Medical device and method for operating a medical device and detecting a short circuit - Patents.com

Abstract

A medical device designed to deliver or control the delivery of a medical fluid and a method of operating such a medical device are provided. A medical device (10) includes a user interface (12) associated with an electronic circuit (4) connected to a first port (31) and a second port (32) of a controller (3). The electronic circuit allows the controller to detect actuation of the user interface. The controller is configured to perform the following sequence of steps: a first step of configuring the first port as an output port and applying a first signal to the first port; a second step of obtaining a second signal from the second port; and a third step of determining, based on the second signal, whether a short circuit has occurred and, if so, generating a short circuit warning signal.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a medical device designed to deliver or control the delivery of a medical fluid.The present invention further relates to a method of operating a medical device designed to deliver or control the delivery of a medical fluid.The present invention relates to the detection of a short circuit in a medical device. [Background technology]

[0002] In the state of the art, medical devices designed to deliver or control the delivery of medical fluids are widely used, such as insulin pumps for delivering an amount of insulin, glucose meters for determining glucose levels, remote controls for controlling medical devices for delivering medical fluids, etc. These medical devices include user interfaces that allow a patient or a medical professional to control the medical device. For example, a diabetic patient can activate an element of the user interface of an insulin pump, a glucose meter or a remote control to initiate the delivery of a predetermined amount of insulin, the determination of a glucose level, etc. Such user interface elements include knobs, buttons, switches, sliders, display units, audio units, etc.

[0003] Medical devices must comply with very high standards regarding reliability, safety, etc., due to the fact that erroneous operation of the medical device can have a significant negative impact on the health of the patient. In some embodiments of the medical device, for example, in the case of administering a bolus or another critical operation, the patient may be required to simultaneously press a first and a second user button to initiate the delivery of the bolus or to perform the critical operation. The first and second user buttons are spaced far enough apart from each other to prevent inadvertent or accidental initiation of the delivery of the bolus or the critical operation. To this end, some embodiments of the medical device include a first control line connecting the first user button to a controller of the medical device, and a second control line connecting the second user button to the controller of the medical device. The controller is configured to detect whether the first and second user buttons are simultaneously pressed, and if so, initiate a corresponding control operation, such as administering a bolus or a critical operation.

[0004] WO2009013736 discloses a portable therapeutic fluid delivery device. The therapeutic fluid delivery device includes a housing fixable to a patient's body, a container coupled to the housing, a therapeutic fluid dispensing mechanism, and a bolus delivery button configured to signal a controller to initiate delivery of therapeutic fluid into the patient's body. An inadvertent activation prevention mechanism is adapted to prevent the patient from activating the bolus delivery button. In an implementation, the therapeutic fluid delivery device includes two or more bolus delivery buttons, and the inadvertent activation prevention mechanism prevents the controller from initiating delivery of therapeutic fluid into the patient's body unless the patient activates the two or more delivery buttons substantially simultaneously or according to an activation sequence. In an implementation, an electronic circuit of a switch corresponding to the delivery button is connected to ground at one end and to an inlet port of a power source and a CPU at the other end.

[0005] If a short circuit occurs in the control lines, electronic circuitry, controller or CPU of the medical device, activation of only a single button may be erroneously detected as simultaneous actuation of the first and second user buttons, causing the medical device to enter an operating mode not intended by the user or patient, such as bolus delivery or another critical operating mode, thus compromising compliance with very high standards of reliability, safety, etc., which may have significant negative impacts on the patient's health. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a medical device designed to deliver or control the delivery of a medical fluid, as well as a method of operating such a medical device, which does not have at least some of the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, the object of the present invention is to provide a medical device designed to deliver or control the delivery of a medical fluid, which allows the generation of a short circuit warning signal in the event of a short circuit occurring in the medical device, as well as a method of operating such a medical device. In particular, the object of the present invention is to provide a medical device designed to deliver or control the delivery of a medical fluid, as well as a method of operating such a medical device, which includes a user interface associated with an electronic circuit connected to a first port and a second port of a controller, the electronic circuit allowing the controller to detect the actuation of the user interface, and a short circuit warning signal is generated in the event of a short circuit occurring. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to the invention, these objects are achieved by the features of the independent claims, in addition, further advantageous embodiments emerge from the dependent claims and the description. According to the present invention, the above mentioned object is particularly achieved in that a medical device is designed to deliver or control the delivery of a medical fluid, the medical device comprising a user interface associated with an electronic circuit connected to a first port and a second port of a controller, the electronic circuit enabling the controller to detect the actuation of the user interface, the controller being configured to execute the following sequence of steps: a first step of configuring the first port as an output port and applying a first signal to the first port, a second step of obtaining a second signal from the second port, and a third step of determining, based on the second signal, whether a short circuit has occurred and, if so, generating a short circuit warning signal. The controller comprises a first and a second port for detecting the actuation of the user interface. To detect the actuation of the user interface, the first and the second ports are configured as input ports. In the sequence executed by the controller, one of the ports, in one embodiment the first port, is configured as an output port, thereby enabling that a first signal can be applied to the first port. The first signal is transmitted to the electronic circuit. At the other of the ports, in this embodiment the second port, a second signal is obtained. The second signal is based on the electronic circuit. Based on the second signal, it is determined whether a short circuit has occurred. The short circuit may have occurred in the electronic circuit, the controller, etc. If it is determined that a short circuit has occurred, a short circuit warning signal is generated. The short circuit warning signal may be generated by changing the voltage of a corresponding signal line of the controller, changing the value of a corresponding storage location in the memory of the controller, etc. The operation mode of the medical device may be changed according to the short circuit warning signal, for example such that a critical operation mode, e.g. delivery of a bolus, is no longer possible.

[0008] In one embodiment, the electronic circuit is connected to a plurality of ports of the controller. In a first step, one or more of the plurality of ports are configured as output ports, and one or more first signals are applied to these ports. In a second step, one or more second signals are obtained at one or more other ports, in particular at one or more ports that are not configured as output ports. In a third step, based on the one or more second signals, it is determined whether a short circuit has occurred, and if so, a short circuit warning signal is generated.

[0009] In one embodiment, the controller is configured to detect, prior to the first step, whether at least a portion of the user interface is not activated, and to execute the sequence of steps only if at least a portion of the user interface is not activated, whereby a short circuit may be erroneously detected as a result of the sequence of steps if the user interface is activated.

[0010] In one embodiment, the controller is configured to detect whether at least a portion of the user interface is activated before the first step, wait a predetermined waiting time if at least a portion of the user interface is activated, and optionally wait repeatedly for the predetermined waiting time, and generate a warning signal after a maximum total waiting time is reached. After the predetermined waiting time, an attempt may be made to execute the sequence of steps. If the maximum waiting time is reached, a warning signal may be generated, which may be used to inform the user or patient that it is currently not possible to detect whether a short circuit has occurred due to the user interface currently being activated by the user or patient.

[0011] In one embodiment, the controller is configured to configure the first port as an input port following the third step: The first port is prepared for normal operation. In one embodiment, the controller is configured such that in a first step, a ground voltage is applied to the first port, and in a third step, a short circuit warning signal is generated if the second signal is not equal to the supply voltage.

[0012] In one embodiment, the controller is configured to execute the series of steps at predetermined times, at the end of a predetermined time interval, at random times, when the medical fluid delivery device is idle, when the medical fluid delivery device is powered on, and / or upon user request.

[0013] In one embodiment, the user interface includes a first user button and a second user button, and the controller is configured to initiate a predetermined operational mode of the medical device when the first user button and the second user button are actuated substantially simultaneously.

[0014] In one embodiment, the electronic circuit includes a first line connecting a first port of the controller to a first pad and a second line connecting a second port of the controller to a second pad, the first pad being connected to a supply voltage via a first resistor, the first pad being connected to a ground voltage via a first switch associated with a first user button, the second pad being connected to the supply voltage via a second resistor, and the second pad being connected to the ground voltage via a second switch associated with a second user button.

[0015] In one embodiment, the medical device is an insulin pump, a glucose meter or a remote control device. In addition to a medical device designed to deliver or control the delivery of a medical fluid, the present invention relates to a method of operating a medical device designed to deliver or control the delivery of a medical fluid, the medical device including a user interface associated with an electronic circuit connected to a first port and a second port of a controller, the electronic circuit enabling the controller to detect actuation of the user interface, the method comprising the following sequence of steps: a first step of configuring the first port as an output port and applying a first signal to the first port; a second step of obtaining a second signal from the second port; and a third step of determining whether a short circuit has occurred based on the second signal and, if applicable, generating a short circuit warning signal.

[0016] In one embodiment, the method further comprises, before the first step, selecting one of the user interfaces. Detecting whether at least a portion is not activated and performing a set of steps only if at least a portion of the user interface is not activated.

[0017] In one embodiment, the method includes, before the first step, detecting whether at least a portion of the user interface is activated, and if at least a portion of the user interface is activated, waiting for a predetermined waiting time, optionally repeatedly waiting for the predetermined waiting time, and generating a warning signal after a maximum total waiting time is reached.

[0018] In one embodiment, the method includes, following the third step, configuring the first port as an input port. In one embodiment, the method includes, in a first step, applying a ground voltage to the first port, and, in a third step, generating a short circuit warning signal if the second signal is not equal to the supply voltage.

[0019] In one embodiment, the method includes performing a series of steps according to at least one of the following: a predetermined time point, at the end of a predetermined time interval, at a random time point, when the medical fluid delivery device is idle, when the medical fluid delivery device is powered on, and upon user request.

[0020] The invention described herein will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings, which should not be construed as limitations on the invention described in the appended claims. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 shows a schematic representation of an insulin pump as an exemplary embodiment of a medical device. [Diagram 2] 10 illustrates a schematic diagram of a user interface associated with electronic circuitry coupled to a controller for determining whether a first user button and a second user button of the user interface are actuated substantially simultaneously. [Diagram 3] 1 illustrates generally a series of steps for determining whether a short circuit has occurred. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] In the state of the art, medical devices for delivering or controlling the delivery of medical fluids are widely used, including insulin pumps for delivering a quantity of insulin, glucose meters for identifying glucose levels, remote control devices for controlling the medical devices for delivering medical fluids, etc.

[0023] As an illustrative example of such a medical device, Figure 1 shows an insulin pump 10. However, the following disclosure may be applied equally well to any medical device, such as a glucose meter for determining glucose levels, a remote control for controlling a medical device to deliver a medical fluid, and the like.

[0024] The insulin pump 10 comprises a housing 11 in which is disposed a user interface 12, a controller 3 for controlling the operating mode of the insulin pump 10, a container 13 for storing a quantity of insulin, and a delivery mechanism 14 for delivering a predetermined amount of insulin.

[0025] 1, the user interface 12 is associated with an electronic circuit 4. The electronic circuit 4 is connected to a first port 31 and a second port 32 of the controller 3.

[0026] In one embodiment, the electronic circuit is connected to an additional port of the controller 3 (not shown in FIG. 1). 1, user interface 12 includes a first user button 1 and a second user button 2. A controller 3 is enabled to detect actuations of user interface 12, such as actuations of first user button 1 and / or actuations of second user button 2, via electronic circuitry 4, as will be described in more detail below.

[0027] The housing 11 comprises a material such as, for example, plastic. In an embodiment, the housing 11 can have a modular design. For example, the housing 11 can include a first part and a second part. The first part of the housing 11 can have a reusable design, for example, in which the user interface 12, the electronic circuitry 4 and the controller 3 are arranged. The second part of the housing 11 can have a disposable design, for example, in which the container 13 and the delivery mechanism 14 are arranged. Other designs are possible.

[0028] The user interface 12 may include knobs, buttons, switches, sliders, a display unit, a touch screen, an audio unit, etc. As shown in Fig. 1, the user interface 12 includes a first user button 1 and a second user button 2. The first user button 1 and the second user button 2 may, for example, be positioned at a sufficiently large distance from each other as shown in Fig. 1 such that inadvertent or accidental simultaneous actuation of the first user button 1 and the second user button 2 is impossible or highly unlikely.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 1, the user interface 12 may include a display unit 121 for displaying status information such as, for example, units of insulin, units of a bolus, and the like.

[0030] The controller 3 may include a programmable microprocessor, logic circuits, digital-to-analog converters, analog-to-digital converters, amplifiers, and the like. The electronic circuitry 4 may include electrical lines, resistors, capacitors, inductors, connections to ground, connections to a supply voltage, connections to a supply current, and the like.

[0031] The electronic circuit 4 is associated with the user interface 12. For example, the electronic circuit 4 is connected to a switch that changes a connection state in the electronic circuit 4 upon a specific activation of the user interface. For example, upon activation of the first user button 1, the switch associated with the first user button 1 can close a specific connection between specific points in the electronic circuit, and after release of the first user button 1, the specific connection is interrupted.

[0032] The controller 3 includes a first port 31 connected to the electronic circuitry 4 and a second port 32 connected to the electronic circuitry 4. The connection of the electronic circuitry 4 to the first port 31 and the second port 32 enables the controller 3 to detect actuations of the user interface, such as actuations of a first user button 1 and an actuation of a second user button 2.

[0033] The controller 3 is configured to initiate a predefined operational mode of the insulin pump 1 upon detection of a particular actuation of the user interface 12, such as substantially simultaneous actuation of the first user button 31 and the second user button 32. The predefined operational modes of the insulin pump 10 include, for example, delivery of a predefined amount of insulin, delivery of a bolus, etc.

[0034] The container 13 may have a reusable design such that it can be reused by refilling the container after depletion. Alternatively, the container 13 may be used in such a way that it can be discarded after depletion. It may have a disposable design.

[0035] The delivery mechanism 14 may include a pump mechanism for pumping a quantity of insulin from the container 13, through a fluid line connected to the container 13, and into a delivery tube designed to deliver a predetermined amount of medical fluid, i.e., insulin.

[0036] For operation of the controller 3, user interface 12, delivery mechanism 14, etc., the insulin pump 10 includes an energy source, such as a battery, a rechargeable battery, or the like. FIG. 2 shows in more detail and generally the controller 3, electronic circuitry 4 and user interface 12 of the insulin pump 10, which makes it possible to determine whether a first user button 1 and a second user button 2 of the user interface 12 are actuated substantially simultaneously.

[0037] 2, the controller 3 is connected to a supply voltage Vcc and a ground voltage to deliver operating energy to the controller 3. The controller 3 includes a first port 31 and a second port 32.

[0038] The user interface 12 includes a first user button 1 and a second user button 2 that can be activated by a user. The user interface 12 is associated with an electronic circuit 4, shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. In particular, a first user button 1 of the user interface 12 is designed to activate a first switch 41 of the electronic circuit 4, shown in dashed lines in Fig. 2. A second user button 2 of the user interface 12 is designed to activate a second switch 42 of the electronic circuit 4, shown in dashed lines in Fig. 2.

[0039] In one embodiment, the first user button 1 and / or the first switch 41, or the second user button 2 and / or the second switch 42, comprise a spring mechanism providing that when the user or patient activates the first user button 1 or the second button, e.g. by pressing the first user button, the first switch 41 or the second switch 42 is closed, thereby closing the connection between one end of the switch and the other end of the switch, and as soon as the user or patient is no longer activating the first user button 1 or the second user button 2, e.g. by releasing the first user button 1 or the second user button 2, the first switch 41 or the second switch 42 is opened, thereby interrupting the connection between one end of the switch and the other end of the switch.

[0040] By activating the first user button 1, the user or patient can toggle the first switch 41 from an open position (as shown in FIG. 2) to a closed position (not shown in FIG. 2). By activating the second user button 2, the user or patient can toggle the second switch 42 from an open position (as shown in FIG. 2) to a closed position (not shown in FIG. 2).

[0041] One end of the first switch 41 is connected to a ground voltage. The other end of the first switch 41 is connected to a first pad 43, which is further connected to the first port 31 and further connected to a supply voltage Vcc via a resistor 45. One end of the first switch 42 is connected to a ground voltage. The other end of the first switch 42 is connected to a second pad 44, which is further connected to the second port 32 and further connected to a supply voltage Vcc via a resistor 46.

[0042] By actuating the first user button 1 or the second user button 2, the user Or the patient can switch the first pad 43 or the second pad 44 between the supply voltage Vcc and the ground voltage. The controller 3 can sense the voltage level of the first pad 43 or the second pad 44 and thereby determine whether the user or the patient activates the first user button 1 or the second user button 2.

[0043] In particular, by detecting the voltage levels of the first pad 43 and the second pad 44, the controller 3 can detect whether the user or patient activates the first user button 1 and the second user button 2 substantially simultaneously.

[0044] In the open position of the first switch 41 or the second switch shown in FIG. 2, the voltage level of the first pad 43 or the second pad 44 is the supply voltage Vcc. As shown in Fig. 2, short circuits scA, scB may occur at various locations in the control circuit 4. As shown in Fig. 2, a short circuit with reference scA may occur between the line connecting the first port 31 with the first pad 43 and the line connecting the second port 32 with the second pad 44. As shown in Fig. 2, a short circuit with reference scB may occur between the line connecting the first switch 41 with the first pad 43 and the line connecting the second switch 42 with the second pad 42. Furthermore (not shown in Fig. 2), a short circuit may occur between the first pad 43 and the second pad 44. Furthermore (not shown in Fig. 2), a short circuit may occur between the line connecting the first pad 43 with the first resistor 45 and the line connecting the second pad 44 with the second resistor 46. Furthermore (not shown in FIG. 2), a short circuit may occur inside the controller 3, for example between the first port 31 and the second port 32.

[0045] The short circuit has the effect that the voltage level of the first pad 43 and the voltage level of the second pad 44 have the same value. Thus, in the case of a short circuit, if the user or patient simply activates the first user button 1 alone, both the first pad 43 and the second pad 44 will change voltage levels from the supply voltage Vcc to the ground voltage. Thus, the controller 3 may erroneously detect that the user or patient has activated both the first user button 1 and the second user button simultaneously, thereby initiating an operating mode that may not be suitable (or even dangerous) for the user or patient.

[0046] FIG. 3 shows diagrammatically a series of steps taken by a controller 3 connected to electronic circuitry 4 associated with a first user button 1 and a second user button 2 to determine whether a short circuit has occurred.

[0047] In the following, the sequence of steps is described for the line of the first user button 1. However, the sequence of steps can equally well be performed for the line of the second user button 2 by applying steps S4, S5, S6, S7 and S8 to the line of the second user button 2 instead of the first user button 1.

[0048] In step S1, a series of steps begins to determine whether a short circuit has occurred. In step S2, the controller 3 reads the status of the first user button 1 and the second user button 2, i.e. by determining the voltage levels of the first pad 43 and the second pad 44, and if the voltage levels of the first pad 43 and the second pad 44 are determined to be equal to the supply voltage Vcc, it is determined that neither the first user button 1 nor the second user button 2 is actuated by the user or the patient. If the voltage level of the first pad 43 is determined to be equal to the ground voltage, it is determined that the first user button 1 is actuated by the user or the patient. If the voltage level of the second pad 44 is determined to be equal to the ground voltage, it is determined that the second user button 2 is actuated by the user or the patient.

[0049] In step S3 it is determined whether the status indicates whether the first user button 1 or the second user button 2 has been activated by the user or patient. If so, the sequence of steps continues with step S31. If not, the sequence of steps continues with step S4.

[0050] In step S31, the total wait time value, for example stored in a memory location of the controller 3, is incremented by a predetermined value, for example one second. In step S32, the value of the total waiting time is compared to a predetermined maximum waiting time. If the total waiting time is equal to or greater than the maximum waiting time, the sequence of steps continues to step S33. If the total waiting time is less than the maximum waiting time, the sequence of steps continues to step S2.

[0051] In step S4, the first port 31 of the controller 3 is configured as an output port (if the sequence of steps is performed for the line of the second user button 2 rather than the first user button 1, then the second port 32 is configured as an output port rather than the first port 31). Since the controller 3 is configured in normal operation to determine whether the user or patient activates the first user button or the second user button, the first port 31 and the second port 32 are typically configured as input ports. However, in step S4, the first port 31 (or the second port 32) is configured as an output port.

[0052] In step S5, a first signal is applied to the first port 31. In one variant, the first signal is a voltage having a constant level. In one variant, the first signal is a ground voltage.

[0053] In step S6, the second signal is acquired from the second port 32. In a variant, the second signal is acquired during a predetermined time interval. In step S7, the first port 31 of the controller 3 is configured as an input port, thereby preparing and enabling normal operation of the controller 3.

[0054] In step S8, it is determined whether a short circuit has occurred based on the second signal. In one variant, in the case where the first signal has a certain level, it is determined that a short circuit has occurred if the second signal has the same level as the first signal. In one variant, in the case where the first signal has a ground voltage, it is determined that a short circuit has occurred if the second signal is the ground voltage. In one variant, it is determined that a short circuit has occurred if the second signal is not the supply voltage. If it is determined that a short circuit has occurred, the sequence of steps continues to step S81. If it is not determined that a short circuit has occurred, the sequence of steps continues to step S9.

[0055] In step S81, a short circuit warning signal is generated. In one variation, the short circuit warning signal is applied to a signal line of the controller 3. In one variation, the short circuit warning signal is indicated by setting a predetermined storage location in the memory of the controller 3 to a predetermined value.

[0056] In step S9, the total wait time from step S31 is reset, thereby preparing for the next execution of the sequence of steps to determine whether a short circuit has occurred. In step S10, the series of steps for determining whether a short circuit has occurred is completed.

[0057] The sequence of steps to determine whether a short circuit has occurred is as follows: This may be performed for the line of the first user button 1 or the line of the second user button 2. A series of steps to determine whether a short has occurred may be performed on the line of the first user button 1, followed immediately by the line of the second user button 2.

[0058] A series of steps to determine whether a short circuit has occurred may be performed alternately for the first user button 1 line and for the second user button 2 line. A series of steps may be performed upon start-up of the medical device 10 to determine if a short circuit has occurred.

[0059] The series of steps for determining whether a short circuit has occurred may be performed periodically, for example, every full hour. If a user or patient is using the medical device, the sequence of steps for determining whether a short circuit has occurred may be delayed a predetermined amount of time, and if the sequence of steps for determining whether a short circuit has occurred cannot be performed after the predetermined amount of time, a warning signal may be generated.

Claims

1. A medical device (10) designed to deliver or control the delivery of a medical fluid, said medical device (10) comprising a user interface (12) associated with an electronic circuit (4) having a first circuit connected to a first port (31) of a controller (3) and a second circuit connected to a second port (32) of said controller (3), said electronic circuit (4) enabling said controller (3) to configure said first port and said second port as input ports and to detect the actuation of said user interface (12) by signals from said first port and said second port, said controller (3) performing the following sequence of steps: a first step of configuring (S4) said first port (31) as an output port and applying (S5) a first signal to said first port; a second step of acquiring (S6) a second signal from said second port (32); a third step of determining (S8) based on said second signal whether a short circuit has occurred between said first circuit and said second circuit, and if so, generating (S81) a short circuit warning signal; configured to run the controller (3) is configured such that in the first step, a ground voltage is applied to the first port (31) and in the third step, the short circuit warning signal is generated if the second signal is not equal to a supply voltage. A medical device (10).

2. The medical device (10) of claim 1, wherein the controller (3) is configured to detect (S2, S3) whether at least a portion of the user interface (12) is not activated before the first step, and to execute the sequence of steps only if at least a portion of the user interface (12) is not activated.

3. 3. The medical device (10) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the controller (3) is configured to detect, before the first step, whether at least a part of the user interface (12) is activated, and if at least a part of the user interface (12) is activated, to wait (S31) for a predetermined waiting time, and optionally to wait repeatedly for the predetermined waiting time and to generate a warning signal (S32, S33) after a maximum total waiting time has been reached.

4. The medical device (10) of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the controller (3) is configured, following the third step, to configure (S7) the first port (31) as an input port.

5. The medical device (10) of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the controller (3) is configured such that the sequence of steps is executed according to at least one of the following: a predetermined time point, at the end of a predetermined time interval, at a random time point, when the medical fluid delivery device is idle, when the medical fluid delivery device is powered on, and upon user request.

6. The medical device (10) of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the user interface (12) includes a first user button (1) and a second user button (2), and the controller (3) is configured to initiate a predetermined operational mode of the medical device (10) when the first user button (1) and the second user button (2) are actuated substantially simultaneously.

7. 7. The medical device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the electronic circuit (4) comprises a first line connecting the first port (31) of the controller (3) to a first pad (43) and a second line connecting the second port (32) of the controller to a second pad (44), the first pad (43) being connected to a supply voltage via a first resistor (45), the first pad (43) being connected to a ground voltage via a first switch (41) associated with a first user button (1), the second pad (44) being connected to the supply voltage via a second resistor (46), and the second pad (44) being connected to a ground voltage via a second switch (42) associated with a second user button (2).

8. The medical device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the medical device (10) is an insulin pump, a glucose meter or a remote control device.

9. A method of operating a medical device (10) designed to deliver or control the delivery of a medical fluid, said medical device (10) comprising a user interface (12) associated with an electronic circuit (4) having a first circuit connected to a first port (31) of a controller (3) and a second circuit connected to a second port (32) of said controller (3), said electronic circuit (4) enabling said controller (3) to configure said first port and said second port as input ports and to detect the actuation of said user interface by signals from said first port (31) and said second port (32), said method being performed by said controller (3) and comprising the following sequence of steps: a first step of configuring (S4) said first port (31) as an output port and applying a first signal to said first port (31); a second step of acquiring (S6) a second signal from said second port (32); a third step of determining (S8) based on said second signal whether a short circuit has occurred between said first circuit and said second circuit, and if so, generating (S81) a short circuit warning signal; Including, the first step includes applying a ground voltage to the first port (31), and the third step includes generating the short circuit warning signal if the second signal is not equal to a supply voltage. method.

10. 10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising, before said first step, detecting (S2, S3) whether at least a part of said user interface (12) is not activated, and executing said sequence of steps only if at least a part of said user interface (12) is not activated.

11. 11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, comprising, before said first step, detecting whether at least a part of the user interface (12) is activated, and if at least a part of the user interface (12) is activated, waiting (S31) for a predefined waiting time, and optionally waiting repeatedly for predefined waiting times and generating (S32, S33) a warning signal after reaching a maximum total waiting time.

12. A method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, comprising, following said third step, configuring (S7) said first port (31) as an input port.

13. 13. The method of any one of claims 9 to 12, comprising performing the sequence of steps according to at least one of the following: a predetermined time point, at the end of a predetermined time interval, at a random time point, when the medical fluid delivery device is idle, when the medical fluid delivery device is powered on, and upon user request.

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