Replaceable multistrip cartridge and biosenser meter

• US 10,656,112 B2
• Filed: 08/09/2018
• Issued: 05/19/2020
• 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): Kaur, Gurpreet
• Application Number:
  US16/059,927
• Publication Number:
  US 20180348160A1
• Time in Patent Office: 649 Days
• 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 5/150022 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 configured to house a plurality of biosensors; and

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 in a reverse stroke to return the strip picker to a home position, the strip picker providing a ratchet action along the top portion of the frame during the forward stroke such that the strip picker cannot return to the home position until a full forward stroke is completed.

2. The replaceable sensor cartridge of claim 1, wherein the strip picker includes a flexible pawl for providing the ratchet action.

3. The replaceable sensor cartridge of claim 2, wherein the frame is configured to mate with the flexible pawl for providing the ratchet action.

4. The replaceable sensor cartridge of claim 1, wherein the frame includes a plurality of ratchet teeth and a parallel smooth track, the frame configured to mate with the strip picker to allow the forward stroke along the ratchet teeth such that the strip picker cannot return to the home position until a full forward stroke is completed and to guide the reverse stroke along the parallel smooth track only in response to completion of the full forward stroke.

5. The replaceable sensor cartridge of claim 1, further comprising at least one anti-jamming feedback feature configured to provide a tactile feedback when the strip picker is at an end of the forward or reverse stroke.

6. The replaceable sensor cartridge of claim 1, further comprising at least one anti-jamming feature that 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.

11. The replaceable sensor cartridge of claim 1, wherein the frame has a desiccant material capable of reducing humidity within the frame.

12. The replaceable sensor cartridge of claim 1, wherein the strip picker is configured to deploy a first edge of the top biosensor from the plurality of biosensors through an exit channel of the frame and leave a second opposite edge of the top biosensor within the exit channel.

13. A blood glucose monitor comprising:

the replaceable sensor cartridge of claim 1; and

a rotating block configured to reorient a deployed top sensor from a first position to a second position.

14. The blood glucose monitor of claim 13, further comprising a lid for covering the top portion of the frame of the replaceable sensor cartridge, the lid coupled to the rotating block and having a cutout configured to allow reorientation of the deployed top sensor from the first position to the second position.

15. The blood glucose monitor of claim 13, further comprising electrodes for contacting one of the plurality of biosensors, wherein a deployed top biosensor in the home position is in contact with the electrodes.

16. A blood glucose monitor comprising:

the replaceable sensor cartridge of claim 1; and

electrodes for contacting one of the plurality of biosensors;

wherein;

the strip picker is configured and arranged to slide along a top portion of the frame in a reverse stroke to return a deployed top biosensor to the home position such that the deployed top biosensor is in contact with the electrodes.

17. A blood glucose monitor comprising:

the replaceable sensor cartridge of claim 1; and

a first hinge disposed on one side of the replaceable cartridge and a second hinge disposed on an opposite side of the replaceable cartridge; and

a lid coupleable to either the first hinge or the second hinge for pivoting over either the first hinge or the second hinge.

18. The blood glucose monitor of claim 17, wherein the strip picker of the replaceable sensor cartridge includes a flexible pawl for providing the ratchet action.

19. The replaceable sensor cartridge of claim 1, further comprising at least one anti-jamming feedback feature that includes a depression disposed on the frame.

20. The replaceable sensor cartridge of claim 1, further comprising at least one anti-jamming feedback feature that provides a snapping sound when the strip picker is at an end of the forward or reverse stroke.

8. A replaceable sensor cartridge comprising:

a frame 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 in a reverse stroke to return the strip picker to a home position, the strip picker providing a ratchet action along the top portion of the frame such that the strip picker cannot return to the home position until a full forward stroke is completed; and

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

9. A replaceable sensor cartridge comprising:

a frame 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 in a reverse stroke to return the strip picker to a home position, the strip picker providing a ratchet action along the top portion of the frame such that the strip picker cannot return to the home position until a full forward stroke is completed; and

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.

10. The replaceable sensor cartridge of claim 9, wherein the lid defines a disposal compartment for accepting contaminated biosensors and a disposal slot for inserting the contaminated biosensors into the disposal compartment.