Test sensor transport mechanisms and methods
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A transport apparatus for moving a test sensor between a first location in an analyte measurement system where the test sensor has a first planar orientation to a second location in the analyte measurement system where the test sensor has a second planar orientation that is different from the first planar orientation, the transport apparatus comprising:
- a frame;
a driving device operatively integrated with the frame;
an connector for carrying a test sensor, the connector driveable along a conveying direction by the driving device and positionable at a first location where a test sensor engaging surface of the connector has a first planar orientation;
a first reorientation system that cooperates with the driving device to rotate the connector in a first rotational direction having an axis of rotation normal to the conveying direction; and
a second reorientation system that cooperates with the driving device to rotate the connector in a second rotational direction having an axis of rotation extending along the conveying direction so that the connector is positionable at a second location where the test sensor engaging surface of the connector has a second planar orientation different from the first planar orientation.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Testing devices for measuring the concentration of an analyte in a fluid sample are provided. More particularly, transport mechanisms for use with such testing devices for moving a test sensor or the like between various operating positions of a testing device such as a storage position and a test position are described.
28 Citations
22 Claims
-
1. A transport apparatus for moving a test sensor between a first location in an analyte measurement system where the test sensor has a first planar orientation to a second location in the analyte measurement system where the test sensor has a second planar orientation that is different from the first planar orientation, the transport apparatus comprising:
-
a frame;
a driving device operatively integrated with the frame;
an connector for carrying a test sensor, the connector driveable along a conveying direction by the driving device and positionable at a first location where a test sensor engaging surface of the connector has a first planar orientation;
a first reorientation system that cooperates with the driving device to rotate the connector in a first rotational direction having an axis of rotation normal to the conveying direction; and
a second reorientation system that cooperates with the driving device to rotate the connector in a second rotational direction having an axis of rotation extending along the conveying direction so that the connector is positionable at a second location where the test sensor engaging surface of the connector has a second planar orientation different from the first planar orientation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. An analyte measurement system comprising:
-
a housing;
an indexing device provided within at least a portion of the housing and that can receive a cassette having a plurality of test sensors and position a test sensor of the plurality of test sensors at a storage location where the test sensor has a first planar orientation; and
a transport device provided within at least a portion of the housing that can move a test sensor between the storage location and a test location where the test sensor has a second planar orientation different from the first planar orientation. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A method of providing a test sensor in a test position relative to an analyte measurement system, the method comprising the steps of:
-
providing an analyte measurement system with a cassette having one or more test sensors;
positioning a test sensor of the one or more test sensors of the cassette in a storage location where the test sensor has a first planar orientation;
removing the test sensor from the cassette with a transport device of the analyte measurement system;
rotating the test sensor with the transport device on a first rotational axis by a first angular rotation relative to the position of the test sensor in the storage location;
rotating the test sensor with the transport device on a second rotational axis normal to the first rotational axis by a second angular rotation relative to the position of the test sensor in the storage location; and
positioning the test sensor at a test position where the test sensor has a second planar orientation different from the first planar orientation. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
-
Specification