Cartridge for properly receiving test elements

• US 4,948,737 A
• Filed: 01/05/1989
• Issued: 08/14/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Clinical Diagnostic Systems Inc.
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: Spath, Mark J., Quenin, John A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Warden, Robert J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Griffith, Jr., D. John
• Application Number:
  US07/293,716
• Time in Patent Office: 586 Days
• Field of Search: 422/63, 422/64, 422/104, 436/46, 353/111, 353/112, 353/114, 353/116, 353/DIG. 1, 414/795.3
• US Class Current: 436/46
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00089 Magazines
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00138 Slides
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00029 provided with flat sample substrates, e.g. slides G01N35/028 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/112499 with sample on test slide

Abstract

There is described a cartridge for receiving test elements sensitive to improper orientation. A key and keyway are provided on the inside surface of a wall of the cartridge and on the test element in an asymmetric disposition, so that test elements can be inserted only with a proper orientation.

Claims

1. A method of properly orienting in a cartridge a stack of one or more test elements some of which can include locations for deposition of liquid that are asymmetrically located, the cartridge including wall means for confining the stack, and two generally opposite openings in opposite ones of said wall means, one of said openings being shaped to allow test elements to be inserted into and removed from the stack, the other being shaped to receive pusher means for pushing a test element out of the stack and cartridge;

the method comprising the steps of;

(a) providing on said test elements in an asymmetric location a keyway or key,

(b) providing on one of said wall means other than the one having said one opening, a corresponding key or keyway, respectively, shaped and located to mate with the keyway or key of the test element, and

(c) loading the test elements into the cartridge through said one opening one at a time so that the keyway or key of the test element aligns and mates with the key or keyway of said cartridge, respectively.

2. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said loading step includes the step of inserting each following test element under the preceding test element to create a stack of test elements having the most recent member of the elements at the bottom.