Patent Publication Number: US-2011070633-A1

Title: Analytical tool, analytical tool pack, cartridge including plurality of packs, method of making analytical tool pack, analyzer, and mechanism for taking out object

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a Division of U.S. Ser. No. 10/515,713 filed Nov. 23, 2004, which is a U.S. National Stage of PCT/JP03/06240, filed May 19, 2003, which applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention mainly relates to a technique for analyzing a particular component in a sample liquid. It also relates to a technique for taking out an object from an object-containing pack such as an analytical tool pack. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     For diabetics, it is preferable to regularly measure his or her own glucose level in blood and take appropriate measures such as medicine administration in accordance with the measurements. JP-A-H08-262026 and JP-A-2001-33418, for example, disclose devices for measuring a blood glucose level. 
     As shown in  FIG. 45 , in a first device disclosed in JP-A-H08-262026, when an operation portion  91  provided on a housing  90  is operated, a sensor S partially projects through an opening  90   a  formed at the front end of the housing  90 . In the first device, when the blood of the user is applied to a predetermined portion of the sensor S, the measurement circuit (not shown) in the housing  90  computes the glucose level in blood, and the measurement result is displayed on a display  92 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 46 , in the first device, the sensor S is accommodated in the housing  90  as a package (cartridge)  95 . The package  95  includes a base member  95   a  formed with a plurality of radially extending recesses  96 , and a film  95   b  bonded to the base member. Each of the recess  96  serves to accommodate a sensor S. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 47A and 47B , when the operation portion  91  is operated to take out the sensor S, a blade  97   a  breaks through part of the film  95   b  of the package  95  and then pushes the rear end of the sensor S toward the outer circumference of the package  95 . As a result, the sensor S breaks through part of the film  95   b  and is pushed to the opening  90   a  of the housing  90 . 
     With such a structure, by setting the package  95  in the housing  90 , measurement of the glucose level in blood can be performed a plurality of times by successively using the plurality of sensors S. 
     In the first device, when the sensor S is taken out from the package  95 , the sensor S itself breaks through the film  95   b . Therefore, the front end of the sensor S needs to be made sharp. However, since the user may touch the front end of the sensor S, the sharp front end may cause the user to fear and hence is not preferable. Moreover, the sensor S may not break the film  95   b  easily, so that taking out of the sensor S by breaking the film  95   b  by the sensor S itself is sometimes difficult. 
     In a second device disclosed in JP-A-2001-33418, a film member accommodating a sensor is placed in a device. The sensor is taken out by breaking the film and used for measuring a blood glucose level, for example. 
     In the second device, the sensor is taken out from the film member, and the measurement is performed. Therefore, the number of parts which need be disposed of after the measurement is large. That is, two parts, i.e. the empty film member and the sensor need be disposed of. Moreover, since the timing at which the film becomes unnecessary does not coincide with the timing at which the sensor becomes unnecessary, the two parts need be disposed of separately, which is inconvenient. 
     DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
     A first object of the present invention is to make it possible to properly take out a stored object such as a sensor without making sharp the front end of the stored object. A second object of the present invention is to reduce the burden of disposing of the used parts after the analysis. 
     According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an analytical tool pack comprising a wrapping member made of a sealing sheet, and an analytical tool accommodated in the wrapping member. The analytical tool pack further comprises a stopper portion for holding the analytical tool with the analytical tool caused to project from the wrapping member. 
     The sealing sheet may comprise a pair of sheet elements or a single sheet. When the sealing sheet comprises a pair of sheet elements, the wrapping member is formed by directly or indirectly bonding the paired sheet elements to each other at the peripheries thereof. When the sealing sheet comprises a single sheet, the wrapping member may be formed by folding the sheet. 
     Preferably, the wrapping member further comprises a base film bonded to the sealing sheet. For example, in this case, the stopper portion comprises the bonded portion of the sealing sheet and the base film. 
     Preferably, the analytical tool includes an engagement portion for engaging with the stopper portion. 
     Preferably, at least one of the sealing sheet and the base film retains desiccant. The desiccant may be contained in the sealing sheet and the base film or applied to the surfaces thereof. Alternatively, the desiccant may be held by the base film or the analytical tool. 
     Preferably, the analytical tool is caused to project through a cut formed in the sealing sheet by using a cutter, and the base film includes a through-hole for allowing the insertion of the cutter. 
     Preferably, the analytical tool includes an end which is caused to project through a cut formed in the sealing sheet by using a cutter, and the end is entirely rounded. 
     Preferably, the analytical tool is moved relative to the wrapping member by using a pushing member, the base film includes a through-hole for allowing the movement of the pushing member, and the analytical tool further includes an engagement portion for engaging the pushing member. 
     The through-hole of the base member may have an outline which is in the form of a closed loop or an outline which is partially cut away (i.e., part of the through-hole is open to a side of the base film). 
     Preferably, the analytical tool includes a substrate, a plurality of electrodes formed on the substrate, and a plurality of holes each for partially exposing a respective one of the electrodes selectively. The electrodes may be continuously exposed. 
     Preferably, the analytical tool pack of the present invention further comprises an information providing portion for outputting information relating to the analytical tool. For example, the information providing portion is capable of outputting information by the combination of conduction/non-conduction between a plurality of pairs of conductors, or by correlation with a resistance between conductors, or by correlation with locations where a projection and a recess are formed. 
     For example, the analytical tool pack in use is loaded in an accommodation portion of an analyzer. Preferably, in this case, the analytical tool pack further comprises a pack orientation checker for preventing improper loading of the analytical tool into the accommodation portion. Preferably, the analytical tool caused to project from the wrapping member can be restored in the wrapping member for accommodation again. 
     According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an analytical tool pack comprising a wrapping member, and an analytical tool accommodated in the wrapping member, the analytical tool pack further comprising an information providing portion for outputting information relating to the analytical tool. 
     For example, the information providing portion is capable of outputting information by the combination of conduction/non-conduction between a plurality of pairs of conductors, or by correlation with a resistance between conductors, or by correlation with locations where a projection and a recess are formed. Preferably, the information providing portion is provided at an obverse surface of the wrapping member. 
     According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an analytical tool accommodated in a wrapping member for providing an analytical tool pack and caused to project from the wrapping member in use, the analytical tool pack including a stopper portion for holding the analytical tool. The analytical tool includes an engagement portion for engaging with the stopper portion. 
     According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided analytical tool accommodated in a wrapping member for providing an analytical tool pack and caused to project from the wrapping member in use, the analytical tool pack being capable of moving the analytical tool relative to the wrapping member by using a pushing member. The analytical tool includes an engagement portion for engaging with the pushing member. 
     According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an analytical tool accommodated in a wrapping member for providing an analytical tool pack and including an end which is caused to project from the wrapping member in use of the analytical tool, and the end is entirely rounded. 
     According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cartridge including a container accommodating a plurality of analytical tool packs, each of the analytical tool packs including a wrapping member, and an analytical tool accommodated in the wrapping member. The container is formed with a through-hole communicating with the inside of the container and utilized for pushing out the analytical tool pack accommodated in the container. 
     Preferably, the plurality of analytical tool packs are bundled in the container. For example, the analytical tool packs are bundled together by applying an adhesive element on a surface of each tool pack and stacking the packs for bonding together, by maintaining the stacked state of tool packs by using a member in the form of a strip, or connecting side surfaces of the stacked analytical tool packs by using an adhesive sheet. 
     According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of making an analytical tool pack comprising the steps of placing an analytical tool on a punch film or a sealing film, and bonding the sealing film to the punch film. The analytical tool is kept at an appropriate position relative to the punch film at least for a time period from when the placing step is completed and till when the bonding step is started. 
     For example, the position keeping is performed by using a suction unit. 
     According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of making an analytical tool pack comprising fixing an analytical tool to a sealing film or a punch film. The fixing step is performed simultaneously with respect to a plurality of analytical tools by using a plurality of pressing heads, and the pressing heads are capable of setting respective heights individually. 
     According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an analyzer for analyzing a sample by using an analytical tool pack including a wrapping member and an analytical tool accommodated in the wrapping member, the analysis being performed with the analytical tool caused to project from the wrapping member. The analyzer comprises an opening mechanism for making a cut in the wrapping member, and a pushing mechanism for moving the analytical tool relative to the wrapping member to cause the analytical tool to project through the cut. 
     Preferably, the analyzer of the present invention obtains output relating to analysis results from the analytical tool, with the analytical tool caused to project from the wrapping member. 
     For example, the pushing mechanism comprises a first and a second members which are movable relative to each other in a first direction, and a pushing member which is movable in a second direction crossing the first direction in accordance with the relative movement between the first and the second members, the pushing member serving to move the analytical tool relative to the wrapping member. 
     For example, the pushing member is pivotally fixed to the first member while being connected to the second member for relative movement to the second member. Preferably, in this case, the second member is provided with a guide for moving a portion connected to the pushing member in the second direction. Preferably, the pushing member comprises a blade. 
     For example, the pushing mechanism further comprises a holder for moving the wrapping member together with the first member or the second member. Preferably, in this case, the pushing mechanism further comprises a releaser for releasing the holding of the analytical tool by the holder. 
     For example, the releaser increases the distance between the first member and the second member in the second direction when a particular positional relationship is established between the first member and the second member. 
     Preferably, the analyzer of the present invention further comprises a restorer for restoring the analytical tool projected from the wrapping member into the wrapping member for accommodation again. 
     Preferably, the restorer is provided by the pushing member. 
     In the analyzer of the present invention, the second member performs reciprocating movement between a first predetermined position and a second predetermined position relative to the first member twice in a single sample analysis operation. In this case, the pushing member engages and moves the analytical tool to cause the analytical tool to project from the wrapping member when the second member moves from the first position toward the second position in the first reciprocating movement. On the other hand, when the pushing member engages and moves the analytical tool to restore the analytical tool into the wrapping member when the second member moves from the second position toward the first position in the second reciprocating movement. 
     In this case, it is preferable that the second member is provided with a cam groove for controlling the operation of the pushing member. For example, the cam groove has a configuration which makes the pushing member operate differently during the first reciprocating movement and during the second reciprocating movement. 
     As the analytical tool pack, use may be made of one in which the wrapping member comprises a sealing sheet, and a base film formed with a through-hole and bonded to the sealing sheet. In this case, the opening mechanism includes a cutter for making a cut in the wrapping member, and the cutter and the pushing member move through the through-hole. 
     For example, the opening mechanism includes an operation button, and a cutter which moves together with the operation button. 
     For example, the analyzer of the present invention may further comprise an accommodation portion into which the analytical tool pack is to be loaded. Preferably, in this case, the accommodation portion includes a pack orientation checker for preventing improper loading of the analytical tool pack into the accommodation portion. 
     For example, the analyzer of the present invention comprises a device body including an accommodation portion for accommodating a plurality of analytical tool packs, and a lid connected to the device body. The analytical tool packs are accommodated while being pressed against each other by a pressing member. Preferably, in this case, the lid is connected to the pressing member to release the pressing of the analytical tool packs in opening the accommodation portion. 
     According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an object taking-out mechanism for taking out an object from a pack in which the object is accommodated in a wrapping member. The mechanism comprises an opening mechanism for making a cut in the wrapping member, and a pushing mechanism for pushing out the object through the cut. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an entire perspective view showing an analyzer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing the analyzer of  FIG. 1  in the state in which the lid is opened. 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional view showing a principal portion of the analyzer of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4A  is a sectional view of the analyzer shown in  FIG. 1 , whereas  FIG. 4B  is a sectional view of the state in which the lid is opened in the analyzer. 
         FIG. 5A  is a sectional view taken along lines Z 1 -Z 1  in  FIG. 4A , whereas  FIG. 5B  is a sectional view corresponding to  FIG. 5A  for showing another example of sensor pack. 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of a sensor cartridge. 
         FIG. 7  is a sectional view of a sensor cartridge. 
         FIG. 8A-8C  each is a perspective view for showing a manner of bundling of a plurality of sensor packs. 
         FIG. 9  is an entire perspective view of a sensor pack. 
         FIG. 10A  is a sectional view taken along lines Z 2 -Z 2  in  FIG. 9 , whereas  FIG. 10B  is a sectional view taken along lines Z 3 -Z 3  in  FIG. 9 . 
         FIGS. 11A and 11B  are perspective views for describing the operation for forming a cut in the sensor pack. 
         FIGS. 12A and 12B  are perspective views for describing the operation for projecting a biosensor from the sensor pack. 
         FIG. 13  is an exploded perspective view of a sensor pack. 
         FIG. 14A-14H  each is a schematic view for describing the manner of recognizing the information relating to the biosensor by utilizing the information providing portion. 
         FIGS. 15A and 15B  each is a schematic view for describing another example of information providing portion. 
         FIG. 16  is an entire perspective view of a biosensor. 
         FIG. 17  is an exploded perspective view of a biosensor. 
         FIG. 18A  is a sectional view taken along lines Z 4 -Z 4  in  FIG. 16 , whereas  FIG. 18B  is a sectional view taken along lines Z 5 -Z 5  in  FIG. 16 . 
         FIG. 19  is a schematic view showing a manufacturing apparatus to describe a method of manufacturing a sensor pack. 
         FIGS. 20A and 20B  each is a perspective view showing a principal portion to describe a method of manufacturing a sensor pack. 
         FIG. 21  is a sectional view taken along lines Z 6 -Z 6  in  FIG. 19 . 
         FIGS. 22A and 22B  each is a perspective view showing a principal portion to describe a method of manufacturing a sensor pack. 
         FIG. 23  is a sectional view taken along lines Z 7 -Z 7  in  FIG. 19 . 
         FIG. 24  is an entire perspective view of a measurement mechanism. 
         FIG. 25  is a sectional view taken along lines Z 8 -Z 8  in  FIG. 24 . 
         FIG. 26  is a sectional view taken along lines Z 9 -Z 9  in  FIG. 25 . 
         FIG. 27  is a front view of a slide block. 
         FIGS. 28A and 28B  each is a sectional view of a principal portion to describe means for holding a sensor pack in the measurement mechanism. 
         FIG. 29A-29C  are sectional views showing a principal portion to describe the movement of a movable cutter. 
         FIGS. 30A and 30B  are sectional views showing a principal portion to describe the operation for projecting a biosensor from a sensor pack. 
         FIG. 31  is a sectional view showing a principal portion of a measurement mechanism. 
         FIG. 32  is a sectional view showing a principal portion to describe the operation for discharging a sensor pack from the measurement mechanism. 
         FIG. 33  is a sectional view showing a slide guide of a measurement mechanism according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 34  is a sectional view taken along lines Z 10 -Z 10  in  FIG. 33 . 
         FIG. 35  is a sectional view taken along lines Z 11 -Z 11  in  FIG. 33 . 
         FIG. 36  is an entire perspective view of a biosensor. 
         FIG. 37A  is a sectional view showing a measurement mechanism in feeding a biosensor, whereas  FIG. 37B  is an entire perspective view showing a biosensor which is being fed. 
         FIG. 38A  is a sectional view showing a measurement mechanism in feeding a biosensor, whereas  FIG. 38B  is an entire perspective view showing a biosensor which is being fed. 
         FIG. 39A  is a sectional view showing a measurement mechanism in which the blade is escaping, whereas  FIG. 39B  is an entire perspective view showing a biosensor in the escaping movement. 
         FIG. 40A  is a sectional view showing a measurement mechanism in which the biosensor is being returned, whereas  FIG. 40B  is an entire perspective view showing the biosensor in the returning movement. 
         FIG. 41  is an entire perspective view showing another example of biosensor which can be used in the second embodiment. 
         FIG. 42  is an exploded perspective view showing another example of sensor pack. 
         FIGS. 43A and 43B  are an exploded perspective view and an entire perspective view, respectively, for describing another example of sensor pack. 
         FIG. 44  is an entire perspective view showing another example of biosensor. 
         FIG. 45  is a perspective view showing the appearance of an example of prior art measurement device. 
         FIG. 46  is a perspective view showing an example of prior art cartridge and film for covering a sensor. 
         FIGS. 47A and 47B  show the operation of a prior art measurement device. 
     
    
    
     BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     A sensor pack according to the present invention encloses a biosensor and is used for analyzing a sample liquid such as blood supplied to the biosensor, specifically, for measuring e.g. the glucose level in blood. In use, the sensor pack is set to an analyzer X shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     The analyzer X comprises a device body  2  formed with an accommodation portion  20  for accommodating a sensor pack  1 , and comprises a lid  3  which is attached to the device body  2  in an openable and closeable manner. The lid  3  is provided with a display  30  and a window  31 . The display  30 , serving to show measurement results, comprises an LCD, for example. The window  31  is used for checking the number of remaining sensor packs  1  in the accommodation portion  20 . The window  31  may be formed by covering an opening  32  provided in the lid  3  by a transparent member  33 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , in addition to the accommodation portion  20 , the device body  2  includes an opening mechanism  4 , a measurement mechanism  5 , a passage  21  extending from the accommodation portion  20  to the measurement mechanism  5  through a wait position (stop position at which the opening mechanism  4  performs the opening operation), and a feeder  22  for moving the sensor pack  1  within the passage  21 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 through 4 , the accommodation portion  20  serves to accommodate a plurality of sensor packs  1  as stacked. As shown in  FIG. 5A , the accommodation portion  20  is formed with a tapered portion  23  for preventing improper loading of the sensor packs (loading of the sensor packs  1  upside down or inside out). Though not clearly shown in the figure, the tapered portion  23  extends in a direction perpendicular to the sheet surface. On the other hand, each sensor pack  1  is formed with a tapered surface  10  provided by chamfering one of the corners. Therefore, the sensor pack  1  can be loaded properly in the accommodation portion  20  when the tapered surface  10  of the sensor pack  1  is aligned with respect to the tapered portion  23  of the accommodation portion  20 . The sensor pack  1  cannot be loaded properly without such alignment. Thus, improper loading of the sensor pack  1  is prevented. The means for preventing the improper loading of the sensor pack  1  is not limited to the example shown in  FIG. 5 . For example, as shown in FIG.  5 B′, the accommodation portion  20  may be formed with a projection  23 ′ while the sensor pack  1  is formed with a recess  10 , or another arrangement may be employed. 
     The accommodation portion  20  further accommodates a pushing member  24 . The pushing member  24  is fixed to the device body  2  via a resilient member  25  (illustrated as a coil spring in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ). By the resilient force of the resilient member  25 , the sensor pack  1  is pushed in the direction indicated by the arrow A in the figure. The sensor pack  1 , thus held in the pushed state, is then held at the wait position and finally transferred to the measurement mechanism  5  by the movement of the feeder  22  . Preferably, the feeder  22  is moved automatically by a motor, for example. Alternatively, the device body  2  or the lid  3  may be provided with an operation knob projecting therefrom and movable together with the feeder  22 , so that the feeder  22  is moved manually by moving the operation knob. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the pushing member  24  is connected to the lid  3  via a rod  26 . The rod  26  has a first end connected to the pushing member  24  for pivotal movement and a second end connected to the lid  3  via an elongated hole  34  formed in the lid  3 . As shown in  FIG. 4A , the elongated hole  34  extends in the direction indicated by the arrows AB in the state in which the lid  3  is closed. Therefore, when the lid  3  is closed, the second end of the rod  26  can move smoothly within the elongated hole  34 . Accordingly, following the movement of the pushing member  24 , the rod  26  can move in the direction indicated by the arrows AB in the figure, whereby the pushing member  24  can maintain the state for properly pushing the sensor pack  1 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4B , in opening or closing the lid  3 , the direction in which the elongated hole  34  extends becomes non-parallel to the direction indicated by the arrows AB. In this state, the second end of the rod  26  cannot move smoothly within the elongated hole  34 . Therefore, when the lid  3  is opened, the push member  24 , following the movement of the lid  3 , moves in the direction indicated by the arrow B, whereby a space is defined between the push member  24  and the sensor pack  1 . The space is utilized for additionally loading a sensor pack  1  into the device body  2 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , a plurality of sensor packs  1  for additional loading are preferably stored as accommodated in a container  6 . The illustrated container  6  includes a container body  60  for accommodating a plurality of sensor packs  1 , and a lid  61  attached to the container body  60  and provided with a hook  62 . The container body  60  is provided with a projection  63  and an opening  64 . The projection  63  serves to engage the hook  62 . By this engagement, the state in which the lid  61  is closed is maintained properly. As better shown in  FIG. 7 , the sensor packs  1  accommodated in the container body  60  can be pushed up by inserting e.g. a finger into the opening  64 . Thus, a required number of sensor packs  1  can be taken out easily. 
     Preferably, in the container body  60 , a plurality of sensor packs  1  are stored as stacked and bundled together. Specifically, the bundle of sensor packs  1  is made by using an adhesive element  11   a  such as a double-sided adhesive tape or an adhesive as shown in  FIG. 8A , by using a strip  11   b  as shown in  FIG. 8B  or by using a film  11   c  having an adhesive surface as shown in  FIG. 8C . The methods shown in  FIGS. 8A-8C  are merely examples, and the sensor packs  1  may be bundled by methods other than those shown in the figures. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the sensor pack  1  includes a pair of sealing sheets  12   a ,  12   b , and a biosensor  13  and a base film  14  which are enclosed between the sealing sheets. In using the sensor pack  1 , a slit  15  is formed at the front end as shown in  FIGS. 11 , and the biosensor  13  is caused to project from the slit  15 , as shown in  FIG. 12B . 
     For example, each of the sealing sheets  12   a ,  12   b  may be a laminate formed by disposing an aluminum foil between resin sheets . As shown in  FIG. 13 , the sealing sheet  12   a  has an obverse surface provided with an information providing portion  16  for outputting information relating to the biosensor  13 . Examples of the information relating to the biosensor  13  may include data (correction information) which enables computation based on the sensitivity of the biosensor  13 , or individual information on the biosensor  13  (the date of production, the expiry date, the manufacturer, the place of production (e.g. country or factory), and the identification information of the lot (lot number) in which the biosensor  13  is included. In this embodiment, the formation pattern of the information providing portion  16  is selected depending on the content of the information to be outputted. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 14A-14H , the information providing portion  16  includes a common electrode  16   a  in the form of a strip and three individual electrodes  16   b . With respect to each of the individual electrodes  16   b , whether or not the individual electrode  16   b  is connected to the common electrode  16   a  via a conductor  16   c  is selected, whereby an appropriate pattern (information) can be selected from eight patterns. The number of the individual electrodes and the number of patterns are not limited to those illustrated in the figures. The information providing portion  16  can be provided with an intended pattern by screen printing or vapor deposition, for example. The recognition manner of the information provided by the informaticn providing portion  16  will be described later. 
     The information providing portion may have another structure as shown in  FIGS. 15A and 15B . The information providing portion  16 A shown in  FIG. 15A  includes a pair of pads  16   d ,  16   e  connected to each other via a resistor  16   f . In the information providing portion  16 A, the resistance of the resistor  16   f  is set depending on the content of the information to be outputted. The resistance of the resistor  16   f  is adjusted by selecting the thickness, width, length or material of the resistor  16   f . The information providing portion  16 B shown in  FIG. 15B  can output information of an intended content by selecting whether or not a cutout  16   g  is formed at a predetermined portion. Obviously, the information providing portion may have a structure different from those shown in  FIGS. 13 ,  15 A and  15 B. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 11 through 13 , the base film  14  has a T-shaped through-hole  140 . The through-hole  140  comprises an unsealing groove  141  and a guide groove  142  connected to each other. As better shown in  FIG. 11 , the unsealing groove  141  is utilized for forming the slit  15  in the front end of the sensor pack  1 . The slit  15  is formed by breaking the sensor pack  1  with a blade  41 , and the unsealing groove  141  is provided to help the penetrating movement of the blade  41 . The guide groove  142  is utilized for causing the biosensor  13  to project from the sensor pack  1 . Specifically, the biosensor  13  is caused to project from the sensor pack  1  by moving the biosensor  13  by using a blade  553 , and the guide groove  142  guides the movement of the blade  553 . The configuration of the through-hole  140  is not limited to the illustrated one. For example, part of the through-hole may be open to a side of the base film. 
     The base film  14  having the above configuration is bonded to one of the sealing sheets  12   a  at the periphery thereof and more specifically at a bonding region  143  which is cross-hatched in  FIG. 13 . Though not illustrated in the figure, the base film  14  is bonded also to the other one of the sealing sheets  12   b  in a similar manner. 
     The bonding region  143  includes a pair of extensions  144 . With the provision of the extensions  144 , a space  145  accommodating the biosensor  13  is defined between the sealing sheet  12   a  and the base film  14 . As shown in  FIGS. 9 ,  10 A and  10 B, the width of the space  145  is narrow at a portion corresponding to the extensions  144 . The narrow portion serves as a stopper portion  146  for stopping the movement of the biosensor  13 , as will be described later. 
     The provision of the stopper portion  146  eliminates the need for providing a stopper mechanism for stopping the movement of the biosensor  13  in the analyzer X, whereby the analyzer X is advantageous in terms of the manufacturing cost. Further, the handling of the biosensor  13  for measurement or disposal, for example, can be performed while keeping the biosensor  13  integral with the pack. Moreover, the biosensor  13  after use can be easily accommodated again just by pushing the biosensor  13  into the sensor pack  1 . 
     Since the space  145  accommodates the biosensor  13 , it is preferable to keep the humidity in the space  145  low. The base film  14  can be made of a resin material such as polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate or polyamide. Therefore, desiccant powder such as silica or molecular sieve may be contained in the base film  14  to provide dehumidifying function. In this case, the content of the desiccant powder is preferably 1 to 60% by weight, and more preferably 20 to 40% by weight relative to the total weight of the base film  14 . The desiccant powder may be contained or applied to the sealing sheet  12   a , or the biosensor  13  itself may have dehumidifying function. 
     The containing or the like of the desiccant powder eliminates the need for loading a desiccant in the space  145  and provides an advantage in terms of the manufacturing cost. Since dropping of the desiccant from the space  145  does not occur in opening the sensor pack  1 , troubles due to the dropped desiccant can be avoided. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 13 ,  16  and  17 , the biosensor  13  has a rounded front end, and a rear end provided with a cutout  130  and a stopper portion  131 . As better shown in  FIGS. 12A and 12B , the cutout  130  serves to allow the penetration of the blade  553  through the sensor pack  1  and the pushing of the biosensor  13  by the blade  553 . The stopper portion  131  of the biosensor  13  engages the stopper portion  146  of the sensor pack  1  when the biosensor  1  has moved to stop the movement of the biosensor  13 . As shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 , the biosensor  13  comprises a substrate  132 , and a spacer  18  and a cover  19  which are stacked on the substrate. As shown in  FIG. 18A , a flow path  133  is defined on the substrate  132 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 17 and 18A , the spacer  18  is formed with a narrow slit  180  having an open end, and the slit  180  defines the flow path  133 . The cover  19  is formed with a hole  190  communicating with the slit  180  so that gas in the flow path  133  can be discharged to the outside through the hole  190 . Therefore, when a sample liquid is supplied through the front open end (sample introduction port)  181  of the slit  180 , the sample liquid travels through the flow path  133  toward the hole  190  by capillary action. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 , on the substrate  132  are provided an operative electrode  134 , a counterpart electrode  135 , a pair of detection electrodes  136 , and a reagent layer  137  continuously bridging the electrodes  134 - 136 . As shown in  FIG. 18B , each of the electrodes  134 - 136  is partially exposed via through-holes  138  penetrating through both of the spacer  18  and the cover  19 . With this arrangement, probes  591 - 594 , which will be described later, can be brought into contact with the electrodes  134 - 136  through the through-holes  138 , whereby the application of a voltage to the reagent layer  137  and the measurement of the responsive current when the voltage is applied can be performed. 
     The reagent layer  137 , which may be solid, is prepared by dispersing a relatively small amount of oxidoreductase in a relatively large amount of mediator (electron carrier), for example. 
     As the electron carrier, use may be made of iron complex or Ru complex, for example. In this case, examples of usable iron complex include potassium ferricyanide, whereas examples of usable Ru complex include one having NH 3  as a ligand. 
     The selection of the oxidoreductase depends on the kind of the particular component as the measurement target substance. Examples of particular component include glucose, cholesterol and lactic acid. Examples of oxidoreductase for such particular components include glucose dehydrogenase, glucose oxidase, hexokinase, cholesterol dehydrogenase, cholesterol oxidase, lactic acid dehydrogenase and lactic acid oxidase. 
     For example, the above-described sensor pack  1  can be manufactured by the method which will be described below with reference to  FIGS. 19-23 . Herein, it is assumed that the biosensor  13  to be accommodated in the sensor pack  1  is manufactured in advance, and the description of the manufacturing method is omitted. 
     As shown in  FIG. 19 , the sensor pack  1  is formed by placing the biosensor  13  at an appropriate position on a punch film  70 , bonding sealing films  71  and  72 , and then cutting the bonded member. 
     Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 20A , a plurality of base film forming regions  700  are defined on the punch film  70 . Each of the base film forming regions  700  is formed with a generally T-shaped through hole  701 . Each of the base film forming regions  700  is supported relative to a flame portion  702  and/or an adjacent base film forming region  700  via a support bar  703 . As shown in  FIG. 19 , the punch film  70  is transferred by a belt conveyor  8 . The belt  8 A of the belt conveyor  8  is made porous or in the form of a mesh to have excellent breathability. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 19 and 21 , the placing of the biosensor  13  on the punch film  70  is performed automatically by using a vacuum collet  80 , for example. As will be understood from e.g.  FIGS. 20B and 21 , the placing operation is performed individually with respect to each of the base film forming region  700 . Alternatively, a plurality of biosensors  13  may be placed simultaneously. The biosensors  13  thus placed are kept at respective positions by a plurality of suction nozzles  81  provided below the punch film  70 . Specifically, since the through-hole  701  is formed in each of the base film forming regions  700  and the belt  8 A has excellent breathability, when each of the suction nozzles  81  is placed directly below the biosensor  13  to suck the biosensor, the biosensor  13  is pulled toward the suction nozzle  81  while being kept in close contact with the base film forming region  700 . 
     The suction nozzles  81  are movable together with the punch film  70  in the direction indicated by arrows CD in  FIG. 19 . Therefore, each of the biosensors  13  is transferred together with the punch film  70  while being positioned at the base film forming region  700 . The positioned state is maintained until the subsequent step for bonding the sealing film  71  is completed. 
     The bonding of the sealing film  71  is performed by laying the sealing film  71  on the punch film  70  as an overlying layer as shown in  FIG. 22A , and then applying thermal energy by using a plurality of (three in the figure) fusing stamps  82  as shown in  FIGS. 19 and 23 . The sealing film  71  is supplied from the roll  78 . The sealing film  71  is formed, in advance, with information providing portions (indicated by reference sign  16  in  FIG. 13 ) at portions corresponding to the base film forming portions  700 . The information providing portions may be formed after the sealing film  71  is bonded. 
     The fusing stamps  82 , which are spaced in the widthwise direction of the belt conveyor  8 , fuse the sealing film  71  to a plurality of base forming regions  700  simultaneously. Each of the fusing stamps  82  has an end surface having a configuration corresponding to the hatched portion  85  in  FIG. 22B  so that thermal energy can be applied selectively to the peripheral portion of each of the base film forming regions  700 . Each of the fusing stamps  82  is individually movable up and down by the driving force of a non-illustrated pump, for example. Therefore, even when the regions (fusion portions) to which the fusing stamps  82  are to apply thermal energy differ from each other in height, such a problem can be properly addressed, and proper bonding can be achieved. Specifically, as a result of the individual driving of the fusing stamps  82 , each of the fusing stamps  82  can be located at its own height position. Therefore, even when the fusion portions have height variation, each of the fusion stamps  82  can be located at a position corresponding to the higher fusion portion. Thus, thermal energy can be properly applied to each fusion portion, whereby thermal fusing can be properly performed. 
     After the thermal fusing, the biosensor  13  is retained at an appropriate position between the punch film  70  and the sealing film  71 . The suction of the biosensor  13  by using the suction nozzle  81  is released. 
     Subsequently, after the sealing film  71  is cut, the sealing film  71  and the punch film  70  are turned over and transferred onto a belt conveyor  8 ′ for bonding a sealing film  72  (See  FIG. 19 ). With the sealing film  72  placed on the punch film  70  as an overlying layer, the sealing film  72  is bonded. As a result, the biosensor is hermetically sealed between the paired sealing films  71  and  72 . The bonding of the sealing film  72  is performed by using fusing stamps  82 ′ which are similar to those described above. Thereafter, cutting is performed at a portion corresponding to each of the film forming regions  700 , whereby individual sensor packs  1  as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 13  are obtained. 
     Each of the sealing films  71 ,  72  is not limited to one in the form of a hoop, and use may be made of one which has been cut to a size corresponding to the size of the punch film  70 . The bonding of the sealing film  72  may be performed by placing the sealing film  72  on the belt conveyor  8 ′ in advance, placing the sealing film  71  and the punch film  70  on the sealing film  72  without turning over, and then performing fusing. 
     The opening mechanism  4  shown in  FIG. 3  serves to open the sensor pack  1  held at the wait position. The blade  41  and an operation button  40  are included in the opening mechanism  4 . The operation button  40  is accommodated in a space  27  defined in the device body  2  while being biased toward the front side of the device body  2  (in the direction indicated by the arrow A in the figure) by a resilient member  42  (illustrated as a coil spring in  FIG. 3 ). The blade  41  is integrally formed on the operation button  40  to move together with the operation button  40 . Therefore, when a pushing force to push the operation button  40  toward the deeper side of the device body (in the direction indicated by the arrow B in the figure) is applied to the button, the blade  41  moves together with the operation button  40  in the arrow B direction to penetrate through the front end of the sensor pack  1 , as shown in  FIG. 11A . Accompanying the pushing of the operation button  40 , a power source for driving the measurement mechanism  5 , for example, may be turned on or the feeder  22  shown in  FIG. 3  may be moved to automatically feed a sensor pack  1  toward the measurement mechanism  5 . When the force exerted to the operation button  40  is released, the operation button  40  and the blade  41  return to their original positions. Thus, the slit  15  as shown in  FIG. 11B  is formed at the front end of the sensor pack  1 , whereby the sensor pack  1  is opened. Although the blade  91  moves integrally with the operation button  40  in the illustrated example, the blade may be so arranged as to move following the movement of the operation button. In this case, the following movement may be realized by a mechanical system or an electrical system. 
     At the wait position, information relating to the biosensor  13  is read by utilizing the information providing portion  16  before the sensor pack  1  is opened. Specifically, as will be understood from  FIGS. 14A-14H , the device body  2  is provided with a single common terminal  43  and three individual terminals  44 . When the sensor pack  1  is at the wait position, the common terminal  43  comes into contact with the common electrode  16   a  of the sensor pack  1 , whereas the tree individual terminals  44  come into contact with respective individual electrodes  16   b  of the sensor pack  1 . The information of the information providing portion  16  is recognized based on the presence or absence of conduction between each of the individual terminals  44  and the common terminal  43  as well as the combination thereof. As will be understood from  FIGS. 14A-14H , eight kinds of information distinguishable from each other can be recognized in this embodiment. When the information providing portion  16 A as shown in  FIG. 15A  is utilized, a single measurement terminal  44 A is provided in the device body  2  (See  FIGS. 2 and 3 ). When the information providing portion  16 B as shown in  FIG. 15B  is utilized, a plurality of switches  45  and a plurality of movablemembers  46  capable of individually opening and closing the switches  45  are provided in the device body. In this case, each switch  45  is kept open when the relevant movable member  46  is received in a cutout  16   g  of the sensor pack  1 , whereas the switch  45  is closed when the movable member  46  is located at a portion which is not formed with a cutout  16   g . The information of the information providing portion  16 B is recognized based on the combination of ON/OF of each switch  45 . 
     For example, when the sensor pack  1  is provided with information on the lot and the usable period, the device may automatically perform correction so as not to perform the measurement when the usable period of the sensor pack  1  is expired. With such an arrangement, when a user additionally loads sensor packs  1  into the accommodation portion (See  FIGS. 2 and 3 ), the user need not pay attention to the lot and usable period of each sensor pack  1  to be loaded, which is convenient. 
     The measurement mechanism  5  serves to cause the biosensor  13  to project from the sensor pack  1  opened and transferred from the wait position and to measure the concentration of a particular component in the sample liquid supplied to the biosensor  13 . As shown in  FIG. 24 , the measurement mechanism  5  includes a base  50 , and a slider  51  slidably connected to the base. The slider  51  is reciprocally movable by known means such as a rack and pinion mechanism by utilizing the driving force of e.g. a motor (not shown). 
     As shown in  FIGS. 24-26 , the base  50  includes a base portion  52  and side walls  53  extending upward from opposite side edges of the base portion  52 . The base  50  further includes opposite ends provided with plate frames  501 ,  502 . The plate frame  501  is formed with an opening  503  for introducing the sensor pack  1 , whereas the plate frame  502  is formed with an opening  504  for discharging the sensor pack  1 . The plate frames  501 ,  502  support a guide rod  505 . 
     The base portion  52  has an upper surface formed with two guide grooves  520  and is formed with a space  54  at the center portion thereof, as shown in  FIG. 25 . A movable cutter  55  is arranged in the space  54 , and an elongated hole  541  is formed at a side wall  540  defining the space  54 . The movable cutter  55  comprises a blade  553  and a holding block  552  for holding the blade. The movable cutter  55  has opposite ends one of which is pivotally connected to the base  50  via a shaft portion  550 . The other end of the movable cutter  55  is connected to the elongated hole  541  via a shaft portion  554 , so that the pivoting range of the movable cutter  55  is defined by the elongated hole  541 . Each of the side walls  53  has an upper portion formed with an elongated hole  530 , and an upper surface  531  formed with a tapered portion  532  at an end thereof. 
     The slider  51  includes a slide guide  56  and a slider block  57 . The slider guide  56  and the slider block  57  are connected to each other via a resilient member  510  (illustrated as a coil spring in the figure) and pins  511 . Therefore, the slide guide  56  and the slider block  57  can move together relative to the base  50  and move vertically relative to each other. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 24-27 , the slider block  57  is provided with a pair of front hooks  570  and a pair of rear hooks  571 . As better shown in  FIG. 27 , the front hooks  570  and the rear hooks  571  serve to hold the sensor pack  1  and are so arranged that the distance between the front hooks  570  and the rear hooks  571  corresponds to the length of the sensor pack  1 . Though not clearly shown in the figure, the distance between the paired front hooks  570  and the distance between the paired rear hooks  571  are set to be smaller than the width of the sensor pack  1  and larger than the width of the biosensor  13 . 
     Each of the front hooks  570  is formed integrally on the slider block  57 . However, the front hook may be made separately from the slider block. Each of the rear hooks  571  is connected to the rear end of the slider block  57  via a shaft  572 . The rear hook  571  is pivotally supported by the slider block  57  while being biased downward by a resilient member  573 . The rear end of the rear hook  571  has a curved surface. 
     As noted above, the sensor pack  1  is transferred to the measurement mechanism  5  by the feeder  22 . Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 28A , the sensor pack  1  is transferred onto the base portion  52  of the base  50  through the opening  503  of the plate frame  501 . When the sensor pack  1  is further pushed from this position, the sensor pack  1  moves while coming into contact with the curved surface of the rear hooks  571 , whereby the rear hooks  571  are lifted. As shown in  FIG. 28B , when the sensor pack  1  is moved until the front end of the senor pack  1  engages the front hooks  570 , the front hooks  570  hinder further advancement of the sensor pack  1 . Since the distance between the front hooks  570  and the rear hooks  571  corresponds to the length of the sensor pack  1 , the rear end of the sensor pack  1  engages the rear hooks  571 , whereby the sensor pack  1  is snugly held between the front hooks  570  and the rear hooks  571 . In this state, the sensor pack  1  is movable together with the slider block  57 , and hence, with the slider  51 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 24-26 , the slider guide  56  includes an upper frame portion  560 , and side walls  561  extending downward from opposite side edges of the upper frame portion  560 . The upper frame portion  560  is formed with a through-hole  562 . The guide rod  505  is inserted in the through-hole  562 , whereby the upper frame portion  560 , and hence, the slide guide  56  is supported by the guide rod  505 . With this arrangement, the slide guide  56 , and hence the entirety of the slider  51  is movable along the guide rod  505 . 
     The side wall  561  is formed with a cam groove  563 . The cam groove  563  has opposite ends respectively provided with a first and a second straight movement portions  564  and  565  which differ from each other in height position. The straight movement portions  564  and  565  are connected to each other via an up/down movement portion  566 . The cam groove  563  receives the shaft portion  554  of the movable cutter  55 . Therefore, when the position of the shaft portion  554  in the cam groove  563  is changed by moving the slide guide  56 , the movable cutter  55  pivots, whereby the height position of the blade  553  of the movable cutter  55  changes. 
     Specifically, as shown in  FIGS. 28B and 29A , when the slider  51  is positioned on the right side in the figure and the shaft portion  554  is positioned in the first straight movement portion  564 , the blade  553  of the movable cutter  55  is positioned at the bottom dead center. As shown in  FIG. 29B , when the slide guide  56  is moved to move the shaft portion  554  from the first straight movement portion  564  toward the second straight movement portion  565  through the up/down movement portion  566 , the blade  553  of the movable cutter  55  moves upward. As shown in  FIG. 29C , when the shaft portion  554  reaches the second straight movement portion  565 , the blade  553  is positioned at the top dead center. 
     As shown in  FIG. 12A , the blade  553  moved upward in the above manner penetrates through the sensor pack  1 . The blade  553  then engages the cutout  130  of the biosensor  13 . In this state, when the slider  51  is moved relative to the base  50  in the direction indicated by the arrow E in the figures (See  FIGS. 29A-29C ), the sensor pack  1  moves together with the slider  51  in the arrow E direction, because the sensor pack  1  is held by the front hooks  570  and the rear hooks  571 , as shown in  FIG. 30 . During this movement, the shaft portion  554  is positioned in the second straight movement portion  565 , so that the blade  553  of the movable cutter  55  is kept at the top dead center. As a result, the engagement of the blade  553  with the biosensor  13  is maintained, so that the biosensor  13  moves relative to the sensor pack  1  (relative to the sealing sheets  12   a ,  12   b  and the base film  14 , to be exact) in the direction indicated by the arrow F. 
     As a result, as shown in  FIG. 12B , the biosensor  13  projects through the slit  15  previously formed in the sensor pack  1 . Since the distance between the paired front hooks  570  is larger than the width of the biosensor  13 , the biosensor  13  projects from between the front hooks  570 . Since the front end of the biosensor  13  is rounded, the projecting operation can be performed smoothly. The movement of the biosensor  13  is stopped when the stopper portion  131  of the biosensor  13  engages the stopper portion  146  of the sensor pack  1 . Thus, the plurality of through-holes  138 , and hence, the electrodes  134 - 136  of the biosensor  13  are exposed to the outside. In this embodiment, the exposed area of each electrode  134 - 136  is made as small as possible by the provision of the through-holes  138 . Therefore, the electrodes  134 - 136  of the biosensor  13  projecting from the slit are prevented from coming into contact with the nearby portion of the slit  15  of the sealing sheet  12   a , whereby short circuiting between the electrodes  134 - 136  are prevented. 
     As shown in  FIG. 30B , when the slide guide  56  is moved in the arrow F direction in the figure, the shaft portion  554  moves from the second straight movement portion  565  toward the first straight movement portion  564  through the up/down movement portion  566 , whereby the blade  553  of the movable cutter  55  moves downward. At this time, the entirety of the sensor pack  1  including the biosensor  13  moves in the arrow F direction, so that the biosensor  13  projects from the measurement mechanism  5 , and hence, from an opening  29  of the device body  2  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . As will be understood from  FIG. 18A , to the biosensor  13  in this state, the sample liquid is supplied through the sample introduction port  181  for performing analysis of the sample liquid. 
     As shown in  FIG. 31 , four probes  591 - 594  are fixed to the slider block  57 . As shown in  FIG. 18B , the probes  591 - 594  are so arranged as to come into contact with the electrodes  134 - 136 , respectively, through the through-holes  138  when the biosensor  13  is in the state shown in  FIG. 12B . With this arrangement, a voltage can be applied to the reagent layer  137  shown in  FIGS. 17 and 18A , and the responsive current can be measured. Based on the responsive current, analysis of the sample (e.g. computation of the concentration of a particular component in the sample liquid) can be performed, or the introduction of the sample liquid into the flow path  133  can be detected. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 24 and 27 , the upper end of the slider block  57  is formed with a pair of flanges  59  projecting widthwise outward of the slider block  57 . Each of the flanges  59  slides on the upper surface  531  of the corresponding side wall  53  of the base  50  when the slider block  57  (slider  51 ) moves relative to the base  50 . As noted above, a tapered portion  532  is formed at an end of the upper surface  531 . Therefore, as shown in  FIGS. 27 and 32 , when the flange  59  rides on the tapered portion, the end of the slider block  57  (slider  51 ) is lifted relative to the base  50 . As a result, the engagement between the front hooks  570  and the sensor pack  1  is released, whereby the sensor pack  1  together with the biosensor  13  is released from the measurement mechanism  5 , or from the opening  29  (See  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) of the device body  2 . In the analyzer X, the entirety of the biosensor  13  may be accommodated again in the sensor pack  1  before the disposal of the sensor pack  1 . In this case, the user can dispose of the biosensor without touching the biosensor  1  (particularly blood), which is preferable from a hygienic point of view. 
     As described above, since the front end of the biosensor need not be made sharp, the user does not feel fear and is not hurt by the biosensor  13 . The sensor pack  1  after the analysis can be disposed of together with and at the same time as the biosensor  13 . Therefore, the number of parts to be disposed of is small, and the sensor pack  1  can be disposed of with little trouble. 
     Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to  FIGS. 33-40 . In  FIGS. 33-40 , elements which are identical or similar to those of the first embodiment described above are designated by the same reference signs, and the description thereof is omitted below. 
     As shown in  FIG. 33 , the slide guide  56 C of the measurement mechanism of the analyzer includes a side wall  561 C formed with a non-penetrating cam groove  563 C. The cam grove  563 C includes an upper groove portion  567 AC, a lower groove portion  567 BC, a downward movement groove portion  568 C connecting between the groove portions  567 AC and  567 BC, and an upward movement groove portion  569 C. 
     The upper groove portion  567 AC includes a first and a second straight movement portions  564 C and  565 C which differ from each other in height position, and an up/down movement portion  566 C connecting between the straight movement portions  564 C and  565 C. As will be understood from  FIGS. 33-35 , the first and the second straight movement portions  564 C,  565 C and the up/down movement portion  566 C have the same depth. 
     The lower groove portion  567 BC extends below the first and the second straight movement portions  564 C,  565 C and in parallel with the first and the second straight movement portions  569 C,  565 C. The lower groove portion  567 BC has a uniform depth which is generally equal to that of the upper groove portion  567 AC. 
     The downward movement portion  568 C connects an end of the upper groove portion  567 AC and an end of the lower groove portion  567 BC to each other, and the part of the downward movement portion connected to the end of the lower groove portion  567 BC is smaller in depth than the lower groove portion  567 BC, as better shown in  FIG. 34 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 33 , the upward movement portion  569 C connects the upper groove portion  567 AC and the lower groove portion  567 BC to each other at a position deviated from the downward movement portion  568 C in the arrow E direction. As better shown in  FIG. 35 , the part of the upward movement portion  569 C connected to the upper groove portion  567 AC is smaller in depth than the upper groove portion  567 AC. 
     As will be understood from e.g.  FIG. 37A , the cam groove  563 C receives the shaft portion  554  of the movable cutter  55 . Therefore, by moving the slide guide  56 C, the position of the shaft portion  554  in the cam groove  563 C changes. As a result, the movable cutter  55  pivots so that the height position of the movable cutter  55  changes. In the cam groove  563 C having the above configuration, it is preferable that the shaft portion  554  is biased toward the side wall  561 C. 
     In this embodiment, a biosensor  13 C as shown in  FIG. 36  is used, for example. The illustrated biosensor  13 C is similar in basic structure to the biosensor  13  (See  FIG. 16 ) used in the first embodiment but differs from the biosensor  13  in structure for engagement with the blade  553  of the movable cutter  55 . Specifically, the portion for engagement with the blade  553  comprises a through-hole  130 C. 
     In this embodiment, the slide guide  56 C is caused to reciprocate twice in the arrow EF direction in the figure in a single sample analysis operation (See  FIG. 33 ). Specifically, the first reciprocal movement is performed to cause the biosensor  13  to project from the slit  15  of the sensor pack  1 C similarly to the first embodiment (See  FIG. 38B ), whereas the second reciprocal movement is performed to pull the biosensor  13 C into the sensor pack  1 C to accommodate the biosensor  13 C again (See  FIG. 40B ). 
     As shown in  FIG. 33 , the movement route of the shaft portion  554  (See e.g.  FIG. 37A ) of the movable cutter  55  in the cam groove  563 C differs between the first reciprocal movement (for pushing out the biosensor  13 C (See  FIG. 38B )) and the second reciprocal movement (for accommodating the biosensor  13 C again (See  FIG. 40B )). Thus, the blade  553  of the movable cutter  55  operates differently between the first reciprocal movement and the second reciprocal movement. In  FIG. 33 , the movement route of the shaft portion  554  in the first reciprocal movement is indicated by a single dashed line, whereas the movement route of the shaft portion  554  in the second reciprocal movement is indicated by a chain line. 
     In the first reciprocal movement, the shaft portion  554  (See e.g.  FIG. 37A ) starts from the point P 1  and pass through the points P 2 -P 5  before reaching the point P 6 . 
     Specifically, when the slide guide  56 C moves in the arrow E direction, the shaft portion  554  moves through the first straight movement portion  564 C, the up/down movement portion  566 C, and the second straight movement portion  565 C, similarly to the first embodiment. It is to be noted that, when the shaft portion  554  reaches the point P 8 , the shaft portion does not enter the upward movement portion  569 C but moves straight in the arrow F direction to reach the point P 4 , because the second straight movement portion  565 C is larger in depth than the part of the upward movement portion  569 C connected to the second straight movement portion  565 C. 
     As will be understood from  FIG. 37A , when the shaft portion  554  is positioned in the first straight movement portion  564 C (between the points P 1  and P 2 ), the blade  553  of the movable cutter  55  is located at a first bottom dead center. When the slide guide  56 C is moved in the arrow E direction to move the shaft portion  554  from the first straight movement portion  564 C toward the second straight movement portion  565 C through the up/down movement portion  566 C (between the points P 2  and P 3 ), the blade  553  of the movable cutter  55  moves upward. When the shaft portion  554  reaches the second straight movement portion  565 C (point P 3 ), the blade  553  is positioned at the top dead center. 
     As shown in  FIG. 37B , the blade  553  moved upward in the above manner penetrates through the sensor pack  1 C and is inserted into the through-hole  130 C of the biosensor  13 C for engagement with the inner surface of the through-hole  130 C. In this state, when the slider  51  is moved relative to the base  50  in the direction indicated by the arrow E in the figures, the sensor pack  1 C moves together with the slider  51  in the arrow E direction, as shown in  FIGS. 38A and 38B . During this movement, the shaft portion  554  is positioned in the second straight movement portion  565 C, so that the blade  553  is kept at the top dead center. As a result, as better shown in  FIG. 38B , the engagement of the blade  553  with the through-hole  130 C of the biosensor  13 C is maintained, so that the biosensor  13  moves relative to the sensor pack  1  (relative to the sealing sheets  12   a ,  12   b  and the base film  14 , to be exact) in the direction indicated by the arrow F. As a result, the biosensor  13 C projects from the slit  15  of the sensor pack  1 C. 
     With the biosensor  13 C projecting from the sensor pack  1 C, a sample is supplied to the biosensor  13 C, whereby the concentration of a particular component in the sample is computed, similarly to the above-described first embodiment. 
     Unlike the first embodiment, when the slide guide  56 C moves in the arrow F direction, the shaft portion  554  moves through the downward movement portion  568 C (between the points P 4  and P 5 ) to move to a lower position and then moves straight through the lower groove portion  567 BC (between the points P 5  and P 6 ) to reach the point P 6 , as will be understood from  FIG. 33 . 
     As can be seen from  FIGS. 38A and 39A , when the slide guide  56 C moves through the downward movement portion  568 C (between the points P 4  and P 5  in  FIG. 33 ) , the blade  553  of the movable cutter  55  moves downward. When the shaft portion  554  reaches the lower groove portion  567 BC (the point P 5  in  FIG. 33 ), the blade  553  is positioned at a second bottom dead center. 
     By moving the blade  553  downward in the above manner, the blade  553  is pulled out from the sensor pack  1 C, as shown in  FIGS. 39A and 39B . In this state, when the slide guide  56 C is moved in the arrow F direction in the figure, the shaft portion  541  moves straight through the lower groove portion  567 BC (between the points P 5  and P 6  in  FIG. 33 ) while keeping the blade  553  at the bottom dead center. 
     In the second reciprocal movement, the shaft portion  554  (See e.g.  FIG. 37A ) starts from the point P 6  and pass through the points P 7 , P 8  and P 2  to reach the point P 1 , as shown in  FIG. 33 . 
     Specifically, when the slide guide  56 C moves in the arrow E direction, the shaft portion  554  moves straight through the lower groove portion  567 BC from the point P 6  toward the point P 7 , and then moves through the upward movement portion  569 C (P 7 , P 8 ) to reach the point P 8 . It is to be noted that, when the shaft portion  554  reaches the point P 7 , the shaft portion does not enter the downward movement portion  568 C but moves through the upward movement portion  569 C, because the upward movement portion  569 C is larger in depth than the part of the downward movement portion  568 C connected to the lower groove portion  567 BC (See  FIG. 34 ). 
     As will be understood from  FIGS. 33 and 39A , when the shaft portion  554  is located in the lower grove portion  567 BC (between the points P 6  and P 7 ), the blade  553  of the movable cutter  55  is located at the second bottom dead center. When the shaft portion  554  moves through the upward movement portion  569 C (between the points P 7  and P 8 ), the blade  553  of the movable cutter  55  moves upward. When the shaft portion  554  reaches the second straight movement portion  565 C (the point P 8 ) , the blade  553  is positioned at the top dead center. 
     The blade  553  moved upward in the above manner is inserted again into the through-hole  130 C of the biosensor  13 C for engagement with the inner surface of the through-hole  130 C (See  FIG. 38B ). In this state, when the slider  51  is moved relative to the base  50  in the direction indicated by the arrow F in the figures, the sensor pack  1 C moves together with the slider  51  in the arrow F direction. During this movement, the shaft portion  541  is positioned in the second straight movement portion  565 C, so that the blade  553  is kept at the top dead center. As a result, as better shown in  FIG. 40B , the engagement of the blade  553  with the through-hole  130 C of the biosensor  13 C is maintained, so that the biosensor  13 C moves relative to the sensor pack  1 C (relative to the sealing sheets  12   a ,  12   b  and the base film  14 , to be exact) in the direction indicated by the arrow E. As a result, the biosensor  13 C is accommodated again in the sensor pack  1 C. 
     Similarly to the first embodiment, when the slide guide  56 C moves in the arrow F direction, the shaft portion  554  moves through the second straight movement portion  565 C, the up/down movement portion  566 C and the first straight movement portion  564 C. In this process, the blade  553  of the movable cutter  55  moves from the top dead center to the first bottom dead center. Thus, the blade  553  is pulled out from the sensor pack  1 C to become a state similar to that shown in  FIG. 39B . 
     After the biosensor  1 C is accommodated again, the slider  51  is moved relative to the base  50  in the arrow E direction in the figure, whereby the sensor pack  1 C is disposed of in a manner similar to that in the first embodiment. 
     In this embodiment, the sensor pack  1 C after use is disposed of with the biosensor  1 C accommodated in the sensor pack. Therefore, the biosensor  13 C can be disposed of integrally with the wrapping member, which reduces the number of parts to be disposed of and which is preferable from a hygienic point of view. 
     As the biosensor for providing the sensor pack, use may be made of a biosensor  13 D shown in  FIG. 41 . In the biosensor  13 D, the portion for engagement with the blade  553 D of the movable cutter in moving the biosensor  13  is provided at opposite sides of the biosensor  13 D. Specifically, the biosensor  13 D has opposite side edges each of which is provided with a pair of projections  130 D,  131 D. A blade  553 D is inserted between the projections  130 D and  131 D for engagement with the projections  130 D,  131 D. 
     The projection  130 D serves to engage with the blade  553 D when the biosensor  13 D is moved in the arrow F direction, and also serve as a stopper for preventing the movement of the biosensor  13 D relative to the sealing sheets or the base film of the sensor pack. The projection  131 D serves to engage with the blade  553 D when the biosensor  13 D is moved in the arrow F direction. 
     When the biosensor  13 D is utilized, two blades  553  need be provided in the measurement mechanism. 
     The present invention is not limited to the first and the second embodiments described above, and may be modified in various ways. For example, the sensor pack and the biosensor may have structures as shown in  FIGS. 42-44 . 
     The sensor pack  1  shown in  FIG. 42  includes a base film  14 , a sealing sheet  12   b , a biosensor  13  and a sealing sheet  12   a  which are stacked in the mentioned order. 
     The sensor pack shown in  FIGS. 43A and 43B  does not include a base film, and the biosensor is enclosed only by the sealing sheets  12   a ,  12   b.    
     In the biosensor  13  shown in  FIG. 44 , the electrodes  134 - 136  are exposed continuously. 
     The opening mechanism of the first embodiment can be used not only for opening the sensor pack in the analyzer but also for various purposes. For example, when a wrapping member contains an object in a solid state other than a biosensor or an object in a liquid or gel state, the opening mechanism can be used for opening the wrapping member to take out the content. The content may be taken out by a method similar to that of the above analyzer when the content is in a solid state. Alternatively, the content may be taken out by squeezing out with the use of a roller, regardless of the state of the content.