Rapid diagnosis device with locking by test strip

• US 7,767,144 B2
• Filed: 12/03/2004
• Issued: 08/03/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations Incorporated (Roche Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations Incorporated (Roche Holding AG)
• Inventors: Riebel, Stefan, Stohar, Rainer, Augstein, Manfred
• Primary Examiner(s): SIEFKE, SAMUEL P
• Application Number:
  US11/003,162
• Publication Number:
  US 20050129574A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,069 Days
• Field of Search: 422/58, 422/99, 422/102
• US Class Current: 422/400
• 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

Abstract

The invention relates to a rapid diagnosis device with a device housing, on which there is provided a push-in opening for a test strip. The test strip is evaluated inside the rapid diagnosis device. On the device housing there is formed a housing opening, which can be closed by a cover or flap element. The cover or flap element is assigned a locking body. The locking body is formed as a spring element which comprises a clip portion, which assumes a position locking the spring element when the test strip has been pushed into the push-in opening of the rapid diagnosis device.

Claims

1. A rapid diagnosis device for a test strip comprising:

a cover or flap element comprising an underside with clip-in locations;

a device housing comprising a push-in opening which receives the test strip such that the test strip is evaluated inside the rapid diagnosis device, and a housing opening which is reversibly closable by the cover or flap element; and

a locking body formed as a spring element comprising laterally deflectable spring legs and a spring tongue resiliently arranged between the spring legs, the spring tongue comprising a clip portion positionable in a first and second position,

wherein in the first position, the clip portion allows lateral deflection of the spring legs and reversible engagement of the locking body with the clip-in locations of the cover or flap element, and

wherein in the second position, the clip portion blocks lateral deflection of the spring legs and disengagement of the clip-in locations by the locking body, the clip portion so positioned by the test strip when received through the push-in opening.

2. The rapid diagnosis device of claim 1, wherein the spring tongue is formed with a crank.

3. The rapid diagnosis device of claim 1, wherein bearing webs run on a side of the spring tongue facing the test strip.

4. The rapid diagnosis device of claim 1, wherein stops lying opposite side faces of the clip portion are formed on the spring legs.

5. The rapid diagnosis devise of claim 4, wherein the clip portion is positioned between the stops when the test strip is received through the push-in opening thereby blocking deflection of the stops in the lateral direction and preventing unlocking of the cover or flap element.

6. The rapid diagnosis device of claim 4, wherein the clip portion is positioned to permit a deflection of the stops and unlocking of the cover or flap element when the test strip is not received through the push-in opening.

7. The rapid diagnosis device of claim 1, wherein pegs which can be inserted into the clip-in locations on the cover or flap element are arranged on the spring legs.

8. The rapid diagnosis device of claim 4, wherein the stops on the spring legs are formed with a projection.

9. The rapid diagnosis device of claim 7, wherein the pegs are positioned offset with respect to one another on the spring legs.

10. The rapid diagnosis device of claim 8, wherein the stops are positioned offset with respect to one another on the spring legs.

11. The rapid diagnosis device of claim 1, wherein the locking body is seated on the underside of the cover or flap element.

12. The rapid diagnosis device of claim 1, wherein the locking body is seated within the device housing.