|Publication number||US7708702 B2|
|Application number||US 11/275,739|
|Publication date||May 4, 2010|
|Filing date||Jan 26, 2006|
|Priority date||Jan 26, 2006|
|Also published as||EP1982194A2, US8197422, US8801632, US20070173739, US20100137745, US20120226115, WO2007085438A2, WO2007085438A3|
|Publication number||11275739, 275739, US 7708702 B2, US 7708702B2, US-B2-7708702, US7708702 B2, US7708702B2|
|Inventors||Frank A. Chan|
|Original Assignee||Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.|
|Export Citation||BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan|
|Patent Citations (28), Non-Patent Citations (2), Referenced by (2), Classifications (22), Legal Events (3)|
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet|
The present invention generally relates to bodily fluid sampling devices and more specifically, but not exclusively, concerns a dispenser system for dispensing test elements that test biological fluid.
The acquisition and testing of bodily fluids is useful for many purposes and continues to grow in importance for use in medical diagnosis and treatment, such as for diabetes, and in other diverse applications. In the medical field, it is desirable for lay operators to perform tests routinely, quickly, and reproducibly outside of a laboratory setting, with rapid results and a readout of the resulting test information. Testing can be performed on various bodily fluids and, for certain applications, is particularly related to the testing of blood and/or interstitial fluid. Performing home-based testing can be difficult for many patients, especially for patients with limited hand dexterity, such as the elderly or diabetics. For example, diabetics can sometimes experience numbness or tingling in their extremities, such as their hands, which can make self-testing difficult because they are unable to accurately position a test strip to collect the blood sample. In addition, wounds for diabetics tend to heal more slowly, and as a result, there is a desire to make incisions less invasive.
Recently, lancet integrated test strips or elements have been developed in which a test strip is integrated with a lancet or other piercing means so as to form a single disposable unit. While these integrated units have somewhat simplified the collection and testing of fluid samples, there are still a number of issues that need to be resolved before a commercial unit can be implemented. One issue concerns maintaining the sterility of the lancet prior to use so as to minimize the risk of infection. Another issue concerns the disposal of used units after use. Once used, the integrated units become a biohazard that need to be disposed of in a safe manner. A number of different types of systems have been proposed for dispensing test strips, lancets, or some combination thereof, but most of these systems have significant drawbacks.
Multiple use test systems like drums, discs, and reel-to-reel tapes have been developed to house multiple test strips, but these systems fail to address a number of issues. For example, reel-to-reel cassette systems typically bend a tape of lancet integrated test elements during dispensing, which can result in damage to the lancet and/or the test strip. Other cassette or cartridges are bulky in nature, which makes them commercially impractical for household or other routine use. Still yet other systems require the use of a complicated indexing mechanism, which tends to make the systems have an unsuitable reliability due to jamming and/or other complications. Typically, such systems also require specially designed test elements that are not configured for current single use test strips. Drum transport systems have been proposed for transporting test strips from a magazine, but such drum transport systems have failed to satisfactorily address the disposal issue regarding the used test strips.
With portable meters, such as portable blood glucose meters, small meter sizes and ease of handling are desirable features. Most users would prefer smaller meters that are able to discretely fit inside a pocket or a purse so that the user is able to perform testing in any situation, such as in a restaurant bathroom or when traveling. One factor affecting size of meters that handle multiple test strips is storage compartment sizes. In previous designs, the storage compartments tended to be rather large and bulky because test elements were stored in a disorderly fashion.
Thus, needs remain for further contributions in this area of technology.
One aspect concerns a meter system that includes a supply magazine that stores a plurality of lancet integrated test elements in a stacked manner. The lancet integrated test elements each include a test strip for testing a body fluid sample and a lancet. The test strip is generally flat, and the test strip has a sample opening at one end and opposing side edges. The lancet is coupled to the test strip for forming an incision where the body fluid sample is drawn. The lancet is configured to extend proximal the sample opening. A meter has a connector portion configured to operatively couple to the lancet integrated. The meter is configured to fire the lancets on the lancet integrated test elements. A transport mechanism is configured to transfer the lancet integrated test elements to the connector portion of the meter. The transport mechanism is configured to engage at least one of the side edges to minimize risk of damaging the test strip and lancet proximal the sample opening of the lancet integrated test element.
Another aspect concerns a system that includes a supply magazine configured to store test elements in a stacked manner prior to use. The test elements are configured to analyze body fluid. A waste magazine is configured to store the test elements in a stacked manner after use. A transport drum is disposed between the supply magazine and the waste magazine to transport the test elements from the supply magazine to the waste magazine.
Still yet another aspect concerns a system that includes a supply magazine configured to store a stack of test elements. A meter includes a connector configured to connect to the test elements. A transport system is configured to transport test elements from the supply magazine to the connector of the meter. The transport system includes a disc-shaped transport member configured to receive at least one of the test elements from the magazine. The disc-shaped transport member is rotatable relative to the meter to transport the at least one of the test elements to the connector.
Further forms, objects, features, aspects, benefits, advantages, and embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from a detailed description and drawings provided herewith.
For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. A number of embodiments of the invention are shown in detail; although it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that some features that are not relevant to the present invention may not be shown for the sake of clarity. It should be noted that directional terms, such as “up”, “down”, “top”and “bottom”, are used herein solely for the convenience of the reader in order to aid in the reader's understanding of the illustrated embodiments, and it is not the intent that the use of these directional terms in any manner limit the described, illustrated, and/or claimed features to a specific direction or orientation.
As mentioned previously, there have been a number of drawbacks to prior cartridge or cassette designs, especially with respect to lancet integrated test elements (LITs). For example, some cassette systems bend a tape of LITs during dispensing, which can result in damage to the lancet and/or the test strip. Other cassette or cartridges are bulky in nature, which makes them commercially impractical for household or other routine use. Still yet other systems require the use of a complicated indexing mechanism, which tends to make the systems have unsuitable reliability due to jamming and/or other problems. Typically, such systems also require specially designed test elements that are not configured for current single use test strips. Moreover, disposal of hazardous, used LITs is always a concern.
The meter system according to a number of aspects of the present invention addresses these as well as many other concerns. A meter system for analyzing body fluids includes a supply magazine for storing a stack of test elements, a meter for analyzing fluid samples, and a transport system for transporting test elements from the supply magazine to the meter. In a number of embodiments, the transport system is configured to minimize damage to the test elements as well as to promote fluid collection by grabbing the side edges of the test elements. Moreover, the transport systems limit the number of components used, which improves reliability as well as provides a compact design. The stack cartridge design allows for the use of preexisting single use test elements in a multi-use design. In one form, the transport system includes a shuttle that slides the top-most test element from the stack onto a connection portion of the meter. In another form, the transport system includes a drum that rotates to transport test elements from the supply magazine to a testing position and, once used, to a waste magazine for disposal. This allows used LITs to be disposed of safely. In a further form, the transport system includes a disc that rotates to transport the test elements. The disc-shaped transport system provides a compact and highly reliable design.
A meter transport system 30 according to one embodiment, among many, is depicted in
Inside, the magazine 34 includes a molded desiccant 40 for maintaining low humidity levels within the magazine 34 and a spring 42 that is configured to bias the test elements 36 through an outlet opening of the magazine 34 into the transport mechanism 38. In one form, the spring 42 includes a coil spring, but it should be understood that the spring 42 can include other types of biasing devices. To further maintain acceptable humidity levels for the test elements 36 within the magazine 34, the magazine has a moisture seal 46 that seals the outlet opening 44, and the moisture seal 46 is removed prior to use.
Once the test element 36 is loaded, the shuttle 48 slides in a loading direction towards the meter 32, as is indicated by arrow 56 in
Looking again at
As can be seen in
The operation of the system 30 will be generally described with reference to
When the shuttle 48 moves over the load cavity 58, the stabilizer arm 52 pushes the test element 36 into the load cavity 58, as is depicted in
A meter transport system 80 according to another embodiment is illustrated in
In the illustrated embodiment, the transport mechanism 86 includes a transport drum 88. To transport test elements 36, the transport drum 88 rotates in clockwise 90 and counterclockwise 92 directions, as shown in
As mentioned before, with portable meters, such as portable blood glucose meters, small meter sizes and ease of handling are desirable features. Most users would prefer smaller meters that are able to discretely fit inside a pocket or a purse so that the user is able to perform testing in any situation, such as in a restaurant bathroom or when traveling. One factor affecting size of meters that handle multiple test strips is storage compartment sizes. In previous designs, the storage compartments tended to be rather large and bulky because test elements were stored in a disorderly fashion. The meter transport system 80 in
Along one side of the notch 98, the drum 88 has one or more catch rails 100 that hold the test element 36 in place during transport, as is depicted in
The operation of the transport system 80 will be initially described with reference to
The drum 88 then orients the test element 36 at the sampling position 94 (
After the fluid sample is analyzed, the now used test element 36 on the drum 88 is transported to the waste magazine 84. In the illustrated embodiment, the drum 88 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction 92 (
A meter system 120 with a transport system 122 for transporting test elements 36 according to another embodiment is illustrated in
The meter 124 includes an output device 128 in the form of a display for displaying readings and an input device 130 in the form of one or buttons. Like the previous embodiments, the magazine 126 includes a spring 42 that biases the test elements 36 towards a supply opening 132. The magazine 126 can further include a desiccant to maintain low humidity levels in the magazine 126. Looking at
As noted above, a motor in the meter 124 can automatically rotate the top disc 148 and/or the user can manually rotate the top disc 148. When the top disc 148 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction 158, the lock pins 152 engage the catches 156 on the grip members 154, which in turn compresses the grip members 154 in an inward direction 160. Consequently, the grip members 154 grip the sides of the test element 36, thereby holding the test element in the transport system 122. Holding the sides of the test elements in such a manner helps to reduce damage of the test element 36 during transport. Once the lock pins 152 on the top disc 148 engage the catches 156, the bottom disc 150 starts moving in the counterclockwise direction 158 so as to transport the test element 36 to the test element connector 134. When in the test element cavity 144, the test element 36 can be angled slightly so that the end of the test element 36 extends from the underside of the bottom disc 150 so that the test element 36 is able to engage the connector 134. Alternatively or additionally, the bottom disc 150 can incorporate a beveled cavity 162 at one end of the test element cavity 144 that exposes the connection end of the test element 36 to the connector 134 so as to facilitate the connection between the test element 36 and the connector 134. Once the test element 36 reaches the connector 134, the end of the test element 36 containing the contacts is inserted into the connector 134 to engage the spring-biased contacts in the connector 134, thereby forming an electrical connection between the test element 36 and the meter 124. Afterwards, the top disc 148 is rotated in a clockwise direction (either manually or automatically), which disengages the lock pins 152 from the grip members 154. With the lock pins 152 removed, the grip members 154 release the test element 36 such that the test element 36 remains in the connector 134.
A technique for loading test elements 36 onto the meter 124 in the meter system 120 will be initially described with reference to
Once the test element 36 is connected to the connector 134, the top disc 148 rotates in a clockwise direction, thereby disengaging the lock pins 152 from the grip members 154. The now disengaged lock pins 152 release the test element 36 in the connector 134. The bottom disc 150 is then rotated in a clockwise direction so that the test element cavity 144 is positioned over the magazine 126. The bottom disc 150 can be rotated in the clockwise direction manually by the user and/or automatically, such as via a return spring or a motor. Both discs 148, 150 are oriented in a manner such that their relief notches 142 align with the relief notch 140 in the meter 124 so as to permit sampling by the test element 36. Afterwards, the lancet in the test element 36 can be fired to form an incision, and the fluid from the incision can be analyzed with the test element 36. The results from the analysis can be outputted via the output device 128 on the meter 124. Once the test element 36 is used, the test element can be manually discarded by the user. It is contemplated that the test element 36 can be automatically discarded in other embodiments. After the used test element 36 is discarded, an unused test element 36 from the magazine 126 can be loaded in the same fashion as described above.
While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected. All publications, patents, and patent applications cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference as set forth in its entirety herein.
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|U.S. Classification||600/583, 600/584, 600/573|
|International Classification||A61B5/00, B65D81/00|
|Cooperative Classification||A61B5/15184, A61B5/15176, A61B5/15153, A61B5/150442, A61B5/150358, A61B5/157, A61B5/150022, A61B5/15174, A61B5/1411, A61B5/15146, G01N2035/00089, G01N35/00029, G01N33/48757|
|European Classification||G01N33/487E1, A61B5/151M, A61B5/14B2, G01N35/00C|
|Jan 26, 2006||AS||Assignment|
Owner name: ROCHE DIAGNOSTICS OPERATIONS, INC., INDIANA
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:CHAN, FRANK A.;REEL/FRAME:017071/0024
Effective date: 20060117
Owner name: ROCHE DIAGNOSTICS OPERATIONS, INC.,INDIANA
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:CHAN, FRANK A.;REEL/FRAME:017071/0024
Effective date: 20060117
|Oct 11, 2013||FPAY||Fee payment|
Year of fee payment: 4
|Jun 23, 2015||AS||Assignment|
Owner name: ROCHE DIABETES CARE, INC., INDIANA
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:ROCHE DIAGNOSTICS OPERATIONS, INC.;REEL/FRAME:036008/0670
Effective date: 20150302