Blood test apparatus having blood sensor

• US 8,444,576 B2
• Filed: 09/20/2011
• Issued: 05/21/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PHC Holdings Corporation
• Original Assignee: Panasonic Corporation (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Fujiwara, Masaki, Amano, Yoshinori
• Primary Examiner(s): DOUGHERTY, SEAN PATRICK
• Application Number:
  US13/237,157
• Publication Number:
  US 20120010530A1
• Time in Patent Office: 609 Days
• Field of Search: 600/583, 600/584, 606/181, 204/403.01
• US Class Current: 600/584
• 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
• 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 5/15019 Depth adjustment mechanism using movable stops located inside the piercing device housing and limiting the travel of the drive mechanism mechanisms using distal end caps A61B5/150183, mechanisms at the piercing element carrier proximal end A61B5/150198
• 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 5/15087 short range, e.g. between console and disposable using implanted devices A61B5/150877
• 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, a blood sensor, and a plurality of connectors. The blood sensor has a plurality of connection terminals that are electrically connected with each electrode of the electrode system; and a reference terminal that serves as a reference. The plurality of connectors are configured to connect to the plurality of connection terminals and the reference terminal of the blood sensor attached at a predetermined position in the blood test apparatus, respectively. And also, relations between the reference terminal and each of the plurality of connection terminals are measured to identify the reference terminal automatically.

Claims

1. A blood test apparatus comprising:

a housing that comprises an opening part;

a blood sensor that is configured to be attached to the opening part; and

a plurality of connectors that are configured to connect to the blood sensor, wherein

the blood sensor comprises a supply channel in which blood is supplied;

a detector is provided in the supply channel;

an electrode system including a plurality of electrodes, the electrode system being provided in an area including the detector;

a plurality of connection terminals that are electrically connected with each electrode of the electrode system; and

a reference terminal that serves as a reference for identifying each of the plurality of connection terminals,

the plurality of connectors are configured to connect to the plurality of connection terminals and the reference terminal of the blood sensor attached at a predetermined position in the blood test apparatus, respectively,

the blood test apparatus is configured to measure electric resistance values between every two of terminals selected from the reference terminal and the plurality of connection terminals to identify the reference terminal.

2. The blood test apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a puncturing section that is provided in the housing and punctures skin through the opening part.

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

a plunger that moves back and forth inside the housing;

a lancet, one end of which is held by the plunger; and

a puncturing needle provided at the other end of the lancet.

4. The blood test apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the lancet, the puncturing needle and the blood sensor are integrated in a holder.

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

an attaching part of the blood test apparatus comprises a guide for attaching the blood sensor to a predetermined position; and

the guide is configured to adjust a rotation angle with respect to an axis of the attached blood sensor to a predetermined angle.

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

an attaching part of the blood test apparatus comprises a guide for attaching the blood sensor to a predetermined position; and

the guide is configured to adjust a rotation angle with respect to an axis of the attached blood sensor to angles other than a predetermined angle.

9. The blood test apparatus according to claim 1, wherein electrical characteristic data for the reference terminal and each of the plurality of connection terminals of the blood sensor is reflected in internal arithmetic processing, correction, measurement order or determination.

5. A blood test apparatus comprising:

a housing that comprises an opening part;

a blood sensor that is attached to the opening part and that includes a plurality of connection terminals and a reference terminal; and

a plurality of connectors that are configured to connect to the plurality of connection terminals and the reference terminal of the blood sensor attached at a predetermined position in the blood test apparatus;

the blood sensor comprises a base plate that is round or a polygon;

a blood storage that is provided in the base plate, the base plate having an opening;

a supply channel, one end of the supply channel communicates with the blood storage, and into which blood in the storing part flows by capillary action;

a detector that is provided in the supply channel; and

an air hole that communicates with the supply channel, and

the blood test apparatus further comprises a negative pressure generator that is configured to supply a negative pressure to the blood storage through the air hole,

the blood test apparatus to measure electrical resistance values between every two of terminals selected from the reference terminal and the plurality of connection terminals to identify the reference terminal.

6. The blood test apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the negative pressure section is configured to supply the negative pressure near a part punctured by a puncturing section.

10. A blood test apparatus comprising:

a housing that comprises an opening part;

a blood sensor that is configured to be attached to the opening part;

a plurality of connectors that are configured to connect to the blood sensor,

a plunger that moves back and forth inside the housing;

a lancet, one end of the lancet being held by the plunger; and

a puncturing needle provided at the other end of the lancet

wherein

the blood sensor comprises a supply channel in which blood is supplied, a detector that is provided in the supply channel, an electrode system including a plurality of electrodes, the electrode system being provided in an area including the detector, a plurality of connection terminals that are electrically connected with each electrode of the electrode system, and a reference terminal that serves as a reference for identifying each of the plurality of connection terminals,

the plurality of connectors are configured to connect to the plurality of connection terminals and the reference terminal of the blood sensor attached at a predetermined position in the blood test apparatus, respectively,

the blood test apparatus is configured to measure electric resistance values between every two of terminals selected from the reference terminal and the plurality of connection terminals to identify the reference terminal.

11. The blood test apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the lancet, the puncturing needle and the blood sensor are integrated in a holder.

12. A blood test apparatus comprising:

a housing that comprises an opening part;

a blood sensor that is configured to be attached to the opening part; and

a plurality of connectors that are configured to connect to the blood sensor, wherein

an attaching part of the blood test apparatus comprises a guide for attaching the blood sensor to a predetermined position;

the guide is configured to control a rotation angle with respect to an axis of the attached blood sensor to a predetermined angle;

the blood sensor comprises a supply channel in which blood is supplied, a detector that is provided in the supply channel, an electrode system including a plurality of electrodes, the electrode system being provided in an area including the detector, a plurality of connection terminals that are electrically connected with each electrode of the electrode system, and a reference terminal that serves as a reference for identifying each of the plurality of connection terminals,

the plurality of connectors are configured to connect to the plurality of connection terminals and the reference terminal of the blood sensor attached at a predetermined position in the blood test apparatus, respectively,

the blood test apparatus is configured to measure electric resistance values between every two of terminals selected from the reference terminal and the plurality of connection terminals to identify the reference terminal.

13. A blood test apparatus comprising:

a housing that comprises an opening part;

a blood sensor that is configured to be attached to the opening part; and

a plurality of connectors that are configured to connect to the blood sensor, wherein

an attaching part of the blood test apparatus comprises a guide for attaching the blood sensor to a predetermined position;

the guide is configured to control a rotation angle with respect to an axis of the attached blood sensor to angles other than a predetermined angle;

the blood sensor comprises a supply channel in which blood is supplied, a detector that is provided in the supply channel;

an electrode system including a plurality of electrodes, the electrode system being provided in an area including the detector;

a plurality of connection terminals that are electrically connected with each electrode of the electrode system; and

a reference terminal that serves as a reference for identifying each of the plurality of connection terminals,

the plurality of connectors are configured to connect to the plurality of connection terminals and the reference terminal of the blood sensor attached at a predetermined position in the blood test apparatus, respectively,

the blood test apparatus is configured to measure electric resistance values between every two of terminals selected from the reference terminal and the plurality of connection terminals to identify the reference terminal.