Analytical system for sample liquids

• US 6,176,119 B1
• Filed: 12/11/1998
• Issued: 01/23/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Roche Diagnostics GmbH (Roche Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Roche Diagnostics GmbH (Roche Holding AG)
• Inventors: Kintzig, Hans
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Hezron
• Assistant Examiner(s): WIGGINS, JOHN DAVID
• Application Number:
  US09/210,329
• Time in Patent Office: 774 Days
• Field of Search: 73/530.1, 73/530.4, 73/530.6, 73/540.7, 73/542.1, 738/656, 738/661, 73/645.6, 422/63-65, 422/57-58
• US Class Current: 73/53.01
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00089 Magazines
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/4875 Details of handling test elements, e.g. dispensing or storage, not specific to a particular test method test-elements per se B01L, automatic analysers G01N35/00, in-vivo analysis on the human body for medical diagnosis A61B
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00029 provided with flat sample substrates, e.g. slides G01N35/028 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 206/817 Follower

Abstract

The invention concerns a system for the analysis of sample liquids, comprising:

a) test elements comprising an edge profile;

b) a moisture-impermeable, tightly sealable storage container for at least two test elements comprising a guide element, a spacer between the guide element and the first test element to be withdrawn, and a transport device for test elements; and

c) a measuring instrument that is independent of a power supply network and can be held with one hand, the instrument comprising a guide groove for test elements, an opposing guide groove for the guide element of the storage container, and a holding device for test elements.

The invention also concerns a method for the determination of an analyte in a sample liquid with the aid of a measuring instrument, comprising:

a) removing a test element from an open storage container with the aid of the measuring instrument;

b) contacting a sample application zone of the test element located in the instrument with a sample liquid which is automatically transported into a detection zone so that the sample liquid there reacts characteristically and detectably with the components of the test zone;

c) detecting and displaying the reaction result with the aid of the measuring instrument; and

d) removing the used test element from the measuring instrument after the analysis.

Claims

1. A system for the analysis of sample liquids, comprising:

a) test elements comprising an edge profile;

b) a moisture-impermeable, tightly sealable storage container for at least two test elements comprising a guide element, a spacer between the guide element and the first test element to be withdrawn from said storage container, and a transport device for transporting test elements; and

c) a measuring instrument that is independent of a power supply network and can be held with one hand, the instrument comprising a guide groove for test elements, an opposing guide groove for the guide element of the storage container, and a holding device for test elements.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the measuring instrument comprises an ejection device for test elements.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the guide element of the storage container comprises a coding.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the measuring instrument comprises a device for automatically registering the coding that is located on or in the guide element of the storage container.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the test elements comprise a means to transport the sample from a sample application site to a sample detection site.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the transport means comprises a capillary active channel.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the test elements comprise a recess so that they can be easily held in the measuring instrument.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the storage container comprises a spring mechanism for use as a transport device for test elements.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the storage container comprises a removable bottom.

10. The system of claim 3, wherein the guide element of the storage container comprises a bar code or a ROM component as the coding.

11. The system of claim 4, wherein the guide element of the storage container comprises a bar code or a ROM component as the coding.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the holding device of the measuring instrument comprises a locking mechanism.

13. The system of claim 4, wherein the device for automatically registering the coding comprises a bar code or ROM reading device.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the guide groove for test elements and the guide groove for the guide element of the storage container have different dimensions in the measuring instrument.

15. A method for the determination of an analyte in a sample liquid with the aid of a measuring instrument, comprising:

a) removing a test element from an open storage container with the aid of the measuring instrument;

b) contacting a sample application zone of the test element located in the instrument with a sample liquid which is automatically transported into a detection zone so that the sample liquid there reacts characteristically and detectably with at least one reagent component of the detection zone, therby producing a reaction result;

c) detecting and displaying the reaction result with the aid of the measuring instrument; and

d) removing the test element from the measuring instrument after the analysis.