TRANSFER UNIT FOR TEST ELEMENTS

• US 20090035120A1
• Filed: 07/31/2008
• Published: 02/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Roche Diabetes Care Inc. (Roche Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations Incorporated (Roche Holding AG)
• Inventors: List, Hans
• Granted Patent: US 8,057,156 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 414/806
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/48757 Test elements dispensed from a stack

Abstract

The invention relates to an analysis apparatus with an analysis device for analyzing body fluids, and a magazine for test elements with a fresh supply container and a transfer unit that comprises a transfer element. At least one aperture for receiving a test element is formed in the circumferential surface of the transfer element. A waste container is provided in which used test elements are stored again after use.

Claims

1. A transfer unit for use with an analysis apparatus, comprising:

a supply container configured to store and release unused test elements;

a waste container configured to receive and store used test elements; and

a transfer element having a rounded surface defining an aperture configured to hold a test element, the transfer element having a work position in which the aperture is positioned between the supply container and the waste container, the transfer element being movable from the work position in a first direction to a receive position in which the aperture is aligned with the supply container, the transfer element being movable from the work position in a second direction to a dispense position in which the aperture is aligned with the waste container.

2. The transfer unit of claim 1, wherein the transfer unit is a component of an analysis apparatus.

3. The transfer unit of claim 1, wherein the supply container, the waste container and the transfer element comprise components of an exchangeable magazine.

4. The transfer unit of claim 1, wherein the supply container comprises a movable sleeve configured to enclose test elements in a stack formation.

5. The transfer unit of claim 1, wherein the waste container at an open end thereof comprises a stripper element configured for removing a used test element from the work position.

6. The transfer unit of claim 5, wherein the stripper element extends into a recess formed on the rounded surface of the transfer element.

7. The transfer unit of claim 1, wherein the transfer element is pivotable about a pivot axle and is held in the work position by a spring.

8. The transfer unit of claim 7, wherein the spring comprises a torsion spring which provides a first torque against the movement of the transfer element in the first direction and a second torque against the movement of the transfer element in the second direction.

9. The transfer unit of claim 1, further comprising shape-memory actuators which drive the transfer unit.

10. The transfer unit of claim 1, wherein the actuators open the supply container.

11. The transfer unit of claim 1, wherein the transfer element is automatically moved from the work position after a seal of the supply container has been removed from the rounded surface.

12. The transfer unit of claim 11, wherein the seal again contacts the rounded surface when the transfer element returns to the work position.

13. The transfer unit of claim 1, wherein the transfer element is moved about a pivot axle by at least one of an electric motor, magnet, lever mechanism, or cam mechanism.

14. A transfer unit for use with an analysis apparatus, comprising:

a supply container configured to store and release unused test elements;

a waste container configured to receive and store used test elements;

a rotatable transfer element having a rounded surface defining at least one aperture that is configured to receive a test element; and

the transfer element having a work position in which the aperture is located between an opening of the supply container and an opening of the waste container, the transfer unit being rotatable from the work position in a first direction against a first torque to a receiving position in which the aperture is aligned with an opening of the supply container, the transfer unit being rotatable from the work position in a second direction against a second torque to a waste position in which the aperture is aligned with an opening of the waste container.

15. The transfer unit of claim 14, further comprising a first actuator wire connected to the transfer element and operable to rotate the transfer element from the work position to the position in which the aperture is aligned with the opening of the supply container.

16. The transfer unit of claim 15, further comprising a second actuator wire connected to the transfer element and operable to rotate the transfer element from the work position to the position in which the aperture is aligned with the opening of the waste container.

17. The transfer unit of claim 16, wherein the first and second actuator wires comprise shape-memory wires.

18. The transfer unit of claim 14, comprising a torsion spring which holds the transfer unit in the work position.

19. The transfer unit of claim 18, wherein the torsion spring supplies the first torque and the second torque.

20. The transfer unit of claim 14, wherein the supply container comprises a seal and a supply container spring which removably biases the seal against the rounded surface of the transfer unit.

21. The transfer unit of claim 20, further comprising a first lever connected to the supply container, actuation of the first lever moving the seal of the supply container away from the rounded surface of the transfer unit against the force of the supply container spring.

22. The transfer unit of claim 21, wherein the actuation of the first lever rotates the transfer element from the work position to the position in which the aperture is aligned with the opening of the supply container.

23. The transfer unit of claim 22, further comprising a first actuation wire connecting the first lever to the transfer element.

24. The transfer unit of claim 23, further comprising a second lever connected to the waste container, actuation of the second lever rotating the transfer element from the work position to the position in which the aperture is aligned with the opening of the waste container.

25. The transfer unit of claim 24, further comprising a second actuation wire connecting the second lever to the transfer element.

26. A method of transferring test elements from a supply container which contains unused test elements, to a work position in which a test element can be used, and then to a waste container in which used test elements are stored, the method comprising:

providing a rotatable transfer element having an aperture for receiving a test element;

rotating the transfer element from the work position in a first direction to align the aperture with an opening of the supply container;

transferring an unused test element from the supply container to the aperture;

returning the transfer element to the work position;

performing a test with the test element;

rotating the transfer element from the work position in a second direction to align the aperture with an opening of the waste container; and

transferring the used test element to the waste container.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the second direction is substantially opposite the first direction.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein the step of transferring an unused test element from the supply container to the aperture comprises rotating the transfer element against a first torsional force provided by a spring.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein the step of rotating the transfer element from the work position in a second direction to align the aperture with an opening of the waste container comprises rotating the transfer element against a second torsional force provided by the spring.

30. The method of claim 26, wherein the transfer unit is rotated by at least one of an electric motor, magnet, lever mechanism, or cam mechanism.

31. The method of claim 26, further comprising using at least one shape-memory actuator to rotate the transfer unit.

32. The method of claim 26, further comprising using a stripper element for the step of transferring the used test element to the waste container.

33. The method of claim 32, further comprising extending the stripper element into a recess formed on the rounded surface of the transfer element.

34. The method of claim 26, further comprising removing a seal of the supply container from contacting the transfer element before the step of rotating the transfer element from the work position in a first direction.

35. The method of claim 34, further comprising returning the seal to contact with the transfer unit when the transfer element is returned to the work position.