Methods and apparatus for analyzing an analysis fluid

• US 7,695,676 B2
• Filed: 08/11/2004
• Issued: 04/13/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hans Kloepfer
• Original Assignee: Hans Kloepfer
• Inventors: Hafellner, Reinhard, Kloepfer, Hans G., Kloepfer, Thomas P., Heim, Jason
• Primary Examiner(s): Griffin; Walter D
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mui; Christine T
• Application Number:
  US10/916,292
• Publication Number:
  US 20060034728A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,071 Days
• Field of Search: 422/58, 422/55, 422/68.1, 422/50, 435/4, 435/14, 600/367
• US Class Current: 422/547
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0406 specially shaped apparatus housings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0295 Strip shaped analyte sensors for apparatus classified in A61B5/145 or A61B5/157
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement

Abstract

A meter and test wand system is capable of cooperatively processing an analysis fluid and communicating results to a user. The system includes a meter case including a case front, a case back, a case top, a case bottom, a first case side member, and a second case side member. The first and second case side members connect the case front to case back. The first case side member has a longitudinal dimension between said case top and said case bottom and a latitudinal dimension between said case front and said case back. The first case side member includes a first case ridge; A test wand is capable of receiving an analysis fluid, and includes a cartridge including a cartridge ridge. The cartridge ridge is sized and shaped to matingly engage with said first case ridge to connect said test wand to said meter case.

Claims

1. A test wand for use with a meter having a test wand opening including a side wall to process an analysis fluid, said test wand comprising:

a test strip having a proximal end and a distal end, said test strip containing a reagent and comprising a first layer having a first arm;

said test strip being capable of receiving the analysis fluid at the distal end; and

a test strip holder having a proximal end and a distal end;

said test strip holder comprising a base and a slot, such that when said test strip is inserted in said test strip holder, said arm of said first layer extends through said slot of said test strip holder;

said test strip holder being sized and shaped to be inserted in the test wand opening, wherein, as said test wand is inserted into the test wand opening, the side wall of the test wand opening engages said first arm of said first layer, pulling said first arm and said first layer of said test strip in the proximal direction, causing said analysis fluid to flow in the proximal direction to expose a portion of said reagent on said first layer that has reacted with the analysis fluid, wherein said test strip holder further comprises a sample application pad and a wiper, said sample application pad being located on the distal side of said wiper;

wherein, as said test wand is inserted into the test wand opening, the side wall of the test wand opening engages said first arm of said first layer, pulling said first arm and said first layer in the proximal direction, causing first layer to pass over said wiper of said test strip holder, wiping said analysis fluid from said first layer to expose a portion of said reagent that has reacted with the analysis fluid.

2. The test wand of claim 1, wherein said test strip holder further comprises an optical path aperture, wherein, after said test wand is inserted in the test wand opening, the portion of said reagent above said optical path aperture has reacted with the analysis fluid.

3. The test wand of claim 1, wherein said test strip holder further comprises a protrusion, wherein, when said test strip is inserted in said test strip holder, said protrusion exerts a force on said test strip causing said test strip to push against said wiper.