Analyte measuring system which prevents the reuse of a test strip

• US 20050284757A1
• Filed: 06/29/2004
• Published: 12/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lifescan Incorporated (Duv Holding Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lifescan Incorporated (Duv Holding Corporation)
• Inventors: Allen, John J.
• Application Number:
  US10/882,044
• Publication Number:
  US 20050284757A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 204/400
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0295 Strip shaped analyte sensors for apparatus classified in A61B5/145 or A61B5/157 disposable multilayered or laminated electrodes G01N27/307; details of handling chemical test elements G01N33/4875
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1486 using enzyme electrodes, e.g. with immobilised oxidase
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150022 for capillary blood or interstitial fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150213 Venting means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150358 Strips for collecting blood, e.g. absorbent optical reagent test strips G01N21/8483; chemical reagent test strips G01N33/4875, G01N33/52
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150442 Blade-like piercing elements, e.g. blades, cutters, knives, for cutting the skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150923 by means for destroying components or parts, e.g. by cutting or piercing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/15186 Devices loaded with a single lancet, i.e. a single lancet with or without a casing is loaded into a reusable drive device and then discarded after use; drive devices reloadable for multiple use
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/141 Preventing contamination, tampering
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0645 Electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0825 Test strips
• 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: C12Q 1/006 for glucose
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/48771 Coding of information, e.g. calibration data, lot number

Abstract

The present invention may be used in test strips for measuring an analyte or indicator such as glucose in a physiological fluid such as blood, interstitial fluid, or urine. The present invention also relates to test strips incorporating an integrated lance such as a needle, blade, or other sharp or skin puncturing device. In particular, in one embodiment of the present invention, a fused link is incorporated into the test strip. The fused link may be destroyed once the test is completed, preventing reuse of the strip.

Claims

1. An analyte measuring system comprising:

a test strip having a means for measuring an analyte electrochemically; and

a frangible link disposed on said test strip.

2. The analyte measuring system of claim 1, wherein said frangible link comprises a conductive trace.

3. The analyte measuring system of claim 2, wherein said conductive trace is a material chosen from a group consisting of carbon, silver, platinum, palladium, gold, Ir, Pt, tungsten, copper, and aluminum.

4. The analyte measuring system of claim 1, wherein said a conductive trace has a positive temperature coefficient of resistance.

5. The analyte measuring system of claim 2, wherein said conductive trace comprises:

a first electrical contact zone and second electrical contact zone each adapted to receive a predetermined voltage from a meter; and

a fuse zone located in between said first electrical contact zone and said second electrical contact zone wherein said fuse zone has a higher resistance than said first electrical contact zone and said second electrical contact zone

6. The analyte measuring system of claim 5, wherein said fuse zone becomes an open circuit when a predetermined voltage is applied between said first electrical contact and said second electrical contact.

7. The analyte measuring system of claim 5, wherein said predetermined voltage ranges from about 1.5 volts to about 30 volts.

8. The analyte measuring system of claim 1, wherein said test strip further comprises an integrated lance.

9. The analyte measuring system of claim 1, wherein said analyte is glucose

10. The analyte measuring system of claim 1, wherein said test strip further comprises a working electrode and a reference electrode

11. The analyte measuring system of claim 10, wherein a reagent layer is disposed on at least a portion of said working electrode.

12. The analyte measuring system of claim 11, wherein said reagent layer comprises a redox mediator and a redox enzyme.

13. The analyte measuring system of claim 11, wherein said reagent layer comprises a silica filler.

14. A test strip for use in an analyte measurement system, said test strip comprising:

a plurality of electrical contacts;

a sample chamber adapted to receive a sample of a bodily fluid, wherein said sample chamber is connected to a first pair of said electrical contacts; and

a frangible link connected to a second pair of said electrical contacts.

15. A test strip according to claim 14, wherein said frangible link comprises a fuse.

16. A test strip according to claim 14, wherein said frangible link comprises a conductive trace having an impedance greater than the impedance of said electrical contacts.

17. A test strip according to claim 14, wherein said frangible link is adapted to open when a predetermined voltage is applied to said second pair of electrical contacts.