Abstract:
An embodiment of a sensor dispensing device for dispensing sensors for measuring analyte concentration in a fluid includes a cartridge assembly ( 32 ) having a housing ( 70 ) with an opening and means ( 16 ) for making a moisture-proof seal around the opening. A stack of sensors ( 12 ) is stored in the housing ( 70 ) and urged through the opening towards a stop member ( 73 ) by spring means. The device is provided with an externally actuable pusher ( 18 ) for breaking the seal and for pushing a single sensor from the housing.

Description:
This application claims priority to co-pending U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/336,921 filed on Dec. 3, 2001 which is entitled “TEST DEVICE,” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. This application also claims priority to British patent application serial number 0127322.6 filed Nov. 14, 2001,” the disclosure of which is also incorporated herein by reference. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a sensor dispensing device for dispensing sensors for measuring the concentration of an analyte in a fluid sample. The invention extends to a cartridge assembly containing sensors for use in the device, and to an inner member for the cartridge assembly. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   Diabetics regularly need to test samples of their blood to determine the level of blood glucose. The results of such tests may be used to determine levels of medication needed to treat the diabetes at the time. In one known type of system, disposable sensors are used to test the blood. The sensors typically take the form of test strips which are provided with a reagent material that will react with blood glucose to produce an electrical signal. Conductive tracks on the test strip relay the electrical signal to a meter which displays the result. After a sample of blood has been applied to the test strip and the measurement has been taken, the test strip is disposed of. In order to couple the conductive tracks on a test strip with the meter, the test strip needs to be inserted into a sensor holder prior to the start of testing. The sensor holder has corresponding electrodes which are brought into electrical contact with the conductive tracks of the test strip. Test devices are known in which a plurality of test strip are provided on a cartridge disc. Each strip is housed in its own sensor slot, and means are provided to eject a test strip from its slot when required, and to automatically locate it in a sensor holder. Examples of test devices with test strip dispensers are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,660,791, and European Patent Application Numbers 0 732 590, 0 738 666, and 0 811 843. 
   A problem with test strips is that they have only a limited shelf life, and exposure of test strips to the atmosphere further reduces the shelf life. 
   It has been proposed in WO 94/10558 to provide a stack of disposable sensors in a cylindrical housing, the stack being urged towards a test station to form a liquid-proof seal. In DE 196 39 226 A1 it is proposed to provide a test device with a cartridge that may have a plurality of chambers containing test strips, each of which chambers may be individually sealed to preserve the shelf life of the strips therein. A user removes the seal for each chamber when required, and a timing circuit may be activated either by the user or when the cartridge is pushed into the device. After a set time period has elapsed, an alarm or other indication reminds the user that the time period for using the strips has elapsed. 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved test device. It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved dispenser for sensors for use in measuring analyte concentration in an applied fluid. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a sensor dispensing device for dispensing sensors for testing of analyte concentration in a fluid to be applied thereto, the device comprising:
     a) a housing having a plurality of sensors arranged in a stack therein, each sensor carrying reagent means for producing a signal in response to the concentration of analyte in an applied fluid;   b) the housing having an opening of sufficient dimensions to permit a sensor to pass through the opening;   c) a stop member located beyond the opening which limits outward travel of sensors from the stack;   d) a spring means which urges the sensors towards the stop member;   e) a fixed gap between the stop member and the said opening of suitable dimensions to permit a sensor to be pushed through the said gap;   f) a sealing member for forming a moisture-tight seal with at least one sealing surface on or around the housing so as to protect sensors in the housing from atmospheric moisture, the relative positions of the sealing member and the sealing surface being adjustable by externally-actuable means to make or break the said seal; and   g) an externally-actuable pushing member for pushing a sensor from the said stack through the said gap to a dispensed position.   

   The sensor in the dispensed position may be taken by the user and used in a conventional test meter. In a preferred embodiment, however, the device further comprises signal-reading means for determining the concentration of an analyte in an applied sample according to a signal generated by the sensor in the dispensed position. The signal-reading means may comprise electronic circuitry for measuring an electric signal generated by the sensor in response to analyte concentration in an applied sample. With the sensor in the dispensed position its electrodes engage with contacts connected to the circuitry, in known manner. Alternatively, the signal-reading means may measure an optical change in the sensor, for example a colour change. Many suitable signal-reading means are known to those skilled in the art. 
   By providing the stop member on the housing or on a support around the housing the sensors may be provided in a pre-assembled cartridge which can be inserted into the dispenser or into a test device and be ready for use without further user actions. 
   The stop member may be a wall of the housing so that the housing comprises a box which is closed save for a fixed gap on one wall through which the sensors are pushed, and a gap through which the pushing member is disposed when pushing a sensor. Alternatively the stop member could extend across only a part of the opening, sufficient to prevent sensors from being urged out of the housing by the spring means. In this case, there may be a single gap which extends along one wall of the housing. 
   The gap could be dimensioned to permit a plurality of sensors to be pushed simultaneously from the housing; however it is preferred that the gap is set such that only one sensor can pass through at a time, to prevent accidental dispensing of more than one sensor. In a preferred embodiment, the sensor adjacent to the stop member is dispensed through the gap. 
   The sealing member may comprise a cap, the cap and housing being movable relative to each other between an open position wherein a sensor can pass between the cap and the housing and a closed position in which the cap is urged against the sealing surface, at least one of the cap and the sealing surface being provided with sealing means for making a moisture-tight seal therebetween when the cap is in the closed position. The sealing means may be formed from any suitable material well known to persons skilled in the art, for example natural or synthetic rubbers, including foam rubbers. Preferred materials are thermoplastic elastomers, for example Santoprene™, a nitrile rubber mixed with polypropylene, or thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers, for example Pellethane™. Santoprene™ elastomer is particularly preferred because it can be processed by injection moulding. 
   In a preferred embodiment, the cap makes a seal with a peripheral sealing surface around the housing. However, it would also be possible for the cap to act as a plug and make a seal by fitting inside the housing. 
   The invention provides a sensor dispensing device which can keep sensors sealed from moisture when the device is not in use and quickly dispense a single test strip for use when required. 
   The externally actuable means are preferably actuated mechanically by a user moving an external actuator, for example a movable sleeve or handle on the dispenser or test device. Additionally, or alternatively, actuation may involve one or more electric or other motorised means; for example a user may press a button which operates a motor. 
   The movement of the pushing member may be in the same direction as that of the external sleeve or handle, or it may be at an angle, notably perpendicular to the direction of movement of the external actuator, by means of a series of linkages which convert translational motion to rotational motion and vice versa. 
   In a preferred embodiment, adjustment of the cap to the open position and movement of the pushing member are actuated by adjustment of a single external actuator. It is particularly preferred that the pushing member itself acts to adjust the cap to the open position. The pushing member may be a slider which from an initial rest position slides so as to insert itself between the cap and the housing, thereby adjusting the cap to the open position, and which subsequently pushes a sensor from the stack to the engagement location. Preferably the arrangement is such that the pushing member undergoes reciprocal movement. 
   The invention will be described with reference to the testing of glucose concentrations in blood, but it will be understood that the invention is not limited to this embodiment and is of general applicability for testing analytes in bodily and other fluids. 
   The sensors will typically comprise test strips of a type known per se, and the invention will be described herein with reference to the use of such test strips. However it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the use of conventional test strips and that other alternative sensors may be used. 
   The cartridge assembly is preferably removable, and may be sold as a separate item for refilling the test device. Accordingly, another aspect of the invention provides a cartridge assembly comprising:
     a) a housing having a plurality of sensors arranged in a stack therein, each sensor carrying reagent means for producing a signal in response to the concentration of analyte in an applied fluid;   b) the housing having an opening of sufficient dimensions to permit a sensor to pass through the opening;   c) a stop member located beyond the opening which limits outward travel of sensors from the stack;   d) a spring means which urges the sensors towards and into contact with the stop member;   e) a fixed gap between the stop member and the said opening of suitable dimensions to permit a sensor to be pushed through the said gap; and   f) at least one sealing surface on or around the housing for making a moisture-tight seal with a suitable sealing member so as to protect sensors in the housing from atmospheric moisture.   

   In a preferred embodiment the sealing surface is provided by a support member in which the housing is received. In this embodiment, the housing comprises a cartridge inner member and the support member comprises a cartridge outer member. 
   The cartridge inner member may be sold and dealt in separately, so that the cartridge outer is retained and only the inner member replaced when necessary. Accordingly, a further aspect of the invention provides a cartridge inner member comprising:
     a) a housing having a plurality of sensors arranged in a stack therein, each sensor carrying reagent means for producing a signal in response to the concentration of analyte in an applied fluid;   b) the housing having an opening of sufficient dimensions to permit a sensor to pass through the opening;   c) a stop member located beyond the opening which limits outward travel of sensors from the stack;   d) a spring means which urges the sensors towards and into contact with the stop member;   e) a fixed gap between the stop member and the said opening of suitable dimensions to permit a sensor to be pushed through the said gap;
 
wherein the opening of the housing has two opposed long edges and two opposed short edges, the stop member being attached to or integrally formed with one of the said long edges, and the said gap being laterally accessible through a channel disposed substantially parallel to and extending along the entire length of the other of the said long edges.
   

   The housing may contain a desiccant to absorb moisture. In a preferred embodiment, the housing or a component thereof, for example a sprung follower, may be formed from a desiccant plastics material. Suitable desiccant plastics materials are known in the art and may be obtained from CSP Technologies, Bourne End, Bucks, UK. 
   Any suitable spring means may be used and are well known to those skilled in the art. Examples are coil or compression springs, elastic members, or pneumatic or motorised pushing members. It is preferred that the spring means are constant tension springs to provide controlled movement of the stack within the housing. 
   The cartridge may be removable so that the dispenser or test device may be re-used with a new cartridge. In another embodiment, the cartridge is loaded in the test device during manufacture and is not removable. The device is disposed of once the sensors have all been used or when their useful life has been exceeded. With this arrangement a single general-purpose meter can be manufactured, the function of which depends on which type of sensors are in the cartridge which is loaded. 
   Other aspects and benefits of the invention will appear in the following specification, drawings and claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the following drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  shows user actions for taking a blood glucose reading using a first embodiment of a sensor dispensing device in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a mechanical sequence for dispensing a sensor from a stack of sensors in a device in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  shows external views of a second embodiment of a sensor dispensing device in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  show part-sectional views of the device of  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 6  is an exploded drawing of the device of  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 7  shows external views of a third embodiment of a sensor dispensing device in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIGS. 8 and 9  show part-sectional views of the device of  FIG. 7 ; 
       FIG. 10  is an exploded drawing of the device of  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIGS. 11 and 12  are part-sectional views of a fourth embodiment of a sensor dispensing device in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 13  is an exploded view of a cartridge assembly for use in a sensor dispensing device according to the invention; 
       FIG. 14  shows steps in the manufacture of an alternative embodiment of a replacement cartridge assembly for use in a sensor dispensing device according to the invention; 
       FIGS. 15 and 16  show details of the sealing arrangement of an embodiment of a sensor dispensing device in accordance with the invention; 
       FIG. 17  is an exploded view of a preferred contact assembly for a sensor dispensing device in accordance with the invention; and 
       FIG. 18  is a sectional view of a preferred sealing arrangement of a device in accordance with the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   In the following description the same numbers will be used to refer to equivalent parts of the various embodiments. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , the sensor dispensing device  2  can be held in a user&#39;s hand. The device  2  has an external slidable sleeve  4  and a display  6 , in this example an LCD. From the rest position of  FIG. 1   a , the user pulls back the actuating sleeve  4  ( FIG. 1   b ) against a spring force. As will be explained later, this action opens the cap on a stack of sensors in a housing. The user releases the sleeve  4  ( FIG. 1   c ) and the spring force returns the sleeve  4  to the rest position, in the process of which the device is activated to take a reading, a sensor  8 , in this example a test strip, is presented to receive a drop of blood, and the cap returns to make a seal with the housing. The user applies a sample of blood to the sensor  8  ( FIG. 1   d ) and the glucose value is shown on the LCD  6 . The used sensor  8  is then discarded. 
     FIG. 2  illustrates schematically the mechanical sequence of events occurring inside the device  2 . A cartridge assembly  32  comprises a cartridge outer  10  which encloses a cartridge inner  70 . The cartridge inner  70  is a housing which has a single opening covered by a spring-biased cap  16 . In the rest position shown in  FIG. 2   a , the cap  16  is pressed against the cartridge outer  10  to make a moisture-tight seal. In the housing  70  is a stack  12  of test strips  8 , urged towards the cap  16  by a sprung follower  14 . A stop member (best illustrated in  FIGS. 13 and 14 ) limits outward travel of the test strips  8  towards the cap  16 , and the stack  12  bears against the stop member. A slider  18  outside the cartridge assembly  32  is operatively connected to the sleeve  4 . As the user pulls the sleeve  4  back, the slider  18  is pulled backwards. As the slider  18  moves backwards ( FIG. 2   b ) a leading edge of the slider  18  is inserted between the cartridge outer  10  and the cap  16 , initially forcing the cap  16  upwards and then forcing the stack  12  down slightly against the spring force. When the slider  18  has passed fully over the stack  12  ( FIG. 2   c ), the sprung follower  14  urges the top test strip  8  up into the return path of the slider  18 . As the slider  18  is returned back to the rest position it moves the top test strip  8  to an engagement location at which its electrodes engage with contacts of the test device. At this point ( FIG. 2   d ) the slider  18  has removed itself from between the cartridge outer  10  and the cap  16  so that the cap  16  once again seals against the cartridge outer  10 . The test strip  8  is ready for use. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 3 to 6 , a second embodiment of the invention is described. The actuating sleeve  4  is mounted either side of the upper 22 and lower 46 meter casings. The sleeve  4  accommodates left and right handed users and allows various gripping strategies. The meter casing  22 , in this example formed from an acrylic material, is provided with a front-mounted LCD  6 , key-pad function buttons  20 , and strip ejection slot  24 . The LCD key-pad, and other meter electronics components are mounted on a main PCB  42  which is in turn connected to a second PCB  30 . The second PCB  30  is electrically connected to a contact block  28 , with which the electrodes of the test strip  8  engage when the strip is in the engagement location, as best shown in  FIG. 17 . 
   Cartridge access from the side of the device is provided by a cartridge cover  44  which is opened by operation of a release button  26 . In this example the cartridge cover  44  provides access to batteries  38  in addition to the cartridge assembly  32 . The batteries  38  and cartridge assembly  32  are received in a single moulded chassis  50 . A download socket  40  is provided for downloading external data such as calibration values for the test strips. The sleeve  4  is connected to an actuator rack  36  which is connected to a strip-pusher rack  34  via a pinion gear arrangement (not shown in FIGS.  3 – 6 —illustrated in  FIG. 9 ). When the user pulls back the sleeve  4 , the actuator rack  36  causes the strip-pusher rack  34  to move a greater distance because of the pinion gear-ratio. The strip-pusher rack  34  is connected to the slider  18  which operates as described with reference to  FIG. 2  above. A return spring  48  acts to return the sleeve  4  to the rest position after it has been pulled back and released. 
   A third embodiment of the invention is illustrated with reference to  FIGS. 7 to 10 . In this embodiment the LCD  6  is side-mounted to maximise the gripping area without obscuring the screen. This arrangement facilitates holding the device with a precision pen-style grip as well as in a fist. The strip ejection point  24  is situated at an edge projection, which helps to indicate to the user where the strip will emerge from. A separate battery cover  54  is provided, which has a battery contact member  52  provided on its inner surface. As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the actuator rack  36  engages with the smaller wheel of a pinion gear  56 , while the strip-pusher rack  34  is driven by the larger wheel of the pinion gear. 
   A fourth embodiment of the device is shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , which employs an alternative mechanism for driving the slider  18 . Here, the sleeve (not shown) is directly connected to an actuating plate  60  which has an arcuate slot  62  therein. The slider  18  is provided with a projection that sits in a slot at one end of a pivot arm  58 . The arrangement is such that turning of the pivot arm  58  produces linear translation of the slider  58  by virtue of lost motion in the slot. The pivot arm  58  is provided with a projection or pin  64  which is disposed in the arcuate slot  62  so that sliding of the actuating plate  60  causes pivoting of the pivot arm  58  and hence sliding of the slider  18 . Referring to  FIG. 12 , it will be seen that sliding the actuating plate  60  from the upper position (shown in white) to the lower position (shaded) causes the slider  18  to move from the rest position shown on the extreme right, to the position shown on the extreme left. Reversal of this movement, for example by means of a spring, dispenses the test strip  8  as previously described. 
   One way of manufacturing the cartridge assembly  32  is illustrated in the exploded diagram shown in  FIG. 13 . The assembly comprises a cartridge outer  10  which has a single opening. A resilient seal  66 , for example of a thermoplastic elastomer, is provided around the opening. Within the cartridge outer  10  is a cartridge inner  70  which houses a constant tension spring  68  operatively connected to a follower  14 . The cartridge inner  70  is formed from a base member  71  and a closure member  72 . Two opposed upstanding walls of the base member  71  are provided with a series of ridges  74  in which fit arms  76  of the follower  14 . The ridges  74  and arms  76  are profiled to permit movement of the follower  14  in one direction only, towards the stack  12  of test strips. During assembly, the follower  14  is located near to the spring  68  to permit the stack  12  to fit in the cartridge inner  70 . The closure member  72  is snap-fitted on the base member  71  to form the cartridge inner  70  which is located in the cartridge outer  10 . A lip  73  on the closure member  72  provides a stop member which limits outward travel of the stack  12 . There is a sufficient gap between the lip  73  and the adjacent walls of the base member  71  (which define an opening of the housing) to permit a single strip  8  to slide out axially, as illustrated with reference to  FIG. 2 . 
   An alternative cartridge assembly design, for a replacement cartridge assembly  32 , is shown in  FIG. 14 . Here the stop member  73  is provided on the base member  71 . After closing the closure member  72  ( FIG. 14   a ) the cartridge inner  70  is put in the cartridge outer  10  ( FIG. 14   b ) to form the cartridge assembly  32 . An elongate channel  75  is disposed parallel to the top edge of the closure member  72 , allowing access of a pushing member, from the side or the top as viewed, to push out the test strip adjacent to the stop member  73 . Finally the cartridge assembly  32  is put in a foil bag  82  ( FIG. 14   c ) and sealed. The bag may be provided with a desiccant to keep the cartridge assembly  32  in a low moisture environment. 
   It is preferred that the cartridge assembly  32  comprise both the cartridge inner  70  and the cartridge outer  10 , so that both these elements are replaced together. This arrangement ensures that the resilient seal  66  is periodically replaced. However, it will be appreciated that the cartridge inner  70  could be separately replaced and the cartridge outer  10  could be re-used. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 15 and 16 , these illustrate a preferred embodiment in which the cap  16  is provided with a profiled wall  78  that fits into and engages with the resilient seal  66  to form a moisture-tight seal when the cap is in the closed position. 
   In the sealing arrangement shown in  FIG. 18 , the cap  16  is pivotally mounted on a fixed pivot  98  and urged into sealing engagement with the resilient seal  66  by a spring  94 . The arrangement is such that the spring force is exerted at a central point  96  on the cap  16 , thereby helping to spread the spring force evenly around the entire periphery of the seal  66  to facilitate complete closure of the cap  16  and sealing of the cartridge inner  70  from atmospheric moisture. 
   In a preferred embodiment, the sensor dispensing device has an insert moulded contact block  28  to reduce tolerance issues and assembly costs. A preferred construction of the contact block  28  is illustrated in  FIG. 17 . The contact block  28  is formed from a first  86  and a second  88  moulded member which fit together. Each moulded member is provided with a location pin  84  to engage in recesses in the chassis through holes  92  in the PCB  30 . Contacts  90  in the second moulded member engage with electrodes on the test strip  8  and are electrically connected with the main PCB  42  via a flexible connector  80 . 
   Although the invention has been described with reference to a sensor dispensing device or test device for measuring blood glucose concentration, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this application. The invention may be used in the determination of any analyte in a fluid, biological or otherwise, by the use of suitable reagents in the test strip. Such reagents are well known to those skilled in the art. 
   It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are for clarity described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for the sake of brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination. 
   While the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it should be understood that modifications and variations of the invention may be constructed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention set forth in the following claims.