Replaceable multistrip cartridge and biosensor meter

• US 9,383,333 B2
• Filed: 03/13/2013
• Issued: 07/05/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ascensia Diabetes Care Holdings AG (PHC Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Ascensia Diabetes Care Holdings AG (PHC Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Reynolds, Jeffery S., Sams, Robert S., Yao, Simin, Prais, Eugene, Botta, Michael A., Charlton, Steven C., Kokic, Mirza
• Primary Examiner(s): Van, Luan
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kaur, Gurpreet
• Application Number:
  US14/403,866
• Publication Number:
  US 20150144484A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,210 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 5/150022 for capillary blood or interstitial fluid
• 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 5/151 Devices specially adapted for taking samples of capillary blood, e.g. by lancets , needles or blades
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/3272 Test elements therefor, i.e. disposable laminated substrates with electrodes, reagent and channels optical biosensors G01N33/52
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/3273 Devices therefor, e.g. test element readers, circuitry details not specific to biochemical electrodes G01N33/4875
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/48757 Test elements dispensed from a stack

Abstract

A blood glucose monitor includes a can, a replaceable sensor cartridge that includes a frame, an upper spring disposed between the frame and the can, a case for housing the can and sealing the frame, a lower spring disposed between the can and the case, and a meter housing for sealing an upper portion of the frame. The can is capable of accepting the replaceable sensor cartridge. The frame of the removable cartridge has at least at least two walls defining a chamber for accepting a plurality of biosensors, and a bottom portion defining an opening and at least one sealing flange. The frame can further include a desiccant material capable of reducing humidity within the frame. The frame may be dimensioned such that an interference fit constrains the plurality of biosensors prior to inserting the frame within a blood glucose monitor.

Claims

1. A replaceable sensor cartridge comprising:

a frame having a desiccant material capable of reducing humidity within the frame and configured to house a plurality of biosensors;

a strip picker configured and arranged to slide along a top portion of the frame in a forward stroke to deploy a top biosensor from the plurality of biosensors and a reverse stroke to its home position, the strip picker including a flexible pawl for providing a ratchet action along the top portion of the frame; and

at least one anti-jamming feature feature including a deflecting portion on the replaceable sensor cartridge.

2. The replaceable sensor cartridge of claim 1, wherein the frame includes a plurality of ratchet teeth and a parallel smooth track, the frame being configured to mate with the pawl of the strip picker and allow the forward stroke along the ratchet teeth and the reverse stroke along the smooth surface.

3. The replaceable sensor cartridge of claim 1, further including a lid for covering the top portion of the frame, the lid having a longitudinally extending ridge and a cavity for accepting the strip picker.

4. The replaceable sensor cartridge of claim 3, wherein the lid defines a disposal compartment for accepting contaminated biosensors and a disposal slot for inserting the contaminated biosensors into the disposal compartment.

5. A replaceable sensor cartridge comprising:

a frame having a desiccant material capable of reducing humidity within the frame and configured to house a plurality of biosensors;

a strip picker configured and arranged to slide along a top portion of the frame in a forward stroke to deploy a top biosensor from the plurality of biosensors and a reverse stroke to its home position, the strip picker including a flexible pawl for providing a ratchet action along the top portion of the frame;

a lid for covering the top portion of the frame, the lid having a longitudinally extending ridge and a cavity for accepting the strip picker, the lid configured to close only when the strip picker is at an end of the frame; and

at least one anti-jamming feature.

6. The replaceable sensor cartridge of claim 5, wherein the anti-jamming feature includes a retraction spring coupled to the strip picker and configured to return the strip picker to the home position.

7. The replaceable sensor cartridge of claim 6, wherein the retraction spring is a constant force spring.

8. The replaceable sensor cartridge of claim 5, wherein the lid defines a disposal compartment for accepting contaminated biosensors and a disposal slot for inserting the contaminated biosensors into the disposal compartment.

9. The replaceable sensor cartridge of claim 5, wherein the frame includes a plurality of ratchet teeth and a parallel smooth track, the frame being configured to mate with the pawl of the strip picker and allow the forward stroke along the ratchet teeth and the reverse stroke along the smooth surface.

10. The replaceable sensor cartridge of claim 5, wherein the anti-jamming feature includes at least one feedback feature.

11. The replaceable sensor cartridge of claim 10, wherein the at least one feedback feature is configured to provide a tactile feedback when the strip picker is at an end of the forward or reverse stroke.

12. The replaceable sensor cartridge of claim 10, wherein the at least one feedback feature includes a depression disposed on the frame.