Multiple analyte assaying device with a multiple sample introduction system

• US 20020150501A1
• Filed: 04/13/2001
• Published: 10/17/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations Incorporated (Roche Holding AG)
• Inventors: Robertson, John L., Grenz, Robert L., Bachand, Steven S., Tsai, Jane, McPhee, Lawrence C., Blevins, Dennis D.
• Granted Patent: US 6,833,111 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/56
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/54386 Analytical elements
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 436/808 Automated or kit

Abstract

A multiple analyte assaying device includes a casing having a pocket portion adapted to capture or contain a predetermined volume of fluid specimen to be assayed. Disposed within the casing is a sample receiving pad and one or more reagent test strips. The pocket portion of the casing includes a feed element having multiple feed inlets, or alternatively, a single feed slot. The feed element provides pressure against the sample receiving pad. The pressure against the pad and a small size of the inlet or inlets are effective in controlling a rate of fluid release of the specimen to the sample receiving pad. The casing includes observation windows or alternatively a clear plastic view area for enabling observation of reagent zones of the test strips. The device is structured and adapted to enable a technician to capture the appropriate volume of fluid specimen in the pocket portion by submerging or dipping a portion of the device into a fluid-filled collection container for a brief period of time. The device includes a rail depending from the casing for elevating the dampened portion of the casing when the device is placed on a level surface.

Claims

1. An analytical test device comprising:

a casing, including a pocket portion defining a pocket sized to contain a predetermined volume of a fluid sample and further defining a feed element for controlling a rate of fluid specimen release from the pocket; and

a testing assembly, disposed in the casing, for assaying the fluid sample contained in the pocket.

2. The device according to claim 1 wherein the feed element comprises a surface in contact with the testing assembly and the surface includes at least one feed inlet therethrough sized to control release of the fluid sample to the test assembly.

3. The device according to claim 1 wherein the feed element comprises a surface in contact with the testing assembly and the surface includes a feed inlet slot along a length of the surface.

4. The device according to claim 3 wherein the feed inlet slot is about 0.050 inches in width.

5. The device according to claim 1 wherein the casing is structured to capture the predetermined volume of fluid in the pocket when the pocket portion of the casing is submerged in a fluid specimen.

6. The device according to claim 5 wherein the casing is structured to capture the predetermined volume of fluid when the pocket portion is submerged in the fluid specimen for a duration of between about one second and about five seconds.

7. The device according to claim 1 wherein the feed element includes a plurality of feed inlets.

8. The device according to claim 7 wherein the plurality of feed inlets comprises between about 5 and about 7 feed inlets.

9. The device according to claim 7 wherein each one of the plurality of feed inlets has a diameter of about 0.050 inches.

10. The device according to claim 1 further comprising support structure, depending from the casing, for elevating the pocket portion when the device is placed in a substantially horizontal position on a surface.

11. The device according to claim 10 wherein the support structure includes a rail depending from a perimeter portion of the casing.

13. The device according to claim 12 wherein the feed element includes a surface in contact with, and providing pressure against, the sample pad.

14. The device according to claim 13 wherein the at least one feed inlet comprises a feed inlet slot defined through the surface.

15. The device according to claim 14 wherein the feed inlet slot has a width of about 0.050 inches along a length thereof.

16. The device according to claim 12 wherein the at least one feed inlet comprises a plurality of feed inlets.

17. The device according to claim 16 wherein the plurality of feed inlets comprises between about 5 and about 7 feed inlets.

18. The device according to claim 16 wherein each one of the plurality of feed inlets has a diameter of about 0.050 inches.

19. The device according to claim 12 further comprising a support structure, depending from the casing, for elevating the pocket portion of the casing out of contact with a surface when the device is placed on the surface.

20. The device according to claim 19 wherein the support structure includes a rail depending from a perimeter portion of the casing.

12. An analytical test device comprising:

a casing, including a pocket portion defining a feed element having at least one feed inlet; and

a testing assembly disposed in the casing and including a plurality of test elements and a sample pad in contact with each one of the plurality of test elements; and

the feed element being structured to control a rate of fluid specimen release from the pocket to the sample pad.