U.S. patent application number 11/376839 was filed with the patent office on 2006-10-26 for tape magazine for a hand-held device.
Invention is credited to Hans-Peter Haar, Hans List, Bernd Rosicke.
Application Number | 20060240403 11/376839 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36581797 |
Filed Date | 2006-10-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060240403 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
List; Hans ; et al. |
October 26, 2006 |
Tape magazine for a hand-held device
Abstract
The present invention concerns a tape magazine especially for a
hand-held device for analysing a body fluid with a test tape that
can be unwound from a storage unit and wound onto a waste unit
where the waste unit can be driven in order to wind forward the
test tape. The invention provides that a lock which keeps the test
tape under tension is integrated in the tape magazine at least on
the storage unit. The present invention also concerns a hand-held
device with such a tape magazine. The present invention also
concerns a hand-held device with a mechanical drive for the test
tape and a disposable hand-held device with polymer-based
electronic components.
Inventors: |
List; Hans;
(Hesseneck-Kailbach, DE) ; Haar; Hans-Peter;
(Wiesloch, DE) ; Rosicke; Bernd; (Mannheim,
DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE LAW OFFICE OF JILL L. WOODBURN, L.L.C.;JILL L. WOODBURN
128 SHORE DR.
OGDEN DUNES
IN
46368
US
|
Family ID: |
36581797 |
Appl. No.: |
11/376839 |
Filed: |
March 16, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
435/4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 436/2575 20150115;
A61B 5/14532 20130101; A61B 2562/0295 20130101; B65H 18/08
20130101; A61B 10/0045 20130101; G01N 33/48764 20130101; G01N
35/00009 20130101; B65H 16/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
435/004 |
International
Class: |
C12Q 1/00 20060101
C12Q001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 18, 2005 |
DE |
10 2005 013 685.0 |
Claims
1: Tape magazine apparatus for a hand-held device for analysing a
body fluid, the apparatus comprising: a test tape, a storage unit
formed for unused test tape, a waste unit formed for used test tape
and to be driven in order to move forward the test tape from the
storage unit, and an integrated brake that is formed to hold the
test tape under tension between the storage and waste units.
2: The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the brake is formed to apply a
force to the storage unit.
3: The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the brake is formed to exert a
direct braking force on the test tape.
4: The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the brake is formed to act on a
reel body for the test tape.
5: The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the brake is formed to exert a
constant braking force on the storage unit.
6: The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the brake is formed as a
frictional element.
7: The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the brake comprises a leaf
spring.
8: The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the brake is formed by a seal
at an opening of the storage unit for the test tape.
9: The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the brake is formed to act on
the storage unit with a variable braking force.
10: The apparatus of claim 9 wherein variable braking force depends
on the diameter of a tape spool of the storage unit.
11: The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the variable braking force
depends on the tape tensile force upon movement of the test
tape.
12: The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the brake has a lever loaded
with a braking force via a spring.
13: The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the lever has a roller at one
end and the test tape is deflected over the roller.
14: The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the brake has a compensation
mechanism that is loaded with a force that changes depending on the
diameter of a supply spool of the storage unit.
15: The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the compensation mechanism is
formed by a spring-loaded rocker arm which touches the
circumference of the supply spool.
16: The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the storage unit has a first
housing wall and the waste unit has a second housing wall that
forms an overlapping area with the first wall, the overlapping area
defining an opening formed to carry through the test tape.
17: The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the integrated brake includes
a seal positioned in the opening.
18: A hand-held device for analysing a body fluid with a
replaceable tape magazine according to claim 1.
19: A tape magazine apparatus for analysing a body fluid
comprising: a test tape, a reel body for unused test tape and a
reel body for used test tape, at least one reel body being driven
in order to forward the test tape, and a hand-operated transport
mechanism provided as a tape drive.
20: The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the transport mechanism has
a lever for the hand operation that is coupled to at least one reel
body.
21: The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the transport mechanism has
a ratchet that engages in steps or teeth formed in at least one
reel body.
22: The apparatus of claim 19, wherein a test tape feed is
synchronized by a perforation.
23: The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the transport mechanism is
formed to convert mechanical into electrical energy in order to
supply energy to a device electronics.
24: The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the magazine forms a
hand-held single-use article.
25: A hand-held device for analysing a body fluid comprising a tape
magazine, an analytical test tape located in the tape magazine, and
device electronics based upon integrated polymer circuits.
26: Hand-held device according to claim 25, wherein the device
electronics comprise a sensor unit, an evaluation unit and a
display unit.
27: Hand-held device according to claim 25, wherein the device
electronics have a photo-optic detection system.
28: Hand-held device according to claim 35, wherein the device
electronics includes LEDs or an electrochemical detection
system.
29: Hand-held device according to claim 25, wherein the tape
magazine includes a housing and at least a portion of the device
electronics is applied to the housing.
30: Hand-held device according to claim 29, wherein at least a
portion of the device electronics is printed onto the housing.
31: Hand-held device according to claim 25, wherein the device
electronics comprise at least one storage capacitor.
32: Hand-held device according to claim 25, wherein the device
electronics comprise at least one storage element.
33: Hand-held device according to claim 25, wherein the device
electronics comprise photovoltaic cells.
34: Hand-held device according to claim 25, wherein electrochemical
sensor components are mounted on the test tape and are connected to
the device electronics at a measuring position.
35: Hand-held device according to claim 25, wherein the tape
magazine together with the device electronics forms a disposable
unit.
36: A method of dispensing a test tape for an analysis of body
fluid, the method comprising: providing a test magazine including a
test tape, a storage unit formed for unused test tape, a waste unit
formed for used test tape and to be driven in order to move forward
the test tape from the storage unit, and an integrated brake,
applying a brake force with the integrated brake to hold the test
tape under tension between the storage and waste units, actuating
the test tape with a tensile force sufficient to move the test tape
from the storage unit toward the waste unit.
37: The method of claim 36 wherein the brake force is modulating so
that the test tape tension remains generally constant during use of
the test tape.
38: The method of claim 36 wherein the brake force is applied to
the storage unit.
39: The method of claim 36 wherein brake force is applied directly
on the test tape.
40: The method of claim 36 wherein the brake force acts on a reel
body for the test tape.
41: The method of claim 36 wherein the brake is formed as a
frictional element.
42: The method of claim 36 wherein the brake is a leaf spring.
43: The method of claim 36 wherein the brake is formed by a seal at
an opening for the test tape.
44: The method of claim 36 wherein the brake force is variable and
acts on the storage unit.
45: The method of claim 44 wherein the brake force depends on the
diameter of a tape spool of the storage unit.
Description
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority to German Patent
Application 10 2005 013 685.0 which is hereby incorporated by
reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The invention The invention concerns a tape magazine for a
hand-held device for examining a body fluid comprising a test tape,
a storage unit for unused test tape and a waste unit for used test
tape where the waste unit is driven in order to wind forward the
test tape.
BACKGROUND
[0003] In such tape magazines an unused section of test tape is
pulled from a supply reel and guided over a receiving device where
it takes up a sample of body fluid. Afterwards the section of test
tape which is now used is wound onto a waste reel. A detection
device which measures the sample and transfers the result of the
measurement to an evaluation device is attached to the receiving
unit.
[0004] Such tape magazines are preferably used in blood sugar
measuring instruments for diabetics who depend on a continuous
monitoring of their blood sugar values. The test tape allows a
blood sugar test to be carried out inside the instrument after
applying capillary blood for example from a finger pad. For this
purpose a plurality of test sections or test fields are arranged
consecutively on the test tape. An unused section of tape is moved
into an active position by advancing the tape. Then the capillary
blood is applied and analysed. In order to simply dose very small
amounts of blood and to position the test tape as exactly as
possible relative to the detection device, the test tape is guided
over a deflecting head inside the instrument. In this process there
is a risk of erroneous measurements if the test tape slips off the
deflecting head. For a successful measurement the test tape must
remain at a well-defined position and rest against it evenly while
maintaining a predetermined distance to the detection unit. This is
necessary for at least as long as it takes to complete the
measurement. Another challenge is that the test tape is very
sensitive to contamination. Hence the unused area of the test tape
should be spatially separated from the used area and also be
screened from external influences which could impair the function
of the test tape. Hence a direct drive coupling between the storage
unit and the waste unit is very difficult.
[0005] Furthermore the hand-held devices of the prior art are
designed for continuous use whereas the tape magazine is replaced.
The hand-held devices are therefore relatively large and quite
laborious to manufacture not least due to the complicated
instrument technology.
SUMMARY
[0006] Hence an embodiment of the present invention is formed to
provide a tape magazine which prevents malfunctioning due to slack
tape.
[0007] An embodiment of the present invention is further is formed
to provide a hand-held device which is compact and has a favourable
design for manufacturing.
[0008] The combination of features stated in each of the
independent patent claims is proposed. Embodiments and further
developments of the invention are derived from the dependent
claims.
[0009] The present invention provides a tape magazine apparatus for
a hand-held device for analysing a body fluid. The apparatus
comprises a test tape, a storage unit formed for unused test tape,
a waste unit formed for used test tape and to be driven in order to
move forward the test tape from the storage unit, and an integrated
brake that is formed to hold the test tape under tension between
the storage and waste units.
[0010] The present invention provides a tape magazine apparatus for
analysing a body fluid comprising. The apparatus comprises a test
tape, a reel body for unused test tape and a reel body for used
test tape, at least one reel body being driven in order to forward
the test tape, and a hand-operated transport mechanism provided as
a tape drive.
[0011] The present invention further provides a hand-held device
for analysing a body fluid. The device comprises a tape magazine,
an analytical test tape located in the tape magazine, and device
electronics based upon integrated polymer circuits.
[0012] Further, the present invention provides a method of
dispensing a test tape for an analysis of body fluid. The method
comprises providing a test magazine including a test tape, a
storage unit formed for unused test tape, a waste unit formed for
used test tape and to be driven in order to move forward the test
tape from the storage unit, and an integrated brake, applying a
brake force with the integrated brake to hold the test tape under
tension between the storage and waste units, and actuating the test
tape with a tensile force sufficient to move the test tape from the
storage unit toward the waste unit.
[0013] Accordingly it is proposed that a brake that holds the test
tape under tension is integrated into the tape magazine. This
enables the required minimum tape tension to be maintained since
the waste unit drive transports the test tape against this tension
so that it is not pulled too far away from the storage unit or
unintentionally wound off. This allows the test tape to be
deflected at a well-defined position relative to the detection
unit. In this process the minimum tape tension also prevents
unintentional lateral displacement. The tape drive force should in
any case be of a sufficient magnitude to overcome the effect of the
braking means.
[0014] In particular, a braking force is applied to the storage
unit which keeps the test tape under tension. This in particular
prevents used test tape from being unintentionally wound off
towards the application site. It also prevents areas of the test
tape that have already been contaminated with blood from being
pulled out of the tape magazine again which is an important
hygienic advantage.
[0015] The braking means can exert a braking force directly on the
test tape. Alternatively the braking means can act on a reel body
for the test tape such that the test tape is indirectly braked. In
the latter case no allowance has to be made for changes in the
diameter of the tape spool. Furthermore, this does not apply
additional mechanical stress to the test tape.
[0016] A simple embodiment provides that the braking means exert a
constant braking force on the storage unit. This can be achieved by
designing the braking means as a frictional element which in
particular have a leaf spring as a frictional element. The braking
means are formed by a seal which seals the storage unit at an
opening for the test tape.
[0017] In a somewhat more elaborate embodiment the braking means
act on the storage unit with a variable braking force. This enables
the force required to pull out the test tape to increase to a
lesser extent as the diameter of the supply spool decreases
compared to the simple embodiment described above. In this
connection it should be taken into consideration that the supply
spool has a certain bearing friction which has to be overcome by
the drive. Accordingly it is necessary to apply a torque which
results from the momentary radius of the waste spool and the
applied force to reel off the tape from the supply spool. Thus when
the radius of the supply spool decreases with time, this force must
increase. If the braking force decreases as a function of the tape
tension, the overall increase in force can be kept lower.
[0018] An embodiment provides that the braking means have a
deflector lever which is loaded with a braking force via a spring
where the deflector lever deflects the test tape over a roller. As
the tape tensile force decreases the deflector lever is unloaded.
The deflector lever can for example be loaded with a leaf spring or
pressure spring to exert the braking force and acts as a brake on a
spool housing for the test tape.
[0019] Another improvement envisages that the braking force is not
only modulated by the tape tension but also by the current spool
diameter with the aid of a compensation mechanism so that the tape
tension remains almost constant.
[0020] This object can be achieved with a compensation mechanism
which has a spring-loaded rocker arm which probes the circumference
of the tape spool wherein the spring loading decreases as the
diameter of the tape spool decreases and the braking force is
correspondingly reduced. Hence the tape tensile force remains
constant.
[0021] In another embodiment a recoil locking device or recoil
brake which acts in a form-fitting or frictional manner can be
provided on the waste unit. If a recoil locking device is used as a
locking mechanism, the drive for forwarding the test tape only has
to overcome the friction of the storage unit which in particular
spares the battery of the drive. This recoil safeguard should not
act on the tape drive so that it is also effective when the tape
magazine is removed from the hand-held device and prevents used
tape from being unintentionally reeled out. The recoil locking
device can be designed in a known manner as a safety catch which
engages in gear teeth for example in the spool housing of the waste
unit in such a manner that a form fit in the reverse direction
prevents the waste unit from turning back. The waste unit is then
restricted to the "wind on" direction of rotation. However, a
frictional locking mechanism can also be provided. Various
mechanisms are conceivable for this for example a wrap spring lock
or a clamp roller free-wheel.
[0022] The tape magazine has a housing which encloses the test
tape, the storage unit and the waste unit. The storage unit should
be accommodated in a storage space that is screened from influences
that could impair the test tape. This can for example be achieved
by a wall of the storage space forming an overlapping area with a
wall of the housing with an opening for the test tape being formed
along the overlapping area. This opening should be provided with at
least one sealing agent or with one sealing means in order to
protect the test tape from external influences.
[0023] The present invention also concerns a tape magazine for a
test tape in which a hand-operated transport mechanism is provided
as a tape drive. An actuating lever is provided for this which
engages in an advancing element (e.g. capstan or index wheel) via a
feed member, in particular a pawl, in such a manner that the test
tape can be moved mechanically. A battery power supply is thus
unnecessary. The energy required for the actual measuring process
can be generated by the manual actuation and especially by means of
an inductive generator or piezoelectrically and for example stored
temporarily in a capacitor or high-performance capacitor
(supercap). The tape magazine also forms a hand-held device
intended as a single-use article, a so-called disposable, which can
be discarded after the test tape has been used due to the
cost-effective construction.
[0024] The feed mechanism can for example be formed by a ratchet
which engages in steps formed in the storage unit and/or waste
unit. Such a construction is robust and simple to operate.
[0025] The test tape feed is synchronized by a perforation in such
a manner that a test element is ready for a measurement when the
lever is actuated at least once so that the measurement can be
carried out particularly reliably and with great accuracy.
Reference fields can be provided on the tape to further improve the
feed accuracy.
[0026] Finally the present invention concerns a hand-held device
which is directly formed by a tape mechanism and has instrument
electronics, in particular a sensor unit, an evaluation unit and a
display unit based on polymer electronics. Such a hand-held device
can be constructed to be small and light, can be manufactured
cost-effectively and can be used as a disposable unit.
[0027] In particular all disclosed embodiments of tape magazines
and hand-held devices can be combined with one another. This
applies especially to a hand-held device with electronic components
based on polymer electronics combined with a mechanical drive for
the test tape.
[0028] The invention is elucidated in more detail in the following
on the basis of the embodiment examples shown in a schematic manner
in the drawing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment example of a tape magazine
according to the invention in cross-section.
[0030] FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment example of a tape magazine
according to the invention in a side-view in a partial
cross-section.
[0031] FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment example of a tape magazine
according to the invention in a side-view in a partial
cross-section.
[0032] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment example of a mechanically
operated tape device in a perspective view with a partially opened
housing.
[0033] FIG. 5 shows the device according to FIG. 4 with a closed
housing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0034] FIGS. 1 to 3 show various embodiment examples of a tape
magazine according to the invention in which the test tape is held
under tensile strain. FIG. 1 shows a tape magazine 10 with a
housing 11. The housing 11 is divided into a first holder 12 for a
storage unit 20 and a second holder 13 for a waste unit 24. The
holders 12, 13 are separated from one another by a dividing wall 14
so that the storage unit 20 is separated from the waste unit 24.
One side wall 12a, 13a of each of the holders 12, 13 overlaps in
the area 19 to form an opening 16 which is provided with a seal 17.
The seal 17 can act as a brake, sealing the storage unit 20 at the
opening 16 for the test tape 30. Another opening 15 is provided in
the holder 13 for the waste unit 24. A deflector head 18 for the
test tape 30 is integrated into the housing 10.
[0035] The storage unit 20 has a spool or reel housing 21 which
holds an unused test tape 30 which is wound around a spool 22 to
form a supply spool 23. The waste unit 24 is similarly equipped
with a spool housing 25 which holds the used test tape wound onto a
spool 26 to form a waste spool 27. The spool 26 is driven by a
drive (not shown). The test tape 30 is divided into consecutive
test areas. If the drive is actuated, the fresh test tape 30 is
wound off the supply spool 23 and guided from the holder 12 through
the opening 16 to the deflector head 18 where a single test area
comes to rest exposed to the outside and can take up a test liquid
such as a drop of blood. The test liquid is measured by a detection
unit (not shown). When the drive is actuated again the test tape 30
is transported further. The used test tape 30 passes through the
opening 15 into the holder 13 and is wound onto the waste spool
27.
[0036] An integrated brake is formed to hold the test tape 30 under
tension between the storage and waste units 20, 24. It is within
the scope of the present invention that the brake be formed to
apply a force to the storage unit 20, to exert a direct braking
force on the test tape 30; to act on a reel body 21 for the test
tape 30 such that the test tape is indirectly braked, or to exert a
constant braking force on the storage unit 20. It is further
appreciated that it is within the scope of the present invention
that the brake is designed as a frictional element.
[0037] It is further appreciated that the brake may be formed to
act on the storage unit with a variable braking force in accordance
with this disclosure. In such an instance, the variable braking
force may depend on the diameter of a tape spool of the storage
unit 20. Alternatively, the variable braking force may depend on
the tape tensile force upon movement of the test tape 30.
[0038] In an embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the brake is a leaf spring
28 as a frictional element which acts upon the contact point 29 of
the spool housing 21. The spring 28 is provided on an inner wall of
the holder 12 for the storage unit 20. The leaf spring 28 is
pretensioned with a constant spring force F.sub.spring. Therefore,
the test tape 30 has to be reeled off against the corresponding
brake torque at a certain tape tensile force F.sub.tape. This tape
tensile force increases as the radius of the supply spool 23
decreases.
[0039] FIGS. 2 and 3 show two further embodiment examples of a tape
magazine 40, 50 according to the invention which only differ from
the aforementioned tape magazine 10 with regard to the design of
the brake. Hence identical components are labelled with the same
reference numerals.
[0040] The tape magazine 40 shown in FIG. 2 also has a leaf spring
41 on an inner wall of the holder 12 below the dividing wall 14
which is pretensioned with a constant spring force F.sub.spring. In
addition a rocking lever 43 is hinged around one axis 44 on the
inner wall of the holder 12. The free end of the rocking lever 43
is provided with a rotating deflector roller over which the test
tape 30 is guided. The rocking lever 43 is arranged between the
leaf spring 41 and the spool housing 21 and extends tangentially to
the spool housing 21. The rocking lever 43 touches the leaf spring
41 at a contact point 42 and the spool housing 21 at a contact
point 45. A constant spring force F.sub.spring is applied to the
rocking lever 43 by the leaf spring 41. Consequently a
corresponding force is also applied to the spool housing 21 by the
rocking lever 43.
[0041] When the drive for the test tape 30 is actuated, it has to
be reeled off at a certain tape tensile force F.sub.tape against
the brake torque acting on the spool housing 21. The tape tensile
force acts upon the long lever arm of the rocking lever 43 via the
deflector roller 46 and relieves the contact point 45 depending on
the tape tensile force. Hence a lower tape tensile force has to be
applied to reel off the test tape than in the case of the
embodiment example shown in FIG. 1 as the diameter of the supply
spool 23 decreases.
[0042] The embodiment example shown in FIG. 3 of a tape magazine 50
is formed to include a compensation mechanism that is loaded with a
force that changes depending on the diameter of a tape spool of the
storage unit. Tape magazine 50 has a rocking lever 51 on the inner
wall of the holder 12 below the dividing wall 14 which is hinged on
the inner wall around an axis 52. The free end of the rocking lever
43 is also provided with a rotating deflector roller 53 over which
the test tape 30 is guided. The rocking lever 51 also extends
tangentially to the spool housing 21 and touches the spool housing
21 at a contact point that is not visible in the figure.
[0043] The compensation mechanism is formed by a rocker arm 54 that
can rotate around an axis 55 is pivoted on the rocking lever 51.
The free end of the rocker arm 54 is provided with a follower
roller 56 which rests on the circumference of the supply spool 23
at a contact point 58. A pressure spring 57 which is pretensioned
with a certain spring force F.sub.spring is braced against the
dividing wall 14 and the rocker arm 54 such that this spring force
is applied to the rocker arm 54.
[0044] When the drive for the test tape 30 is actuated, it has to
be reeled off with a certain tape tensile force F.sub.tape against
the brake torque acting on the spool housing 21. This tape tensile
force acts upon the long lever arm of the rocking lever 43 and
relieves the contact point between the rocking lever 51 and the
spool housing 21 depending on the tape tensile force. At the same
time the follower roller 56 of the rocker arm 54 runs on the
circumference of the supply spool 23. As the radius of the supply
spool 23 decreases, the follower roller 56 travels towards the
spool 22 so that the pressure spring 57 relaxes as the radius of
the supply spool 23 decreases. Thus the contact point between the
rocking lever 51 and the spool housing 21 is relieved as a function
of the radius of the supply spool 23. As a result the tape tensile
force F.sub.tape that has to be applied by the drive remains
constant as the radius of the supply spool 23 decreases.
[0045] FIGS. 4 and 5 show a combination of a hand-held device with
polymer-based electronic components and a mechanical drive for the
test tape.
[0046] The hand-held device 100 is a single-use device, a so-called
disposable. It has a housing 101 made of plastic in which two reel
bodies 102, 103 are located. A test tape 104 with consecutive test
fields is wound onto the reel bodies 102, 103. In an embodiment,
device electronics are provided that are based upon integrated
polymer circuits (IPC). A non-limiting example of which includes a
photo-optic sensor 105 provided in the housing 101 in spatial
vicinity to a measuring site 106. At the measuring site 106 the
test tape 104 is accessible from outside in order to take up a
sample liquid such as blood for a blood sugar determination. The
area between the emitter and receiver of the sensor and the test
tape can be bridged by an optical path or light guide. The measured
value recorded by the sensor 105 is transferred to an evaluation
unit 109. Here a display value such as the blood sugar content is
calculated.
[0047] The photo-optical sensor consists of at least one
light-emitting diode (LED) of a suitable wavelength, particularly
an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), combined with one or more
organic photodiodes (multi-photometer principle). LEDs of multiple
wavelengths are also conceivable. It is further conceivable that
the device may include an electrochemical detection system. In an
embodiment, it is appreciated that the electrochemical sensor
components are mounted on the test tape 104 and are connected to
the device electronics at a measuring position.
[0048] The evaluation unit 109 comprises for example an amplifier,
analog/digital (AD) converter, calculator, control mechanism, data
store, energy supply and interfaces, and is connected to a display
unit 110 which shows the determined display value on a display. The
display unit can be designed in a known manner such that a display
can be maintained until the next measuring process even without an
energy supply for example by using so-called "electronic inks".
[0049] The data store in the evaluation unit can consist of a
read-only memory (ROM) or electrically erasable programmable
read-only memory (EEPROM). It is mainly required to store
batch-specific data which are determined during the manufacture of
the disposables and are deposited thereon. Data transfer occurs by
means of contact interfaces or radio-frequency identification
(RF-ID) transponders. An electronic test field counter can also be
realized using an EEPROM.
[0050] The electronic components of this hand-held instrument are
known polymer-electronic components. Such components are described
in for example in CA 2516490 A1 2004/05/27 the contents thereof
being herewith incorporated into the disclosure of the present
patent application. The use of such components enables all
necessary electronic components to be integrated into a magazine
housing so that the resulting tape magazine also constitutes a
fully functional and very convenient single-use hand-held device.
Such a single-use hand-held device is small and light,
cost-effective and easy to operate. It is not necessary to change
the tape magazine. It leaves room for further miniaturization of
portable hand-held devices. It also obviates the necessity for a
complicated construction of interfaces between the tape magazine
and hand-held device.
[0051] All polymer-based electronic components can be printed in a
known manner onto suitable mouldings of the housing 101 of the
hand-held instrument 100.
[0052] The energy is supplied by high-performance capacitors
(supercap) for example combined with solar cells/photovoltaic
cells. Due to the low-energy density that can be achieved it is
recommended to manually drive the spool bodies 102, 103 of the
described disposable hand-held device.
[0053] A transport mechanism is provided as a tape drive. For this
purpose the reel bodies 102, 103 have teeth or steps. A feed pawl
107 which is only indicated here engages in these teeth or steps.
The feed pawl 107 is connected to a lever 108 provided on the
outside of the housing. The test tape 104 is fed by operating the
lever. This moves the reel bodies 102, 103 exactly so far that a
fresh test field of the test tape 104 is accessible from outside at
the measuring site 106. In order to synchronize the movement of the
reel bodies 102, 103 and test tape 104, the latter is perforated
such that teeth arranged on the reel bodies 102, 103 (not shown)
engage in the perforation. The test fields can also be spaced on
the test tape in such a manner that a first operation of the lever
108 makes a fresh test field accessible at the measuring site 106.
A second operation of the lever 108 moves the test field which is
now used away from the measuring site 106 without a new test field
immediately appearing. This only occurs when the lever 108 is
operated again.
[0054] The operation of the lever 108 can also generate in a known
manner the energy of a few milliwatts required for the measurement
which can for example be temporarily stored in a capacitor or
supercap. A temporary mechanical store in the form of a spring can
be provided to obtain energy by a generator or piezoelectrically
which allows an adaptation to the various time constants.
[0055] A particularly environmentally friendly design of the device
can be achieved by refraining from an electrochemical energy
store.
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