Test tape device and operating method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10126290-B2
Application number	US-201615016944-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 5, 2016
Priority date	Aug 9, 2013
Publication date	Nov 13, 2018
Grant date	Nov 13, 2018

Abstract

Disclosed is a test tape device comprising a housing having a cassette compartment for a replaceable tape cassette, a cassette door which can be retained in a closed position and which allows access to the cassette compartment through a housing opening in an open position, a tip cover which can be positioned in a first position covering a housing aperture and a second position allowing access to a tip of the tape cassette, wherein the tip cover is moveable to a third position in which the cassette tip is at least partially uncovered and the housing opening is extended into the area of the cassette tip, and wherein the cassette door is self-opening when moving the tip cover to the third position.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A test tape device, comprising:
a housing having a cassette compartment adapted to receive a replaceable analytical tape cassette;
a cassette door having a door lock which can retain the cassette door in a closed position, the cassette door having an open position that allows access to the cassette compartment through a housing opening;
a tip cover which can be positioned in a first position, a second position and a third position, wherein:
in the first position the tip cover covers a housing aperture;
in the second position the tip cover allows access to a cassette tip of the tape cassette that protrudes through the housing aperture for sample application;
in the third position the cassette tip is at least partially uncovered and the housing opening is enlarged in the area of the cassette tip; and
wherein the cassette door is self-opening when moving the tip cover to the third position.

2. Test tape device according to claim 1 , wherein the door lock automatically unlocks when moving the tip cover to the third position.

3. Test tape device according to claim 2 , wherein the door lock can be unlocked by a manually activated release button that is mechanically connected to the tip cover to actuate a movement to the third position.

4. Test tape device according to claim 3 , further comprising a sliding module connected to the release button, wherein the tip cover is pivotable from the first position to the third position by a force of the sliding module.

5. Test tape device according to claim 1 , wherein the tip cover can be manually operated to assume the third position and forms a leverage to actuate the door lock.

6. Test tape device according to claim 5 , wherein a pivot is provided to allow pivoting of a free end of the tip cover.

7. Test tape device according to claim 1 , wherein the tip cover is movable in a guide structure between the first and second positions, wherein the guide structure is mounted on a slider which is movable relative to the housing, wherein a movement of the slider carries the tip cover to the third position and unlocks the door lock.

8. Test tape device according to claim 7 , further comprising a grip member formed on the slider for shifting of the slider in a linear track of the housing.

9. Test tape device according to claim 1 , wherein the tip cover is moveably connected to the cassette door to allow movement between the first and second positions, and wherein the cassette door and the tip cover can be moved cooperatively as a unitary lid to move the cassette door to the open position and the tip cover to the third position.

10. Test tape device according to claim 9 , further comprising a hinge mounted between an edge of the cassette door and an edge of the tip cover.

11. Test tape system comprising a test tape device of claim 1 and further comprising an analytical tape cassette including a test tape inserted in the cassette compartment.

12. Test tape device, comprising:
a housing having a cassette compartment adapted to receive a replaceable analytical tape cassette;
a cassette door which can be locked in a closed position, the cassette door having an open position allowing access to the cassette compartment through a housing opening;
a tip cover which can be positioned in a first position covering a housing aperture and a second position allowing access to a tip of the tape cassette arranged to protrude through the housing aperture for sample application; and
device electronics configured to prompt the user to open the tip cover for a cassette change and to automatically unlock the cassette door in the open position of the tip cover.

13. Test tape device according to claim 12 , wherein the device electronics is adapted to detect conditions for replacement of the tape cassette.

14. Test tape system comprising a test tape device of claim 12 and further comprising an analytical tape cassette including a test tape inserted in the cassette compartment.

15. Method for operating a test tape device having a cassette compartment with a cassette door and a movable tip cover, the method comprising:
positioning the tip cover in a first position for covering a housing aperture;
moving the tip cover to a second position to allow access to a tip of the tape cassette for sample application;
moving the tip cover to a third position in which the cassette tip is at least partially uncovered and the housing opening is enlarged in the area of the cassette tip, wherein the cassette door self-opens when moving the tip cover to the third position; and
inserting or replacing the tape cassette in the third position of the tip cover.

16. Method according to claim 15 , further comprising providing the tip cover as an actuation element for automatically releasing a door lock of the cassette door in the third position.

Assignees

• Roche Diabetes Care Inc

Inventors

• Harkin Thomas
• Li Liang Yi
• List Hans
• Rödel Wolfgang
• Thome Klaus
• Wang Wen Tsung
• Werner Karl

Classifications

• G01N2400/00

  Assays, e.g. immunoassays or enzyme assays, involving carbohydrates · CPC title

• G01N33/48764 Primary

  Test tape taken off a spool · CPC title