Storage system for test elements

• US 5,863,800 A
• Filed: 09/22/1997
• Issued: 01/26/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Roche Diagnostics GmbH (Roche Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Boehringer Mannheim GmbH (Roche Holding AG)
• Inventors: Schreiber, Joerg, Eikmeier, Heino, Schmid, Wilfried, Sacherer, Klaus-Dieter, Kuhr, Hans-Juergen
• Primary Examiner(s): BHAT, NINA NMN
• Application Number:
  US08/934,779
• Time in Patent Office: 491 Days
• Field of Search: 436/43, 436/47, 436/48, 422/63, 422/64, 422/67, 422/104
• US Class Current: 436/48
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0825 Test strips
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 9/52 Supports specially adapted for flat sample carriers, e.g. for plates, slides, chips
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00039 Transport arrangements specific to flat sample substrates, e.g. pusher blade
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00089 Magazines
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00277 Special precautions to avoid contamination (e.g. enclosures, glove- boxes, sealed sample carriers, disposal of contaminated material)
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00782 reprogrammmable code
• 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 33/48778 Containers specially adapted therefor, e.g. for dry storage
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00029 provided with flat sample substrates, e.g. slides G01N35/028 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00732 Identification of carriers, materials or components in automatic analysers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 435/808 Optical sensing apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 436/805 Optical property
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 436/808 Automated or kit
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/11 Automated chemical analysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/112499 with sample on test slide
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/114165 with step of insertion or removal from test line

Abstract

A systems for test elements used for clinical chemical analyses has several test elements, each of which is individually sealed to be impermeable to water vapor. The method provides for the removal of test elements and protects the test elements contained in it against effects from the outside.

Claims

1. A process for providing a test element which has not been exposed to deleterious amounts of water vapor, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a storage container including water vapor impermeable chambers, each chamber having a first opening sealed by a first water vapor impermeable sealing foil, a second opening sealed by a second water vapor impermeable sealing foil and a test element located in said chamber;

piercing said first sealing foil;

moving said test element toward said second sealing foil; and

piercing said second sealing foil with the test element.

2. A process according to claim 1, further comprising the step of pushing the test element from the chamber directly into an instrument for analyzing sample liquids.

3. A process according to claim 1, further comprising the step of providing said storage container as a longitudinal cylinder.

4. A process according to claim 1, further comprising the step of forming an acute angle between an edge of said test element and said second sealing foil.

5. A process according to claim 4, further comprising the step of forming said acute angle as an angle between 5°

and 45°

.

6. A process according to claim 1, further comprising the step of providing a ram for piercing said first sealing foil.

7. A process according to claim 6, further comprising the step of using said ram for moving said test element toward said second sealing foil, for causing said test element to pierce said second sealing foil and for pushing said test element out of said chamber.

8. A process according to claim 7, further comprising the step of providing said ram with a cover having guiding pins for guiding said ram.

9. A process according to claim 6, further comprising the step of providing said ram with a cover having guiding pins for guiding said ram.