Connector configuration for electrochemical cells and meters for use in combination therewith

• US 7,527,716 B2
• Filed: 05/21/2005
• Issued: 05/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Agamatrix Incorporated (AgaMatrix Holdings LLC d/b/a WaveForm Diabetes)
• Original Assignee: Agamatrix Incorporated (AgaMatrix Holdings LLC d/b/a WaveForm Diabetes)
• Inventors: Harding, Ian
• Primary Examiner(s): Olsen; Kaj K
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dinh; Bach T
• Application Number:
  US10/908,662
• Publication Number:
  US 20050258050A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,445 Days
• Field of Search: 204400-435, 2057775-778
• US Class Current: 204/403.02
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/004 mediator-assisted
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/30 Electrodes, e.g. test electrodes; Half-cells G01N27/414 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/3272 Test elements therefor, i.e. disposable laminated substrates with electrodes, reagent and channels optical biosensors G01N33/52
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/403 Cells and electrode assemblies
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1052 with cutting, punching, tearing or severing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1062 Prior to assembly
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1074 Separate cutting of separate sheets or webs
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 Electrical device making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49114 including adhesively bonding
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing

Abstract

A substantially planar electrochemical test strip for determination of the presence and/or quantity of an analyte in a sample is provided that has a first electrode, a first connector including two contact pads, and a first conductive lead extending between the first electrode and the first connector to establish a path for conduction of an electrical signal between the first electrode and the first connector; a second electrode, a second connector including one or more contact pads, and a second conductive lead extending between the second electrode and the second connector to establish a path for conduction of an electrical signal between the second electrode and the second connector, and a sample chamber for receiving a sample. The first and second electrode are disposed to contact a sample within the sample chamber such that an electrochemical signal is generated. The contact pad or pads of the second connector are between the contact pads of the first connector when viewed in the plane of the test strip. A meter having contacts for use with the electrochemical test strip, and a combination of a meter and an electrochemical test strip are also provided.

Claims

1. An electrochemical test strip for determination of the presence and/or quantity of an analyte in a sample, comprising:

(a) a first electrode, a first connector comprising two contact pads that are not in direct electrical contact with one another, and a first conductive lead extending between the first electrode and the first connector to establish a path for conduction of an electrical signal between the first electrode and the first connector,

(b) a second electrode, a second connector comprising one or more contact pads, and a second conductive lead extending between the second electrode and the second connector to establish a path for conduction of an electrical signal between the second electrode and the second connector, and

(c) a sample chamber for receiving a sample, said first and second electrode being disposed to contact a sample within the sample chamber whereby an electrochemical signal is generated,

wherein the test strip is a substantially planar electrochemical test strip, the first and second connectors extend from a common edge of the electrochemical test strip and have open space therebetween, and wherein the contact pad or pads of the second connector are between the contact pads of the first connector when viewed in the plane of the test strip.

2. The test strip of claim 1, wherein the test strip has a first major surface and an opposing second major surface, and wherein the contact pads of the first connector are exposed on the first major surface, and the contact pad or pads of the second connector are exposed on the second major surface.

3. The test strip of claim 2, wherein the second connector comprises two contact pads disposed side-by-side in the plane of the test strip, said two contacts pads not being in direct electrical contact with one another.

4. The test strip of claim 1, wherein the second connector comprises two contact pads disposed side-by-side in the plane of the test strip, said two contacts pads not being in direct electrical contact with one another.

5. The test strip of claim 1, wherein the test strip has a first major surface and an opposing second major surface, and wherein the contact pads of the first connector are exposed on the first major surface and on the second major surface, and the contact pad or pads of the second connector are exposed on the first major surface and the second major surface.

6. The test strip of claim 5, wherein the second connector comprises two contact pads disposed side-by-side in the plane of the test strip, said two contact pads not being in direct electrical contact with one another.

7. The test strip according to claim 1, wherein the contact pads of the first connector are separated by a non-conductive separation, and this non-conductive separation is extended through a portion of the lead of the first connector.

8. The test strip according to claim 7, wherein the second connector has two contact pads separated by a non-conductive separation, and this non-conductive separation is extended through a portion of the lead connector.

9. The test strip according to claim 1, wherein the second connector has two contact pads separated by a non-conductive separation, and this non-conductive separation is extended through a portion of the lead connector.

10. The test strip of claim 1, further comprising a reagent for detection of an analyte disposed within the sample chamber.

11. The test strip of claim 10, wherein the reagent comprises an enzyme effective to oxidize glucose and a redox mediator.

12. A meter for receiving a substantially planar electrochemical test strip for determination of an analyte in a sample, comprising

(a) a slot for receiving the test strip, wherein the slot contains meter contacts for making electrical connection with a received test strip to connect the test strip to electronics of the meter, said contacts including a first set of electrode contacts disposed to make contact with two first electrode connectors comprising contact pads extending from opposite sides of a test strip end received in the slot, and a set of second electrode contacts disposed to make contact with a second electrode connector comprising a contact pad or pads centrally extending from the test strip end between the first electrode connectors comprising contact pads;

(b) electronics for processing a raw signal received via the meter contacts from the electrochemical test strip to produce a result for the determination of the analyte; and

(c) means for communicating the result to a user, wherein the slot contains

a top set of first electrode contacts and a bottom set of first electrode contacts, said top set of first electrode contacts and said bottom set of first electrode contacts having a space therebetween for receiving a test strip whereby the first electrode contact pads are in electrical contact with the top or bottom set of first electrode contacts and

a top set of second electrode contacts and a bottom set of second electrode contacts, said top set of second electrode contacts and said bottom set of second electrode contacts having a space therebetween for receiving a test strip whereby the second electrode contact pads are in electrical contact with the top or bottom set of first electrode contacts.

13. An analyte measuring system comprising

(a) a meter for receiving a substantially planar electrochemical test strip for determination of an analyte in a sample, comprising

a slot for receiving the test strip, wherein the slot contains meter contacts for making electrical connection with a received test strip to connect the test strip to electronics of the meter, said contacts including a first set of electrode contacts disposed to make contact with two first electrode contact pads disposed at opposite sides of a test strip end received in the slot, and a set of second electrode contacts disposed to make contact with a second electrode contact pad or pads centrally disposed between the first electrode contact pads;

electronics for processing a raw signal received via the meter contacts the from the electrochemical test strip to produce a result for the determination of the analyte; and

means for communicating the result to a user, wherein the slot contains

a top set of first electrode contacts and a bottom set of first electrode contacts, said top set of first electrode contacts and said bottom set of first electrode contacts having a space therebetween for receiving a test strip whereby the first electrode contact pads are in electrical contact with the top or bottom set of first electrode contacts and

a top set of second electrode contacts and a bottom set of second electrode contacts, said top set of second electrode contacts and said bottom set of second electrode contacts having a space therebetween for receiving a test strip whereby the second electrode contact pads are in electrical contact with the top or bottom set of first electrode contacts, and

(b) a substantially planar electrochemical test strip received within the slot, where in the test strip comprises;

a first electrode, a first connector comprising two contact pads, and a first conductive lead extending between the first electrode and the first connector to establish a path for conduction of an electrical signal between the first electrode and the first connector,

a second electrode, a second connector comprising one or more contact pads, and a second conductive lead extending between the second electrode and the second connector to establish a path for conduction of an electrical signal between the second electrode and the second connector, and

a sample chamber for receiving a sample, said first and second electrode being disposed to contact a sample within the sample chamber whereby an electrochemical signal is generated, wherein the first and second connectors extend from a common edge of the electrochemical test strip and have open space therebetween, and wherein the contact pad or pads of the second connector are between the contact pads of the first connector when viewed in the plane of the test strip.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the test strip has a first major surface and an opposing second major surface, and wherein the contact pads of the first connector are exposed on the first major surface, and the contact pad or pads of the second connector are exposed on the second major surface.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the second connector comprises two contact pads disposed side-by-side in the plane of the test strip, said two contacts pads not being in direct electrical contact with one another.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the second connector comprises two contact pads disposed side-by-side in the plane of the test strip, said two contacts pads not being in direct electrical contact with one another.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the test strip has a first major surface and an opposing second major surface, and wherein the contact pads of the first connector are exposed on the first major surface and on the second major surface, and the contact pad or pads of the second connector are exposed on the first major surface and the second major surface.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein the second connector comprises two contact pads disposed side-by-side in the plane of the test strip, said two contacts pads not being in direct electrical contact with one another.

19. The system of claim 13, wherein the contact pads of the first connector are separated by a non-conductive separation, and this non-conductive separation is extended through a portion of the lead connector.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the second connector has two contact pads separated by a non-conductive separation, and this non-conductive separation is extended through a portion of the lead connector.

21. The system of claim 13, wherein the second connector has two contact pads separated by a separation, and this separation is extended through a portion of the lead connector.

22. The system of claim 13, further comprising a reagent for detection of an analyte disposed within the sample chamber.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the reagent comprises an enzyme effective to oxidize glucose and a redox mediator, and the meter displays a measurement of glucose concentration.