Device for wiping a reagent strip

• US 5,114,678 A
• Filed: 03/21/1990
• Issued: 05/19/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Miles, Inc. (Bayer AG)
• Original Assignee: Miles, Inc. (Bayer AG)
• Inventors: Shakour, Gabriel R., Wise, Ernest R., Whitson, Robert C., Crawford, Ferdon H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Warden, Robert J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Collins, Laura E.
• Application Number:
  US07/496,691
• Time in Patent Office: 790 Days
• Field of Search: 422/58, 422/61, 422/99, 422/104, 435/294, 436/66
• US Class Current: 422/565
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/505 flexible containers not provided for above
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/8483 Investigating reagent band test-element handling not specific to a test method G01N33/4875; analytical elements specific to chemical analysis of biological material G01N33/52; autometer with reagent band G01N35/04
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/528 Atypical element structures, e.g. gloves, rods, tampons, toilet paper
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/66 involving blood sugars, e.g. galactose

Abstract

The removal of excess fluid from a test strip should be performed in a consistent manner to provide consistent results. To eliminate user variability introduced by manual blotting techniques, the device of the present invention wipes fluid from a test strip as the test strip is passed beneath a blade. The one-piece device is made of plastic so that it may be manufactured inexpensively and disposed of after use. The wiping device can also be integrated with an end cap, so that the wiping device can be attached to the end of an instrument, such as a lancet. To obtain a blood sample, for instance, the user inserts a test strip into the wiping device, where it is held while the blood sample is taken. The user deposits the blood sample onto the test strip and pulls the test strip through the wiping device. The blade removes a portion of the blood sample to provide a consistent wiping action which is not influenced by user variability. Alternative embodiments of the wiping device include apertures for viewing the test strip after wiping and colors adjacent the apertures for comparing the color of a reagent pad on the test strip after interaction with the body fluid.

Claims

1. A device for wiping excess fluid from a test strip, comprising:

a housing having an aperture therethrough, said aperture being dimensioned to allow a test strip inserted therein to be pulled therethrough, and an opening in said housing for the application of fluid directly to the top surface of a test pad of said test strip;

a wiping member extending into said aperture to contact the fluid on said test strip as said test strip passes beneath said wiping member, whereby said wiping member removes excess fluid from said test strip; and

said housing further includes a ramp portion which guides said test strip beneath said wiping member, said ramp portion extending upwardly in said housing from a horizontal plane;

wherein said wiping member includes a leading edge and a trailing edge, and wherein said wiping member is angled with respect to the direction of the motion of said test strip to wipe the fluid from the test strip as the test strip passes beneath said wiping member from the leading edge to said trailing edge.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said wiping member forms an angle of incidence of about 50°

with respect to said test strip.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said housing is fabricated from plastic.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said wiping member is resilient and flexible.

5. The device of claim 1 which further comprises selected colors affixed to said housing, said selected colors corresponding to colors of said test strip after wiping of fluid from said test strip.