Test element analysis system

This invention relates to test element analysis system for the analytical investigation of body liquids. An evaluation instrument, pertaining to the system, comprises a storage container, where a plurality of test elements is held ready for use, a sample application position, where one test element at a time is brought into contact with the sample, a measuring device for the determination of a measurable variable characteristic for the analysis, and a transport device, by which one test element at a time is taken out of the test element storage container at the take out position and transported to the sample application position.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to German Application No. DE 10250331.1 filed Oct. 29, 2002.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a test element analysis system for the analytical investigation of a liquid sample as well as to test elements for such an analysis system and to a method for the production thereof.

BACKGROUND

Test procedures operating with test elements are used on a large scale to analyze the components in a liquid sample qualitatively and quantitatively, particularly in body fluids of humans or animals. These test elements contain reagents. For the execution of a reaction, the test element is brought into contact with the sample. The reaction of sample and reagent leads to a change of the test element which is characteristic for the analysis, and is evaluated by means of an appropriate evaluation instrument. Generally, the evaluation instrument is appropriate for the evaluation of a certain type of test elements of a certain manufacturer. The test elements and the evaluation instrument are components which are mutually adapted to each other and together designated as analysis system.

Numerous test element types are known, which can be differentiated by the measuring principle, the used reagents as well as by their structure.

With respect to the measuring principle, colorimetric analysis systems are used very frequently. Here the reaction of the sample with the reagents contained in the test element leads to a color change which can be measured visually, or by using a photometric measuring device. Furthermore, electrochemical analysis systems have obtained high importance, wherein the reaction of the sample with the reagents of the test elements leads to an electrically measurable change (of an electrical voltage or an electrical current), to be measured by means of corresponding electronic measuring system.

With respect to the structure, strip-shaped analysis elements (test strips) are particularly common, consisting of an elongated carrier layer made of plastic material, and test fields fixed onto this carrier layer. Generally, the test fields consist of test layers which contain one or more reagents. Such test strips are particularly used, to a large extent, for blood and urine investigations.

A second type of test elements, which so far is used only to a small extent in practice, has a test field surrounded by a frame, similar to a photographic diapositive. In the English literature, such test elements are called “analysis slides”. The test field of this test element type generally consists of one or more test layers supported by the frame and containing reagents appropriate for colorimetric tests. After the application of the sample to the test field and the process of the test reaction, a color generation can be observed, or photometrically measured, on the opposite side (generally the underside) of the test field. Such test elements with frames are known, for example, from U.S. Pat. No. 5,173,261.

Furthermore, special forms of test elements have been proposed for special applications. For example, EP 0312394 A2 describes a test element for immunochemical tests, wherein a membrane, containing immunochemical substances, is mounted in a plastic part shaped as a truncated cone. The plastic part is attached to a syringe in order to aspire a liquid through the membrane by means of the syringe plunger, thus enabling the separation of bound and free reagent components which is required in this type of test.

In most cases, test element analyses are performed manually. However, numerous analysis systems have been proposed, wherein the analysis is partially or completely automatic. The evaluation instruments of such systems generally contain the following subunits: a test element storage container, in which a plurality of test elements is stored, a sample application location at which the test element is brought into contact with the sample, a measuring device for measuring the change of a test element which is characteristic for the analysis, the test element being located in a measuring position (which may coincide with or be different from the sample application position), and a transport facility which takes one test element at a time from the test element storage container, transports it to the sample application device, and—if necessary—further transports it, after contacting with the sample, to the measuring position.

Very different proposals have been made with respect to the constructive design. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,932,133 and 4,876,204 describe evaluation instruments wherein the test element storage container is shaped as a magazine in which a plurality of test strips are stored in a stacked manner, one upon the other. In order to take the test strips out of the container and to transport them to the subsequent processing stations, a transport device with a gripper, taking up one test stripe at a time, is provided.

In GB2014113 A, EP0054849 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,143,694, different developments are described, which have in common that test strips are transported, by means of a transport device, continuously in a direction transversal to their longitudinal direction, passing the necessary processing stations. To this end GB 2014113 uses a cylinder, EP 0054849 uses a continuously transporting paper strip, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,143,694 uses a system of transport fingers, which push the test strips, via rails within a plastic insert, from an application position via a measuring station to a waste deposit.

All these automatically working test element analysis systems need much space. They are constructively expensive and need relatively much electrical energy. Therefore, they are not appropriate for small, portable battery-operated analysis systems, as they are common for the blood sugar home monitoring of diabetics.

In order to allow a simplified handling in the field of blood sugar home monitoring, EP 0823635 proposes a special form of test elements wherein the test field is integrated into the front face of a carrier element which is shaped as a truncated cone or a truncated pyramid. A plurality of test elements is stacked, one upon the other, in a tube-shaped magazine and stored ready for use in such a manner that a correspondingly designed evaluation instrument can be attached to the respective upper test element in the magazine. To this end a projection of the test element latches into a corresponding recess at the head of the evaluation instrument, thus providing a connection between the test element and the evaluation instrument. Subsequently, the test element fixed to the device is brought into contact with a drop of blood, produced, for example, at the finger tip. The sophisticated form of these test elements causes substantial costs. Nevertheless, handling is not substantially simplified as compared to conventional test strips.

EP 0922959 describes an analysis system which comprises a damp-proof storage container for test elements and an evaluation instrument. The evaluation instrument is equipped with two guiding grooves, namely one guiding groove adapted to a corresponding profile of the test elements, and a second guiding groove, acting together with a corresponding guiding element of the storage container. In order to take a test element from the storage container and to place it into the test element holder of the evaluation instrument, both components are joined, resulting in a direct take-over of a test element from the storage container into the instrument. This facilitates the handling. The design, however, is relatively expensive, and the material consumption for the production of the test elements is relatively high. On this basis, the invention addresses the problem to create a test element analysis system wherein a handling improvement, in particular with respect to the removal of the test elements from a storage container and their transport to a sample application position of the evaluation instrument, is achieved with a low expense. The design shall be simple and must be appropriate for small, portable, battery-operated analysis systems.

SUMMARY

According to a first main aspect of the invention, this problem is solved by a test element analysis system which comprises test elements with a test field, which—for the purpose of performing an analysis—is brought in contact with a sample, wherein the reaction of one of the analytes contained in the sample with at least one of the reagents contained in the test element leads to a change of a measurable variable which is characteristic for the analysis. The system also comprises an evaluation instrument with a test element storage container, in which a plurality of test elements are stored ready for use at a take out position, a sample application position, at which the test field of a respective test element is brought into contact with the sample, a transport device, transporting one test element at a time from the take out position of the test element storage container and to the sample application position, and a measuring device, used to measure the measurable variable characteristic for the analysis of a test element. The test elements comprise a frame at least partially surrounding the test field and having an outwardly oriented gripping rim running around the outer circumference of the frame and the transport device comprises a gripping device for taking up one test element at a time, one test element at a time being held at the gripping rim during at least a part of the transport path from the take out position to the sample application position.

According to a second main aspect of the invention, the problem is solved by a test element analysis system, comprising test elements with the previously explained characteristics, a test element storage container in which a plurality of test elements are stored to be taken out at a take out position of the storage container, and an evaluation instrument with a test element holder for positioning one test element at a time in a sample application position, at which its test field is brought into contact with the sample, and with a measuring device for measuring the measurable variable characteristic for the analysis, wherein the test elements comprise a frame at least partially surrounding the test field with an outwardly oriented circumferential gripping rim running around the outer circumference of the frame, wherein the diameter of the frame increases from the gripping rim in both spatial directions (Z+and Z−) vertical to the test field plane, and wherein the system includes a gripping device, which holds during the take out from the storage container one test element at a time at its gripping rim.

The invention also refers to test elements appropriate for such test element analysis systems, as well as a method for the production thereof.

The invention is appropriate for calorimetric as well as for electrochemical analysis systems. The term “test field” is used herein to designate the area of the test element which is brought into contact with the sample and is wetted by the sample. It is not necessarily a design element which is separate from the surrounding frame. For electrochemical test elements, in particular, it is useful if the test field and the frame are made of a single-piece plastic part, wherein the necessary electrodes are integrated on or in the test field surface. In every case, the frame which surrounds the test field at least partially, is not wetted by the sample and includes the circumferential gripping rim at its outer circumference.

The invention achieves substantial advantages: The test elements can be produced easily and cheaply. The frame, favorably made from metal or from a plastic material (preferable containing polycarbonate or a polyester), can have a very thin and narrow shape. This does not only reduce the amount of material needed, but also the packaging volume of the test elements; i.e. a large quantity of test elements can be stored in a magazine with relatively small volume. The space requirements for a waste deposit appropriate for receiving used test elements are also reduced; The transport device for automatic evaluation instruments can be of a very simple design with a minimum of moving parts; A partial mechanization of the handling steps by using a system comprising a special storage container and a corresponding evaluation instrument as functionally adapted elements (see EP 0922959) is also possible with lower expense; At the same time a reliable function is achieved. This is particularly true if the cross sectional profile of the frame is shaped, in the area of the gripping rim, in such a manner that the connection between the gripping arms and the test element is not only frictional, but positive locking. In practice, this is achieved by the fact that the frame diameter increases from the gripping surface in at least one direction running perpendicular to the test field plane, forming a protruding shoulder.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of the preferred embodiment is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention or its application or uses.

The test elements1shown in the figures respectively comprise a frame3surrounding a test field aperture2and a test field5arranged in the test field aperture2. The test field5defines a test field plane (in the figures illustrated by two straight lines4aand4b).

In all embodiments shown in the figures, the test field consists of a single layer or of a compound of several mutually fixed layers (normally containing different reagents). Generally, the invention can also be used with test fields which consist of a plurality of loose layers. Such a plurality of layers can be fixed and held together by the frame3, as described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,173,261. As already mentioned, embodiments wherein the test field and the frame are not separated parts, are also possible, in particular for electrochemical test elements.

The test elements1are disk-shaped in the sense that their thickness d in axial direction Z is much smaller than its dimensions in the spatial directions running perpendicular thereto. The shown shape of the test elements1, which is circular in top view onto the test field plane (in particular rotation-symmetric), is preferred, however, not absolutely necessary. The test elements1may rather have an outer limitation different from the circular shape. Therefore, the concept “disk-shaped” must not be understood in a limiting way in the sense of “circular disk shaped”.

An at least central-symmetrical shape with a curved limitation (for example, an elliptic or an oval shape) is preferred. Such a geometry, preferably a circular geometry, offers a series of substantial advantages: The holding of round test elements in the gripping device is self-centering, the design of the storage container in form of a magazine (FIG. 5) is easier and the relation between the sample application surface area18and the overall area of the test element1is particularly advantageous. Generally, however, a rectangular or even asymmetrical shape of the test elements1is possible.

Here the Z direction running perpendicular to the test field plane (which in case of a rotation-symmetric test element coincides with its axis of symmetry) is designated “axial direction”, even for non-rotation-symmetric test elements. Similarly the designation “radial” is used for a spatial direction parallel to the test field plane, away from the center of the test field5(or from its border towards the center).

The liquid sample is applied to a sample application side6of the test element1. It penetrates into the test field and reacts with the reagents contained therein. For the shown calorimetric test, the reaction leads to a photometrically measurable color change which is characteristic for the analysis, in an evaluation zone of the test field on the evaluation side7of the test element1, opposite to the sample application side6.

Within the evaluation instrument, not shown completely inFIG. 1, the test elements1are moved between various functional positions by means of a transport device8. Three functional positions are shown inFIG. 1, namely a take out position9, where a test element is taken from a storage container10preferably shaped as a magazine (here only schematically shown), a sample application position11, where the test element1is brought into contact with the sample12, and a measuring position13, where a measurable variable which is characteristic for the analysis, is measured by means of a measuring device14. In the shown case, this is a reflection-photometric measuring device with a light emitter15, a light receiver16and a measuring and evaluation electronics17. By these means the diffuse reflection of the evaluation zone19(in the shown case, the lower side of the test field5) is measured in generally known manner.

The transport device8grips and transports one test element1at a time by means of a gripping device20, here embodied as gripping fork21with two arms22. The area of the frame where it is contacted by the arms is designated gripping rim24. It is formed by a surface at the outer circumference of the frame3which is directed radially towards the outside, i.e. away from the test field center and runs around at least a part of the circumference. The section of the arms22, where the contact to the gripping rim24takes place, is designated gripping section25. In the gripping section25, the gripping arms22can be in contact to the gripping rim24of the frame3, either continuously or point-by-point. The gripping section25is the part of the arms22between the first and the last contact point. It runs parallel to the test field plane4.

By using a gripping device20which is embodied as a gripping fork21, a particularly space-saving and reliable design is obtained. It is possible to provide the entire transport of the test elements1between the functional positions of the evaluation instrument by means of a simple swiveling movement of the gripping fork21around a fixed axis.

As opposed to the known grippers used in automatic test element analysis systems, the gripping device21does not contact the upper and lower side of a carrier layer which has a large surface area, but instead it contacts a small gripping rim from the outside. As the holding force is directed in radial direction from the outside to the inside, the gripping device20may also be designated radial gripper.

The thickness of the test elements1(i.e. their maximal dimension in axial direction) is preferably less than 3 mm. In order to ensure a secure hold by means of the narrow gripping rim24, the thickness should be at least 0.3 mm. Preferably, the thickness is 0.5 mm to 1 mm.

In the shown preferred embodiment, the frame surface (the surface area of the frame seen in top view onto the test field plane) is smaller, at least not much larger, than the sample application surface18of the test field5. Preferably, the frame surface is at most three times as large as the sample application surface18of the test field. Test elements1with a narrow frame are characterized by a low material consumption for the production. Furthermore they can be stored in a very space-saving way. This is even more true due to the generally small dimensions of the test elements according to the invention. Preferably, the largest dimension of the test elements in radial direction (in case of round test elements, their diameter) is smaller than 10 mm, preferably smaller than 6 mm. During practical testing of the invention, analysis elements with only about 4 mm of external diameter, and a diameter of the sample application surface18of 3 mm (i.e. a frame width of 0.5 mm) were used.

Generally, each of the gripping arms22can be connected to the rest of the gripping device20by means of a swiveling bearing, and can be mechanically movable. However, an embodiment is preferred, wherein the mobility necessary for gripping and holding the test elements1is based on the fact that the arms22are elastically connected to the gripping device20, in such a manner that they can be pushed—only due to this elasticity (i.e. without the necessity to move the arms22of the gripping fork21by means of an operating mechanism)—onto or around the test element, so that the test element is held thereby. Preferably, the elastic movability results from an intrinsic elasticity of the gripping element26, here embodied by the gripping fork21. With other words the gripping element26, including the arms22, is elastically deformable with respect to a movement parallel to the test field plane, and is formed in such a manner that it is submitted to a bending force when a test element1is carried thereby. As shown, the arms22of a gripping fork21preferably are part of a single-piece fork part27, made of an elastic material (metal or plastic) for example by pressing or punching.

In order to improve a secure holding of the test elements1, the gripping arms22are preferably shaped—as shown—in such a manner that the distance between each other decreases towards the front end28of the gripping section25. With such a design the gripping rim24of a round test element1is surrounded by the arms22by more than 180 degrees. By this design feature the fixing of the test element1, in particular against slipping out due to a movement parallel to the test field plane, is improved.

In the embodiment shown inFIG. 1, the gripping rim24is formed by a cylinder surface running straight in axial direction Z. With respect to a displacement in Z direction, the test element is only fixed by frictional force. The holding force generated thereby can be insufficient under certain circumstances, for example if a blood drop is applied in the sample application position11, and the user simultaneously presses (accidentally) against the test element1. In order to avoid the falling out of the test element1from the gripping fork21in such a case, an additional support29can be provided in the instrument, which supports the test element1when it is in the sample application position11.

FIGS. 2 to 11show preferred embodiments, wherein an improved fixing of the test elements1in the gripping device20is achieved due to the shape of the profile of the frame3in the area of the gripping rim24. These embodiments have in common that the diameter of the frame3increases from the gripping rim24towards both directions Z+and Z−perpendicular to the test field plane4a,4b(thus, for the horizontal position of the test elements1shown in the figures, in upward and downward direction). Therefore, the gripping rim is located, seen from axial direction Z, at the point of the smallest diameter of the limiting surface, directed radially to the outside, of the frame3. Thereby, a positively locking fixing of the test elements1in the gripping device20is achieved with respect to both axial spatial directions Z+and z−.

A first embodiment of such test elements is shown inFIGS. 2 to 7. Above the gripping rim24, the frame3widens thereby forming a flange-like shoulder31. The material of the shoulder31should be (at least at the surface of the sample application side6) hydrophobic (if necessary, hydrophobized by a surface treatment) in order to optimize the hygienic effectiveness. Preferably, the shoulder31is wide enough to cover, at least partially, preferably completely, neighboring parts of the gripping device20(here, the gripping section25of the arms22contacting the gripping rim24). By this design, a contamination of these parts, and thus of the evaluation instrument, during the application of the sample12in the sample application position11, is avoided reliably and with simple means.

In downward direction (in direction Z−) the diameter of the frame3of the gripping rim24increases only slightly. This shallow profile is sufficient to ensure the necessary fixing of the test element1against slipping out from the gripping fork21in upward direction (in Z+direction).

During the conception of the profile of the frame3, well to be seen inFIGS. 2 and 4, it must also be considered that the sectional shape of the test element1should preferably be such that a plurality of test elements1, stacked one upon the other, can slide without interlocking on each other in the direction of the test field plane4a,4b. Thereby among other things, the test elements1can be pulled or pushed out of a magazine32without the necessity of further moving parts.

Such a removal process is shown schematically inFIG. 5. The test elements1are stacked directly one upon the other in a storage container10, embodied here as a tube-shaped magazine. In order to allow to take the test elements out successively at the same take out position, by the translatory removal movement indicated by arrow37, the stack33of the test elements1is pressed, for example by a spring34, in upward direction against a fixed counterpiece35. The take out slot remaining between the counterpiece35and the upper limitation of the casing of the magazine32is a little higher than the thickness d of a test element, thus allowing to take out one test element at a time by a gripping fork21.

In order to enable this operation, the test elements1must be able to slide on one another in stacked state. This sliding ability is supported by the shown profile of the frame, which is characterized in that on one side (here, the sample application side6) its interior dimension Diis smaller, but its exterior dimension Dais larger, than the exterior dimension Du(FIG. 6) of the opposite side (which has to slide upon the first side; here, the evaluation side7) (i.e. Di<Du<Da). With such a shape test elements1stacked one upon the other have an annular physical contact to each other. Due to the resulting advantageous pressure distribution, the risk of test elements1being stuck together during a longer storage period, is reduced.

The profile of the frame3is important, also with respect to a simple and reliable fixing of the test field5in the frame3. If a test field5produced separately from the frame3is used, the frame3is preferably shaped in such a manner that it encloses a reception trough40for accepting the test field5, and that the depth of the reception trough40is bigger than the thickness of the test field5, so that the circumferential limiting wall38of the reception trough40surpasses the surface of an inserted test field5. Due to this feature, the test field5does not come in contact with neighboring test elements of a test element stack.

In the embodiment shown inFIGS. 2 to 7, the limiting walls38of the reception trough40have a negative ascent at the lower partial section of their height dimension (i.e. they are inclined to the inside, seen in upward direction), so that the diameter of the reception trough40at their bottom39is larger than above the bottom. The test field5is fixed in the test field reception trough40due to the fact that the clear width W (minimum dimension in a plane parallel to the test field plane) of the test field reception trough40is a little smaller than the diameter Dfof the test field, so that the test field is slightly compressed in radial direction during the insertion into the reception trough40. The material of the test field5is sufficiently elastic to expand again after the insertion into the reception trough40, and to be fixed in a snug fit in the reception trough40.

Preferably, the storage container10is closed as tight as possible, in order to increase the storage life of moisture-sensitive test elements. For a magazine of the constructive type shown inFIG. 5, a sufficient sealing effect can be obtained by an adaptation of the interior diameter to the exterior diameter of the test elements1and by a corresponding design of the counterpiece35. Generally, the test element storage container may be open, for example if the test elements do not react sensitively to environmental influences or if the storage container is located in a sealed instrument housing.

FIGS. 7 to 9show an embodiment particularly appropriate in cases where the material of the test field5is not sufficiently elastic to be fixed in the frame3in the previously described manner. Here the fixing is achieved by beading a fixing edge41supplied at the border of the test field trough40, from the position shown inFIG. 7to the position shown inFIG. 8. This requires that the frame3is made of a plastically deformable material, as e.g. metal. However, plastic materials can be processed in this way, too.

In the embodiment shown inFIGS. 10 and 11, the principle of fixing the test field5is the same as inFIGS. 2 to 6. The profile, however, is different in the area of the gripping rim24, in so far that the gripping rim24is formed by a groove-shaped recess concavely curved in section.

A particular advantage of the shown embodiment is that the transport between the functional positions necessary in the evaluation instrument is possible with very few simple mechanical movements. The gripping of a test element1requires only one simple translatory relative motion (arrow37inFIG. 5) of the gripping fork21towards the stack of test elements1(or alternatively, of the stack of test elements1towards the gripping fork21). Subsequently, a simple transversal movement—once again parallel to the test field plane (arrow43in FIG.1)—is sufficient to transport the test element to the further functional stations. This movement can be realized, for example, as a swiveling movement of the gripping fork21around a stationary axis. Thereby a complete automation of the analysis process in an evaluation instrument is possible in a simple way, even if the instrument has very compact dimensions and is battery-operated.

In the embodiment shown inFIGS. 12 to 14, the gripping element26of the gripping device20is shaped as elongated gripping tube50with short arms22protruding from the upper end of the gripping tube. With respect to the test field5of the test element1, the arms22extend in vertical direction to the test field plane (thus, in Z direction). Again, the necessary mobility of the arms22is based on the intrinsic elasticity of the gripping element26, formed in this case by the gripping tube50. In this case, too, the arms22are elastically deformable, with respect to a movement parallel to the test field plane, in such a manner that the gripping tube can be pushed, by an upward movement in Z direction, over the frame3of the test element1, the arms22holding the test element1by contacting its gripping rim24.

Such an embodiment is advantageous for calorimetric analysis systems, because waveguides52,53can be integrated into the gripping tube, serving for coupling the light in and out. In case of electrochemical analysis systems, the necessary electrical contacts can be integrated into the gripping arms, both in this embodiment and in the previously shown embodiments. Another advantage of embodying the gripping device20as gripping tube50, is for certain shapes of the instrument the geometry, which is space-saving in radial direction.

In the embodiments shown, the gripping device20is in contact to the gripping rim24via gripping arms22. However, embodiments are also possible wherein the gripping device does not comprise (elastically suspended) gripping arms, but wherein, by a relative displacement of moving parts, the gripping rim is surrounded in such a manner that fixing is obtained by positive locking.

As already explained, the invention is not only advantageous for a fully automatic analysis system (as shown inFIG. 1), but also in case of a partially mechanized analysis system. Here the explained design of the test element can be used advantageously in combination with a corresponding gripping device to take out test elements from a storage container forming part of the system (in particular, a magazine), and to insert the elements into a corresponding element holder of the corresponding evaluation instrument. Particularly preferred is an embodiment (in this respect corresponding to EP 0922959) wherein the gripping device is a part of the evaluation instrument, and wherein the test element is taken over directly from the take out position of the storage container to the evaluation instrument.

FIGS. 15 to 17show such a system, consisting of an evaluation instrument60and a magazine32. The test element holder61which can be seen inFIGS. 16 and 17includes a gripping device20with a plurality of gripping arms22(e.g. three arms). The gripping arms22are positioned, shaped and formed elastically, in such a manner that they grip and hold one test element1at a time at its frame3, when the magazine32is introduced as shown into a test element aperture62of the evaluation instrument60. When thereafter the magazine32is withdrawn (in the figures, in upward direction), the test element1remains in a holder formed by the gripping arms22and is located in a position where it can easily be contacted by the sample. Subsequently, an evaluation is performed with an evaluation device not shown here.

The production of a test element includes (in case of test elements the test field of which is produced separately from the frame) the following process steps: The frames3are brought into the desired profile shape, preferably by plastic deformation of a foil (preferably plastic foil, but metal foil can be used, too), in particular by stamping or by drawing; If necessary, the measuring aperture, which in case of colorimetric test elements surrounds the evaluation zone19, is punched out simultaneously or subsequently; The test field is punched out, too, preferably taking into account the described condition with respect to the diameter Dfin relation to the clear width W of the frame3; It is advantageous to press the test field5, by means of a plunger the outer diameter of which is smaller than the test field aperture2, directly out of an intermediate carrier into the reception trough40; Finally, the finished test elements are punched out of the foil, wherein the dimensions of the punching tool determine the outer limitation Daof the test elements1.

As any person skilled in the art will recognize from the previous description and from the figures, modifications and changes can be made to the preferred embodiment of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.