Urine analysis cartridge

Abstract

A urine analysis cartridge (202) is proposed, comprising a support (300) and a plurality of sealed chambers (310), each chamber (310) being suitable for receiving urine for analysis. The plurality of sealed chambers (310) is held in position by the support (300). At least a portion of the support, called the desiccant portion (420), is composed of a solid desiccant, capable of absorbing moisture from the air upon contact with the desiccant portion (420), the desiccant portion (420) being outside the sealed chambers (310). Figure 5

Description

Title of the invention: Cartridge for urine analysis

[0001] The present invention relates to a cartridge for urine analysis. The invention also relates to a urine analysis device comprising such a cartridge and a station configured to be positioned on the wall of a toilet bowl. Prior art

[0002] Many biological parameters are reflected in an individual's urine. From a urine sample, it is possible, for example, to detect health problems such as a urinary tract infection, diabetes, or kidney failure. The urine sample can also reflect the quality of a diet, identify a fertile period or pregnancy, and detect drug or tobacco use. It is therefore beneficial to monitor various biological parameters periodically.

[0003] Document WO2021 / 175909 describes a device that is mounted on the side of a toilet bowl and collects a urine sample before performing optical analysis. The device comprises a station and a cartridge that can be removed and replaced from the station. The cartridge contains reagents that react with urine, including urine test strips. These reagents are arranged in separate chambers. Document EP4338839 specifically describes a cartridge with particularly airtight compartments to preserve the shelf life of the moisture-sensitive reagents.

[0004] To extend the shelf life of moisture-sensitive reagents, it is known to place a desiccant in contact with these reagents. Examples include US6497845B1 and US5575403A, which describe desiccant placed in compartments housing the reagent. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present description aims to further improve the operation and lifespan of the urine analysis device by limiting the moisture in the device.

[0006] For this purpose, the present description relates to a urine analysis cartridge comprising: a support; a plurality of sealed chambers, each sealed chamber being suitable for receiving urine for urine analysis; in which: the plurality of sealed chambers is held in position by the support; at least a portion of the support, called the desiccant portion, is composed of a solid desiccant, suitable for absorbing moisture from the air in contact with the desiccant portion, the desiccant portion being outside the sealed chambers.

[0007] Indeed, the cartridge can contain several dozen test strips. In order to perform a urine analysis of the user, the station injects urine into a chamber. An analyzer can then analyze the result of this reaction and inform the user. Thus, for each analysis, urine is injected into one of the chambers, which is then perforated. The inventors realized that these repeated injections increase the humidity in the station, which can lead to an environment detrimental to the proper functioning of the electronic devices present in the station and the lifespan of the urine analysis device.

[0008] To this end, the cartridge support according to this description offers a dual function, both mechanically supporting the chambers to hold them in position and absorbing some of the moisture present in the station when the cartridge is in place. This dual function makes the structural parts desiccant to maximize the absorption volume. Indeed, there is a significant space constraint in the station that does not allow for the addition of extra desiccant volume. Furthermore, the desiccant portion can be positioned so as not to interfere with urine analysis. Finally, since the cartridge is a consumable and replaceable component, replacing the cartridge also allows for the replacement of the desiccant portion, thus renewing the desiccant's absorption capacity.

[0009] By sealed chamber, we mean a chamber that is sealed against moisture.

[0010] By "outside the sealed chambers", it is meant that the desiccant portion is not in contact with the inside of the airtight chambers.

[0011] In one embodiment, each sealed chamber houses a reagent configured to react with urine.

[0012] In one embodiment, the solid desiccant is a hygroscopic material.

[0013] In one embodiment, the solid desiccant is a bi-material mixture formed of a plastic polymer and a desiccant material.

[0014] In one embodiment, the solid desiccant is configured to absorb water vapor molecules upon contact with the support.

[0015] In one embodiment, the solid desiccant is formed of polypropylene loaded with zeolite.

[0016] In one embodiment, the desiccant portion has an absorption capacity of between 100 mg / g and 300 mg / g, in particular between 140 mg / g and 200 mg / g.

[0017] In one embodiment, the desiccant portion represents at least 25%, preferably 50%, of the surface support.

[0018] In one embodiment, the desiccant portion is rigid.

[0019] In one embodiment, the desiccant portion includes a receiving zone effort of an actuator of a station.

[0020] In one embodiment, the desiccant portion forms a base on which the chambers are mounted.

[0021] In one embodiment, each chamber includes a pierceable operculum, for example by a syringe.

[0022] In one embodiment, the force receiving area is a hub and the actuator comprises a rotating shaft.

[0023] In one embodiment, the lid is transparent or translucent.

[0024] In one embodiment, each reagent is arranged on a test strip.

[0025] In one embodiment, the support is a rotating support.

[0026] In one embodiment, the chambers are arranged side by side in shape of a right circular cylinder of at least 80% of a circle.

[0027] In one embodiment, the cylinder has a diameter between 3 and 10 cm.

[0028] In one embodiment, the chambers are arranged on an external wall of the rotating support.

[0029] In one embodiment, each chamber extends along a principal direction orthogonal to the base.

[0030] In one embodiment, the desiccant portion substantially forms a disc.

[0031] In one embodiment, the disc has a diameter between 3 cm and 10 cm.

[0032] In one embodiment, the disc has a thickness between 1 mm and 10 mm.

[0033] In one embodiment, the cartridge further comprises an additional desiccant, different from the desiccant portion, disposed in at least one chamber.

[0034] In one embodiment, the additional desiccant is a strip of desiccant material.

[0035] This description also relates to an optical urine analysis device comprising: a cartridge as defined above; a station configured to be positioned on a wall of a toilet bowl, the station comprising: a housing including a receiving compartment in which the cartridge is at least partially received, an injector configured to inject fluid into one of the chambers, and an analyzer for analyzing the urine injected into said chamber.

[0036] In one embodiment, the cartridge is arranged in a removable manner in the housing.

[0037] In one embodiment, the analyzer includes a light source and a light sensor, configured to emit and receive light.

[0038] In one embodiment, the analyzer is configured to analyze a color change of the reagent upon contact with injected urine.

[0039] In one embodiment, the injector is arranged in a zone which, when the cartridge is mounted in the station, is radially internal to the cartridge. See figures.

[0040] Other features, details, and advantages will become apparent from the detailed description below and the accompanying drawings, in which: - [Fig. 1]: [Fig. 1] presents a schematic and simplified representation of a urine analysis device installed in a toilet bowl, - [Fig. 2]: [Fig. 2] presents an exploded view of the urine analysis device, in which the station and the cartridge are visible, - [Fig. 3]: [Fig. 3] presents a detailed view of a cartridge according to an embodiment in cooperation with an actuator of the station, - [Fig. 4]: [Fig. 4] presents an exploded perspective view from below of the cartridge of [Fig. 3], - [Fig. 5]: [Fig. 5] presents an exploded perspective view from above of the cartridge of [Fig. 3], - [Fig. 6]: [Fig. 6] presents a cross-sectional view of a cartridge and of a station according to an embodiment, at the location of an optical analyzer of the station, - [Fig.[Fig. 7]: [Fig. 7] presents a perspective view of a cartridge according to another embodiment in cooperation with an actuator of the station, and - [Fig. 8]: [Fig. 8] presents a perspective view of a cartridge according to another embodiment in cooperation with an actuator of the station. Detailed description

[0041] This description presents various examples of a urine analysis device comprising a station as disclosed in documents WO2021 / 175909 and WO2021 / 175944, hereinafter referred to as WO'909 and WO'944. Variants of the stations are presented in documents WO2023036805, WO2023036806, WO2023036808, WO2023036809, hereinafter referred to as WO'80X.

[0042] The following paragraphs explain the general principle of a urine analysis device, but all the details of documents WO'909 and WO'933 (as well as all the aforementioned PCT documents) are applicable. General shape of the case

[0043] Figure 1 schematically illustrates an analysis device 100 (also referred to hereafter as "device 100") for urine analysis installed in the toilet 102. The toilet 102 generally comprises a water tank 104, a bowl 106, a seat 108, and a seat cover 110. The analysis device 100 is configured to be placed entirely within the toilet bowl. "Within the bowl" means "placed within the internal volume defined by the bowl." The analysis device 100 is The analysis device 100 is removable and located in the toilet 102. For example, the analysis device 100 can be easily removed from the toilet to replace a cartridge and then replaced in the toilet 102. The analysis device 100 is placed on an internal wall 112 of the toilet bowl 106. The analysis device 100 is positioned so that it is generally located under the stream of urine from a user, so that when a user urinates (usually while seated), the urine comes into contact with the analysis device 100. The analysis device 100 can communicate remotely with a remote entity, such as a smartphone 114 or a server 116.

[0044] As illustrated in more detail in [Fig. 2], the analysis device 100 may include a station 200 and a cartridge 202. The cartridge 202 may be removably mounted on the station 200. The station 200 may include a housing 204 which may have two shells, in particular a front shell 206 and a rear shell 208. The front shell 206 and the rear shell 208 may cooperate with each other via a fastening mechanism 216, in a plane normal to the X-axis. The front shell 206 and the rear shell 208 may be assembled reversibly, for example by screwing or clipping. In one embodiment, the front shell 206 and the rear shell 208 may be assembled permanently, for example by gluing, clipping, magnetizing, or ultrasonic welding. Of course, other fastening methods can be used to assemble the two shells.

[0045] In particular, as illustrated in [Fig. 2], the front shell 206 and the rear shell 208 are screwed together. An internal portion of the front shell 206 includes a thread. The thread in the front shell 206 is designed to cooperate with a complementary thread on the inside of the rear shell 208. This allows the housing 204 to be easily removed to access the test assembly inside the housing.

[0046] A seal may be present between the front shell 206 and the rear shell 208. Thus, the housing 204 is sealed with the outside of the device 100.

[0047] As can be seen in the figures, the housing 204 can have an overall external shape of a circular pebble. In other words, the housing 204 has a spheroidal shape. The X-axis is the central line of the housing. Advantageously, the front shell 206 can be substantially rotationally symmetrical, giving the device an aerodynamic appearance once installed. The housing 204 serves as a urine collector.

[0048] The housing 204 comprises a front face 220 for receiving a stream of urine directly from a user urinating on the toilet and a rear face 222 opposite the front face 220. As illustrated in [Fig. 2], the front face 220 can be arranged on the front shell 206 and the rear face 222 can be arranged on the rear shell 208. The front face 220 is oriented towards the inside of the toilet bowl 106. The front face 220 is therefore intended to receive urine when the user urinates while sitting on the toilet 102. The rear face 222 faces the inner wall 112 of the bowl 106.

[0049] The outer surface of the front face 220 can be smooth. In other words, the front face 220 is free of ridges or grooves. Thus, the urine flow coming into contact with the front face 220 adheres to and spreads across the front face 220. The front face 220 can be substantially rotationally symmetrical about the X-axis.

[0050] The outer surface of the housing 204 can also be white or light-colored. The color of the outer surface can be similar to that of the toilet, thereby increasing the discretion of the device.

[0051] The housing 204 can have a diameter, measured in the direction orthogonal to the X-axis, of between 50 mm and 150 mm. The housing 204 can have a thickness, measured in the direction of the X-axis, of between 15 mm and 50 mm. Thus, the housing 204 is compact enough to be entirely housed in the toilet bowl. The urine analysis device 100 is discreet. Furthermore, the housing 204 is large enough to consistently come into contact with the urine collected in the bowl. The user can then urinate in the toilet without worrying about the urine analysis device, or alternatively, simply aim.

[0052] According to another aspect, in one embodiment, the housing 204 has a general form factor such that the ratio between the thickness and the diameter is between 0.2 and 0.5, and even preferably between 0.3 and 0.4. Such proportions are reminiscent of a natural pebble and give the device a soothing appearance.

[0053] Preferably, the housing 204 is made of a hydrophilic material. For example, the material of the housing 204 may be: a ceramic, a polyamide (PA), a silicone, or a hydrophilic polymer. The outer surface of the housing 204 may also be treated with a hydrophilic surface treatment, for example, Aculon's acuWet®, a hydrophilic polymer, or Arkema's Pebax®. Test set

[0054] The station 200 includes a collection port 218, located for example on the rear shell 208. The collection port 218 is configured to collect urine flowing onto the surface of the housing 204. The station 200 may also include a drainage port configured to drain the liquid out of the device 100.

[0055] A test set 230 is arranged inside the housing 204 and configured to perform an analysis on the urine collected through the collection port 218. The station 200 includes a receiving compartment 212, located inside the housing 204. The receiving compartment 212 is configured to at least partially receive the cartridge 202.

[0056] In one embodiment, the cartridge 202 can be rotatably mounted around the axis of rotation X, once in position in the annular compartment 212. The receiving compartment 212 is then an annular compartment. The receiving compartment 212 typically extends over 360° and forms a groove configured to at least partially receive the cartridge 202.

[0057] Alternatively, the cartridge 202 can be inserted in translation into the station 200. The receiving compartment 212 then forms a longitudinal channel to receive at least partially the cartridge 202.

[0058] Other forms of receiving compartment 212 and ways of inserting the cartridge 202 can obviously be envisaged.

[0059] The test assembly 230 may include a pump, an injector, and an analyzer. The pump draws urine from the collection port 218, then the injector injects the urine into at least one chamber of the cartridge, and the analyzer analyzes the urine. In one embodiment, each chamber holds at least one reagent, and the analyzer obtains certain property values ​​(e.g., physical / chemical properties, such as color) of the reagents after they have come into contact with the urine. In one instance, the analyzer is an optical analyzer configured to analyze the optical properties of the reagent. Alternatively or in addition, the analyzer performs optical or spectroscopic analysis directly on the urine to determine certain properties. The injector and the cartridge may move relative to each other so that the injector can open (e.g., pierce) the chamber, for example, using a needle or a needle-like device.The operation of device 100 will be described in more detail later.

[0060] The dimensions of the cartridge 202 are disclosed in documents WO'909, WO'933 and WO'80X. The maximum dimension of the device 100 transverse to the axis of rotation X is less than 15 cm, or even less than 10 cm. The maximum dimension of the device along the axis of rotation X is less than 5 cm. Cartridge

[0061] Figures 3 to 5, 7 and 8 represent different embodiments of the cartridge 202. The cartridge 202 comprises a support 300 and a plurality of chambers 310.

[0062] The cartridge 202 may include at least ten chambers 310, in particular at least twenty-five chambers 310, or even at least fifty chambers 310.

[0063] Each chamber 310 is suitable for receiving urine for urine analysis. In one embodiment, each chamber 310 contains a reagent 315 configured to react specifically upon contact with the user's urine. Alternatively or in addition, the urine injected into the chamber is analyzed directly, for example, by optical or spectroscopic analysis. Each chamber 310 is initially airtight. By "airtight chamber," we mean a chamber that is sealed against external moisture. Thus, each chamber 310, and optionally the associated reagent 315, are fluidly separated from the rest of the cartridge 202. The reagent is, for example, placed on a test strip. Each chamber 310 then contains one or more test strips. Alternatively, the reagent 315 can be a liquid reagent received in the respective chamber.

[0064] A chamber 310 is formed in particular by walls, which may be made of one or more materials. Document EP4338839 describes embodiments of chambers 310. Airtight chambers 310 may in particular be formed by means of a superposition of layers of different materials.

[0065] Each sealed chamber 310 includes a pierceable opening 610, for example by a needle, to allow the injection of urine by the injector of the test assembly 230. In one embodiment, the opening 610 is transparent or translucent to allow light to pass into the chamber and / or to perform optical analysis, thus enabling analysis of the result of the reaction of the reagent with the urine or direct optical analysis. Once pierced, the chamber 310 loses its seal and is then in fluidic communication with the outside and therefore with the inside of the station.

[0066] The plurality of chambers 310 is held in position by the support 300. In other words, the support 300 mechanically holds the chambers 310 in their relative positions during the handling of the cartridge 202 while it is being inserted into or removed from the station 200 by a user, as well as during the interaction between the station 200 and the cartridge 202 during the operation of the device 100. The support 300 is therefore the structural element that ensures the physical integrity of the cartridge 202. The support 300 thus supports the chambers 310 and enables mechanical interaction with the station 200. During normal use of the cartridge 202 and the device 100, the chambers 310 are fixed to the support 300 and do not move relative to the support 300.

[0067] The support 300 is, in particular, rigid. By "rigid," it is understood that the support resists the stresses normally exerted by a user and the workstation during normal use of the device. The support 300 may, however, exhibit a certain degree of flexibility, including flexibility inherent in the materials but which serves no functional purpose.

[0068] In one embodiment, a portion of the support 300, in particular a portion of the support 300 adjacent to a chamber 310, is transparent or translucent, to allow the passage of light into the chamber 310 and / or to perform optical analysis in the chamber 310, and thus allow the analysis of the result of the reaction of the reagent with the urine or direct optical analysis.

[0069] At least a portion of the support 300, called the desiccant portion 420, is composed of a solid desiccant. The solid desiccant is capable of absorbing moisture from the air. upon contact with the desiccant portion 420. In particular, the desiccant portion 420 has a water absorption capacity of between 100 mg / g and 300 mg / g, specifically between 140 mg / g and 200 mg / g. The solid desiccant includes, in particular, a hygroscopic material, that is to say, a material that has the capacity to absorb moisture from the air. In other words, the solid desiccant is configured to absorb water vapor molecules upon contact with the desiccant portion 420.

[0070] In one embodiment, the solid desiccant is a mixture of at least two materials, in particular a mixture of a plastic polymer and a desiccant material. The desiccant material may, for example, be in the form of a powder diluted in the plastic polymer. The solid desiccant is, for example, made of polypropylene loaded with zeolite.

[0071] The desiccant portion 420 is located outside the sealed chambers 310. In other words, there is no fluid communication between the internal volume of the sealed chambers 310 and the desiccant portion 420. More precisely, there is therefore no contact between the desiccant portion 420 and the internal volume of the chambers 310 when the chambers 310 are closed by the operculum 610.

[0072] The desiccant portion 420 therefore does not have a desiccant function in the sealed chambers 310 to preserve the integrity of the reagents before their use in the station 200. For this purpose, the cartridge 202 may further include an additional desiccant disposed in at least one sealed chamber 310. Advantageously, an additional desiccant is disposed in each sealed chamber 310. The additional desiccant is therefore different from the desiccant portion 420. The additional desiccant is, for example, a strip of desiccant material. Alternatively or in addition, the additional desiccant is, for example, at least a portion of a wall of the chamber 310 made of a desiccant material.

[0073] The desiccant portion 420 can represent at least 25%, preferably 50%, of the surface area of ​​the support 300. In other words, at least 25%, preferably 50%, of the outer surface of the support 300 is composed of the solid desiccant. Thus, the desiccant portion 420 represents a significant part of the support 300 and therefore provides substantial drying power without occupying additional space.

[0074] The support 300 thus has a dual function. The support 300 supports and holds the chambers 310, and therefore the reagents 315, in the cartridge 202, while also contributing to the reduction of humidity in the station 200. Indeed, as explained above, when the cartridge 202 is inserted into the station 200 and the chambers 310 are pierced, the urine injected into the chamber 310 can subsequently evaporate and escape from the chamber 310. The desiccant portion 420 is then able to absorb at least some of this additional moisture. The desiccant portion 420 therefore prevents repeated injections of urine into The chambers increase the humidity in the urine analysis device too much and thus preserve the proper functioning of the electronic devices of station 200.

[0075] As will be described later, the desiccant portion 420 can be a piece of the support 300 or a part of a piece of the support 300.

[0076] In one embodiment, the desiccant portion 420 forms a base on which the chambers 310 are mounted. Thus, the chambers 310 rest on the base. In other words, at least one face of the sealed chambers 310 is in contact with the base, either directly or via a receiving portion.

[0077] Alternatively or in addition, the desiccant portion 420 includes a force-receiving zone 306 for an actuator 330 of the station 202. The force-receiving zone 306 is a zone of mechanical cooperation between the cartridge 202 and the station 200, for example, to rotate and / or translate the cartridge 202 relative to the station 200 during the operation of the device 100, in particular to move the chambers 310 past the injector and / or the analyzer of the test assembly 230. The desiccant portion 420 thus makes it possible both to reduce the humidity in the station 200 and to establish the mechanical link between the cartridge 202 and the station 200. The force-receiving zone 306 can be a hub suitable for receiving a rotating shaft.

[0078] In one embodiment, at least a portion of the support 300, referred to as the transparent portion 450, is made of a transparent or translucent material. The transparent portion 450 is, for example, made of a plastic material. The transparent portion 450 may form at least part of the chambers 310 to allow the passage of light and the analysis of reactions.

[0079] In one embodiment, the desiccant portion 420 and the transparent portion 450 form two separate parts of the support 300, assembled together. The desiccant portion 420 and the transparent portion 450 are, for example, glued or clipped together. In another embodiment, the desiccant portion 420 and the transparent portion 450 form the entire support 300. Rotating stand

[0080] With reference to figures 3 to 6, the support 300 is for example a rotating support configured to be driven in rotation by the station 200.

[0081] In one embodiment, the rotating support 300 has a right circular cylinder shape of at least 80% of a hollow cylinder shape extending annularly around an axis which is, when the cartridge 202 is mounted in the station 200, the axis of rotation X.

[0082] As can be seen in [Fig.2], the receiving compartment 212 of station 200 then has an annular compartment shape.

[0083] The rotating support 300 may include an annular part 302 and a cylindrical part 304, which extends from an outer radial end of the annular part 302. When the cartridge 202 is inserted into the station 200, the cylindrical part 304 is housed inside the annular compartment 212.

[0084] In one embodiment, the annular portion 302 forms the desiccant portion 420. The desiccant portion 420 is substantially disc-shaped. This shape optimizes the ratio between the surface area in contact with the air and the volume occupied by the disc. For example, the disc has a diameter between 3 cm and 10 cm. The disc has a thickness between 1 mm and 10 mm. The desiccant portion 420 can form the base.

[0085] In this embodiment, the cylindrical part 304 can form the transparent portion 450. Alternatively, the cylindrical part 304 can be made of opaque material.

[0086] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, each chamber 310 can extend along a principal direction orthogonal to the base. The chambers 310 are positioned along the cylindrical portion 304 so that they can pass selectively and / or successively in front of the injector and the analyzer. The cylindrical portion 304 then acts as a receiving portion. The chambers 310 are arranged side by side in the form of a right circular cylinder with a circumference of at least 80%. The chambers 310 are all equidistant from the axis of rotation X, so that the injector can selectively inject the urine once the desired sealed chamber 310 is positioned at the desired location facing the injector. The injector can move toward the sealed chamber 310 and pierce the operculum 610 closing the sealed chamber 310.A drain port 314 is provided in the rotating support 300 to allow urine to be evacuated from the injector to the outside of the device 100, via the drainage port 530 located on the housing 204.

[0087] In the illustrated example, the annular portion 302 of the rotating support 300 remains outside the annular compartment 212 to reinforce the cylindrical portion and / or rotate the cartridge 202. For this purpose, the annular portion 302 may include the load-bearing area 306, for example in the form of a mechanical coupling (here a hub) that cooperates with the actuator 330 of the station (here a shaft). The load-bearing area 306 is, for example, in the form of a shaft housed in a cavity 250 of the station 200. Support variants

[0088] Alternatively, with reference to [Fig. 7], the cartridge 702 has a solid cylindrical shape. The receiving compartment 212 of the station 200 then has a shape complementary to the cylinder. The rotating support 300 can comprise an annular portion 703 and a cylindrical portion 704, which extends radially inside the annular portion 703. Each sealed chamber 710 can extend orthogonally to the direction of rotation X. Each chamber 710 can thus extend radially, between the cylindrical portion 704 and the center of the annular portion 703. The desiccant portion 420 is formed by the cylindrical portion 704, as described previously. The annular portion 703 can form the transparent portion 750. Each chamber 710 is closed by a cover 712 positioned over the annular portion 703. In operation, the analyzer and the injector are positioned above and / or below the axis of rotation X of the cartridge 202. The desiccant portion 420 includes a force-receiving zone 706 in the form of teeth actuated by an actuator 730 in the form of a gear. The rotation of the actuator along a Y axis parallel to the X axis causes the cartridge 702 to rotate to move the chambers 710 past the injector and / or the analyzer.

[0089] Alternatively, with reference to [Fig. 8], the cartridge 802 has a parallelepiped shape extending primarily along a principal direction Z. The receiving compartment 212 of the station 200 then has a channel shape, complementary to the cartridge 802. The support 800 may include a base 803 and, in one embodiment, a receiving portion 804, suitable for receiving the sealed chambers 810. Each chamber 810 may extend orthogonally to the principal direction Z. The chambers 810 extend parallel to each other. The desiccant portion 820 is formed by the base 803. Each chamber 810 is closed by a lid 812. The lid 812 and / or the receiving portion 804 may be transparent. In operation, the analyzer and injector are arranged above and / or below chamber 810, in a direction orthogonal to the main direction Z.The desiccant portion 820 here includes a force-receiving zone 806 in the form of a wall capable of being pushed or pulled by an actuator 330 in the form of a rod extending along the main direction Z and, for example, actuated by a stepper motor. The translation of the actuator 330 along the main direction Z causes the cartridge 802 to translate in order to move the chambers 810 past the injector and / or the analyzer. Station-cartridge interaction

[0090] Figure 6 shows in more detail the interaction between the cartridge 202 according to the embodiment of Figures 3 to 5 and the station 200 during or after the activation of the injector. The analyzer 600 comprises at least one light source 602, 604 (for example, two light sources; in particular, four light sources) and at least one optical sensor 606. The light travels from the light source 602, 604 to the optical sensor 606 through the cartridge 202 and in particular the cylindrical portion 304 and optionally the reagent 315.

[0091] In one embodiment, the analyzer 600 is configured to measure the absorbance of a portion of the reagents 315.

[0092] Absorbance is detected by the light source (for example an LED) which can pass light through the band, and the optical sensor which receives the spectrum with about ten wavelengths.

[0093] In one variant, the light sensor is a camera capable of detecting a color change, in particular a color intensity change, of a portion of the reagents 315.

[0094] The camera can detect a color in RGB values ​​for example.

[0095] The injector includes an injection tip 612 (for example, a needle), which can be moved between a standby position SP and an injection position IP. In the standby position SP, the injection tip 612 is outside the cartridge 202 (in its innermost radial position), so that the cartridge 202 can rotate freely in the annular compartment 212. In an injection position IP, the injection tip 612 has pierced the orifice 610 to access the interior of the chamber 310 and can inject a small amount of urine onto the reagent 315.

[0096] In the SP position, the injector is located radially inside the annular chamber. This maximizes the radius of the annular compartment while minimizing the size of the station 200.

[0097] In a variant of the test set 230 disclosed above, the person skilled in the art will understand that each test set configured to analyze the urine sample collected through the collection port 218 can be disposed of inside the housing 204.

Claims

Demands

1. Cartridge (202) for urine analysis comprising: - a support (300), - a plurality of sealed chambers (310), each sealed chamber (310) being suitable for receiving urine for urine analysis, in which: - the plurality of sealed chambers (310) is held in position by the support (300), - at least a portion of the support, called the desiccant portion (420), is composed of a solid desiccant, capable of absorbing moisture from the air in contact with the desiccant portion (420), the desiccant portion (420) being outside the sealed chambers (310).

2. Cartridge (202) according to claim 1, wherein the solid desiccant is a hygroscopic material.

3. Cartridge (202) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the solid desiccant is a bi-material mixture formed of a plastic polymer and a desiccant material.

4. Cartridge (202) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the desiccant portion has an absorption capacity of between 100 mg / g and 300 mg / g, in particular between 140 mg / g and 200 mg / g.

5. Cartridge (202) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the desiccant portion (420) represents at least 25%, preferably 50%, of the support (300) on the surface.

6. Cartridge (202) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the desiccant portion (420) is rigid.

7. Cartridge (202) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the desiccant portion (420) comprises a force receiving area (310) of an actuator (330) of a station (200).

8. Cartridge (202) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the desiccant portion (420) forms a base on which the chambers (310) are mounted.

9. Cartridge (202) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each chamber (310) comprises a pierceable lid (610), for example by a syringe.

10. Cartridge (202) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cartridge (202) further comprises an additional desiccant, different from the desiccant portion (420), disposed in at least one chamber (310).

11. Urine analysis device (100) comprising: - a cartridge (202) according to any one of the preceding claims, - a station (200) configured to be positioned on a wall (112) of a toilet bowl (106), the station (200) comprising: + a housing (204) comprising a receiving compartment (212) in which the cartridge (202) is at least partially received, + an injector, configured to inject fluid into one of the chambers (310), + an analyzer for analyzing the urine injected into said chamber (310).

12. Device (100) according to claim 11, wherein the cartridge (202) is removably arranged in the housing (204).

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