate means for protecting the connector means from contamination.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The reusable test unit of claim 1 further comprising leakage measuring means for measuring leakage of the multi-channel connector.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The reusable test unit of claim 1 further comprising bias current measuring means for measuring bias current of a front end amplifier within the instrument.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
The reusable test unit of claim 11 further comprising failure distinction means for distinguishing failures of the instrument arising from leakage of the multi-channel connector from failures arising from excessive bias current of a front end amplifier within the instrument.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
The reusable test unit of claim 12 further comprising failure distinction means for distinguishing failures of the instrument arising from leakage of the multi-channel connector from failures arising from excessive bias current of a front end amplifier within the instrument.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The reusable test unit of claim 1 further comprising means for applying a known step change in voltage between two channels.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The reusable test unit of claim 1 further comprising identification means for providing electrical signals to the instrument to identify that the test unit is connected.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The reusable test unit of claim 1 wherein the test unit is powered by the instrument through the connector means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
39 words
The reusable test unit of claim 1 wherein the connector means includes a plurality of connector pads on one surface of a circuit board, the circuit board being cut to provide air gaps between adjacent pairs of connector pads.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
The reusable test unit of claim 18 further comprising guard lines on the circuit board of the connector means on the same surface as the connector pads, to inhibit leakage currents.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
43 words
The reusable test unit of claim 19 wherein a plated through-hole in the circuit board is split by one of the cut air gaps, the remaining circumferential plated surface on one side of the hole being connected to one of the guard lines.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
39 words
The reusable test unit of claim 20 further comprising a conductor placed on the opposite surface of the circuit board from the connector pads and connected to the remaining circumferential plated surface on the one side of the hole.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-06-23 | 1995-12-23 | 1996-06-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-06-23 | 1999-12-23 | 2000-06-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-06-23 | 2003-12-23 | 2004-06-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |