DEVICE FOR TAKING A SAMPLE OF BIOLOGICAL LIQUID

A device to collect a biological liquid sample to be inserted into a portable reader to analyze the biological liquid. The device includes a strip, an absorbent assembly, a band and a housing having a housing bottom. The color-changing reactive elements are arranged one after the other on an upper face of the strip. The absorbent assembly includes a deposition portion on which the biological liquid is deposited thereon. The band to diffuse the biological liquid arranged over the top of the reactive elements. The strip is arranged on the housing bottom with a lower face of the strip facing the housing bottom. Each reactive element is arranged by transparency through the strip facing an opening in the housing bottom. A cover is arranged over the top of the band and includes a protruding pattern forming a pressing surface configured to press the band into contact with the reactive elements.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device for collecting a biological liquid sample. It applies, in particular, to a urine sample collection cartridge for the purpose of analysing urinary marker value.

PRIOR ART

It is common, among health professionals, to be able to analyse a biological liquid sample such as urine or else saliva. It is known to use strips equipped with a few reactive elements whose colour may vary in contact with the biological liquid. After soaking the strip in the biological liquid, the reactive elements may change colour. A first known manner of reading colours and its interpretation is to detect the colour change with the naked eye and to interpret this change according to a table of correspondence of the colours to a concentration of compound in the biological liquid. Another manner consists in using, for a health professional, a bulky and expensive apparatus allowing analysing the strip comprising the reactive elements.

It has already been attempted to overcome this problem by offering the general public to themselves soak strips equipped with reactive elements in a jar comprising for example urine, and to themselves analyse with the naked eye, the colour change of the reagents and interpret the colours according to the instructions provided with the strip.

This home solution does not always reliably inform the user, the user may have difficulty discerning a colour change relative to the instructions, the time of soaking of the strip in the biological liquid not being necessarily mastered by the user, the latency time between the end of soaking and the interpretation of the colours of the reagents also not always being mastered by the user.

Presentation of the Invention

The present invention aims at overcoming these drawbacks with a completely innovative approach.

To this end, according to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a device for collecting a biological liquid sample intended to be able to be inserted into a portable reader for analysing the biological liquid, the device comprising a transparent or translucent strip extending along a longitudinal axis and comprising, on its upper face, a plurality of colour-changing reactive elements arranged one after the other along the longitudinal axis; an absorbent assembly extending along the longitudinal axis and comprising a biological liquid deposition portion; a band for the diffusion of the biological liquid arranged over the top of the plurality of reactive elements; a housing extending along the longitudinal axis between two lateral ends, the housing comprising: a housing bottom, the strip being arranged in the housing bottom, the lower face of the strip being arranged facing the housing bottom, each reactive element being arranged by transparency through the strip facing an opening of the housing bottom; an upper cover arranged over the top of the diffusion band, and comprising at least one protruding pattern forming a first pressing surface configured to press the diffusion band into contact with the plurality of reactive elements; an access opening configured to provide access to the biological liquid deposition portion.

The invention is implemented according to the embodiments and the variants exposed below, which are to be considered individually or according to any technically operative combination.

Advantageously, the biological liquid deposition portion can be arranged through the access opening. The absorbent assembly may be a single blotting paper.

Advantageously, the biological liquid deposition portion may comprise an absorbent reservoir band distinct from the diffusion band; the housing may comprise a second pressing surface configured to press at least one contact portion of the absorbent reservoir band into contact with a contact pad of the diffusion band.

Advantageously, the absorbent reservoir band and the diffusion band are arranged generally longitudinally one after the other, the reservoir band can be configured to be movable in translation along the longitudinal axis, the contact portion can be arranged at the end of the absorbent reservoir band; the contact portion can be configured to hit the second pressing surface by pushing, along the longitudinal axis, of the absorbent reservoir band so as to be brought into contact with the contact pad of the diffusion band.

Advantageously, the diffusion band and the absorbent reservoir band can comprise respectively a diffusion blotting paper and a reservoir blotting paper distinct from the diffusion blotting paper, the reservoir blotting paper comprising a liquid absorption feature greater than that of the diffusion blotting paper.

Advantageously, the diffusion band can comprise a plurality of mounting pads arranged successively along the longitudinal axis, each reactive element being arranged under a single mounting pad, the diffusion band can comprise a material recess between each of the mounting pads.

Advantageously, the access opening can be arranged on one of the lateral ends of the housing. The housing may comprise two opposite longitudinal walls inside the housing forming a guideway cooperating with a removable support of the absorbent assembly, the removable support being configured to be inserted into the housing through the access opening.

Alternatively, the access opening can be arranged on the cover of the housing or on the housing bottom.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

According toFIG. 1, a system10for analysing a biological liquid sample comprises a device12, or cartridge, for collecting a biological liquid sample and a portable reader14for analysing a biological liquid sample. For the purposes of positioning the elements with each other, and without limitation with regard to the overall orientation of the collection device12and the reader14, left and right orientations are defined along a longitudinal axis L and top and bottom, or upper and lower, orientations are defined along a vertical axis V. The biological liquid sample collection device12is intended to be inserted into the portable reader14for analysing the biological liquid. The collection device12comprises a housing16extending generally along the longitudinal axis L between two left and right lateral ends18,20, the housing16being configured to be inserted in translation, in a longitudinal direction D, into an opening22of the reader14. By way of non-limiting example, it has been defined that a collection device12of about 10 centimetres in length along the longitudinal axis L, of a thickness less than one centimetre along the vertical axis V and of a width along an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis L to within one centimetre could correspond to the need.

According toFIG. 2andFIG. 3, and according to a first embodiment, the collection device12ofFIG. 1comprises the housing16comprising a lower element or housing bottom24and an upper element or cover26allowing closing the top of the housing16. The collection device12comprises an absorbent assembly28, extending along the longitudinal axis L, configured to be arranged in the housing16. The collection device12also comprises a strip30extending longitudinally and comprising, on the upper face thereof, a plurality of colour-changing reactive elements32,34arranged one after the other along the longitudinal axis L. In the context of the invention, the term “colour change” should mean the evolution of the colour of a reactive element32,34when it is brought into contact with a biological liquid, for example and without limitation, of a change in the colour from orange to blue for an indication of acidity (or else denoted ‘pH’) of the biological liquid, but also of an appearance of colour, that is to say from the white aspect of a reactive element to a pink colouration when detecting nitrites in the biological liquid in contact with the appropriate reactive element32,34. By way of non-limiting example, and according to the dimensions of the previously indicated collection device12, a strip30which may comprise ten reactive elements32,34is compatible with the housing16and is suitable for a sufficiently exhaustive biological liquid analysis.

The absorbent assembly28, such as an absorbent paper capable of absorbing a liquid, has the role of receiving the biological liquid and of diffusing it in contact with the reactive elements32,34. To this end, according to this first embodiment, the absorbent assembly28comprises an absorbent reservoir band36provided for the deposition of biological liquid, and a diffusion band38configured to diffuse, by capillary action, the biological liquid previously deposited on the absorbent reservoir band36on the reactive elements32,34of the strip30. The absorbent reservoir band36therefore comprises at least one portion configured to be in contact with the diffusion band38.

To this end, preferably, the diffusion band38and the absorbent reservoir band36comprise respectively a diffusion blotting paper and a reservoir blotting paper distinct from the diffusion blotting paper, the reservoir blotting paper comprising a liquid absorption feature greater than that of the diffusion blotting paper. The reservoir blotting paper should allow an absorption of an amount of biological liquid necessary for the analysis, and also allow a rapid transfer of the biological liquid to the diffusion blotting paper. By way of non-limiting example, it was found that a reservoir blotting paper with a thickness between 2 and 3 millimetres, and with a liquid absorption feature comprised between 200 and 300 milligrams of liquid per square centimetre could be suitable for the collection device12, this type of reservoir blotting paper comprising a liquid advance speed comprised between 3 and 5 cm for a time of ten seconds. It has also been found that a diffusion blotting paper comprising a thickness less than one millimetre, preferably comprised between 0.2 and 0.6 millimetres, and an absorption capacity comprised between 20 and 40 milligrams of liquid per square centimetre could be suitable for the collection device12, this type of diffusion blotting paper comprising a liquid advance speed comprised between 0.5 and 1.5 cm for a time of 10 seconds.

According to the first embodiment ofFIG. 2and ofFIG. 3, the absorbent reservoir band36and the diffusion band38are arranged generally longitudinally one after the other. The absorbent reservoir strip36extending from the right lateral end20of the housing16to the second end thereof forming a contact portion40, the diffusion band38extending from the left lateral end18of the housing16to the second end thereof forming a contact pad42. The contact portion40is configured to be in contact with the diffusion band38. The contact portion40is arranged over the top of the contact pad42of the end of the diffusion band38.

The strip30is arranged below the diffusion band38. More particularly, the upper face of the strip30, equipped with the plurality of reactive elements32,34faces the lower face of the diffusion band38such that the diffusion band38can bear on the reactive elements32,34, allowing a reaction of the reactive elements32,34in contact with the biological liquid diffused by capillary action through the diffusion band38.

According to the first embodiment represented inFIG. 2and inFIG. 3, the diffusion of the biological liquid through the diffusion band is performed from the contact portion40of the absorbent reservoir band36in contact with the contact pad42from the end of the diffusion band38, to the end opposite the contact pad40of the diffusion band38. To this end, when the reactive elements32,34are in contact with the diffusion band38, they are in turn in contact with the biological liquid being diffused in the longitudinal direction D. In particular, and in order to avoid pollution phenomena, or contamination, between successive reactive elements32,34, the diffusion band38comprises a plurality of mounting pads44,46arranged successively along the longitudinal axis L and separated from each other along the longitudinal axis L by a material recess48,50of the diffusion band38. Each reactive element32is configured to be arranged in contact with a single mounting pad44, the diffusion band38comprising a material recess between each of the mounting pads44,46.

Preferably and as represented inFIG. 2andFIG. 3, the mounting pads44,46are arranged along a longitudinal edge of the diffusion band38, thus forming a series of mounting pads44,46in the form of successive slots.

This embodiment allows the biological liquid to diffuse along the other longitudinal edge of the diffusion band38, this other edge being opposite to the edge forming the slots. To this end, the biological liquid can impregnate the mounting pads44,46successively and gradually one after the other.

According toFIG. 2andFIG. 3, the strip30is configured to be arranged in the housing bottom24along the longitudinal axis L. The lower face of the strip30, that is to say the face of the strip30opposite to the face of the strip30on which the reactive elements32,34are arranged, is arranged facing the housing bottom24. In order to be able to perform a reading of the colour change of the reactive elements32,34arranged on the upper face of the strip30, the strip30is preferably a transparent strip30, each reactive element32,34of the strip being arranged, by transparency through the strip30, facing an opening52of the housing bottom24.

According to the first embodiment ofFIG. 2andFIG. 3, the opening52of the housing bottom24is a longitudinally extending opening52, of a length along the longitudinal axis L slightly less than that of the strip30and of a width, in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis L, slightly less than that of the strip30, so that the strip30can bear on the periphery of the opening52of the housing bottom24.

In order to be able to hold the strip30fixed against lateral movements, the strip30is configured to be arranged between a first lateral wall51of a first edge of the longitudinally extending housing bottom24, and pins of lateral stop53of the strip30arranged on the housing bottom24. In order to be able to hold the strip30fixed against translational movements along the longitudinal axis L, the strip30is configured to be arranged between a transverse wall55of the left end of the housing bottom24and another transverse wall57, opposite to the transverse wall55of the left end of the housing bottom24, arranged on the housing bottom24. It should be noted that the strip30allows in particular holding the reactive elements32,34fixed in the housing16, and protecting the reactive elements32,34against impurities outside the housing16.

According toFIG. 2andFIG. 3, the housing bottom24is configured to be able to hold the diffusion band38fixed both against the longitudinal movements and against lateral movements. To this end, the pins of lateral stop53of the strip30are configured to be arranged between slots or material recesses48,50of the diffusion band38. The edge of the diffusion band38not comprising any slots is configured to be arranged in abutment against a second lateral wall59of the second edge of the longitudinally extending housing bottom24.

According toFIG. 2andFIG. 3, the absorbent reservoir strip36is of a generally parallelepiped shape. The housing bottom24comprises a plurality of transverse support tabs64extending between each longitudinal edge of the housing bottom24and protruding inwardly of the housing16. The transverse support tabs64of the plurality of transverse support tabs64are regularly spaced from the right lateral end20of the housing bottom24so as to be able to hold the absorbent reservoir band36in a balanced manner when closing the housing16.

According toFIG. 2andFIG. 3, the cover26of the housing16comprises a housing54configured to receive the absorbent reservoir band36. The housing54is formed by a material reduction of the inner face of the cover26. The housing54extends longitudinally from the right lateral end20of the cover26and is generally rectangular in shape allowing holding fixed, both against the translational movements along the longitudinal axis L, and against the lateral movements, the absorbent reservoir band36. The housing54of the absorbent reservoir band36comprises an access opening56allowing directly accessing a portion of the absorbent reservoir band36from the outside of the housing16of the collection device12. The portion of the absorbent reservoir band36arranged opposite to the access opening56forms a biological liquid deposition portion37.

According toFIG. 2andFIG. 3, the inner face of the cover26comprises bearing tabs60protruding on the inner face of the cover26, the bearing tabs60extending longitudinally from the left lateral end18of the cover26to the housing54of the absorbent reservoir strip36. The bearing tabs60form protruding patterns towards the inside of the housing16, the tabs60being configured to bear on the diffusion band38. In addition of the bearing tabs60, the inner face of the cover26comprises bearing studs62configured to bear against the mounting pads44,46of the diffusion band38.

According to the first embodiment ofFIG. 2andFIG. 3, when the housing16is closed, that is to say when the periphery of the cover26is fixed with the periphery of the housing bottom24, for example without limitation, by clipping, the absorbent reservoir strip36is in contact with the diffusion band38, the diffusion band38is in contact with the reactive elements32,34. More particularly, when the housing16is closed, the inner surface of the housing54bearing on the absorbent reservoir band36. The absorbent reservoir band36is therefore compressed between the inner surface of the housing54and the transverse tabs64such that the contact portion40of the absorbent reservoir band36is in bearing contact against the contact pad42of the diffusion band38. To this end, in the case of depositing the biological liquid on the deposition portion37of the collection device12, the biological liquid can diffuse from the absorbent reservoir strip36to the diffusion band38.

When the housing16is closed, the longitudinal bearing tabs60exert a pressure on the diffusion strip38towards the housing bottom24. In addition, when the housing16is closed, the bearing studs62exert a bearing force on the diffusion band38, allowing a bearing contact of the mounting pads44,46against the reactive elements32,34. The bearing force exerted by the longitudinal bearing tabs60associated with the bearing force exerted by the bearing studs62on the diffusion band38, allows a reliable and durable contact of the mounting pads44,46against the reactive elements32,34, thus allowing, in the case of presence of biological liquid on the diffusion band38, a reliable reaction of the reactive elements32,34with the biological liquid which can result in a colour change of the reactive elements32,34.

According to the first embodiment of the collection device12ofFIG. 2and ofFIG. 3, it is advantageous that the strip30, preferably transparent, can be flexible in order to be able to withstand the assembly stresses of the collection device12. To this end, it is advantageous that the strip30is a strip30made of plastic material. Other material solutions, such as, for example, and in a non-limiting manner, the glass or even poly methyl methacrylate, could have been considered. For the purposes of automatically reading the colour change of the reactive elements32,34, that is to say, for example and without limitation, by assisted reading by an optical reading type technology, the strip30may not necessarily be transparent, but only allow the passage of light, like a translucent material. Alternatively to the first embodiment, the access opening56could also have been arranged on the housing bottom24. Also, it could have been possible to provide a first access opening on the housing bottom24and a second access opening on the cover26.

According toFIG. 4,FIG. 5andFIG. 6, a second embodiment of a collection device112is represented. This second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the absorbent reservoir band136is no longer arranged in a housing of the cover126which is fixed against translational movements. The absorbent element128comprises an absorbent reservoir band136arranged through a lateral access opening156arranged on the right lateral face of the right lateral end120of the housing116such that the biological liquid deposition portion137of the absorbent reservoir band136is configured to be arranged outside the housing116. The deposition portion137is advantageously configured to be covered by a cap166allowing manipulating the collection device112manually without having to grip the device112directly to the touch of the deposition portion137when it is inserted into the reader14. According to this second embodiment, the absorbent reservoir band136is arranged so as to be able to be movable in translation along the longitudinal axis L.

More particularly and according toFIG. 5andFIG. 6, the absorbent reservoir band136comprises, from the left end thereof to the right end thereof, successively, a contact portion140configured to be in contact with the diffusion band138, a portion168for guiding in translation configured to be arranged in a guide ring170, and the biological liquid deposition portion137. The absorbent reservoir band136and the diffusion band138are arranged generally longitudinally one after the other generally similarly to the first embodiment.

The guide ring170is arranged secured to the guide portion168of the absorbent reservoir band136. The guide ring170cooperates with guide rails extending inside the housing116from the lateral access opening156. The guide ring170is configured to extend simultaneously inside the housing116so as to be partially arranged on the guide rails thereof and also partially outside the housing116so as to form a first end stop for the cap166when the latter is arranged in translation on the deposition portion137.

More particularly, the guide ring170comprises an upper element and a lower element comprising respectively a male element such as a tenon and a female element, the portion168for guiding in translation the absorbent reservoir strip136comprising a fixing opening171allowing the passage of the female element of the lower element through the absorbent reservoir band136in order to allow the coupling of the two elements of the guide ring170. The guide ring170is configured to hold the guide portion168during a translation of the absorbent reservoir band136.

The cover126of the housing comprises a bearing section127arranged above the mounting pads144,146of the diffusion band138and configured to come to bear on the mounting pads144,146of the diffusion band138when closing the housing116for contacting the mounting pads144,146with the reactive elements132,134. The cover126of the housing comprises a sliding section129arranged raised opposite to the bearing section127and configured for the translational sliding of the guide ring170, the guide rails being arranged in this sliding section129. The cover126comprises a sloping transition section131connecting the bearing section127and the sliding section129. The contact pad142of the end of the diffusion band138is arranged at least partially below the transition section of the cover126.

According toFIG. 7andFIG. 8, the contact portion140of the absorbent reservoir band136is configured to be arranged out of contact with the contact pad142of the diffusion band138according to an initial position of the guide ring170. According to this initial position, the guide ring170forms a first end stop for the cap166when it is arranged in translation on the deposition portion137.

According toFIG. 9,FIG. 10andFIG. 11, the guide ring170is configured to be slid in translation inwardly of the sliding section129by a pushing action P on the cap166until the cap166abuts on the outer periphery of the lateral access opening156of the housing116, the periphery of the lateral access opening156forming a second end stop for the cap166. During the translation of the guide ring170, along the longitudinal axis L, inwardly of the sliding section129, the contact portion140of the absorbent reservoir band136hits the inner surface of the transition section131of the cover126so as to be bent towards the contact pad142of the diffusion band138. In other words, the inner surface of the transition section131is a pushing surface of the cover126for the contact portion140of the absorbent reservoir band136. When the cap166abuts on the periphery of the lateral access opening156, according toFIG. 10andFIG. 11the contact portion140of the absorbent reservoir band136is bent against the inner surface of the transition section131until it bears in contact with the contact pad142of the diffusion band138.

Optionally, the sliding section129may comprise a detent-type immobilising means of the guide ring170, the immobilising means being configured to immobilise the guide ring170when it is depressed by the guide cap166in the stop position against the second end stop. The immobilising means can advantageously only be operational until a certain extraction force exerted on the cap166or directly on the deposition portion137. By way of non-limiting example, the immobilising means may comprise at least one boss on a guide rail such that the guide ring170must be inserted with an adequate force to override this boss. This boss can generate a tactile rendering of confirmation of effective insertion of the absorbent reservoir band136into the collection device112so as to ensure that the contact portion140of the absorbent reservoir band136is brought into contact with the contact pad142of the diffusion band138.

According toFIG. 5andFIG. 6, the second embodiment also differs from the first embodiment in that the housing bottom124comprises a plurality of housing bottom openings152,153arranged one after the other along the longitudinal axis L. In order to be able to perform a reading of the colour change of the reactive elements132,134arranged on the upper face of the strip130, each reactive element132,134of the strip130is arranged, by transparency through the strip130, facing a single opening152of the housing bottom124different from another opening154of the housing bottom124associated with another reactive element134. Although in accordance with the first embodiment, a single longitudinally extending housing bottom opening124could be suitable, the solution consisting of a plurality of openings152,154in the housing bottom124allows strengthening the overall structure of the housing bottom124.

According toFIG. 4andFIG. 5, the second embodiment also differs from the first embodiment in that the upper surface of the cover126comprises a first boss172and a second boss174, each boss172,174protruding towards the outside of the housing116. Advantageously, the first boss172is arranged in the vicinity of the free end of the bearing section127of the cover126so as to be vertically aligned with the left end of the diffusion band138, the second boss174being arranged straddling between the transition section131of the cover126and the bearing section127of the cover126. The first boss172and the second boss174allow guaranteeing a plane holding along the longitudinal axis L of the diffusion band138during its insertion into the portable reader14for analysing the biological liquid sample, the first boss172and the second boss174being inserted in friction with a wall of the reader14so as to exert pressure on the diffusion band138. The first boss172and the second boss174also contribute to strengthen the contact between the mounting pads144,146of the diffusion band138on the reactive elements132,134. It will be appropriate, that depending on the length along the longitudinal axis L of the diffusion band138, a single boss or a plurality of bosses distributed over the upper surface of the cover126may also be suitable according to the invention. Globally, the first boss172and the second boss174allow pressing the collection device112on the base of the reader at the end of the stroke, the approach taking place with play.

According toFIG. 12,FIG. 13andFIG. 14, a third embodiment of a collection device212is represented. This third embodiment differs in particular from the first embodiment in that the housing216comprises a lateral access opening256arranged on the right lateral face of the right end220of the housing216, similarly to the second embodiment. The collection device212comprises a handle266for manipulating the collection device212configured to be arranged in abutment against the periphery of the lateral access opening256.

According toFIG. 13andFIG. 14, the third embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that the manipulation handle266allows the complete insertion and extraction of the absorbent assembly228from the housing216. In addition, particularly to the third embodiment, the collection device212comprises a removable support276of the absorbent assembly228configured to be inserted or extracted from the housing216, the removable support276extending longitudinally from a first end comprising the manipulation handle266to the second end thereof configured to be inserted into the housing216through the lateral access opening256.

According toFIG. 14andFIG. 15, the housing bottom224of the collection device212comprises two longitudinal walls which are opposite to each other and sufficiently spaced from each other so as to form a guideway278configured to guide the removable support276of the absorbent assembly228when it is inserted into the housing216. The strip230comprising the reactive elements232,234is configured to be arranged longitudinally at the bottom of the housing224, each of the ends of the strip230being configured to be held in a notch280,282of the housing bottom224.

Optionally, the guideway278and the removable support276of the absorbent assembly228may comprise detent-type immobilising means of the removable support276, so as to hold the absorbent assembly228stationary when the handle266for manipulating the removable support276abuts against the periphery of the lateral access opening256of the housing216.

The face of the strip230not comprising any reactive elements232,234is configured to be arranged to bear against the housing bottom224facing an extending longitudinally opening252, of a length along the longitudinal axis L slightly less than that of the strip30and of a width, in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis L, slightly less than that of the strip230, such that the strip230can bear on the periphery of the opening252of the housing bottom224.

According toFIG. 14, particularly to the third embodiment, the absorbent assembly228comprises a single absorbent element extending longitudinally and generally forming a parallelepiped element. The single absorbent element may be, for example without limitation, of the reservoir blotting paper type. The single absorbent element acts as a diffusion band238and also allows the deposition of biological liquid. In other words, the single absorbent element comprises a biological liquid deposition portion237and a diffusion band238, the deposition portion237also being able to be used as a diffusion band238.

According toFIG. 14, for the purposes of facilitating the manipulation of the removable support276, the removable support276is configured to hold the absorbent assembly228on the periphery thereof so that the upper surface thereof and the lower surface thereof are directly accessible from above or below the removable support276. To this end, the removable support276comprises lateral walls284for holding the absorbent assembly228, each holding lateral wall284comprising flanges286bearing on the upper surface and on the lower surface of the absorbent assembly228. To this end, the biological liquid deposition portion237can be also well defined on the upper or lower surface of the absorbent assembly228forming a single absorbent element, the diffusion band238being able to be itself identified as being either the top surface or the bottom surface of the absorbent assembly228.

Optionally, it is possible to form, on one of the faces of the absorbent assembly228, slot type patterns as illustrated on the diffusion band38of the first and second embodiments. To this end, a succession of areas which are reduced in thickness arranged successively along the longitudinal axis L on one face of the absorbent assembly228and each being separated by areas which are not reduced in thickness can form a diffusion band238in the form of a slot. The surface of the absorbent assembly228which is opposite to the diffusion band238can therefore be defined as the deposition portion237, the biological liquid can diffuse from the surface acting as the deposition portion237to the surface acting as the diffusion band238.

According toFIG. 16andFIG. 17, according to the third embodiment, when the housing216is closed and the removable support276comprising the absorbent assembly228is entirely arranged in the housing216, that is to say when the handle266abuts against the periphery of the lateral access opening256, the absorbent assembly228is not in contact with the reactive elements232,234of the strip230. The distance d along the vertical axis V between the reactive elements232,324and the surface of the absorbent assembly228forming the single absorbent element acting as a diffusion band238may be less than a millimetre, this distance d may correspond to the thickness along the vertical axis V of the flanges286of the holding lateral walls284of the absorbent assembly228.

To this end, consequently, the collection device212does not allow, on its own, the biological liquid to be brought into contact with the reactive elements232,234. The collection device212of the third embodiment is configured so that the biological liquid only comes into contact with the reactive elements232,234when this collection device212is inserted into the reader14for analysing the biological liquid sample.

To this end, according toFIG. 16, the cover226of the housing216comprises at the right end thereof, in the vicinity of the lateral access opening256, a bevel type oblique sloping portion288extending upwardly from the cover surface226to the lateral access opening256. This oblique sloping portion is configured to abut against a wall of the reader14so as to slide progressively in vertical thrust downwards the collection device212in contact with a stop internal to the analysis reader14. Also, in order to bring the reactive elements232,234into contact with the single absorbent element configured to diffuse the biological liquid on the reactive elements232,234, the internal stop of the analysis reader14is then configured to crush the strip230towards the absorbent assembly228during the vertical downward thrust of the collection device12, the reactive elements232,234of the strip230then being in compressed contact between the absorbent assembly228and the strip230arranged in direct contact with a protuberance of the base of the analysis reader14. When the strip230is crushed, the two ends of the strip230are each ejected from the notch280,282thereof of the housing bottom224of the collection device212.

According toFIGS. 18, 19 and 20, a fourth embodiment of a collection device312is represented. This fourth embodiment is a variant of the third embodiment. The housing316comprises a lateral access opening356arranged on the right lateral face of the right end of the housing316, similarly to the third embodiment. The collection device312comprises a manipulation handle366allowing the insertion in a longitudinal direction D1and the extraction in a direction opposite to D1complete of the absorbent assembly328of the housing316. In addition, similarly to the third mode embodiment, the collection device312comprises a removable support376of the absorbent assembly328configured to be inserted or extracted from the housing316, the removable support376extending longitudinally from a first end comprising the manipulation handle366to the second end thereof configured to be inserted into the housing316through the lateral access opening356.

According toFIG. 19andFIG. 20, the housing316of the collection device312comprises a housing top324and two longitudinal walls323which are opposite to each other and sufficiently spaced from each other so as to form a guideway378configured to guide the removable support376of the absorbent assembly328when it is inserted into the housing316. The strip330comprising the reactive elements332,334is configured to be arranged longitudinally at the housing top324between the two longitudinal walls323forming the guideway378of the removable support376of the absorbent assembly328, each of the ends of the strip330being configured to be held in a notch380,382of the housing top324. It will be appropriate according to the invention, that the designation of the housing top or the housing bottom of the device for collecting the biological liquid can be considered as equivalent, the overall orientation of the collection device and the reader of the device being indications. These names simply allow an intuitive and clear description of the figures illustrating the invention. More generally, none of the described overall orientations of the collection device is a limiting constraint on the invention.

Optionally, the guideway378and the removable support376of the absorbent assembly328can comprise detent-type immobilising means of the removable support376, so as to hold the absorbent assembly328stationary when the removable support376abuts against the periphery of the lateral access opening356of the housing316.

The removable support376comprises respectively, from the first end thereof to the second end thereof, the manipulation handle366delimited by a guard element377preferably of trapezoidal shape and configured to close the opening of the reader housing in which it is provided to introduce the biological collection device312, then a mounting pad379configured to arrange therein an electronic identification tag381and forming a stop383of the removable support376against the housing316of the collection device312, and finally a support portion385of the absorbent assembly328. The support portion385comprises a tab329for supporting the absorbent assembly328, that is to say a tab329on which the absorbent assembly328rests, the support tab329may comprise lateral walls384allowing the holding of the absorbent assembly328on the tab329. The housing316of the collection device312not comprising a housing bottom, when the removable support376is inserted into the housing316of the collection device312, the support tab329of the absorbent assembly328acts as a housing bottom of the collection device312.

In a manner comparable to the third embodiment, the face of the strip330comprising no reactive elements332,334is configured to be arranged in abutment against the housing top324opposite a plurality of openings352,354in the housing top324. More particularly, in order to be able to perform a reading of the colour change of the reactive elements332,334arranged on the strip330, each reactive element332,334of the strip330is arranged, by transparency through the strip330, facing a single opening352of the plurality of openings in the housing top324, this single opening352being different from another opening354in the housing top324associated with another reactive element334.

According toFIG. 19andFIG. 20, in a manner comparable to the third embodiment, the absorbent assembly328comprises a single absorbent element extending longitudinally and generally forming a parallelepiped element. The single absorbent element328may be, for example without limitation, of the reservoir blotting paper type. The single absorbent element328acts as a diffusion band338and also allows the deposition of the biological liquid. In other words, the single absorbent element328comprises a biological liquid deposition portion337and a diffusion band338, the deposition portion337acting as a diffusion band338.

According toFIG. 21, a transparent longitudinal section of the collection device312and of a reader314for analysing the biological liquid sample according to the fourth embodiment is represented. When the housing316is closed, that is to say when the removable support376comprising the absorbent assembly328is arranged in abutment into the housing316, the absorbent assembly328is not in contact with the reactive elements332,334of the strip330. The distance dl along the vertical axis V between the reactive elements332,324and the surface of the absorbent assembly328acting as the diffusion band338may be less than a millimetre.

To this end, consequently, the collection device312does not on its own allow the biological liquid to be brought into contact with the reactive elements332,334. The collection device312of the fourth embodiment is configured so that the biological liquid only comes into contact with the reactive elements332,334when this collection device312is inserted into the reader314for analysing the biological liquid sample.

To this end, according toFIG. 21, the right end of the support tag329of the absorbent assembly328comprises a bevelled portion357of a thickness, along the vertical axis, greater than the rest of the support tab329, the bevelled portion comprising a downward slope towards the mounting pad379of the identification label381.

According toFIG. 22, when the introduction according to a first push P1of the collection device312, the bevelled portion357is configured to abut on a first embossment315of the sample analysis reader314before its complete insertion into the sample analysis reader314, that is to say, before the guard element377closes the opening of the housing of the sample analysis reader314. At this point, the absorbent assembly328is not in contact with the reactive elements332,334of the strip330.

According toFIG. 23, when the insertion of the collection device312goes beyond the stop formed by the first embossment315of the housing of sample analysis reader314, that is to say during a second push P2of the collection device312until closing the opening of the housing of the sample analysis reader314by the guard element377of the collection device312, the bevelled portion357is arranged over the top of the first embossment315and causes the raising of the support tab329of the absorbent assembly328towards the reactive elements332,334of the strip330so as to bring the absorbent assembly328into contact with the reactive elements. More particularly, when the bevelled portion357is pushed over the top of the first embossment315, the opposite longitudinal walls323forming the guideway378of the removable support376move away from each other so as to release the removable support376of the guideway378, the removable support376being pushed by the first embossment315in the direction of the reactive elements332,334of the strip330.

It should be noted that the sample analysis reader314may comprise a second embossment317configured to also raise the free end of the support tab329of the absorbent assembly328towards the reactive elements332,334of the strip330and therefore improve the contact between the absorbent assembly328towards the reactive elements332,334of the strip330.

Commonly to the four described embodiments, each housing16,116,216,316of each collection device12,112,212,312may also comprise a lug arranged on a wall of the housing16,116,216,316so as to form a detection stop cooperating with a position sensor of the analysis reader14,314, thus allowing the analysis reader14,314to control the presence or absence of the collection device12,112,212,312which is correctly arranged in the analysis reader14,314.

Also in a manner common to the four described embodiments, each housing16,116,216,316of each collection device12,112,212,312can comprise an electronic identification label arranged for example glued on the cover26,126,226, or even according to the fourth embodiment, glued on the removable support376, so as to guarantee a traceability of each collection device12,112,212.

Also commonly with the four described embodiments, as illustrated inFIGS. 12, 13 and 14, the housing216, more particularly the upper cover226of the housing may also comprise lateral guide fins227allowing facilitating the insertion of the collection cartridge in the analysis reader14,314. The guide fins227are configured to be able to cooperate with guide means specific to the analysis reader14,314.

It should be noted that according to the four described embodiments of the collection devices12,112,212,312, the analysis reader14,314ofFIG. 1can comprise several variants so as to be compatible with each of the embodiments. A non-limiting example is illustrated inFIGS. 21, 22 and 23.

It should be noted that the four described embodiments are particularly suitable for an optical reading by reflection of light on each reactive element32,132,232,332through the openings52,152,252,352in the housing bottom24,124,224, or the housing top324and the strip30,130,230,330allowing the detection, by the analysis reader14,314, of a colour change of the reactive elements32,132,232,332and therefore allowing the automatic analysis by the reader14of the properties of the sample of the biological liquid to be analysed.

It should be noted that the invention is particularly advantageous for the analysis of biological liquid of the urine type. The colour-changing reactive elements32,132,232,332into contact with urine can, for example and without limitation, provide information relating to the supervision of the acidity of urine via its hydrogen potential, denoted pH, or even the urinary density and the creatinine concentration thereof. The uric acid concentration is also a possible supervision factor.

It should of course be understood that the detailed description of the subject of the invention, given solely by way of illustration, does not in any way constitute a limitation, the technical equivalents also being comprised within the scope of the present invention.