Optical Sensor and Methods of Making It
First Claim
1. A sensor for use in optically measuring in a meter the analyte contained in a liquid biological sample, said sensor having portions extending beyond said meter when in use and comprising:
- (a) a capillary channel extending outside said meter for accepting and transferring said liquid biological sample into said glucose meter through a capillary channel;
(b) reagents disposed within said capillary channel for reacting with said liquid biological sample and providing an optical response;
(c) at least one air vent disposed downstream of said reagents for relieving air displaced by said liquid biological sample from said capillary channel;
(d) a handling area extending outside said meter and adjacent said air vent for inserting and removing said sensor from said meter;
(e) means for providing encoded information to said meter; and
(f) means for aligning said sensor with said meter.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A sensor for optically measuring an analyte contained in a liquid biological sample, particularly measuring the glucose content of blood in a glucose meter. The sensor in a preferred embodiment takes the form of a snow-boot. That is, it has a top portion including an air vent and an area that the user grasps to insert and remove the sensor from the slot in a glucose meter. The bottom or toe region of the sensor extends from the glucose meter and provides the entrance to a capillary channel for introducing a sample of blood into the meter, where it contacts reagents providing an optical response. The optics within the meter read the optical response of the reagents and correlates it with the glucose content of the sample.
28 Citations
25 Claims
-
1. A sensor for use in optically measuring in a meter the analyte contained in a liquid biological sample, said sensor having portions extending beyond said meter when in use and comprising:
-
(a) a capillary channel extending outside said meter for accepting and transferring said liquid biological sample into said glucose meter through a capillary channel;
(b) reagents disposed within said capillary channel for reacting with said liquid biological sample and providing an optical response;
(c) at least one air vent disposed downstream of said reagents for relieving air displaced by said liquid biological sample from said capillary channel;
(d) a handling area extending outside said meter and adjacent said air vent for inserting and removing said sensor from said meter;
(e) means for providing encoded information to said meter; and
(f) means for aligning said sensor with said meter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A method of making a sensor for use in optically measuring in a meter the analyte contained in a liquid biological sample, the method comprising the acts of:
-
(a) providing a continuous strip substrate, said strip serving as a first side of said sensor;
(b) punching holes in said substrate strip, said holes including traction holes for maintaining registration of said strip, a precursor hole for tabs used for positioning said sensor in said glucose meter, and a hole defining a channel for venting air;
(c) forming a capillary channel between adhesive strips in the area of said substrate strip between said traction holes, the spacing between said adhesive strips defining the width of said capillary channel for moving a sample of blood, said capillary channel intersecting said hole for venting air;
(d) optionally, printing a conductive ink pad on said adhesive strips and drying said conductive ink;
(e) applying reagents for reacting with glucose in a blood sample at the intersection of the capillary channel and the hole for venting air;
(f) applying over said adhesive strips, said reagents, and said optional conductive pad a strip as the second side of said sensor; and
(g) cutting a completed sensor from said continuous substrate strip after step (f). - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. A method of making a sensor for use in measuring in a meter an analyte contained in a liquid biological sample, the method comprising the acts of:
-
(a) providing a continuous strip substrate, said strip serving as a first side of said sensor;
(b) punching holes in said substrate strip, said holes including traction holes for maintaining registration of said strip, a precursor hole for tabs used in positioning said sensor in said meter, a hole defining a channel for venting air, and a hole for receiving reagents on a carrier;
(c) forming a capillary channel between adhesive strips in the area of said substrate strip between said traction holes, the spacing between said adhesive strips defining the width of said capillary channel for moving a sample of blood, said capillary channel intersecting said hole for venting air;
(d) optionally, printing a conductive ink pad on said adhesive strips and drying said conductive ink;
(e) applying reagents to a carrier strip;
said carrier strip having a releasable backing strip;
(f) cutting segments of said carrier strip containing said reagents without cutting the releasable backing strips;
(g) placing a segment of said carrier strip containing reagents in said hole for receiving reagents on a carrier and removing said releasable backing strips;
(h) applying over said adhesive strips, said reagents, and said optional conductive pad a strip as the second side of said sensor; and
(i) cutting a completed sensor from said continuous substrate strip after step (h). - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
-
Specification