Electrolysis: processes – compositions used therein – and methods – Electrolytic analysis or testing
Reexamination Certificate
2000-11-21
2003-10-21
Tung, T. (Department: 1753)
Electrolysis: processes, compositions used therein, and methods
Electrolytic analysis or testing
C205S777500, C204S400000, C204S403020, C204S406000, C422S082010, C324S431000, C324S450000, C439S786000, C439S729000, C439S759000, C235S14500A
Reexamination Certificate
active
06635167
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to improvements in instruments of the general type described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,963,814; 4,999,582; 4,999,632; 5,288,636; 5,366,609; and, 5,508,171. It is disclosed in the context of such instruments. However, it is believed to be useful in other applications as well.
Hand held instruments for the determination of physical and biological parameters such as, for example, the concentrations of medically significant components, such as glucose, of biological fluids, such as blood, are in widespread use. Such instruments permit people to monitor such characteristics and treat themselves or take other appropriate action to halt or reverse undesirable trends in the concentrations of such components. In diabetics, for example, such corrective action might be something as simple as intake of a particular type of food, for example, fruit juice, or an injection of insulin. In persons who are monitoring a clotting characteristic of their blood, such corrective action might be, for example, taking of a blood thinner or clotting factor.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
An electrical apparatus for use with an electrical cell for providing power includes a first connector for contacting one of the terminals of the cell and a second connector for contacting the other of the terminals of the cell when the cell is installed in the apparatus. The second connector includes a base portion fixed in the apparatus, a first leg portion resiliently connected to and extending away from the base portion, a second leg portion resiliently connected to and extending away from the first leg portion, and a third leg portion resiliently connected to and extending away from the second leg portion and toward the first leg portion. Installation of the cell in the apparatus causes the other terminal to resiliently engage the second leg portion.
Illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, the second leg portion also extends away from the base portion.
Further illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, the third leg portion has an extension that extends away from the base portion.
Additionally illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, the electrical apparatus comprises an instrument for determining the concentration of a medically significant component of a biological sample.
Illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, the electrical cell comprises a dry cell. The installation of the dry cell into the apparatus causes the one terminal to engage the first connector.
Further illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, the electrical apparatus includes a well for receiving the cell. The well includes an opening through which the first connector is exposed to the well, and a boss adjacent the opening. The boss precludes the other terminal from engaging the first connector when the cell is inserted into the well in incorrect orientation.
Additionally illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, the electrical apparatus includes a circuit board to which the base portion of the second connector is fixed.
Illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, the first leg portion of the second connector extends away from the base portion at an angle between about five degrees and about ten degrees with respect to a line perpendicular to the base portion and generally in a first direction. The second leg portion extends away from the first leg portion at an angle between about fifteen degrees and about twenty five degrees with respect to the perpendicular line and generally in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The third leg portion extends toward the base portion at an angle of between about forty degrees and about fifty degrees with respect to the perpendicular line and generally in the first direction.
Further illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, the second connector comprises BeCu 190 alloy.
Additionally according to this aspect of the invention, the second connector comprises a 60/40 tin/lead plating.
Illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, the radii of curvature of the portions of the second connector between the base portion and the first leg portion, the first leg portion and the second leg portion, and the second leg portion and the third leg portion are substantially constant.
Further illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, the third leg portion has an extension that extends away from the base portion, and the radius of curvature of the portion of the second connector between the extension and the third leg portion is also substantially constant.
According to another aspect of the invention, an apparatus for determining the concentration of a medically significant component of a biological sample includes a display for displaying an operational status thereof, the display having a lens consisting essentially of a substantially transparent substrate with a polyurethane coating.
Illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, the substantially transparent substrate is constructed from polycarbonate resin.
According to another aspect of the invention, an apparatus for determining the concentration of a medically significant component of a biological sample comprises a housing having first and second portions, at least one locator pin extending from one of the housing portions and at least one complementary socket extending from the other of the housing portions for receiving the pin to maintain the first and second portions in assembled orientation.
Illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, the locator pin and the complementary socket have substantially circular cross sections perpendicular to their longitudinal extents.
Further illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, the engaging surfaces of the locator pin and the complementary socket are provided with complementary drafts to provide sufficient frictional engagement to hold the first and second portions together when they are assembled.
Additionally illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, the apparatus includes at least two locator pins and two complementary sockets.
Illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, both of the locator pins are disposed on the first housing portion and both of the complementary sockets are disposed on the second housing portion such that the locator pins are received in the respective ones of the complementary sockets when the first and second housing portions are assembled together.
According to another aspect of the invention, an apparatus for determining the concentration of a medically significant component of a biological sample includes first and second keys for use in operating the apparatus. The keys extend from a common support mounted in the apparatus. Each of the keys has a reduced cross sectional portion adjacent to the common support to promote substantially independent activation of the first and second keys.
Illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, the apparatus comprises a third key disposed between the first and second keys for use in operating the apparatus. The third key also has a reduced cross sectional portion adjacent to a second support mounted in the apparatus.
Further illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, the common support has a relief portion for receiving the second support such that the three keys generally define a surface when the apparatus is assembled.
Additionally illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, the apparatus includes a housing having first and second portions. The apparatus includes a circuit mounted to one of the housing portions and having a set of three terminals. The apparatus further includes means for securing the keys when the first and second housing portions are assembled together such that the keys, when activated, operate respective ones of the terminals.
Illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, the apparatus includes a compressibl
Batman Carol Jane
Belisle Christopher Louis
Brothers William
Byrd Nancy Kennedy
Carpenter Greg Paul
Barnes & Thornburg
Noguerola Alex
Roche Diagnostics Corporation
Tung T.
LandOfFree
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