Blood test apparatus and blood test method

• US 8,221,335 B2
• Filed: 06/29/2011
• Issued: 07/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PHC Holdings Corporation
• Original Assignee: Panasonic Corporation (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Amano, Yoshinori, Fujiwara, Masaki
• Primary Examiner(s): Bullock, In Suk
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wecker, Jennifer
• Application Number:
  US13/171,694
• Publication Number:
  US 20110257498A1
• Time in Patent Office: 384 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 600/583
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0295 Strip shaped analyte sensors for apparatus classified in A61B5/145 or A61B5/157 disposable multilayered or laminated electrodes G01N27/307; details of handling chemical test elements G01N33/4875
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14535 for measuring haematocrit
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1486 using enzyme electrodes, e.g. with immobilised oxidase
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150022 for capillary blood or interstitial fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150099 by negative pressure, other than vacuum extraction into a syringe by pulling on the piston rod or into pre-evacuated tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150213 Venting means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150358 Strips for collecting blood, e.g. absorbent optical reagent test strips G01N21/8483; chemical reagent test strips G01N33/4875, G01N33/52
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150412 Pointed piercing elements, e.g. needles, lancets for piercing the skin blade-like piercing elements A61B5/150442
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150519 Details of construction of hub, i.e. element used to attach the single-ended needle to a piercing device or sampling device
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150595 by snap-lock (i.e. based on axial displacement)
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150641 comprising means to impede repositioning of protection sleeve from covering to uncovering position
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150702 fully automatically removed, i.e. the removing does not require any action by the user
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150755 Blood sample preparation for further analysis, e.g. by separating blood components or by mixing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/15087 short range, e.g. between console and disposable using implanted devices A61B5/150877
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150954 Means for the detection of operative contact with patient, e.g. by temperature sensitive sensor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/15109 Fully automatically triggered, i.e. the triggering does not require a deliberate action by the user, e.g. by contact with the patient's skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/15113 Manually triggered, i.e. the triggering requires a deliberate action by the user such as pressing a drive button
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/15117 comprising biased elements, resilient elements or a spring, e.g. a helical spring, leaf spring, or elastic strap
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1513 comprising linear sliding guides comprising tooth-shaped elements A61B5/15132
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1519 : comprising driving means, e.g. a spring, for propelling the piercing unit
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/157 : Devices characterised by integrated means for measuring characteristics of blood

Abstract

A blood test apparatus has a housing with an opening, and a plunger that moves back and forth inside the housing, the plunger having a projecting member. A fixing member fixes the plunger, which is provided in the housing. A blood sampling cartridge, in which a blood sensor, a puncturer, and a holder that holds the blood sensor and the puncturer, are integrated. The blood sampling cartridge is removably attached to the opening. The puncturer includes a lancet, one end of which is held by the plunger, and a blood collection needle attached to an other end of the lancet. A measuring circuit measures a signal obtained from the blood sensor to analyze components in the blood.

Claims

1. A blood test apparatus comprising:

a housing with an opening;

a plunger that moves back and forth inside the housing, the plunger having a projecting member;

a fixing member configured to fix a position of the plunger, the fixing member being provided in the housing;

a blood sampling cartridge, in which a blood sensor, a puncturer, and a holder that holds the blood sensor and the puncturer, are integrated, the blood sampling cartridge being removably attached to the opening, the puncturer including a lancet, one end of the lancet being held by the plunger, and a blood collection needle attached to an other end of the lancet;

a measuring circuit that measures a signal obtained from the blood sensor to analyze components in the blood; and

a slider provided in the housing, which is slidable in the housing and is urged toward the opening,

wherein, when the blood sampling cartridge is attached to the opening of the housing, the projecting member of the plunger is engaged with the fixing member, such that the plunger is fixedly positioned by the fixing member,

the blood sampling cartridge includes a fixing claw in the holder of the blood sampling cartridge, the fixing claw fixing a position of the lancet before the blood sampling cartridge is attached to the opening, and

the fixing claw is pressed by the slider to release the lancet from the fixing claw, when the blood sampling cartridge is attached to the opening.

2. The blood test apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a button provided on an outer surface of the housing, and

when the button is pressed, the plunger is fixed with the fixing member.

3. The blood test apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

a holding member is provided in the plunger, and a grip is provided at the one end of the lancet, and

when the blood sampling cartridge is attached to the opening of the housing, the holding member holds the grip.

4. The blood test apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when the blood sampling cartridge is attached to the opening, the puncturer and the blood sensor are movable relative to each other.

5. The blood test apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein the slider is urged toward the opening by a pressing spring.

6. The blood test apparatus according to claim 5, wherein:

when the blood sampling cartridge is attached to the opening, the lancet is driven by the plunger, and

when the blood sampling cartridge is attached to the opening, the blood sensor and the holder interlock with the slider and move in and out of the housing through the opening.

7. The blood test apparatus according to claim 1 wherein:

when the blood sampling cartridge is attached to the opening of the housing, an end of the slider presses the fixing claw, such that the fixing claw releases the lancet.

8. The blood test apparatus according to claim 1 wherein:

when the blood sampling cartridge is attached to the opening of the housing, an end of the slider presses the fixing claw to allow the fixing claw to rotate, such that the fixing claw releases the lancet.