TEST STRIP WITH IDENTIFICATION OPENINGS AND TEST INSTRUMENT USING THE SAME

• US 20100015006A1
• Filed: 07/16/2008
• Published: 01/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Hmd Biomedical Inc.
• Original Assignee: Hmd Biomedical Inc.
• Inventors: HSU, Tien-Tsai
• Application Number:
  US12/174,475
• Publication Number:
  US 20100015006A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/55
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0223 of calibration, e.g. protocols for calibrating sensors
• 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 2562/08 Sensors provided with means for identification, e.g. barcodes or memory chips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14546 for measuring analytes not otherwise provided for, e.g. ions, cytochromes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1455 using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1468 using chemical or electrochemical methods, e.g. by polarographic means A61B5/1486 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150022 for capillary blood or interstitial fluid
• 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 5/150763 with identification means identification means for surgical instruments A61B90/90
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/157 Devices characterised by integrated means for measuring characteristics of blood
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/78 producing a change of colour
• 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: G01N 33/48771 Coding of information, e.g. calibration data, lot number

Abstract

The present invention discloses a test strip with identification openings and a test instrument using the same, which are characterized in that the test strip incorporates an identification area. Different combinations of the notched and unnotched positions, or the holed and unholed positions, on the identification area create different digital identification signals. After the test strip is inserted into the test instrument, the test instrument will obtain the digital identification signal and learn the test code, analysis parameters, expiry date and batch number of the test strip. Thereby, the test instrument can verify the batch number and expiry date of the test strip, perform calibration according to the analysis parameters, and provide a correct test result. The present invention can provide many sets of digital identification signals to differentiate test strips. Therefore, the present invention can be operated fast, conveniently and correctly and can prevent a user from forgetting to calibrate the test instrument.

Claims

1. A test strip with identification openings comprising:

a substrate;

a test area formed on said substrate; and

an identification area formed on said substrate and having at least one identification opening to create a digital identification signal.

2. The test strip with identification openings according to claim 1, wherein said test area is an electrochemical test area or an optical test area.

3. The test strip with identification openings according to claim 1 further comprising a casing encasing said substrate thereinside.

4. The test strip with identification openings according to claim 3, wherein said test area is a color reaction/colorimetric area.

5. The test strip with identification openings according to claim 1, wherein said digital identification signal represents a test code, analysis parameters, an expiry date or a batch number.

6. The test strip with identification openings according to claim 1, wherein said identification opening is formed on said substrate with a punching method or a cutting method.

7. The test strip with identification openings according to claim 1, wherein said identification opening is a hole or a notch.

8. The test strip with identification openings according to claim 2 further comprising a resistance identification area, wherein said resistance identification area has at least one resistor element coupled to an electrode area to generate an analog identification signal, and wherein if said test area is said electrochemical test area, said electrode area has a working electrode and a counter electrode, and said working electrode and said counter electrode are coupled to said electrochemical test area and said resistor element.

9. The test strip with identification openings according to claim 2 further comprising a resistance identification area, wherein said resistance identification area has at least one resistor element coupled to an electrode area to generate an analog identification signal, and wherein if said test area is said optical test area, said electrode area has a ground electrode and a power signal cable, and said ground electrode and said power signal cable are coupled to said resistor element.

10. The test strip with identification openings according to claim 4 further comprising a resistance identification area, wherein said resistance identification area has at least one resistor element coupled to an electrode area to generate an analog identification signal, and said electrode area has a ground electrode and a power signal cable, and said ground electrode and said power signal cable are coupled to said resistor element.

11. A test strip with identification openings comprising:

a substrate;

a test area formed on said substrate;

a casing encapsulating said substrate; and

an identification area formed on said casing and having at least one identification opening to create a digital identification signal.

12. The test strip with identification openings according to claim 11, wherein said test area is an electrochemical test area, an optical test area or a color reaction/colorimetric area.

13. The test strip with identification openings according to claim 11, wherein said digital identification signal represents a test code, analysis parameters, an expiry date or a batch number.

14. The test strip with identification openings according to claim 11, wherein said identification opening is formed on said casing with a punching method or a cutting method.

15. The test strip with identification openings according to claim 11, wherein said identification opening is a hole or a notch.

16. A test instrument, cooperating with a test strip to perform a test, and comprising a test port and a detector arranged inside said test port, wherein an identification area of a test strip inserted into said test port is at a position corresponding to said detector, and said detector generates a digital identification signal according to a combination of open states and close states of identification openings on said identification area.

17. The test instrument according to claim 16, wherein said detector is an electronic crosspoint connector or an optoelectronic connector.