Test device with means for storing and dispensing diagnostic strips

• US 20030116583A1
• Filed: 12/21/2001
• Published: 06/26/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Lifescan Incorporated (Duv Holding Corporation)
• Inventors: Pugh, Jerry T.
• Granted Patent: US 6,908,008 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 221/268
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/48757 Test elements dispensed from a stack

Abstract

The invention provides a substantially moisture-proof, air-tight apparatus for both dispensing a plurality of diagnostic test strips and testing a biological fluid dispensed onto the strip. One strip may be advanced for use in testing using a single, translational movement.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a.) a dispenser comprising of;

i.) a housing having a chamber;

ii.) a means for retaining a plurality of test strips in a substantially moisture-proof, and air-tight first position; and

iii.) a means for opening the chamber and moving one of the plurality of test strips translationally from a first position inside of the chamber to a second position at least partially outside of the chamber, wherein the opening of the chamber and moving of the one test strip is achieved by a single mechanical motion; and

b.) an analyzing means for analyzing a biological fluid.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises:

a sealing member;

a circumferential collar;

a dispensing outlet; and

an urging means for urging the test strip retaining means.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the means for opening the chamber and moving one of the plurality of test strips further comprises:

a slide member;

a cam member integral with the slide member; and

a push member integral with the slide member.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the biological fluid analyzing means is an electrochemical means.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the biological fluid analyzing means is an electrochemical means.

6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the biological fluid analyzing means is an electrochemical means.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a gear rack.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the means for opening the chamber and moving one of the plurality of test strips further comprises:

a slide member;

a gear wheel rotatably coupled to the slide member and enagageable with the gear rack;

a cam wheel rotatably coupled to the slide member; and

a push member with a plurality of teeth suitable for meshing with the gear wheel.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the means for opening the chamber and moving one of the plurality of test strips further comprises:

a slide member;

a gear wheel rotatably coupled to the slide member and engageable with the gear rack;

a push member;

a link swivelably coupled to the push member; and

a cam wheel mounted coaxially with the gear wheel and comprising an arm swivelably coupled to the link.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the means for opening the chamber and moving one of the plurality of test strips further comprises:

a slide member;

a cam wheel rotatably coupled to the slide member;

a gear wheel engageable with the gear rack; and

a push member having an arm coupled thereto by a pin spaced a distance from the center of the cam wheel

wherein the pin is moveable in a cycloidal manner when the cam wheel is rotatably moved.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the biological fluid analyzing means is an electrochemical means.

12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the biological fluid analyzing means is an electrochemical means.

13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the biological fluid analyzing means is an electrochemical means.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the biological fluid analyzing means is an electrochemical means.