Holding device for medical test strip

A device for holding a medical test strip is provided. The device comprises a receiving casing having an opening for receiving the medical test strip and a first stopping portion protruding from an upper surface of the receiving casing; an ejection base having a cover and a pusher beneath the cover, the cover downwardly extending a second stopping portion for sliding against the upper surface of the receiving casing; and an elastic member located between the receiving casing and the ejection base. When the pusher moves toward the opening by an external force to eject the test strip from the opening, the elastic member is compressed and the second stopping portion slides away from the first stopping portion. When the external force disappears, the second stopping portion slides toward the first stopping portion by a resilient force of the elastic member until the first stopping portion and the second stopping portion are engaged.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the right of priority based on Taiwan Patent Application No. 98211087 entitled “HOLDING DEVICE FOR MEDICAL TEST STRIP,” filed on Jun. 19, 2009, which is incorporated herein by reference and assigned to the assignee herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a holding device for carrying a medical test strip, and in particular to a holding device in which a medical test strip is ejected without the need of touching the medical test strip in hands.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Global aging population has resulted in a significant shortage of nursing resources. In order to reduce the pressure from social medical errors, improving the quality of home health care for illness recovery has long been one of the goals in the development of countries and industries. Accordingly, the in vitro diagnostic (IVD) industry is fast glowing. An estimate on the annual increasing rate of IVD demand is around 11.12% since 2002, in which the low-invasion IVD system is most acceptable for the users. However, even for the low-invasion IVD system, there is a need to sample a small amount of blood. Therefore, there exists a risk of infection for those who need to collect the test strips having blood because they have to touch the test strips in hands.

In addressing to this problem, Taiwan Patent No. 1274158 provides an IVD apparatus10having a strip eject function as shown inFIG. 1. The IVD apparatus10is formed with a linked member110, a pushing member120and a base130. The linked member110includes a spring111, a pick element112and a through hole113. A test strip (not-shown) can be placed on a top plate of the pushing member120. The pushing member120is further formed with a guiding shaft121to be engaged with the through hole113of the linked member110. Specifically, when an external force plucks the pick element112and then move the pushing member120forward, the spring111is compressed and the test strip (not-shown) on the pushing member120is ejected out of the apparatus10. When the pick element112is released, the resilience force of the spring111forces the pushing member120to return to its original position, and thus the pushing member120is received in the base130. Although such apparatus may provide an ejection function to resolve the problem as aforementioned, they simultaneously bring lots of other problems due to its uneven resilience force, which results in a loose structure and being easy to get stuck of the test strip in use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to obviate the previously mentioned problems, one aspect of the present invention provides a holding device by which a medical test strip can be ejected without the need of touching the medical test strip with hands. Based on one of the features of the present invention, the holding device can be operated smoothly as it generates less uneven stresses. Therefore, the structure of the holding device is not as loose as those of the prior art, and the problem of getting struck is also eliminated.

One of the features of the present invention is to provide a structure with stopping portions and/or guiding tracks such that the ejection action is proceeding smoothly with no significant vibrations caused by the excess and/or uneven resilience force.

In a first embodiment, the present invention provides a device for holding a medical test strip, the device comprising: a receiving casing having an opening for receiving the medical test strip and a first stopping portion protruding from an upper surface of the receiving casing; an ejection base having a cover and a pusher beneath the cover, the cover downwardly extending a second stopping portion for sliding against the upper surface of the receiving casing and selectively engaging with the first stopping portion; and an elastic member located between the receiving casing and the ejection base, wherein when the pusher moves toward the opening by an external force to eject the medical test strip from the opening, the elastic member is compressed and the second stopping portion slides away from the first stopping portion; and when the external force disappears, the second stopping portion slides toward the first stopping portion by a resilient force of the elastic member until the first stopping portion and the second stopping portion are engaged.

In a second embodiment, the present invention provides a device for holding a medical test strip, the device comprising: a receiving casing having an opening for receiving the medical test strip, a first stopping portion and a guiding portion protruding from an upper surface of the receiving casing, the first stopping portion is arranged perpendicular to the guiding portion; an ejection base having a cover and a pusher beneath the cover, the cover downwardly extending a second stopping portion arranged perpendicular to the guiding portion, the second stopping portion having a guiding groove movably engaged with the guiding portion so as to lead the second stopping portion sliding against the upper surface of the receiving casing; and an elastic member located between the receiving casing and the ejection base, wherein when the pusher moves toward the opening by an external force to eject the medical test strip from the opening, the elastic member is compressed and the second stopping portion slides away from the first stopping portion; and when the external force disappears, the second stopping portion slides toward the first stopping portion by a resilient force of the elastic member until the first stopping portion and the second stopping portion are engaged.

In a third embodiment, the present invention provides a device according to the second embodiment, wherein the receiving casing further comprises at least one guiding track; the elastic member further comprises at least one spring placed in the guiding track; and the ejection base further comprises at least one thrusting portion downwardly extended from the cover, wherein, when the pusher moves toward the opening, the thrusting portion enters the guiding track to compress the spring. In another embodiment, the receiving casing comprises two guiding tracks arranged on opposite sides of the receiving casing; the elastic member comprises two springs respectively placed in the two guiding tracks; and the ejection base comprises two thrusting portions downwardly extended from the cover and respectively corresponding to the two guiding tracks, wherein, when the pusher moves toward the opening, the two thrusting portions respectively enter the corresponding guiding tracks to compress the corresponding springs. According to these embodiments, there provides an ejection mechanism including the pusher corresponding to the opening, the guiding groove corresponding to the guiding portion, and the spring together with the thrusting portion corresponding to the guiding track. The holding device with such ejection mechanism can be operated smoothly as it generates even stresses during operation.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a feature of fastening used for avoiding the device structure being loosed by the excess resilient force. In a fourth embodiment, the present invention provides a device according to the first, second or third embodiment, further comprising at least one fastener having a vertical plane inserted into the receiving casing and a horizontal plane in connection with an external component. The fastener is preferably an L-shaped member. In another embodiment, two fasteners are respectively arranged on opposite sides of the holding device.

The invention still includes other aspects to resolve other problems, some of which are described in detail together with the abovementioned aspects in the following detailed description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention may best be understood by reference to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which similar reference numerals represent similar elements. Any devices, components, materials, and steps described in the embodiments are only for illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It should be noted that the features illustrated in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. Descriptions of well-known components, materials, and process techniques are omitted so as not to unnecessarily obscure the embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2illustrates a perspective view of a holding device20in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 3illustrates an explosive view of the holding device20ofFIG. 2. As shown in these figures, the holding device20includes a receiving casing210, an ejection base250, and an elastic member240located between the recovering casing210and the ejection base250. The receiving casing210is formed with a tray212for holding a medical test strip (shown inFIG. 4andFIG. 5). The receiving casing210also includes an opening213on a sidewall210aof the receiving casing210. The opening213communicates with an internal space213ain which the tray212and other desired components, for example, sensing terminals are located. The receiving casing210is profiled with a concave213b. The medical test strip is placed on the tray212within the internal space213avia the opening213. The concave213bexposes a part of the internal space213a. A guiding portion211and a first stopping portion215are projected form the upper surface210bof the receiving casing210. The guiding portion211and the first stopping portion215, both in bar shapes, are arranged perpendicular to each other. A first guiding track218and a second guiding track219are respectively located on the opposite sides210cand210din parallel. The concave213bis between the guiding tracks218and219.

As shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, the ejection base250includes a cover256, an activated member251on and above the cover256, a pusher252on and beneath the cover256. The cover256is placed above the receiving casing210to shelter the concave213b. The cover256extends downwardly a second stopping portion255and a thrusting portion257. The thrusting portion257is used for pushing the elastic member240. The thrusting portion257further horizontally extends a linked shaft253. The activated member251may connect an external component, for example, an IVD apparatus (not shown). The second stopping portion255is selectively engaged with the first stopping portion215of the receiving casing210. This will be specifically described hereafter. The second stopping portion255is formed with a guiding groove254movably engaged with the guiding portion211of the receiving casing210. This provides a railway to guide the second stopping portion211to slide on the upper surface210bof the receiving casing210. Note that in other embodiments of the present invention, the guiding portion211and the first stopping portion215can be set on any suitable place only if they are respectively corresponding to the guiding groove254and the second stopping portion255. For example, they can be set on near an edge of the receiving casing210. The pusher252is used for pushing the medical test strip to leave away from the holding device20. The pusher252is profiled with a step structure, which includes a first step with a horizontal surface259for supporting the medical test strip; and a second step having a vertical surface258to be against an edge of the medical test strip. The step structure is also shown onFIGS. 4 and 5.

Still referring toFIGS. 2 and 3, the elastic member240includes components made of elastic materials, preferably having spring but not limited thereto. InFIG. 3of the embodiment, the elastic member240includes two springs240aand240b. The spring240a/240bhas one end in connection with the thrusting portion257of the ejection base250and another end in connection with the receiving casing210. The linked shaft253is inserted into the spring240a/240b. The springs240aand240bare respectively within the first guiding track218and the second guiding track219on the opposite sides of the receiving casing210. In another preferred embodiment, the size of the guiding track218/219is substantially the same as the size of the spring240a/240b. The term, “substantially the same” means that the spring240a/240bis fitted into the guiding track218/219. Such structure allows the elastic member240to generate even resilient force so as to have a smooth and steady ejection action.

As shown inFIG. 3, the holding device20further includes a plurality of sensing terminals230within the internal space213a. The terminal230is formed with an electric pin230aand a resilient portion230b. The resilient portion230bextends to connect with the tray212. When the medical test strip is placed on the tray212, it compresses the resilient portion230bto create a starting electric signal. The electric pin230aprotrudes out of the receiving casing210and in connection with an external device, for example, the electric system of an IVD apparatus. The sensing terminals230and the electrodes of the medical test strip correspond with each other. Information regarding the sensing terminals230and the electrodes of the medical test strip is well known and described in, for example, Taiwan Patent Application No. 97208206, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Still referring toFIG. 2andFIG. 3, the holding device20further includes a fastening component set220. In the embodiment, the fastening component set220includes two L-shaped fasteners, respectively located on the opposite sidewalls210cand210dof the receiving casing210in parallel. By way of the fasteners, the holding device20can be fixed on an external device, for example the IVD apparatus. The L-shaped fastener is formed with a vertical plane222inserted into the receiving casing210and a horizontal plane in connection with the external device. The parts for fastening includes tenons or screws, but not limited hereto. The shape of fastener can be any other than the L-type.

FIG. 4illustrates a perspective view along one cross-sectional plane of the holding device20wherein the elastic member240is not compressed yet.FIG. 5illustrates another perspective view when the elastic member240is being compressed. In addition to the medical test strip410, all the elements ofFIGS. 4 and 5are the same with those inFIGS. 2 and 3, and thus they are represented with similar reference numerals hereinafter. As shown inFIG. 4, the holding device20includes the receiving casing210, the ejection base250and the elastic member240not being compressed yet between the receiving casing210and the ejection base250. The receiving casing210includes the tray212, the opening213, the guiding portion211, the internal space213a, and the first guiding track218. The ejection base250includes the cover256, the activated member251, the pusher252, the second stopping portion255, and the guiding groove254. The elastic member240includes two springs (only one being shown), respectively placed within the guiding tracks218and219and in connection with the thrusting portion257. The pusher252includes the first step with the horizontal surface259for supporting the medical test strip410; and the second step having the vertical surface258to be against by an edge of the medical test strip410. In this embodiment, the height of the vertical258is lower than the thickness of the medical test strip410. In another embodiment, the height of the vertical258may be greater than the thickness of the medical test strip410.

Note that inFIG. 4, the holding device20is in the situation that the elastic member240is not compressed yet, and thus the ejection base250is located along the line a (i.e. the first placement).FIG. 5illustrates the holding device20in the situation that the elastic member260is being compressed, and thus the ejection base250is located along the line b (i.e. the second placement). Specifically, when a user applies an external force on the IVD apparatus to move the activated member251, the cover256is moved to force the pusher252to go toward the opening213and thus push the medical test strip410out of the opening213. At the same time, the elastic member240is compressed so that the second stopping portion255is sliding away the first stopping portion215, as shown inFIG. 5. Note that inFIG. 5, it illustrates the medical test strip410hanging on. In practice, in the situation of the second placement, the medical test strip410may have been ejected out of the receiving casing210. When the external force disappears, the second stopping portion255slides toward the first stopping portion215by a resilient force of the elastic member240until the first stopping portion215and the second stopping portion255are engaged. When they are engaged, the ejection base215returns to the first placement (i.e. being located along the line a, as shown inFIG. 5, orFIG. 2orFIG. 6).

FIG. 6illustrates a perspective view along another cross-sectional plane of the holding device20, wherein an elastic member240is not compressed yet. As shown inFIG. 6, the first guiding track218and the second guiding track219are respectively located on the opposite sides of the holding device20. The elastic members240are placed within the guiding tracks218and219. Accordingly, the thrusting portion257of the ejection base250can move toward the elastic member240and also compress them smoothly and steadily along the passageways of the guiding track218. The guiding tracks218and219provide a guiding path by which the ejection base250can move between the first placement (i.e. line a) and the second placement (i.e. line b). In addition, as aforementioned, the guiding portion211of the receiving casing210and the guiding groove254of the second portion255of the ejection base250also provides another guiding path for the movement of the ejection250between the first placement and the second placement. Accordingly, it should be understood that in the embodiment, there provides an ejection mechanism including the pusher252corresponding to the opening213, the guiding groove254corresponding to the guiding portion211, and the elastic member240together with the thrusting portion257corresponding to the guiding track218/219. The holding device20with such ejection mechanism is used smoothly as it generates even stresses during operation.

The present invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments. However, those skilled in the art will understand that the scope of the present invention need not be limited to the disclosed preferred embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements within the scope defined in the following appended claims. The scope of the claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.