Strip guide cover and in vitro diagnostic device including same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a strip guide cover for fixing a strip attached to an in-vitro diagnostic device inside a housing, and to an in-vitro diagnostic device including the same. The strip guide cover is disposed inside the in-vitro diagnostic device to fix a strip attached to the in-vitro diagnostic device. The strip guide cover includes a main body portion that covers the upper side of the strip and is spaced apart from the strip, a guide portion that protrudes from the main body portion to form an arrangement space in which the strip is disposed together with the main body portion and guides the strip entering the arrangement space, and a pressure portion that is disposed inside the guide portion and applies pressure to the strip disposed in the arrangement space.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a strip guide cover and an in-vitro diagnostic device including the same. [Background technology]

[0002] An in vitro diagnostic device (IVD) is a medical device used to test specimens (tissue cells, blood, urine, feces, saliva, etc.) collected from an individual for the purposes of diagnosing and prognosing diseases, determining health status, assessing the effectiveness of disease treatment, and prevention. An in vitro diagnostic device includes a diagnostic unit that diagnoses specimens and a housing that surrounds the exterior of the diagnostic unit.

[0003] A device called a strip is attached to such an in-vitro diagnostic device to diagnose a sample, and the strip may include a collection section that collects the sample and a channel section that is connected to the collection section and has a multi-layered plate with channels formed therein. When the strip is attached to the in-vitro diagnostic device, the collection section is located outside the housing of the in-vitro diagnostic device, and the channel section is located inside the housing of the in-vitro diagnostic device.

[0004] However, conventional in-vitro diagnostic devices do not have a structure for fixing the channel portion of the strip placed inside the housing. Therefore, when the in-vitro diagnostic device is shaken by external vibrations, the strip also shakes, reducing the accuracy of the test and resulting in a problem of reduced reliability of the in-vitro diagnostic device.

[0005] Therefore, there is an increasing need to prevent the strip attached to the in-vitro diagnostic device from shaking. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a strip guide cover for fixing a strip attached to an in-vitro diagnostic device inside a housing, and an in-vitro diagnostic device including the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A strip guide cover for being disposed inside an in-vitro diagnostic device according to one embodiment of the present invention and for fixing a strip attached to the in-vitro diagnostic device includes: a main body portion that covers an upper side of the strip and is disposed at a distance from the strip; a guide portion that protrudes from the main body portion and forms an arrangement space in which the strip is disposed together with the main body portion and that guides the strip entering the arrangement space; and a pressure portion that is disposed inside the guide portion and applies pressure to the strip disposed in the arrangement space.

[0008] The pressure member may include a protrusion that contacts the strip, and a plurality of the protrusions may be spaced apart along a direction in which the strip enters the arrangement space.

[0009] The pressure member may include a tension member that supports the protrusion, and the body may have a placement hole in which the tension member is placed.

[0010] The tension portion may include a first tension portion arranged to slope downward from both ends of the placement hole toward the protrusion; and a second tension portion connecting the first tension portions arranged at both ends of the placement hole and on which the protrusion is arranged.

[0011] The guide portion may include a first surface and a second surface facing a side of the strip entering the placement space, and a first distance from the first surface to the second surface may be equal to or longer than a second distance from one side of the strip to the other side of the strip.

[0012] A third distance from the surface of the second tension portion on which the protrusion is arranged to the end of the protrusion may be longer than a fourth distance from the surface of the second tension portion on which the protrusion is arranged to the surface of the strip arranged in the arrangement space that faces the second tension portion.

[0013] The strip guide cover may include a tension maintaining portion that is disposed in the arrangement hole along the direction in which the second tension portion is arranged, and that is disposed on a surface of the second tension portion on which the protrusion portion is not arranged and supports the second tension portion.

[0014] The strip guide cover may include a stopper portion that protrudes from a region of the main body portion and stops the movement of the strip entering the arrangement space.

[0015] Furthermore, an in-vitro diagnostic device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a housing having an entrance portion for accommodating an in-vitro diagnostic strip and an internal space connected to the entrance portion; and a strip guide cover for guiding the strip entering the internal space of the housing through the entrance portion. The strip guide cover includes a main body portion for covering an upper side of the strip and spaced apart from the strip; a guide portion protruding from the main body portion to form an arrangement space in which the strip is arranged together with the main body portion and for guiding the strip entering the arrangement space; and a pressure portion arranged inside the guide portion to pressurize the strip placed in the arrangement space.

[0016] The pressure member may include a protrusion that contacts the strip, and a plurality of the protrusions may be spaced apart along a direction in which the strip enters the arrangement space.

[0017] The pressure member may include a tension member that supports the protrusion, and the body may have a placement hole in which the tension member is placed.

[0018] The tension portion may include a first tension portion arranged to slope downward from both ends of the placement hole toward the protrusion; and a second tension portion connecting the first tension portions arranged at both ends of the placement hole and on which the protrusion is arranged.

[0019] The guide portion may include a first surface and a second surface facing a side of the strip entering the placement space, and a first distance from the first surface to the second surface may be equal to or longer than a second distance from one side of the strip to the other side of the strip.

[0020] A third distance from the surface of the second tension portion on which the protrusion is arranged to the end of the protrusion may be longer than a fourth distance from the surface of the second tension portion on which the protrusion is arranged to the surface of the strip arranged in the arrangement space that faces the second tension portion.

[0021] The in-vitro diagnostic device may include a fixing block disposed inside the housing and to which the strip guide cover is fixed; and an optical module movably disposed inside the housing and irradiating light toward the strip. [Effects of the Invention]

[0022] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the channel portion of the strip that enters the internal space of the housing through the protrusion of the strip guide cover is in close contact with the first substrate, thereby reducing the vibration of the channel portion of the strip, thereby improving the accuracy of the test and the reliability of the in vitro diagnostic device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of an in vitro diagnostic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] [Figure 2]1 is a view illustrating an in-vitro diagnostic device with a housing and an opening / closing unit removed;

[0025] [Figure 3] 1 is a view illustrating the inside of a main opening / closing part of an opening / closing unit.

[0026] [Figure 4] 10 is a view illustrating a state in which the sub-opening / closing part closes the entrance part of the housing when the strip is not housed in the housing.

[0027] [Figure 5] 10 is a view illustrating a state in which the sub-opening / closing part closes the entrance part of the housing with the strip housed in the housing;

[0028] [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a fixing block and a first substrate.

[0029] [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a strip guide cover.

[0030] [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view illustrating the strip guide cover.

[0031] [Figure 9] 1 is a view showing a cross section of a portion of a strip guide cover.

[0032] [Figure 10a] FIG. 2 is a perspective cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a strip is attached to an in-vitro diagnostic device.

[0033] [Figure 10b] 10 is a view illustrating a state in which a channel portion of a strip is in close contact with a first substrate by a protrusion portion of a strip guide cover.

[0034] [Figure 11] 1 is a diagram illustrating a fixing block, a strip guide cover, and an optical module.

[0035] [Figure 12] 10 is a view illustrating a state in which a second gear portion is coupled to a fixed block.

[0036] [Figure 13] 10 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a moving block of a moving unit is moved;

[0037] [Figure 14] 1 is a diagram illustrating a path of light from a light source unit to a light receiving unit; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0038] The present invention can be modified in various ways and can have various embodiments, and a specific embodiment will be described by way of example in the drawings. However, it is not intended to limit the present invention to the specific embodiment, and it should be understood that the present invention includes all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives that fall within the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

[0039] Terms including ordinal numbers, such as "first," "second," etc., may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one component from another. For example, a second component may be designated as a "first component," and similarly, a first component may be designated as a "second component," without departing from the scope of the present invention. The term "and / or" includes a combination of multiple related listed items or any of multiple related listed items.

[0040] When a component is said to be "coupled" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that it may be directly coupled or connected to the other component, but that there may be other components in between. Conversely, when a component is said to be "directly coupled" or "directly connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between.

[0041] In the description of the embodiments, when one component is described as being formed "on or under" another component, "on" or "under" includes both cases where the two components are in direct contact with each other and where one or more other components are indirectly disposed between the two components. Furthermore, when "on or under" is used, it can include not only the upper direction but also the lower direction based on one component.

[0042] The terms used in this application are merely used to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. The singular expressions include the plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In this application, the terms "comprise" or "have" are intended to specify the presence of features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should be understood not to preclude the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0043] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. Terms as defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted to have a meaning consistent with the meaning they have in the context of the relevant art, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly defined in this application.

[0044] Hereinafter, a strip guide cover and an in-vitro diagnostic device including the same will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Regardless of the drawing reference numerals, identical or corresponding components will be given the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0045] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an in-vitro diagnostic device according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a view illustrating the in-vitro diagnostic device with the housing and opening / closing unit removed, FIG. 3 is a view illustrating the inside of the main opening / closing section of the opening / closing unit, FIG. 4 is a view illustrating the state in which the sub-opening section closes the inlet of the housing when a strip is not housed in the housing, FIG. 5 is a view illustrating the state in which the sub-opening section closes the inlet of the housing when a strip is housed in the housing, FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a fixing block and a first board, FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a strip guide cover, FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view illustrating the strip guide cover, FIG. 9 is a view showing a cross section of a portion of the strip guide cover, FIG. 10a is a perspective cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a strip is attached to the in-vitro diagnostic device, and FIG. 10b is a view illustrating a state in which the channel portion of the strip is in close contact with the first board by the protrusion of the strip guide cover.

[0046] 1 to 5, an in-vitro diagnostic device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a housing 100, an opening / closing unit 200, a fixing block 300, a first substrate 400, a strip guide cover 500, and an optical module 600.

[0047] The housing 100 can accommodate a strip S for in vitro diagnosis. The housing 100 may be provided with an inlet 111 capable of accommodating the strip S, and an internal space connected to the inlet 111.

[0048] The housing 100 may include a front portion 110 having an entrance portion 111, a first main portion 120 coupled to the front portion 110 and forming an internal space in which a portion of the strip S is accommodated, a top portion 130 covering the space of the first main portion 120 not covered by the front portion, and a base portion 140 disposed inside the first main portion 120 and facing the top portion 130.

[0049] Here, the strip S is a device or instrument for collecting a sample that can be collected from an individual, and the strip S may include a collection unit S1 that first comes into contact with the sample and a channel unit S2 that is connected to the collection unit S1 and has a plurality of plates formed with a plurality of channels arranged thereon to disperse the sample. When the strip S is installed in the in-vitro diagnostic device 1, the collection unit S1 may be arranged outside the housing 100, and the channel unit S2 may be arranged in an internal space inside the housing 100.

[0050] The opening / closing unit 200 may be disposed on the front part. The opening / closing unit 200 may be rotatably coupled to the front part. When the in-vitro diagnostic device 1 is not in use, the opening / closing unit 200 may close the inlet part 111 of the housing 100 to prevent foreign matter from entering the housing 100. The opening / closing unit 200 may include a main opening / closing part 210 and a sub opening / closing part 220.

[0051] The main opening / closing part 210 may be configured by combining an upper part 211 and a lower part 212. The main opening / closing part 210 may have a structure in which the interior is hollow due to the combination of the upper part 211 and the lower part 212. The main opening / closing part 210 may be rotatably combined with the front part 110 of the housing 100. The lower part 212 of the main opening / closing part 210 may have a hole formed therein in which the sub opening / closing part 220 can be movably accommodated.

[0052] A magnetic body having magnetism may be disposed inside the main opening / closing part 210. As a result, when the main opening / closing part is rotated toward the top part 130 of the housing 100, the main opening / closing part 210 may be fixed to the front part 110 of the housing 100 by the magnetic body. Also, an elastic body may be disposed inside the main opening / closing part 210. The elastic body may elastically support the sub opening / closing part 220. A plurality of elastic bodies may be provided. One end of the elastic body may be supported by the upper part of the main opening / closing part 210, and the other end may be supported by the sub opening / closing part 220.

[0053] The sub-opening / closing part 220 may be movably disposed on the main opening / closing part 210. More specifically, the sub-opening / closing part 220 may be movably housed in a hole formed in a lower part of the main opening / closing part 210. The sub-opening / closing part 220 may be elastically supported by an elastic body disposed inside the main opening / closing part 210.

[0054] When the main opening / closing part 210 is rotated toward the base part 140 of the housing 100 and the strip S has not entered the entrance part 111 formed in the front part 110 of the housing 100, the sub opening / closing part 220 can close the entrance part 111 to prevent foreign matter such as dust from entering the inside of the entrance part 111.

[0055] In addition, when the main opening / closing unit 210 is rotated toward the base unit 140 of the housing 100 and the strip S enters the entrance 111 formed in the front unit 110 of the housing 100, the strip S may be supported by the collecting unit S1 of the strip S. Therefore, when the strip S enters the entrance 111, the sub-opening / closing unit 220 blocks the gap formed between the entrance 111 and the collecting unit S1 of the strip S. This prevents foreign matter such as dust from entering the gap formed between the collecting unit S1 of the strip S, thereby improving the reliability of the test. In addition, light that may enter through the gap formed between the entrance 111 and the collecting unit S1 of the strip S can be blocked, thereby maintaining the accuracy of the test.

[0056] 1 to 6, the fixing block 300 may be disposed inside the housing 100. More specifically, the fixing block 300 may be disposed inside the housing 100 at a position adjacent to the entrance 111 formed in the front portion of the housing 100. The fixing block 300 has a configuration to which the strip guide cover 500 is fixed, and as shown in FIG. 2, the fixing block 300 may be coupled to and supported by the base portion 140 of the housing 100. The fixing block 300 may include a second main portion 310 and a side portion 320.

[0057] The second main part 310 may be a part facing the channel part S2 of the strip S mounted on the in-vitro diagnostic device 1. The second main part 310 may include a first mounting part on which the collecting part S1 of the strip S is mounted and a second mounting part having a groove in which the first substrate 400 is disposed. The height of the second mounting part may be the same as the height of a substrate body 411 (described below) of the first substrate 400. Therefore, when the first substrate 400 is mounted on the second mounting part, the exposed surface of the second mounting part and the exposed surface of the substrate body 411 of the first substrate 400 are aligned on the same line, thereby preventing the channel part S2 of the strip S from tilting relative to the first substrate 400 when the strip S is mounted on the first substrate 400.

[0058] The side parts 320 may be disposed on both sides of the second main part 310. The side parts 320 may support the second main part 310. The side parts 320 may support a second gear part 624 (described later) of the optical module 600. The second mounting part of the second main part 310 may be disposed on the upper part of the side part 320 in a direction from the first main part 120 toward the top part 130 of the housing 100. A shaft of a support module 622 (described later) of the optical module 600 and a block for supporting the shaft may be disposed in a space formed by the second mounting part of the second main part 310 and the side parts 320.

[0059] In addition, the side part 320 may protrude further toward the inner space of the housing 100 than the second mounting part of the second main part 310. A part of the moving unit 620 of the optical module 600 may be disposed in the space formed thereby.

[0060] The first substrate 400 may be disposed in the second mounting portion of the second main portion 310 of the fixing block 300. The first substrate 400 may generate heat so that the channel portion S2 of the strip S can maintain a constant temperature. The first substrate 400 may include a substrate body 411, a temperature sensor 412, and a first through hole 413.

[0061] The substrate body 411 may be disposed in a groove formed in a second mounting portion of the second main part 310 of the fixing block 300. The substrate body 411 may cover one side of an arrangement space DS (described later) formed by the strip guide cover 500. The substrate body 411 may be made of, but is not limited to, an aluminum material. Various modules, such as circuit patterns and resistors for generating heat, may be disposed on the substrate body 411. The substrate body 411 may receive a measurement value from the temperature sensor 412 to determine whether the substrate body 411 is maintaining a preset temperature.

[0062] The temperature sensor 412 may be disposed on the substrate body 411. The temperature sensor 412 may measure the temperature of the substrate body 411 and transmit the measurement value to the substrate body 411. A plurality of temperature sensors 412 may be disposed on the substrate body 411, and the plurality of temperature sensors 412 may be disposed at intervals from each other.

[0063] The first through hole 413 may be disposed in the substrate body 411. The first through hole 413 may be disposed between the plurality of temperature sensors 412 spaced apart from one another. A plurality of first through holes 413 may be formed in the substrate body 411. The plurality of first through holes 413 may be disposed along the direction in which the strip S is attached to the in-vitro diagnostic device 1. The first through hole 413 may have a circular shape, but is not limited thereto. The first through hole 413 can pass light emitted from the optical module 600.

[0064] 2 to 10b, the strip guide cover 500 may be disposed inside the in-vitro diagnostic device 1. More specifically, the strip guide cover 500 may be disposed in the internal space of the housing 100. The strip guide cover 500 guides the strip S entering the internal space of the housing 100 through the entrance portion 111 of the housing 100 and can fix the strip S. The strip guide cover 500 may include a main body portion 510, a guide portion 520, a pressure portion 530, a tension maintaining portion 540, a stopper portion 550, and a coupling portion 560.

[0065] 1, 7 and 8, the body portion 510 may cover the upper side of the strip S disposed in the internal space of the housing 100 along a direction from the first main portion 120 to the top portion 130 of the housing 100. The body portion 510 may form a stepped structure with the coupling portion 560. More specifically, when the coupling portion 560 is coupled to the fixing block 300, the body portion 510 may be spaced apart from the strip S. The body portion 510 may include a positioning hole 511 and a second through hole 512.

[0066] The positioning hole 511 may be arranged in the main body 510 in a direction in which the strip S is attached to the in-vitro diagnostic device 1. A plurality of positioning holes 511 may be arranged, and the plurality of positioning holes 511 may be spaced apart in a direction intersecting the direction in which the strip S is attached to the in-vitro diagnostic device 1. The positioning hole 511 may have a rectangular shape. The positioning hole 511 is a portion in which the tensioning portion 531 is arranged, and may have a width greater than the width of the tensioning portion 531. Here, the width may refer to the length in a direction in which the plurality of positioning holes 511 are spaced apart.

[0067] The second through holes 512 may be disposed in the main body 510. The second through holes 512 may be disposed between a plurality of disposing holes 511 that are spaced apart from one another. A plurality of second through holes 512 may be formed in the main body 510. The plurality of second through holes 512 may be disposed along the direction in which the strip S is attached to the in-vitro diagnostic device 1. The second through holes 512 may have a circular shape, but are not limited thereto. The second through holes 512 may transmit light that is irradiated from the optical module 600 and has passed through the first through holes 413 of the first substrate 400 and the channel portion S2 of the strip S. The distance between each second through hole 512 may be the same as the distance between each first through hole 413.

[0068] The guide portion 520 may be disposed on a surface facing the channel portion S2 of the strip S when the strip S is attached to the in-vitro diagnostic device 1. The guide portion 520 may protrude from the main body portion 510. As shown in FIG. 5 , the guide portion 520 may be disposed along the direction in which the strip S is attached to the in-vitro diagnostic device 1. The guide portion 520 may be disposed outside the arrangement hole 511 along a direction intersecting the direction in which the strip S is attached to the in-vitro diagnostic device 1. The guide portion 520 may have a length longer than the arrangement hole 511, but is not limited thereto.

[0069] 8 and 10a, the guide portion 520 may form, together with the main body portion 510, an arrangement space DS in which the strip S is arranged. The guide portion 520 may guide the strip S entering the arrangement space DS. The guide portion 520 may include a first surface 521 and a second surface 522.

[0070] The first surface 521 and the second surface 522 may be surfaces facing both sides of the channel portion S2 of the strip S entering the placement space DS. The first surface 521 and the second surface 522 may be arranged along the direction in which the strip S is attached to the in-vitro diagnostic device 1.

[0071] 8, a first distance D1 from the first surface 521 to the second surface 522 may be equal to or longer than a second distance D2 from one side of the strip S (one side of the channel portion S2) to the other side of the strip S (the other side of the channel portion S2). Therefore, the channel portion S2 of the strip S arranged inside the guide portion 520 is prevented from shaking, improving the stability of the test of the in-vitro diagnostic device 1 and ensuring the reliability of the test.

[0072] The pressure member 530 may be disposed inside the guide member 520 and disposed in the arrangement space DS. More specifically, the pressure member 530 may be disposed inside the arrangement hole 511. The pressure member 530 may apply pressure to the channel portion S2 of the strip S disposed in the arrangement space DS formed by the body member 510 and the guide member 520. The pressure member 530 may include a tension member 531 and a protrusion 532.

[0073] 9, the tension portion 531 is a portion that supports the protrusion 532 and may have a width smaller than the width of the placement hole 511. The tension portion 531 may include a first tension portion 531a and a second tension portion 531b.

[0074] The first tension portions 531a may be arranged to slope downward from both ends of the placement hole 511 toward the protrusions 532. The second tension portions 531b may connect the first tension portions 531a arranged at both ends of the placement hole 511. The second tension portions 531b may further protrude from the placement hole 511 toward the first substrate 400, but are not limited to this. The second tension portions 531b may have protrusions 532 arranged thereon. This shape of the tension portions 531 may allow the protrusions 532 to easily contact the channel portions S2 of the strip S when the strip S enters the placement space DS. Therefore, the need to increase the length of the protrusions 532 to contact the channel portions S2 of the strip S may be reduced. This may reduce the possibility that the protrusions 532 will be cut off due to the force generated when the strip S and the protrusions 532 come into contact with the channel portions S2 of the strip S.

[0075] The protrusion 532 may be disposed on the second tension portion 531b. The protrusion 532 may have a half circle or a half ellipse shape, but is not limited thereto. The protrusion 532 may contact the strip S.

[0076] A third distance D3 from the surface of the second tensioning portion 531b on which the protrusion 532 is disposed to the end of the protrusion 532 may be longer than a fourth distance D4 from the surface of the second tensioning portion 531b on which the protrusion 532 is disposed to the surface of the strip S disposed in the arrangement space DS that faces the second tensioning portion 531b. That is, as shown in FIG. 10a, the protrusion 532 is disposed in a position overlapping the channel portion S2 of the strip S in the internal space formed by the main body 510 and the guide portion 520. Therefore, when the channel portion S2 of the strip S enters the internal space, the protrusion 532 can press the channel portion S2 of the strip S. The channel portion S2 of the strip S, which is pressed by the protrusion 532, can be in close contact with the substrate body 411 of the first substrate 400. Therefore, vibration of the channel portion S2 of the strip S is reduced, thereby improving the reliability of the inspection. In addition, heat generated in the substrate body 411 of the first substrate 400 is stably transferred to the channel portion S2 of the strip S, so that the temperature of the channel portion S2 of the strip S can be maintained constant.

[0077] 9 and 10a, a plurality of protrusions 532 may be spaced apart along the direction in which the channel portion S2 of the strip S enters the placement space DS. This is to reduce the possibility that, if only one protrusion 532 is provided, other regions of the channel portion S2 of the strip S that come into contact with one protrusion 532 will float within the placement space DS. That is, the plurality of protrusions 532 uniformly press the entire region of the channel portion S2 of the strip S toward the first substrate 400, allowing the channel portion S2 of the strip S to stably adhere to the first substrate 400, improving the stability of the channel portion S2 of the strip S and improving the reliability of testing by the in-vitro diagnostic device 1.

[0078] The protrusion 532 can contact and pressurize the channel portion S2 of the strip S entering the internal space formed by the main body 510 and the guide 520. At this time, as shown in FIG. 7b, the protrusion 532 may be biased in one direction by the channel portion S2 of the strip S. This allows the protrusion 532 to closely contact the channel portion S2 of the strip S with the first substrate 400 without stopping the channel portion S2 of the strip S entering the internal space.

[0079] The tension maintaining unit 540 may be arranged in the arrangement hole 511 in the same direction as the second tension unit 531b. More specifically, the tension maintaining unit 540 may be arranged on the side of the second tension unit 531b where the protrusion 532 is not arranged. As shown in FIG. 9, a plurality of tension maintaining units 540 may be arranged in the arrangement hole 511.

[0080] The tension maintaining unit 540 may support the second tension unit 531b. More specifically, the tension maintaining unit 540 may support the second tension unit 531b so as to prevent the second tension unit 531b from sagging toward the substrate body 411 of the first substrate 400 when the strip guide cover 500 is coupled to the fixing block 300.

[0081] The stopper portion 550 may protrude from a region of the main body portion 510. The stopper portion 550 may be disposed between each of the connecting portions 560. The stopper portion 550 may come into contact with the collecting portion S1 of the strip S to stop the strip S from moving into the placement space DS. This allows the collecting portion S1 of the strip S to be disposed outside the housing 100, and the channel portion S2 of the strip S to be disposed inside the housing 100.

[0082] The coupling portion 560 may be disposed in a region of the body portion 510 where the stopper portion 550 is disposed. The coupling portion 560 may be disposed on both sides of the stopper portion 550. The coupling portion 560 may be coupled to the fixing block 300. The coupling portion 560 may be coupled to the fixing block 300 to fix the strip guide cover 500 to the fixing block 300. The coupling portion 560 may have a stepped shape. When the coupling portion 560 is coupled to the fixing block 300, the body portion 510 may be spaced apart from the second mounting portion of the fixing block 300 or the board body 411 of the first board 400 mounted on the second mounting portion.

[0083] In this way, the strip guide cover 500 guides the channel portion S2 of the strip S and also tightly contacts the channel portion S2 of the strip S with the substrate body 411 of the first substrate 400 through the protrusion 532, thereby preventing the channel portion S2 of the strip S arranged on the upper side of the first substrate 400 from shaking. Therefore, the strip guide cover 500 can improve the accuracy and reliability of testing by the in-vitro diagnostic device 1.

[0084] Figure 11 is a diagram illustrating the fixed block, strip guide cover, and optical module, Figure 12 is a diagram illustrating the state in which the second gear part is coupled to the fixed block, Figure 13 is a diagram illustrating the state in which the moving block of the moving unit is moved, and Figure 14 is a diagram illustrating the path of light from the light source part to the light receiving part.

[0085] 2 and 11 to 14, the optical module 600 may be movably disposed inside the housing 100. The optical module 600 may emit light toward the strip S. The optical module 600 may include a light-emitting unit 610, a moving unit 620, and a light-receiving unit 630.

[0086] 14 , the light emitting unit 610 may be configured to irradiate light toward the strip S. The light emitting unit 610 may be coupled to the moving unit 620 and moved together with the moving unit 620 within the internal space of the housing 100. The light emitting unit 610 may include a case portion 611, a second substrate 612, a light source portion 613, a holder portion 614, and a lens portion 615.

[0087] The case part 611 may be coupled to a moving block 621 (described later) of the moving unit 620. The case part 611 may have an open shape to accommodate the second substrate 612, the light source part 613, the holder part 614, and the lens part 615. The case part 611 may have an open shape in an area facing the substrate body 411 of the first substrate 400 so that light emitted from the light source part 613 can be transferred to the outside.

[0088] 11, the second substrate 612 may be disposed under the case 611. The second substrate 612 may be a printed circuit board (PCB). The second substrate 612 may support the light source 613. The second substrate 612 may transmit an instruction signal to the light source 613 to generate light.

[0089] 14, the light source unit 613 may be disposed above the second substrate 612. The light source unit 613 may generate light by receiving a control signal generated by the second substrate 612. The light source unit 613 may include an LED or the like. The light emitted through the light source unit 613 passes through the lens unit 615, and then reaches the light receiving unit 632 of the light receiving unit 630 via the first passing hole 413 of the first substrate 400, the channel unit S2 of the strip S, and the second passing hole 512 of the body unit 510 of the strip guide cover 500.

[0090] The holder part 614 may have a shape that surrounds the side of the light source part 613. The holder part 614 may be provided in a cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto. The holder part 614 may support the lens part 615. The holder part 614 may guide the light emitted from the light source part 613.

[0091] The lens unit 615 may be disposed on the holder unit 614. The lens unit 615 may refract light emitted from the light source unit 613 so that the light may be focused toward the light receiving unit 630. The lens unit 615 may include a convex lens formed to bulge in a direction from the light source unit 613 toward the light receiving unit 630.

[0092] The moving unit 620 may be coupled to the light-receiving unit 630. The moving unit 620 may move the light-receiving unit 630. The moving unit 620 may include a moving block 621, a support module 622, a first gear portion 623, and a second gear portion 624.

[0093] The moving block 621 may be formed in a shape having a square frame. The moving block 621 may include a hook portion. The moving block 621 may have a shape that surrounds the third substrate 631 of the light receiving unit 630. The hook portion may have a shape that surrounds the axis of the support module 622 so that the moving block 621 can move along the axis of the support module 622.

[0094] The support module 622 may be composed of a block and two axes as shown in Figures 11 and 13. The two axes may be fixed by the block to provide a path along which the moving block 621 may move.

[0095] The first gear portion 623 may be disposed on a side of the moving block 621. The first gear portion 623 may be a rack gear, and may be provided in the shape of a rectangular plate having a concave and convex pattern on one side. The first gear portion 623 may be disposed along the longitudinal direction of the moving block 621.

[0096] The second gear portion 624 may be fixedly disposed on the fixed block 300. More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the second gear portion 624 may be disposed on the side portion 320 of the fixed block 300. The second gear portion 624 is coupled to the side portion 320 of the fixed block 300 and may include a power portion 624a that generates power and a pinion portion 624b that is coupled to the power portion 624a and rotates in place via the power generated by the power portion 624a. The pinion portion 624b may mesh with the first gear portion 623. When the pinion portion 624b is rotated, the first gear portion 623 is moved, and the moving block 621 may be moved.

[0097] The light receiving unit 630 may be connected to the moving unit 620. The light receiving unit 630 may be moved along the moving unit 620. The light receiving unit 630 may include a third substrate 631 and a light receiving portion 632.

[0098] The third substrate 631 may be coupled to the moving block 621. The third substrate 631 may collect signals measured by the light receiving unit 632. The third substrate 631 may be a printed circuit board.

[0099] The light receiving unit 632 may be coupled to the third substrate 631. More specifically, the light receiving unit 632 may be disposed on a surface of the third substrate 631 facing the main body 510 of the strip guide cover 500. A plurality of light receiving units 632 may be provided, and the plurality of light receiving units 632 may be spaced apart from each other. The light receiving unit 632 may collect light irradiated from the light source 613 of the light emitting unit 610. The light receiving unit 632 may include a light receiving sensor, etc.

[0100] The optical module 600 can irradiate the sample collected through the strip S with light to determine the state of the sample collected in the channel portion S2 of the strip S.

[0101] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations of the present invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the following claims. Differences relating to such modifications and variations are to be construed as being included within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

[0102] Explanation of symbols

[0103] 1: In vitro diagnostic equipment 100: Housing

[0104] 110: Front section 111: Entrance

[0105] 120: First main section 130: Top section

[0106] 140: Base section 200: Opening and closing unit

[0107] 210: Main opening and closing section 211: Upper part

[0108] 212: Lower part 220: Sub opening and closing section

[0109] 300: Fixed block 310: Second main section

[0110] 320: Side part 400: First board

[0111] 411: Board body 412: Temperature sensor

[0112] 413: First Passage Hole 500: Strip guide cover

[0113] 510: Main body 511: Placement hole

[0114] 512: Second Passage Hole 520: Guide section

[0115] 521: 1st page 522: 2nd side

[0116] 530: Pressure unit 531: Tension section

[0117] 531a: First tension section 531b: Second tension section

[0118] 532:Protrusion 540: Tension maintenance unit

[0119] 550: Stopper part 560:Joining part

[0120] 600: Optical module 610: Lighting unit

[0121] 611: Case part 612: Second board

[0122] 613: Light source section 614: Holder part

[0123] 615: Lens section 620: Mobile unit

[0124] 621: Moving Block 622: Support module

[0125] 623: First Gear 624: Second gear section

[0126] 624a: Power section 624b: Pinion part

[0127] 630: Light receiving unit 631: Third board

[0128] 632: Light receiving part DS: Placement space

[0129] D1: First distance D2: 2nd distance

[0130] D3: Third distance D4: Fourth distance

[0131] S: Strip S1: Collection department

[0132] S2: Channel section

Claims

1. A strip guide cover disposed inside an in-vitro diagnostic device for fixing a strip attached to the in-vitro diagnostic device, a main body portion that covers an upper side of the strip and is spaced apart from the strip; a guide portion that protrudes from the main body portion, forms an arrangement space in which the strip is arranged together with the main body portion, and guides the strip as it enters the arrangement space; and a pressure portion that is disposed inside the guide portion and that applies pressure to the strip that is disposed in the arrangement space;

2. the pressure member includes a protrusion that contacts the strip; The strip guide cover according to claim 1 , wherein the protrusions are arranged in a plurality of locations spaced apart along a direction in which the strip enters the arrangement space.

3. the pressure applying portion includes a tension portion that supports the protrusion; The strip guide cover according to claim 2, wherein the body portion has a mounting hole in which the tension portion is mounted.

4. The tension portion is First tension portions are arranged to incline downward from both ends of the arrangement hole toward the protrusion; and The strip guide cover according to claim 3 , further comprising: a second tension portion connecting the first tension portions disposed at both ends of the arrangement hole and on which the protrusion is disposed.

5. The guide portion is a first surface and a second surface facing the side of the strip that enters the placement space; 2. The strip guide cover of claim 1, wherein a first distance from the first surface to the second surface is equal to or longer than a second distance from one side of the strip to the other side of the strip.

6. The strip guide cover of claim 4, characterized in that a third distance from the surface of the second tension portion on which the protrusion is arranged to the end of the protrusion is longer than a fourth distance from the surface of the second tension portion on which the protrusion is arranged to the surface of the strip arranged in the arrangement space that faces the second tension portion.

7. The strip guide cover of claim 4, further comprising: a tension maintaining portion that is arranged in the arrangement hole along the direction in which the second tension portion is arranged, and that is arranged on a side of the second tension portion on which the protrusion portion is not arranged, and that supports the second tension portion.

8. The strip guide cover according to claim 4 , further comprising: a stopper portion that protrudes from a region of the main body portion and stops the movement of the strip entering the arrangement space.

9. a housing having an inlet for receiving a strip for in vitro diagnostics and an internal space connected to the inlet; and a strip guide cover that guides the strip entering the internal space of the housing through the entrance portion; The strip guide cover a main body portion that covers an upper side of the strip and is spaced apart from the strip; a guide portion that protrudes from the main body portion, forms an arrangement space in which the strip is arranged together with the main body portion, and guides the strip as it enters the arrangement space; and a pressure applying unit that is disposed inside the guide unit and applies pressure to the strip that is disposed in the placement space.

10. the pressure member includes a protrusion that contacts the strip; The in-vitro diagnostic device according to claim 9, wherein the protrusions are arranged in a plurality of locations spaced apart along a direction in which the strip enters the arrangement space.

11. the pressure applying portion includes a tension portion that supports the protrusion; The in-vitro diagnostic device according to claim 10, wherein the body has a mounting hole in which the tension member is mounted.

12. The tension portion is First tension portions are arranged to incline downward from both ends of the arrangement hole toward the protrusion; and The in-vitro diagnostic device according to claim 11 , further comprising: a second tension portion that connects the first tension portions that are arranged at both ends of the arrangement hole and on which a protrusion is arranged.

13. The guide portion is a first surface and a second surface facing the side of the strip that enters the placement space; 10. The in-vitro diagnostic device of claim 9, wherein a first distance from the first surface to the second surface is equal to or longer than a second distance from one side of the strip to the other side of the strip.

14. 13. The in-vitro diagnostic device of claim 12, wherein a third distance from a surface of the second tensioning portion on which the protrusion is arranged to an end of the protrusion is longer than a fourth distance from a surface of the second tensioning portion on which the protrusion is arranged to a surface of the strip arranged in the arrangement space that faces the second tensioning portion.

15. a fixing block disposed inside the housing and to which the strip guide cover is fixed; and 10. The in-vitro diagnostic device of claim 9, further comprising: an optical module movably disposed within the housing for irradiating light toward the strip.

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