Strip holder for use in a test strip meter

• US 20040057878A1
• Filed: 09/24/2003
• Published: 03/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: House Allen, Lorin Olson
• Original Assignee: House Allen, Lorin Olson
• Inventors: Olson, Lorin, House, Allen
• Application Number:
  US10/671,236
• Publication Number:
  US 20040057878A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/104
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/025 Align devices or objects to ensure defined positions relative to each other
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/141 Preventing contamination, tampering
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0822 Slides
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0406 capillary forces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5027 by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip B01L3/5023 takes precedence; micromixers B01F33/30; microreactors for synthesis B01J19/0093; microcapillary devices in general B81B1/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 9/52 Supports specially adapted for flat sample carriers, e.g. for plates, slides, chips
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/8483 Investigating reagent band test-element handling not specific to a test method G01N33/4875; analytical elements specific to chemical analysis of biological material G01N33/52; autometer with reagent band G01N35/04
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25 including sample preparation

Abstract

Test strip holders for use with test strip meters are provided. The subject test strip holders include at least an opening and a lip associated with the opening. The lip element of the subject holders is capable of forming a liquid seal with the upper surface of a test strip upon insertion of the test strip into the opening. In many embodiments, the strip holder is configured to at least partially encompass a sample application region of a test strip upon insertion of the strip into the opening. Also provided are meters on which the subject test holders are present, as well as methods for using the same.

Claims

1. A strip holder for use with a meter, said strip holder comprising:

(a) an opening for receiving a test strip; and

(b) a lip associated with said opening, wherein said lip forms a liquid seal with the upper surface of said test strip when inserted into said opening.

2. The strip holder according to claim 1, wherein said strip holder is readily removable from said meter.

3. The strip holder according to claim 1, wherein said strip holder is configured to at least partially encompass a sample application region of said test strip when inserted into said opening.

4. The strip holder according to claim 1, wherein said strip holder further comprises a raised bump that contacts the bottom surface of said test strip when inserted into said opening.

5. The strip holder according to claim 4, wherein the force applied by said lip on said top surface of said strip inserted into said opening is substantially equal, opposite in direction and at the same location as the force applied by said raised bump on said bottom surface of said strip inserted into said opening.

6. The strip holder according to claim 5, wherein said applied forces range in magnitude from about 0.01 lb to 0.05 lb.

7. A readily removable strip holder for use with a test strip meter, said strip holder comprising:

(a) an opening for receiving a test strip;

(b) a lip associated with said opening, wherein said lip forms a liquid seal with the upper surface of a test strip when inserted into said opening; and

(c) a raised bump that contacts the bottom surface of a test strip when inserted into said opening;

wherein said strip holder is configured to at least partially encompass a sample application region of said test strip when inserted into said opening.

8. The strip holder according to claim 7, wherein the force applied by said lip on said top surface of said strip inserted into said opening is substantially equal, opposite in direction and at the same location as the force applied by said bump on said bottom surface of said strip inserted into said opening.

9. The strip holder according to claim 8, wherein said forces range in magnitude from about 0.01 lb to 0.05 lb.

10. A test strip meter, wherein said meter comprises:

a test strip holder, wherein said test strip holder comprises;

(a) an opening for receiving a test strip; and

(b) a lip associated with said opening, wherein said lip forms a liquid seal with the upper surface of said test strip when inserted into said opening.

11. The meter according to claim 10, wherein said strip holder is readily removable from said meter.

12. The meter according to claim 10, wherein said strip holder is configured to at least partially encompass a sample application region of said test strip when inserted into said opening.

13. The meter according to claim 10, wherein said strip holder further comprises a raised bump that contacts the bottom surface of said test strip when inserted into said opening.

14. The meter according to claim 13, wherein the force applied by said lip on said top surface of said strip inserted into said opening is substantially equal, opposite in direction and at the same location as the force applied by said raised bump on said bottom surface of said strip inserted into said opening.

15. The meter according to claim 14, wherein said forces range in magnitude from about 0.01 lb to 0.05 lb.

16. The meter according to claim 10, wherein said meter further comprises said test strip inserted into said opening of said strip holder.

17. A method of using a test strip meter, said method comprising:

(a) providing a meter comprising a test strip holder, wherein said test strip holder comprises;

(i) an opening for receiving a test strip; and

(ii) a lip associated with said opening, wherein said lip forms a liquid seal with the upper surface of said test strip when inserted into said opening; and

(b) inserting said test strip into said opening.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein said strip holder is configured to at least partially encompass a sample application region of said test strip following said inserting.

19. The method according to claim 17, wherein said strip holder further comprises a raised bump that contacts the bottom surface of said test strip upon said inserting.

20. The strip holder according to claim 19, wherein the force applied by said lip on said top surface of said strip inserted into said opening is substantially equal, opposite in direction and at the same location as to the force applied by said bump on said bottom surface of said strip inserted into said opening.