Abstract:
A lancet integrated test element tape (19) includes a plurality of lancet integrated test elements. The lancet integrated test elements each include a lancet configured to form an incision in tissue and a test element configured to analyze body fluid from the incision in the tissue. A cartridge (60) includes a supply compartment (62) configured to store an unused section of the tape. The tape is folded within the supply compartment to limit damage to the lancet integrated test elements. The cartridge can further include a waste compartment (54) in which a used section of the tape is stored. An indexing mechanism moves the tape between the supply and waste compartments.
Abstract:
A meter system for analyzing body fluids includes a supply magazine for storing a stack of test elements, a meter for analyzing fluid samples, and a transport system for transporting test elements from the supply magazine to the meter. The test element in one embodiment includes a lancet integrated test element that has a lancet coupled to a test strip. The transport system is configured to minimize damage to the test element. In one form, the transport system includes a shuttle that slides the top-most test element from the stack onto a connection portion of the meter. In another form, the transport system includes a drum that rotates to transport test elements from the supply magazine to a testing position and, once used, to a waste magazine for disposal. In a further form, the transport system includes a disc that rotates to transport the test elements.
Abstract:
An integrated disposable includes a test strip and a lancet packet coupled to the test strip. The lancet packet includes a sterility sheet enclosing at least a portion of a lancet to maintain the sterility of the lancet. The lancet packet and the sterility sheet, in particular, allow the lancet to be sterilized separately from the test strip. The lancet in one form is incorporated into a lancet tape that is sterilized in a continuous, reel-to-reel sterilization process. The lancet tape in one form is sterilized using an electron beam sterilization process. With electron beam sterilization, sterilization is enhanced by irradiating both sides of the tape with electron beams. Sterilization can adversely affect chemical reagents in the test strip. To alleviate this chemistry degradation issue, the lancet packet is attached to the test strip after the lancet is sterilized.
Abstract:
An integrated disposable includes a test strip and a lancet packet coupled to the test strip. The lancet packet includes a sterility sheet enclosing at least a portion of a lancet to maintain the sterility of the lancet. The lancet packet and the sterility sheet, in particular, allow the lancet to be sterilized separately from the test strip. The lancet in one form is incorporated into a lancet tape that is sterilized in a continuous, reel-to-reel sterilization process. The lancet tape in one form is sterilized using an electron beam sterilization process. With electron beam sterilization, sterilization is enhanced by irradiating both sides of the tape with electron beams. Sterilization can adversely affect chemical reagents in the test strip. To alleviate this chemistry degradation issue, the lancet packet is attached to the test strip after the lancet is sterilized.
Abstract:
A lancet enclosed in a sterility sheet forms a lancet packet to maintain the sterility of the lancet and prevent the lancet from unintentionally piercing the sterility sheet prior to lancet actuation. In one form, the lancet is immobilized by hot tack welding a portion of the sterility sheet to the lancet. Alternatively, portions of the sterility sheet are hot tack welded together through an opening in the lancet to limit movement of the lancet.
Abstract:
A unique technique for maintaining the sterility and integrity of a lancet tip. One or more lancet tips (34) are sandwiched between a first web (22) and a second web (24) of material to protect the sterility of the lancet tips. The first and second webs are heat fused together to form a structure that covers and encapsulates the lancet tips to protect the integrity of the lancet tips. The structure is cut to form individual protective caps to detachably cover each of the lancet tips.
Abstract:
A lancet integrated test element tape (19) includes a plurality of lancet integrated test elements. The lancet integrated test elements each include a lancet configured to form an incision in tissue and a test element configured to analyze body fluid from the incision in the tissue. A cartridge (60) includes a supply compartment (62) configured to store an unused section of the tape. The tape is folded within the supply compartment to limit damage to the lancet integrated test elements. The cartridge can further include a waste compartment (54) in which a used section of the tape is stored. An indexing mechanism moves the tape between the supply and waste compartments.