Cartridge and sensor-dispensing instrument

• US 9,176,109 B2
• Filed: 05/02/2014
• Issued: 11/03/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ascensia Diabetes Care Holdings AG (PHC Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Bayer Healthcare LLC (Bayer AG)
• Inventors: Kheiri, Mohammad A., Purcell, D. Glenn
• Primary Examiner(s): MERKLING, SALLY ANNE
• Application Number:
  US14/267,986
• Publication Number:
  US 20140241958A1
• Time in Patent Office: 550 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/523 with means for closing or opening
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/527 for a plurality of reagents
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/48 Biological material, e.g. blood, urine G01N33/02, G01N33/26, G01N33/44, G01N33/46 take precedence; Haemocytometers counting blood corpuscules distributed over a surface by scanning the surface G06M11/02
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/48757 Test elements dispensed from a stack
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/193333 In aqueous solution

Abstract

A disposable cartridge adapted to be used with a sensor-dispensing instrument comprises a housing, test sensors, a mechanical mechanism and moveable seals. The housing forms at least one opening therethrough. The test sensors are stacked in the housing. The test sensors are adapted to assist in testing at least one analyte. The mechanical mechanism is adapted to urge the test sensors in a first direction. One of the test sensors is positioned for ejection from the cartridge. The moveable seals is adapted to be in a closed position that seals the at least one opening so as to provide a substantially moisture-proof and a substantially air-tight cartridge, and one of the moveable seals is adapted to be in an open position that allows one of the test sensors to be moved therethrough.

Claims

1. A cartridge, comprising:

a housing forming a first opening therethrough;

a plurality of test sensors being stacked in the housing;

a mechanical mechanism configured to urge the plurality of test sensors in a first direction; and

a moveable seal including a first hollow tube and a second hollow tube, the first and the second hollow tubes being located relative to each other such that the first and the second hollow tubes are biased to form a closed position of the moveable seal, the moveable seal being entirely enclosed within the housing.

2. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the first hollow tube has a generally circular cross section and wherein the second hollow tube has a generally circular cross section.

3. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the moveable seal has a cross section with a generally figure eight shape.

4. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein in response to at least one of the plurality of test sensors proceeding towards an exterior of the housing and being inserted between the first hollow tube and the second hollow tube, the first and the second hollow tubes are configured to deform such that the moveable seal moves from the closed position to an open position.

5. The cartridge of claim 4, wherein the first and the second hollow tubes have a certain degree of memory such that the first and the second hollow tubes are configured to return the moveable seal to the closed position in response to the at least one of the plurality of test sensors being removed from the cartridge.

6. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein a sealing surface of the first hollow tube abuts a sealing surface of the second hollow tube in response to the moveable seal being in the closed position.

7. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the housing further forms a second opening therethrough, and the moveable seal aids in sealing the first opening.

8. The cartridge of claim 7, further comprising a second moveable seal including a third hollow tube and a fourth hollow tube, the third and the fourth hollow tubes being located relative to each other such that the third and the fourth hollow tubes are biased to form a closed position of the second moveable seal.

9. The cartridge of claim 8, wherein the second moveable seal aids in sealing the second opening.

10. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the first hollow tube and the second hollow tube include a flexible polymeric material.

11. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the first hollow tube and the second hollow tube include silicon.

12. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the first hollow tube is separate and distinct from the second hollow tube.

13. A cartridge, comprising:

a housing having a first opening;

a plurality of test sensors stacked in the housing;

a mechanical mechanism engaging and urging the plurality of test sensors in a first direction; and

a moveable seal including a first hollow tube and a second hollow tube, the first and the second hollow tubes being located relative to each other such that the first and the second hollow tubes are biased to form a closed position of the moveable seal, wherein a portion of the housing adjacent to the first opening (1) aids in maintaining the relationship between the first hollow tube and the second hollow tube and (2) completely surrounds the first hollow tube and the second hollow tube.

14. The cartridge of claim 13, wherein the first hollow tube has a generally circular cross section and wherein the second hollow tube has a generally circular cross section.

15. The cartridge of claim 13, wherein the first hollow tube and the second hollow tube include a flexible polymeric material.

16. The cartridge of claim 13, wherein the first hollow tube and the second hollow tube include silicon.

17. The cartridge of claim 13, wherein the first hollow tube is separate and distinct from the second hollow tube.