TEST SYSTEM

• US 20110263957A1
• Filed: 10/22/2010
• Published: 10/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Roche Diabetes Care Inc. (Roche Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Roche Diabetes Care Inc. (Roche Holding AG)
• Inventors: Scherer, Joerg, Hess, Peter, Koch, Martin, Piegsa, Ralf, Ihle, Guenter, Miltner, Karl, Sacherer, Klaus-Dieter, Thoes, Bruno
• Granted Patent: US 9,671,387 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/365
• 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 5/1455 using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0812 Bands; Tapes
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0825 Test strips
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502715 characterised by interfacing components, e.g. fluidic, electrical, optical or mechanical interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/478 Application in testing analytical test strips
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/6436 for analysing tapes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/48764 Test tape taken off a spool
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00009 provided with a sample supporting tape, e.g. with absorbent zones

Abstract

The invention concerns a test system for carrying out blood sugar tests with a diagnostic tape cassette which comprises a windable analytical test tape for detecting an analyte and a cassette housing accommodating the test tape, and a test device which has a device housing for inserting and removing the tape cassette and a measuring unit for detecting the analyte on the test tape. According to the invention it is proposed that the tape cassette can be detachably fastened by positioning elements on a platform mounted in the device housing and that the measuring unit is rigidly attached on the platform or can be engaged therewith.

Claims

1. A test system for carrying out blood sugar tests, comprising:

a diagnostic tape cassette which comprises a windable analytical test tape for detecting an analyte and a cassette housing accommodating the test tape, and a test device comprising a device housing and an associated measuring unit for detecting the analyte on the test tape, the device housing being configured for inserting and removing the tape cassette and having a platform mounted therein, the platform comprising a plurality of positioning elements, wherein the tape cassette can be detachably fastened by means of the positioning elements, and wherein the measuring unit is fixedly attached on the platform or can be engaged therewith.

2. The test system according to claim 1, wherein the platform forms the base of a cassette compartment in the device housing.

3. The test system according to claim 1, wherein the platform is defined by a mechanically self-stable support plate which is held in the device housing by connecting means.

4. The test system according to claim 3, wherein the platform comprises an outsert molding part comprising a metal support and plastic parts formed thereon.

5. The test system according to claim 1, wherein the positioning elements comprise a plurality of raised supports that are disposed on the platform and configured to provide a tilt-free support for the tape cassette.

6. The test system according to claim 1, wherein the positioning elements arranged on the platform are pairable with positioning elements of the tape cassette in order to nullify displacement play.

7. The test system according to claim 6, wherein the displacement play is between 1 mm and 3 mm.

8. The test system according to claim 1, wherein the positioning elements comprise at least one positioning pin the base of which is cylindrical and tapers towards its free end.

9. The test system according to claim 8, wherein the tape cassette comprises at least one oblong hole or round hole for the engagement of the at least one positioning pin.

10. The test system according to claim 1, further comprising a spring arrangement configured to convey the tape cassette from a loose insertion position into a defined fixed measuring position in the device during insertion of the tape cassette.

21. The test system according to claim 1, wherein the measuring unit comprises an optical measuring unit formed by a reflection-photometric measuring head mounted on the platform where the optical path of the measuring head runs crosswise to the direction of tape transport of the tape cassette located in the measuring position.

22. The test system according to claim 1, wherein the tape cassette can be connected to a tape drive of the device by means of a coupling and wherein the coupling has form-fit elements which upon insertion of the tape cassette can be brought into a rotationally locked engagement position with one another by a yielding movement.

23. A tape cassette comprising a supply spool and a take-up spool and a tape guide for the defined transport of an analytical test tape between the supply spool and. the take-up spool, the tape cassette being designed as a disposable for a test system according to claim 1.

11. A test system for carrying out blood sugar tests with a diagnostic tape cassette which comprises a windable analytical test tape for detecting an analyte and a cassette housing accommodating the test tape, and a test device which has a device housing for inserting and removing the tape cassette and an associated measuring unit for detecting the analyte on the test tape, wherein when the tape cassette is inserted, it moves from a loose insertion position into a defined fixed measuring position in the device under the action of a spring arrangement.

12. The test system according to claim 11, wherein the tape cassette can be inserted into the test device in an uni-axial motion in the direction of an insertion axis.

13. The test system according to claim 12, wherein the spring arrangement has at least one compression spring that can be compressed in the direction of the insertion axis.

14. The test system according to claim 11, wherein the spring arrangement can be actuated by closing a housing cover of the test device.

15. The test system according to claim 14, wherein a compression spring of the spring arrangement projecting from the inner side of a housing cover of the test device is supported on the inserted tape cassette when the housing cover is closed.

16. The test system according to claim 11, wherein a compression spring of the spring arrangement engages with a take-up spool of the tape cassette.

17. The test system according to claim 11, wherein the spring arrangement has at least one pressure spring which can be deflected crosswise to the insertion axis in order to make a clamp connection of the tape cassette.

18. The test system according to claim 17, wherein the pressure spring comprises a leaf spring and is pretensioned by a sloping face of the tape cassette.

19. The test system according to claim 11, wherein the inserted tape cassette is spring-loaded by the spring arrangement at at least two spaced apart support points.

20. The test system according to claim 11, wherein in the direction of the insertion axis the measuring unit engages in a free space of the tape cassette inserted into the test device.

24. A tape cassette comprising a supply spool and a take-up spool and a tape guide for the defined transport of an analytical test tape between the supply spool and the take-up spool, the tape cassette being designed as a disposable for a test system according to claim 11.