Body fluid testing device

• US 7,582,258 B2
• Filed: 06/23/2005
• Issued: 09/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Roche Diabetes Care Inc. (Roche Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations Incorporated (Roche Holding AG)
• Inventors: Zimmer, Volker, Schrem, Hugo, Ruhl, Werner, Zimmer, legal representative
• Primary Examiner(s): Warden; Jill
• Assistant Examiner(s): JARRETT, LORE RAMILLANO
• Application Number:
  US11/165,115
• Publication Number:
  US 20050232815A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,531 Days
• Field of Search: 422/66, 422/310, 422/67, 600/584, 206/53, 242/381.2, 337/60
• US Class Current: 422/66
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00089 Magazines
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/48764 Test tape taken off a spool
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00009 provided with a sample supporting tape, e.g. with absorbent zones
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00029 provided with flat sample substrates, e.g. slides G01N35/028 takes precedence

Abstract

Body fluid testing device for analyzing a body fluid comprises a test media tape adapted to collect the body fluid. The test media tape comprises a tape and test media portions. A free tape portion without test medium is located between successive test media portions. The testing device further comprises a supply portion. The supply portion comprises a housing in which uncontaminated test media tape is contained. The housing further has an opening for withdrawing test media tape from the housing. The testing device further has a sealing means for closing the opening against the surrounding. A free tape portion of the test media tape is located between a wall of the housing and the sealing means when the sealing means closes the opening. Further aspects concern a test media cassette with sealing means and a method for providing test media while holding them sealed against humidity during onboard storage.

Claims

1. A body fluid testing device for analyzing a body fluid, comprising:

a test media tape adapted to collect the body fluid, said test media tape comprising a tape and test media portions, wherein a free tape portion without test medium is located between successive test media portions, said testing device further comprising a supply portion, wherein said supply portion comprises a housing in which uncontaminated test media tape is contained, said housing further having an opening for withdrawing test media tape from the housing, said supply portion further having a sealing means for closing said opening against the surrounding, wherein a free tape portion of said test media tape is located between a surface of the housing and the sealing means when said sealing means closes said opening, wherein the sealing means includes a deformable gasket, wherein said deformable gasket has a first and a second lip of sealing material, wherein said first lip is inclined apart from said opening and said second lip is inclined towards said opening, and wherein said sealing means has a lever for opening the sealing of the housing, the lever being actuated by tension applied to the test media tape.

2. A body fluid testing device according to claim 1, wherein said tape in said free tape portion has a thickness of less than 100 micrometers.

3. A body fluid testing device according to claim 1, wherein the gasket has a shore hardness of less than 70.

4. A body fluid testing device according to claim 1, wherein said housing has an internal channel which is the sole air connection between a storage portion of said housing and the surrounding and said test media tape runs through said channel when leaving the housing via the opening of the housing.

5. A body fluid testing device according to claim 4, wherein the length of said channel is equal or shorter than the length of a free tape portion between successive test media.

6. A body fluid testing device according to claim 1, wherein said supply portion is a removable cassette.

7. The device of claim 1 further comprising a sensor for sensing a change of a test medium induced by reaction with said body fluid.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the sealing means can assume a first position in which the sealing means closes the opening of the container and a second position in which the opening is opened so that test media tape can be withdrawn out of the housing.

9. Body fluid testing device according to claim 1, wherein the sealing means is a form fitting sealing means.

10. A body fluid testing device for analyzing a body fluid, comprising:

a test media tape adapted to collect the body fluid,

said test media tape comprising a tape and test media portions, wherein a free tape portion without test medium is located between successive test media portions,

said testing device further comprising a supply portion,

wherein said supply portion comprises a housing in which uncontaminated test media tape is contained, said housing further having an opening for withdrawing test media tape from the housing,

said supply portion further having a sealing means for closing said opening against the surrounding, wherein a free tape portion of said test media tape is located between a surface of the housing and the sealing means when said sealing means closes said opening, and

wherein said sealing means is a hydraulic sealing means, a pouch filled with fluid positioned to seal against the test media tape when pressurized.

11. The device of claim 10, in which the hydraulic sealing means includes:

a stamp configured to press against the pouch to pressurize the pouch.