TEST CASSETTE FOR FLUID ANALYSES

Abstract

A test cassette for the detection of analytes from fluid samples is provided which has a housing (1, 2) with an inlet opening and with a reservoir for receiving a fluid sample containing the analyte. A separate carrier platform (3) can be horizontally displaced in the housing (1, 2), for fixing one or more flexible, strip-like, capillary-active detection elements. The carrier platform (3) in the housing (1, 2) is designed such that the capillary-active detection elements are deflected from the longitudinal direction of the strips and dip into the fluid sample in the reservoir during a lateral motion of the carrier platform (3).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded view of a test cassette;

FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view showing a test cassette with an optional sampling module;

FIG. 3 is a perspective exploded view showing a carrier platform with test strips;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the lower part of the test cassette;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the lower part of the test cassette;

FIG. 6 is a perspective exploded view of the test cassette in the inoperative position;

FIG. 7 is a perspective transparent view showing a test cassette upper part with hidden edges and showing a reagent depot component aligned for insertion;

FIG. 8 is a perspective sectional view of the test cassette in the locked inoperative state;

FIG. 9 is a perspective sectional view of the test cassette in a first operating position;

FIG. 10 is a perspective sectional view of the test cassette in a second operating position;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the test cassette in a third operating position; and

FIG. 12 is a perspective sectional view of the reading/evaluating device and showing a perspective view of the test cassette located therein.

Claims

1. A test cassette for the detection of analytes from fluid samples, the test cassette comprising: a housing with an inlet opening and with a reservoir for receiving a fluid sample with the analyte;a separate carrier platform, which can be displaced horizontally in said housing;a carrier platform strip mount for fixing one or more flexible, strip-like capillary-active detection elements such that the capillary-active detection elements are deflected from the longitudinal direction of the strip during a lateral motion of said carrier platform and dip into the fluid sample in said reservoir.

2. A test cassette in accordance with claim 1, wherein said housing has mounting means for transferring a sample module directly into the test cassette.

3. A test cassette in accordance with claim 1, further comprising: a porous reagent product located in the inlet opening of said housing for the sample.

4. A test cassette in accordance with claim 1, wherein said housing comprises a handle for manual sampling.

5. A test cassette in accordance with claim 1, wherein fluid contact with the fluid sample can be established or interrupted by means of a mobile carrier platform.

6. A test cassette in accordance with claim 1, wherein said housing has a plurality of inlet openings for feeding fluid samples.

7. A test cassette in accordance with claim 1, wherein said housing has contours in the form of deflecting arcs which bring about a vertical deflection of the flexible and capillary-active detection elements during the forward motion of said carrier platform into said reservoir for fluid samples by means of their geometric profile.

8. A test cassette in accordance with claim 1, wherein said housing has an outlet opening, which makes it possible to pull out said carrier platform to a reading/evaluating device.

9. A test cassette in accordance with claim 1, wherein said carrier platform is guided in said housing in a linearly movable manner.

10. A test cassette in accordance with claim 1, wherein said carrier platform has at least one holding/locking element for mechanically locking or releasing of said carrier platform coupled with said housing.

11. A test cassette in accordance with claim 8, wherein said carrier platform is linearly movable via an external drive by means of a forward winding and rewinding drive, said external being arranged in said reading/evaluating device.

12. A test cassette in accordance with claims 10, wherein the holding/locking element is springy or rubber-elastic.

13. A test cassette in accordance with claim 1, wherein said reservoir for receiving a fluid sample is tempered by thermal coupling by means of a tempering element through the housing wall.

14. A process for detecting analytes from fluid samples by means of a test cassette, the process comprising: providing a housing with an inlet opening and with a reservoir for receiving a fluid sample with the analyte;providing a separate carrier platform, which can be displaced horizontally in said housing;providing a plurality of flexible, strip-like capillary-active detection elements, for analytes, on the carrier platform in the housing;inserting a fluid sample into the reservoir in the housing of the test cassette;deflecting detection elements such that the detection elements dip into the reservoir for receiving the fluid sample; andmeasuring a biochemical detection reaction by means of a reading/evaluating device on the capillary-active detection elements to determine the concentration of the analytes.

15. A test cassette system for the detection of analytes from fluid samples, the system comprising: a housing with an inlet opening and with a reservoir for receiving a fluid sample with the analyte;a separate carrier platform disposed in said housing;a carrier platform strip mount for supporting one or more flexible, strip-like capillary-active detection elements; anddeflection means for deflecting the capillary-active detection elements into said reservoir.

16. A test cassette in accordance with claim 15, further comprising a sample module, wherein said housing has mounting means for said sample module, such that the sample is transferred directly into the test cassette from said sample module.

17. A system in accordance with claim 15, further comprising: a porous reagent product located in the inlet opening of said housing for the sample.

18. A system in accordance with claim 15, wherein said deflection means comprises defecting elements connected to said housing and a positioning of said carrier platform in said housing allowing movement of said carrier platform relative to said housing whereby motion of said carrier platform brings about a vertical deflection of the flexible and capillary-active detection elements into said reservoir.

19. A system in accordance with claim 15, wherein said housing has an outlet opening for pulling out said carrier platform to a reading/evaluating position.

20. A system in accordance with claim 19, further comprising a reading/evaluating device for reading/evaluating said detection elements in said reading/evaluating position.