Test unit cartridge for analyte testing device

• US 8,333,717 B1
• Filed: 11/30/2011
• Issued: 12/18/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Yofimeter, LLC
• Original Assignee: Yofimeter, LLC
• Inventors: Shaanan, Gad, Goldman, Marc
• Primary Examiner(s): Towa, Rene
• Assistant Examiner(s): EISEMAN, ADAM JARED
• Application Number:
  US13/308,137
• Publication Number:
  US 20120329164A1
• Time in Patent Office: 384 Days
• Field of Search: 600/573, 600/575, 600/583, 600/585, 600/584, 606181-182
• US Class Current: 600/584
• 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 5/14546 for measuring analytes not otherwise provided for, e.g. ions, cytochromes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1468 using chemical or electrochemical methods, e.g. by polarographic means A61B5/1486 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150022 for capillary blood or interstitial fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150267 Modular design or construction, i.e. subunits are assembled separately before being joined together or the device comprises interchangeable or detachable modules
• 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 5/150503 Single-ended needles hollow piercing element tip design A61B5/150396, needle sets for catheters A61M25/06, needles for bringing media into the body A61M5/32
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150572 Pierceable protectors, e.g. shields, caps, sleeves or films, e.g. for hygienic purposes
• 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 5/15153 Multiple piercing elements stocked in a single compartment
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/15174 Piercing elements stocked in the form of a stack or pile
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/157 Devices characterised by integrated means for measuring characteristics of blood
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/48757 Test elements dispensed from a stack
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/144444 Glucose

Abstract

A test unit cartridge for holding a plurality of test units includes a first test unit that contains a first analyte sensor and a second test unit that contains a second analyte sensor. The first and second analyte sensors use first and second reagents to detect first and second analytes, respectively. The first analyte is different from the second analyte and the first and second test units are functionally non-fungible. The plurality of test units can also include a third test unit that contains two analyte sensors having two reagents for detecting two different analytes using one fluid sample. A method of using the test unit cartridge is also described, which comprises loading the cartridge into an analyte testing device and cocking an actuator of the device that is configured to (i) expose an analyte sensor of a test unit, (ii) ready a lancet, and (iii) advance a lancet cartridge.

Claims

1. A test unit cartridge comprising:

a first test unit type having a first analyte sensor that includes a first reagent used to detect a first analyte; and

a second test unit type having a second analyte sensor that includes a second reagent used to detect a second analyte different from the first analyte, such that the first test unit type is not functionally fungible with the second test unit type, wherein

the first test unit type and the second test unit type are arranged in a stacked configuration within the test unit cartridge as a plurality test units;

the first test unit type is situated at first positions within the stacked configuration and used to detect the first analyte, and

the second test unit type is situated at second positions within the stacked configuration and used to detect the second analyte so as to allow detection of the first analyte and the second analyte at a predetermined interval.

2. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the first test unit type comprises a strip.

3. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the first test unit type has no other analyte sensors besides the first analyte sensor.

4. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the first test unit type comprises a third analyte sensor that detects the second analyte.

5. The cartridge of claim 4, wherein the first and third analyte sensors are physically separated by a distance.

6. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein test unit disposed at a beginning of an order of use of the cartridge is of the first test unit type, and has a sealing surface that cooperates with a housing of the cartridge to restrict entry of moisture into the cartridge.

7. The cartridge of claim 1, further comprising a third through a twentieth test units, each of which is functionally fungible with one of the first and second test units.

8. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the second reagent is different from the first reagent.

9. The cartridge of claim 1, further comprising a pull-away label covering an aperture of the cartridge.

10. The cartridge of claim 1, further comprising an aperture disposed on the cartridge such that an electrical contact of test unit disposed at a beginning of an order of use of the cartridge can directly couple with an electrical contact of an analyte testing device.

11. The cartridge of claim 1, further comprising a calibration test unit.

12. The cartridge of claim 1 further comprising a spring disposed in a manner to advance each test unit into a usable position after a previous test unit has been laterally ejected from the cartridge.