Test element analysis system

• US 6,880,968 B1
• Filed: 10/26/2000
• Issued: 04/19/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Roche Diagnostics GmbH (Roche Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Roche Diagnostics GmbH (Roche Holding AG)
• Inventors: Haar, Hans-Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): VERBITSKY, GAIL KAPLAN
• Application Number:
  US10/111,626
• Time in Patent Office: 1,636 Days
• Field of Search: 374/121, 374/123, 374/128, 374/132, 374/135, 374141-142, 374/120, 374/163, 374/165, 374/208, 600/316, 600/473, 600/474, 600/547, 600/549, 600309-310, 600/347, 600/368, 436/147
• US Class Current: 374/131
• 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 2201/1211 for temperature
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/48785 Electrical and electronic details of measuring devices for physical analysis of liquid biological material not specific to a particular test method, e.g. user interface or power supply

Abstract

Test element analysis system (1) for the analytical investigation of a sample (8), in particular of a body liquid, of human beings or of animals, comprising test elements (3) with a test zone (7), to be brought in contact with the sample to be investigated for the purpose of performing an analysis, in order to measure a measurement quantity characteristic for the analysis, and an evaluation instrument (2) with a test element holder (5) for positioning a test element (3) in a measuring position in order to perform a measurement, and a measurement and evaluation electronics (15) for measuring the characteristic change and for determining a result of the analysis, based on the result of the measurement.

In order to provide increased measuring accuracy by improved temperature compensation, it is proposed, in the scope of the invention, that the evaluation instrument (2) for the determination of the temperature prevailing in the test zone (7) of the test element (3) comprises an infrared detector (20).

Claims

1. Test element analysis system for the analytical investigation of an analyte present in a body liquid of humans or animals, comprising

at least one test element with a test zone, which is contacted with a sample to be analyzed in order to measure a measurement quantity which is characteristic for the analysis, and

an evaluation instrument with a test element holder for positioning at least one test element in a measuring position in order to perform a measurement, an analyte measurement and evaluation electronics for measuring the characteristic change and for determining, based on this measurement, a result of the analysis, and an infrared detector adapted for the determination of the temperature in the test zone,

characterized in that the evaluation instrument comprises an infrared radiation transport device for providing a location-selective connection of the test zone with the infrared detector.

2. Analysis system according to claim 1, characterized in that the infrared detector is integrated into the measuring and evaluation electronics.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein a rigid mechanic connection is provided the infrared detector and the measuring and evaluation electronics.

4. Analysis system according to claim 1, characterized in that the infrared radiation transport device comprises a hollow conductor with an interior wall reflective for infrared radiation.

5. Analysis system according to claim 4, characterized in that the hollow conductor is made from metal-coated plastic.

6. Analysis system according to claim 4, characterized in that an input opening of the hollow conductor facing the test zone has a larger opening cross-section than an output opening of the hollow conductor facing the infrared detector.

7. Analysis system according to claim 1, characterized in that the location-selective infrared radiation transport device includes an imaging mirror located inside a housing of the evaluation instrument.

8. Analysis system according to claim 1, characterized in that

the test element, in the measuring position, sticks out of a housing of the evaluation instrument in such manner that the sample can be contacted to the test zone, while the test element is in the measuring position,

the detector is located in a housing of the evaluation instrument,

the housing of the evaluation instrument comprises a window which is transparent for infrared radiation, and

a transport path of the infrared radiation between the test zone and the infrared detector passes through the optical window.

9. Analysis system according to claim 8, characterized in that the optical window is dust-proof closed by means of a pane transparent to infrared radiation.

10. Analysis system according to claim 8, characterized in that the evaluation instrument comprises an infrared radiation transport device for providing a location-selective connection of the test zone with the infrared detector and the infrared transparent radiation pane of the optical window is combined with an optical lens forming a part of the infrared radiation transport device.

11. Analysis system according to claim 8, characterized in that the pane is a polyethylene foil.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein the measuring and evaluation electronics includes a circuit board and the infrared detector is mounted on the circuit board.

13. Test element analysis system for an analytical investigation of a sample, the system comprising

a test element with a test zone, which is contacted with the sample to be analyzed in order to measure a measurement quantity characteristic for the analysis, and

an evaluation instrument including a test element holder formed to position the test element in a measuring position to perform a measurement, an infrared detector to determine a temperature of the test zone, and a measurement and evaluation electronics formed to measure a characteristic change and to determine, based on this measurement, a result of the analysis, wherein the evaluation instrument comprises an infrared radiation transport device formed to provide a location-selective connection of the test zone with the infrared detector, and

wherein the infrared radiation transport device comprises a hollow conductor with an interior wall reflective for infrared radiation.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the infrared detector is integrated into the measuring and evaluation electronics.

15. The system of claim 13 wherein the hollow conductor is made from metal-coated plastic.

16. The system of claim 13 wherein an input opening of the hollow conductor facing the test zone has a larger opening cross-section than an output opening of the hollow conductor facing the infrared detector.

17. The system of claim 13 wherein the infrared radiation transport device includes an imaging mirror.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the imaging mirror is located inside the evaluation instrument.

19. The system of claim 13 wherein the test element, in the measuring position, sticks out of the evaluation instrument in such a manner that the sample can be contacted to the test zone, while the test element is in the measuring position.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein the infrared detector is located in a housing of the evaluation unit.

21. The system of claim 19 wherein a housing of the evaluation instrument comprises a window that is transparent for infrared radiation.

22. The system of claim 21 wherein a transport path of infrared radiation between the test zone and the infrared detector passes through the window.

23. The system of claim 21 wherein the evaluation instrument comprises the infrared radiation transport device for providing a location-selective connection of the test zone with the infrared detector and an infrared transparent radiation pane of the window is combined with an optical lens forming a part of the infrared radiation transport device.

24. The system of claim 21 wherein the window is closed by a polyethylene foil.

25. Test element analysis system for an analytical investigation of a sample, the system comprising

a test element with a test zone, which is contacted with the sample to be analyzed in order to measure a measurement quantity characteristic for the analysis, and

an evaluation instrument including a test element holder formed to position the test element in a measuring position to perform a measurement, an infrared detector to determine a temperature of the test zone, and a measurement and evaluation electronics formed to measure a characteristic change and to determine, based on this measurement, a result of the analysis,

wherein the test element, in the measuring position, sticks out of the evaluation instrument in such a manner that the sample can be contacted to the test zone, while the test element is in the measuring position, a housing of the evaluation instrument comprises a window that is transparent for infrared radiation, and the window is closed by pane transparent to infrared radiation, wherein a transport path of infrared radiation between the test zone and the infrared detector passes through the window.

26. Test element analysis system for the analytical investigation of a body liquid of humans or animals, comprising

at least one test element which contains at least one reagent, the reaction of which with the sample liquid leads to a detectable change of a measurement quantity which is characteristic of the analysis, the test element comprising a test zone, which is contacted with the sample to be analyzed in order to measure a measurement quantity which is characteristic for the analysis, and

an evaluation instrument with a test element holder for positioning at least one test element in a measuring position in order to perform a measurement, a measurement and evaluation electronics for measuring the characteristic change and for determining, based on this measurement, a result of the analysis, and an infrared detector adapted for the determination of the temperature in the test zone, characterized in that the evaluation instrument comprises an infrared radiation transport device for providing a location-selective connection of the test zone with the infrared detector.

27. Analysis system according to claim 26, characterized in that the infrared radiation transport device comprises a hollow conductor with an interior wall reflective for infrared radiation.

28. Analysis system according to claim 27, characterized in that the hollow conductor is made from metal-coated plastic.

29. Analysis system according to claim 27, characterized in that an input opening of the hollow conductor facing the test zone has a larger opening cross-section that an output opening of the hollow conductor facing the infrared detector.

30. Analysis system according to claim 26, characterized in that the location-selective infrared radiation transport device includes an imaging mirror located inside a housing of the evaluation instrument.