Abstract:
Disclosed is a test tape device comprising a housing having a cassette compartment for a replaceable tape cassette, a cassette door which can be retained in a closed position and which allows access to the cassette compartment through a housing opening in an open position, a tip cover which can be positioned in a first position covering a housing aperture and a second position allowing access to a tip of the tape cassette, wherein the tip cover is moveable to a third position in which the cassette tip is at least partially uncovered and the housing opening is extended into the area of the cassette tip, and wherein the cassette door is self-opening when moving the tip cover to the third position.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of PCT/EP2014/067118, filed Aug. 8, 2014, which claims priority to EP 13179963.7, filed Aug. 9, 2013, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The invention concerns a test tape device in particular for blood glucose tests and further concerns a method for operating such a device. 
         [0003]    Such devices can be designed as a glucose meter for the self-diagnosis of diabetics. A plurality of test fields is provided on a spoolable test tape in the tape cassette. The reactive test fields are examined photometrically after the application of a small amount of blood sample in order to determine the glucose content. The tape cassette is inserted as a disposable part into a compact hand-held device housing in order to allow the necessary analytical steps to be carried out automatically and rapidly. 
         [0004]    WO 2012/080384 discloses a glucose meter having a door lock for retaining the cassette door in the closed position, wherein the protective cover is coupled with the door lock via an interlocking mechanism, whereby the door lock is blocked in the closed position of the protective cover and can be unlocked in the release position of the cover. The interlocking mechanism has a swivel-mounted lock catch which can be turned by manually operating the protective cover. Further, the door lock has a slider for manual operation. However, such function is not intuitively clear to the user, is difficult in handling and requires a complex construction. If the slider is operated in the closed or not fully opened position of the tip cover, the cassette door will not open and the user may get the false impression that the cassette door is jammed. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    On this basis this disclosure further improves the known test devices and methods of device operation to achieve a user-friendly, simple and straightforward producible design. 
         [0006]    This disclosure is based on the idea of using only one operating element for enabling a cassette change. Accordingly, it is proposed according to this disclosure:
       a housing having a cassette compartment adapted to receive a replaceable analytical tape cassette,   a cassette door which can be retained in a closed position preferably by a door lock and which allows access to the cassette compartment through a housing opening in an open position,   a tip cover which can be positioned in a first (closed) position covering a housing aperture and a second (operating) position allowing access to a tip of the tape cassette arranged to protrude through the housing aperture for sample application,   wherein the tip cover is moveable into a third (release) position in which the cassette tip is at least partially uncovered and the housing opening is extended into the area of the cassette tip,   and wherein the cassette door is self-opening when moving the tip cover to the third position.       
 
         [0012]    In this way the tape cassette can be easily removed without collision with the tip cover. As the cassette door is self-opening in the third position, it is required to handle only one functional element to move the tip cover into the third position. There is no need for the user to know the function of additional elements and the order of their use. 
         [0013]    In a preferred embodiment the door lock is automatically unlocked when moving the tip cover to the third position, so that a self-acting opening of the cassette door is effectuated. 
         [0014]    Another advantageous embodiment provides that the door lock can be unlocked by means of a manually activated release button, wherein the release button is mechanically connected to the tip cover to actuate a movement to the third position. In this way, the release button is the only operational element to be handled in case of a cassette exchange. 
         [0015]    In order to further ease the operation, it is advantageous when a sliding module is connected to the release button, wherein the tip cover can be pivoted from the first position to the third position by a pull force of the sliding module. 
         [0016]    It is also conceivable that the tip cover can be manually operated to assume the third position and at the same time forms a leverage to actuate the door lock. A further improvement can be achieved when a pivot is provided to allow pivoting of a free end of the tip cover. 
         [0017]    In a further preferred embodiment the tip cover is movable in a guide structure between the first and second positions, wherein the guide structure is mounted on a slider which is movable relative to the housing, wherein a movement of the slider carries the tip cover to the third position and unlocks the door lock. 
         [0018]    For an ergonomic design, it is particularly advantageous when a grip member is formed on the slider for shifting of the slider in a linear track of the housing. 
         [0019]    A further manufacturing and functional simplification can be achieved when the tip cover is moveably connected to the cassette door to allow movement between the first and second positions, and when the cassette door and the tip cover can be moved cooperatively as a unitary lid to move the cassette door to the open position and the tip cover to the third position. In this context, it is further advantageous when a folding connection is provided as a hinge mounted between an edge of the cassette door and of the tip cover. 
         [0020]    Another unique aspect of this disclosure is a test tape device comprising a housing having a cassette compartment adapted to receive a replaceable analytical tape cassette, a cassette door which can be retained in a closed position preferably by a door lock and which allows access to the cassette compartment through a housing opening in an open position, a tip cover which can be positioned in a first (closed) position covering a housing aperture and a second (working) position allowing access to a tip of the tape cassette arranged to protrude through the housing aperture for sample application, and further comprising a device electronics that is configured to prompt the user to open the tip cover for a cassette change and automatically unlocks the cassette door in the open position of the tip cover. In this way, there is no need for a specific user operation for opening the cassette door, and any confusion on the sequence of operation during the cassette change is avoided. Furthermore, a compact and robust design with a reduced number of mechanical elements can be achieved. 
         [0021]    Preferably, the device electronics are adapted to detect conditions for replacement of the tape cassette, wherein said conditions comprise one of a consumed number of tests, a defect of the cassette and expiry of a life period of the cassette. 
         [0022]    This disclosure is also directed to a test tape system comprising a test tape device according to this disclosure and an analytical tape cassette including a test tape inserted in the cassette compartment. 
         [0023]    In order to achieve the results stated above with respect to a method of operation, the following measures are proposed:
       positioning a tip cover in a first position for covering a housing aperture,   moving the tip cover to a second position to allow access to a tip of the tape cassette for sample application,   moving the tip cover to a third position in which the cassette tip is at least partially uncovered and the housing opening is extended into the area of the cassette tip,   inserting or replacing the tape cassette in the third position of the tip cover, wherein the cassette door is self-opening.       
 
         [0028]    In a preferred embodiment, tip cover is provided as an actuation element for automatically releasing a door lock of the cassette door in the third position. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0029]    The above-mentioned aspects of exemplary embodiments will become more apparent and will be better understood by reference to the following description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0030]      FIG. 1 a    is a perspective view of a tape cassette-type glucose meter in the closed position of both a cassette door and a tip cover; 
           [0031]      FIG. 1 b    is a sectional view of the device of  FIG. 1 a    taken along line b-b of  FIG. 1   c;    
           [0032]      FIG. 1 c    is a sectional view of the device of  FIG. 1 a    taken long line c-c of  FIG. 1   b;    
           [0033]      FIGS. 2 a -2 c    show the glucose meter in a working position of the tip cover in views similar to  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0034]      FIGS. 3 a -3 c    show the glucose meter in a release position of the tip cover for opening the cassette door in views similar to  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 4 a    is a rear view of a further embodiment of a tape cassette-type glucose meter illustrating three positions of the tip cover; 
           [0036]      FIG. 4 b    is a partly expanded and cutaway side view showing a cassette door lock of the glucose meter of  FIG. 4   a;    
           [0037]      FIG. 4 c    is a perspective view of a mechanism of the glucose meter of  FIG. 4 a    connecting a release button to a door lock; 
           [0038]      FIGS. 5 a -5 d    show perspective views of a further embodiment of a glucose meter with a sliding release mechanism; 
           [0039]      FIGS. 6 a -6 b    show perspective views of a still further embodiment of a glucose meter with a combination door and tip cover; 
           [0040]      FIG. 7  shows an alternative embodiment of a glucose meter with an electronically controlled cassette door. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0041]    The embodiments described below are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may appreciate and understand the principles and practices of this disclosure. 
         [0042]    The drawings illustrate a test tape device configured as a portable glucose meter  10  for self-monitoring of blood glucose and comprising a housing  12  for inserting a disposable analytical tape cassette  14 . The tape cassette  14  stores a number of test fields on a carrier tape which can be successively spooled forwards to a cassette tip  16  for a targeted application of a blood sample. 
         [0043]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 a - c    the glucose meter  10  comprises a hinged cassette door  20  covering a cassette compartment  22  and a tip cover  24  protecting a lateral housing aperture  26  and the cassette tip  16  protruding therethrough. The tip cover  24  forms a shell over the cassette tip  16  and has an extension  28  which is guided in an arc-shaped conduit  30 . This conduit  30  is formed in a guide block  32  slidably disposed in the housing  12 . 
         [0044]    The cassette door  20  on one side has a spring-loaded hinge  34  configured to swing open automatically when released to allow a change of cassette  14 . In the state shown in  FIG. 1 , when the tip cover  24  is in the closed (first) position, the cassette door  20  is locked by retaining hooks  36  engaging into undercut recesses  38  of the guide block  32 . Thus, the cassette  14  cannot be removed when the side wall  40  of the tip cover  24  in the closed position overlaps the cassette tip  16 . In this way, accidental damage by the user is avoided. 
         [0045]      FIGS. 2 a - c    show the glucose meter  10  with the tip cover  24  in a second (operating) position. To attain this position, the extension  28  is moved on a curved path in the conduit  30  by appropriate manual actuation of the tip cover  24 . In the second position of the tip cover  24 , the carrier tape  42  guided above the cassette tip  16  is easily accessible for sample application, e.g., a blood drop from a fingertip. Still, the cassette door  20  is maintained in the closed position by retaining hooks  28 . 
         [0046]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 3 a - c   , the cassette  14  can be easily exchanged in a third (release) position of the tip cover  24 . This position can be reached by manually gripping the tip cover  24  and exerting a pulling force, whereby the extension  28  extracts the guide block  32  out of the housing  12  along a limited distance defined by the recesses  38 . In the open-end position, the retaining hooks  36  disengage the undercut and the cassette door  20  swings open under spring force. Then, the opening  21  of the cassette compartment  22  is extended into the area of the cassette tip  16  and the tape cassette  14  can be removed or exchanged without collision with the tip cover  24 . Hence the tip cover  24  can be used as an operating element for both actuations, namely exposure of the sample application site and simultaneous opening of the cassette door  20  and tip cover  24 . 
         [0047]      FIGS. 4 a -4 c    show an embodiment which allows simultaneous opening of the cassette door  20  and removal of the tip cover  24  for cassette exchange by means of a single one release button  44 . The release button  44  can be manually operated as a sliding switch with the thumb of the hand holding the meter. 
         [0048]    As illustrated in  FIG. 4 a    the tip cover  24  can be moved into three positions. The arcuate movement between the closed position (solid line) and open position (dotted line) can be effected with the aid of a finger grasp  46  formed on the outer contour of the tip cover  24 . The release position (dot and dash line) can be triggered via the release button  44 , as further explained below. 
         [0049]      FIG. 4 b    shows a lock module  48  for the cassette door  20 . This module comprises two swing pinions  50 ,  52  which are swivel-mounted on respective bearing pins  54  such that locking hooks  56  can engage a holding part  58  on the inner side of the cassette door  20 . Swing pinion  50  has a driving pin  60  connected to the release button  44 . Swing pinion  52  has a linking pin  62  for actuating movement of the tip cover  24  into the third (release) position. When pushing the release button  44  (rightward as shown in  FIG. 4 b   ), the driving pin  60  on pinion  50  will rotate clockwise, effecting a counterclockwise rotation of pinion  52  through tooth engagement. Then, the cassette door  20  will be released and swing open under spring force. Manual closing of the cassette door  20  will exert a force on the pinions  50 ,  52  to rotate in the locking direction. 
         [0050]      FIG. 4 c    further elucidates a sliding module  64  next in line to the lock module  48  construed for movement of the tip cover  24  into the third (release) position. The sliding module  64  has a guide member  66  to transform the rotary motion of the linking pin  62  into a linear movement of a pulling member  68  acting on shaft  70 . As the extension  28  of tip cover  24  has a pivot  72 , the exerted pulling force promotes the tip cover  24  to swivel out to the position shown in dot and dash line in  FIG. 4 a   . Thus, the tip cover  24  opens at the same time as the cassette door  20 , and the cassette  14  is accessible to be replaced conveniently without collision. 
         [0051]      FIGS. 5 a -5 d    illustrate a design in which the tip cover  24  is movable on a guide structure  74 , which in turn is mounted on a slider  76  that can be displaced relative to the housing  12  by means of a manually operated grip member  78 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 5 a    shows the tip cover  24  in the closed state (first position), where the cassette door  20  is also closed and the meter  10  is in sleeping mode. For normal operation, the tip cover  24  can be moved by aid of finger grasp  46  along guide structure  46  to assume the open state (second position), as shown in  FIG. 5 b   . In this working mode of the meter  10 , the cassette tip  16  is accessible for sample application and optical measurement. As can be seen from  FIG. 5 c   , the tip cover  24  can be transported to a third position where the cassette tip  16  is laterally exposed. The manually operated grip member  78  allows a corresponding linear shifting of the slider  76  in a track  80  of the housing  12 . As explained before, the movement of the slider  76  also releases a door lock, e.g., retaining hooks  36 , such that the cassette door  20  automatically opens and the cassette  14  can be replaced ( FIG. 5 d   ). 
         [0053]    In order to assist the user in accurate positioning, the intended end positions can be marked by position marks  81  or pictograms provided on the housing and on the tip cover  24  and/or the slider  76 . Then, the user is aware of the range of movement and the second and third positions can be located precisely specifically if the movement requires several steps in one direction. 
         [0054]      FIGS. 6 a  and 6 b    show an embodiment in which the tip cover  24  is connected to a lateral edge of the cassette door  20  via a hinge  82  to allow movement between the first and second position ( FIG. 6 a   ), and in which the cassette door  20  and the tip cover  24  can be moved cooperatively as a unitary lid  84  to move the cassette door  20  to the open position and the tip cover  24  to the third position ( FIG. 6 b   ). 
         [0055]      FIG. 6  illustrates another embodiment of a glucose meter  10  having a tip cover that can be manually displaced on a guide structure  74  between first and second positions as also shown in  FIG. 5 a  and  b   . The meter  10  further comprises a device electronics  86  that is configured to prompt the user to open the tip cover  24  for a cassette change. For this purpose, device electronics  86  is adapted to detect conditions for replacement of the tape cassette, e.g., a consumed number of tests, a defect of the cassette  14 , expiry of a life period of the cassette  14 . Such a prompt can be shown on display  88 , and then the device electronics  86  automatically unlocks the cassette door in the open position of the tip cover  24 . 
         [0056]    While exemplary embodiments have been disclosed hereinabove, the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Instead, this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of this disclosure using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.