Measuring device for use with a test strip

Details Measuring device for use with a test strip Measuring device for use with a test strip

1999-02-18

2001-01-30

Alexander, Lyle A. (Department: 1743)

Chemical apparatus and process disinfecting, deodorizing, preser

Analyzer, structured indicator, or manipulative laboratory...

Means for analyzing liquid or solid sample

C422S082010, C422S051000, C436S164000, C436S165000, C436S169000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06180063

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention concerns a test strip package with a plurality of test strips, each of which test strips has a test field capable of being evaluated by means of an optical or electrical current mechanism of a measuring device, and with a container for receiving the test strips.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Test strips of the previously mentioned kind serve, for example, to quickly and in a simple way determine the concentration of certain substances in body fluids, for example, the sugar content of blood. Diabetic persons depending on circumstances must determine their blood sugar content several times a day and for this purpose must carry with them a measuring device and several other utensils, among others a container or magazine for test strips. These test strips must be used within a definite time period after the first opening of the container, since otherwise the chemicals in the test fields of the test strips so change that very likely a correct concentration measurement can no longer be made. Previously, it has been customary that the patient carries with him a small box with a certain number of test strips.
The invention has as its object the provision of a test strip package of the above-mentioned type which can be carried along with the person comfortably and with saving of space.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This object is solved in accordance with the invention in that the container is formed from a rectangular, closed flat envelope for receiving a rectangular card consisting of a plurality of test strips connected to one another by tear lines.
Such a test strip card protected by the envelope can be comfortably carried and even, as explained hereinafter, can be placed into the measuring device so that the test strip package does not have to be carried as a separate part along with the measuring device. Each needed test strip is then separated from the test strip card either before or after use.
Preferably, the envelope has a main section and a head section tearable from the main section along a prepared separation line running parallel to the tear lines, with the position of the separation line being so chosen that after the separation of the head section from the main section the test field of the first accessible test strip still lies in the main section. Thereby after the opening of the envelope, the test field is then protected against environmental influences until the needed test strip is pulled out of the envelope.
For the placement of the test strip package in the measuring device, it is practical if an edge area of the main section of the envelope has arranged on it at least one recess for the purpose of receiving an arresting element of the measuring device, with the arrangement being such that the test strip receiving space of the envelope is not disturbed or cut by the recess. Thereby the test strip card and the one test strip needed at the time can be pulled from the envelope with the envelope itself being held fast in the measuring device.
The separation line on the envelope can, for example, be predetermined by notches arranged opposite to one another on the longitudinal edges of the envelope in order to facilitate the tearing off of the head section from the main section at a predetermined position.
The tear lines between neighboring test strips preferably each include an elongated middle slot and perforation sections each extending from one end of the slot to the associated longitudinal edge of the card so that the tearing off a needed or already used test strip from the test strip card is facilitated.
A measuring device according to the invention for using one of the previously described test strip packages and for optically or by way of electrical current evaluating the test field of a test strip includes in known way a device housing with a test strip support surface as well as a measuring optic system or electrical contact mechanism arranged in the housing, an evaluation and control circuit and an indicator unit. The test strip support surface is in accordance with the invention formed to receive a test strip package of the above-described type and has arresting elements intended to be received in recesses in the envelope as well as a stop, which are so positioned relative to the measuring optic system or the electrical contact mechanism that with the positioning of a test strip at a pregiven position at the stop the test field of the test strip lies in the area of the measuring beam of the measuring optic system or in the area of the electrical contact mechanism. By the arresting element, the envelope is also held fast on the test strip support surface when a test strip is pulled out of the package. When a test strip is pulled out of the envelope to the mentioned stop, it is assured at the same time that the test field lies over the measuring optic system.
Preferably a sealing strip is arranged opposite to the test strip support surface and is biased in the direction of that surface so that it presses the edge regions of the open side of the main section of the envelope against the test strip support surface. So long as the test strips are not used, the test fields lie inside of the envelope. The envelope is pressed shut by the sealing strip so that the test field is protected against environmental influences, especially against dampness. The test strip is first pulled out so that the test field lies over the measuring optic immediately before the measurement.
The sealing strip can, for example, be arranged on a cover which is pivotally supported on the housing for movement about a pivot axis parallel to the test strip support surface, so that the test strip package can be conveniently laid onto the test strip support surface. After the closing of the cover, the sealing strip holds the test strip package firmly on the test strip support surface and closes the envelope.
To simplify the tearing of the test strips from the test strip card, a separating element having a separating edge can be so arranged on the housing that it is movable between a first position remote from the support surface and a second position closer to the support surface in which second position the separating edge runs parallel to a tear line of the test strip card. Preferably the separating element is so formed that it can be received in the above-described slot of a tear line. Thereby the separating element along with the tearing function also has the purpose of fixing the test strip card in a definite position on the test strip support surface. The test strip needed for the immediate measurement therefore is located by the separating element and the stop on the test strip support surface in an exactly predetermined position and is held fast by the separating element in this position as well as by the fact that it is still connected with the test strip card pressed by the sealing lip against the test strip support surface.
Preferably the separating element is arranged on a pivotal lever, for example, on the cover carrying the sealing strip.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5728352 (1998-03-01), Poto et al.

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