Protective cover

Abstract

To provide a protective cover which prevents a liquid specimen such as excess blood spotted on a biosensor from entering a measurement device from its insertion port, so as to deter fouling and failure of the measurement device.SOLUTION: A protective cover is used for a measurement device. The measurement device includes an insertion port into which a biosensor to be spotted with a liquid specimen is inserted. The protective cover is curved in such a manner that its back side is recessed along a shape of an end part at which the insertion port of the measurement device is placed, and includes an opening part through which the biosensor can perforate. The opening part has a guide part for guiding the liquid specimen by capillary force at a lower edge on its back side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a measuring device for measuring a liquid specimen, particularly a protective cover attached to a blood glucose measuring device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, various measuring devices have been provided that insert a disposable biosensor into an insertion port of a blood glucose measuring device, deposit a blood specimen on the biosensor, and measure the blood glucose level in the blood specimen. In this type of measuring device, when an excessive amount of blood specimen is deposited on the biosensor, the excess blood specimen may penetrate into the measuring device along the biosensor, causing contamination and malfunction of the measuring device, which has been a problem.

[0003] As an attempt to solve such problems, the technique described in Patent Document 1 below is disclosed. In this technique, a pair of doors that respond to the insertion of the biosensor are provided inside the device so that blood does not enter the inside of the device, and when this pair of doors contacts the biosensor, the opening of the device can be closed in a liquid-tight manner.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] According to the technique described in Patent Document 1, in order to prevent blood from entering, the entire device becomes larger in size and the structure becomes more complex. This also leads to an increase in the cost of the entire device. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a protective cover with a simple structure that can prevent contamination and malfunction of the measuring device by preventing excess liquid specimen deposited on the biosensor from entering the measuring device through the insertion port of the measuring device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure is a protective cover for a measuring device. The measuring device includes an insertion port for inserting a biosensor on which a liquid sample is applied. The protective cover is curved to match the shape of the end of the measuring device where the insertion port is located, with a concave rear side, and has an opening through which the biosensor can be inserted. A guide portion is provided at the lower rear edge of the opening, through which the liquid sample is guided by capillary force. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a protective cover is provided that prevents contamination and malfunction of the measuring device by preventing excess liquid samples, such as blood, that have adhered to the biosensor from entering the measuring device through the insertion port of the measuring device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a front-up perspective view of the measuring device according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a front-up perspective view of the measuring device with the protective cover removed. [Figure 3] This is a front-up perspective view of the protective cover. [Figure 4] This is a front view of the protective cover. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view of the upper back of the protective cover. [Figure 6] This is a rear view of the protective cover. [Figure 7] Figure 1 shows a magnified view of the VII-VII section, near the opening and insertion port. [Figure 8] This is a plan view of the biosensor. [Figure 9] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the measurement device with a biosensor inserted. [Figure 10] This diagram schematically illustrates the flow of excess liquid sample on the back side of the protective cover. [Figure 11]This diagram schematically illustrates the flow of excess liquid sample on the front side of the protective cover. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments described herein will be explained below with reference to the drawings. Common reference numerals in each drawing indicate the same part unless otherwise specified. Furthermore, the components and parts shown in each drawing are only schematic representations, and the actual size and positional relationships of the product are not necessarily accurately represented, and there may be discrepancies in the shape or parts of the details between drawings. This disclosure relates to a measuring device for measuring liquid samples, but for the sake of explanation, a blood glucose meter for measuring blood samples as a liquid sample will be described as an example of a measuring device.

[0010] The overall structure of the measuring device 10 will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a front-upper perspective view of the measuring device 10 according to the embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 2 is a front-upper perspective view of the measuring device 10 in Figure 1 with the protective cover 20 removed. The measuring device 10 consists of a roughly box-shaped housing 101 with rounded corners and a measuring instrument 102 (see Figure 7) that measures the biosensor 50 (see Figure 8), which will be described later. That is, the housing 101 is a protective member that surrounds the measuring instrument 102. The housing 101 forms the outer shape of the measuring device 10. A display unit 13 is formed on the top surface of the housing 101. The user visually checks the measurement results of the measuring instrument 102 through this display unit 13. Note that the bottom surface of the housing 101, which is opposite the top surface with the display unit 13, is not shown.

[0011] In Figure 1, the measuring device 10 has a separate protective cover 20 attached to the end into which the biosensor 50 is inserted. In this disclosure, with the display unit 13 facing upwards, the side to which the protective cover 20 is attached is referred to as the "front" or "front edge," the opposite side is referred to as the "back," and the direction connecting the front (front edge) and the back is referred to as the "front-back direction." Also, the direction in which the display unit 13 is located is referred to as "up," the opposite side is referred to as "down," and the direction connecting up and down is referred to as the "up-down direction." Based on this positional relationship, the direction perpendicular to both the front-back direction and the up-down direction is referred to as the "left-right direction."

[0012] As shown in Figure 2, the measuring device 10 has an insertion port 12 at the center of its front side for inserting a biosensor 50 to which a liquid sample is applied. The insertion port 12 is formed as a slit extending horizontally from the front end of the measuring device 10. On the other hand, the protective cover 20 has an opening 22 at its center through which the biosensor 50 can be inserted. The opening 22 is formed as a slit extending horizontally from the center of the protective cover 20. The opening 22 penetrates the front and rear of the protective cover 20. The protective cover 20 is attached to the front end of the measuring device 10 so as to cover the area including the area around the insertion port 12 on the front side of the measuring device 10. Details of the positional relationship between the opening 22 and the insertion port 12 when the protective cover 20 is attached to the measuring device 10 will be described later.

[0013] Next, the structure of the protective cover 20 will be described. Figure 3 is a front upper perspective view of the protective cover 20. Figure 4 is a front view of the protective cover 20. As shown in Figure 2, the front end of the measuring device 10 has a shape in which the middle section protrudes forward from both the left and right ends, and both the left and right ends curve smoothly toward the rear from the middle section. The protective cover 20 has a shape that is curved toward the rear to match the curvature of the front side of the measuring device 10. In other words, the protective cover 20 of the measuring device 10 is attached to the end of the measuring device 10 where the insertion opening 12 is provided, and is curved so that the rear side is concave to match the shape of the area including the area around the insertion opening 12 at that end. The protective cover 20 also has an opening 22 through which the biosensor 50 can be inserted. At both the left and right ends of the protective cover 20, the parts that are curved significantly toward the rear form side guards 21 that cover the corners at both ends of the housing 101. The means for attaching the protective cover 20 to the measuring device 10 are not limited, but means for fitting the side guards 21 and the left and right corners of the housing 101 together can be installed. The opening 22 located in the middle of the front side 20a of the protective cover 20 penetrates the front side 20a and the rear side 20b (see Figures 5 and 6).

[0014] Furthermore, multiple front ribs 25a are formed extending downward from the lower front edge of the opening 22 and projecting forward. In other words, the upper edges of the multiple front ribs 25a are connected to the lower front edge of the opening 22, forming a flush surface. As shown in Figure 3, the gaps 25b between these front ribs 25a are elongated slits. These multiple front ribs 25a and the multiple gaps 25b formed between adjacent front ribs 25a form a second guide section 25 where the liquid sample is guided by capillary force. As will be described later, in the second guide section 25, the multiple gaps 25b between the multiple ribs connected to the lower front edge of the opening 22 act as capillaries, guiding excess liquid sample approaching the second guide section 25 to the gaps 25b of the second guide section 25 by capillary action and allowing it to be contained by surface tension. As shown in Figure 3, the second guide section 25 protrudes forward from the opening 22. In this disclosure, the drawings show multiple ribs and gaps in each guide section as 2, 5, 6, etc., but the number is not limited to these and can be selected depending on the width of the opening 22.

[0015] FIG. 5 is an upper rear perspective view of the protective cover 20. Further, FIG. 6 is a rear view of the protective cover 20. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the rear side 20b is curved so as to be concave. The opening 22 is located at the middle of the rear side 20b of the protective cover 20. A plurality of rear side ribs 23a are formed which extend downward from the lower edge on the rear side of the opening 22 and project toward the rear. In other words, the upper edge of the plurality of rear side ribs 23a is connected to the lower edge on the rear side of the opening 22 and is formed flush. The gap 23b between these rear side ribs 23a is in the shape of an elongated slit. The plurality of rear side ribs 23a and the plurality of gaps 23b formed between adjacent rear side ribs 23a constitute a guiding portion 23 for guiding a liquid sample by capillary force. As will be described later, in the guiding portion 23, the plurality of gaps 23b between the plurality of ribs connected to the lower edge on the rear side of the opening 22 serve as capillaries, and the excess liquid sample approaching the guiding portion 23 is guided to the gaps 23b of the guiding portion 23 by capillary action and can be accommodated by surface tension. As shown in FIG. 5, the guiding portion 23 projects in the rear direction from the opening 22. There is a distance between the lower edge of the rear side rib 23a and the upper surface of the flange 29 that projects rearward from the lower edge of the protective cover 20, and they are not connected.

[0016] On the other hand, a plurality of upper ribs 26a are formed which extend upward from the upper edge on the rear side of the opening 22 and project toward the rear. In other words, the lower edge of the plurality of upper ribs 26a is connected to the upper edge on the rear side of the opening 22 and is formed flush. There is a gap 26b formed as an elongated slit between these upper ribs 26a. The plurality of upper ribs 26a and the gap 26b between them constitute a third guiding portion 26 for guiding a liquid sample by capillary force. Further, inclined ribs 28a are formed which are inclined downward from the lower ends of the upper ribs 26a located at both the left and right ends of the third guiding portion 26 and from the upper ends of the rear side ribs 23a located at both the left and right ends of the guiding portion 23. There is a distance between the lower ends of the inclined ribs 28a and the upper surface of the flange 29, and they are not connected.

[0017] As shown in the rear view of FIG. 6, both left and right ends of the opening 22 are respectively surrounded by two diagonal ribs 28a. When excess liquid sample intrudes into the left and right ends of the opening 22, the excess liquid sample is guided toward the flange 29 through the slit-like gap 28b formed between the two diagonal ribs 28a. And at both left and right ends of the opening 22, a diagonal guiding portion 28 is constituted by two diagonal ribs 28a extending obliquely downward from the end of the opening 22 and the gap 28b therebetween. On the rear side, the opening 22 is surrounded by the guiding portion 23, the third guiding portion 26, and the diagonal guiding portions 28 on the left and right respectively. As will be described later, even if the excess liquid sample intrudes from any position of the opening 22, it is guided and accommodated by at least one of the gaps 23b, 26b, and 28b. The sample that cannot be completely accommodated in the gaps 23b and 28b can be guided to the flange 29 and retained there. The rear-side rib 23a and the diagonal rib 28a extending downward from the opening 22 are going toward the flange 29, but there is a distance between them and the flange 29, so the space on the upper surface of the flange 29 is not closed, and thus more samples can be retained by surface tension. Furthermore, since the substantially triangular space formed between the flange 29, the rear-side ribs 23a at both ends, and the diagonal ribs 28a is also connected to the space on the upper surface of the flange 29, even more samples can be accommodated. Therefore, the space on the upper surface of the flange 29 including the above-described substantially triangular space is referred to as a liquid reservoir 24 for accommodating the liquid sample that has overflowed from the guiding portion 23.

[0018] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII of Figure 1, specifically a cross-section passing through the center of the opening 22, showing a magnified view of the vicinity of the opening 22 and the insertion opening 12. As shown in this figure, with the protective cover 20 attached to the housing 101 surrounding the measuring instrument 102, the opening 22 is located above the insertion opening 12 in the vertical direction. As shown in Figure 7, in the vertical direction, the lower edge of the opening 22 is above the upper edge of the insertion opening 12. Furthermore, the edges of the insertion opening 12 are chamfered 12a. This chamfered 12a smoothly connects to the outer wall of the housing 101 from the upper and lower edges of the insertion opening 12. As shown in Figure 7, the chamfered 12a is formed as an inclined surface. Also, the upper edge of the chamfered 12a is located above the lower edge of the opening 22. A portion of the chamfered 12a overlaps with the lower edge of the opening 22 in the front-to-back direction. Furthermore, the internal space at the back of the insertion opening 12 is a biosensor housing section 14 where the biosensor 50 (see Figure 8) is housed, and at the back of this section is a terminal 15 that makes electrical contact with the electrode section 52, which will be described later.

[0019] In this embodiment, the lower edge of the opening 22 is positioned above the upper edge of the insertion port 12, but the upper edge of the insertion port 12 may be formed above the lower edge of the opening 22. If the upper edge of the insertion port 12 is formed above the lower edge of the opening 22, the height difference between the upper edge of the insertion port 12 and the lower edge of the opening 22 should be set to be less than the thickness of the biosensor 50. In this case, if the thickness of the biosensor 50 shown in Figure 8 is h, then the difference between the upper edge of the insertion port 12 and the lower edge of the opening 22 is less than this thickness h. The biosensor 50 will then bend when inserted from the opening 22 into the insertion port 12.

[0020] As shown in Figure 7, even when the protective cover 20 is attached to the housing 101, the rear ribs 23a and upper ribs 26a on the rear side 20b of the protective cover 20, particularly those connected to the edge of the opening 22 and protruding to the rear, are separated from each other and maintain a predetermined distance from the outer surface of the housing 101, including the insertion port 12. This makes it less likely for liquid samples accumulated in the ribs and gaps of the protective cover 20 to come into contact with the measuring device 10.

[0021] Figure 8 is a schematic plan view of the biosensor 50 used in the measuring device 10 of this embodiment. In the figure, the right side is the upstream side and the left side is the downstream side. The biosensor 50 is made of a flexible material and is formed in the shape of a long, narrow sheet, as shown in Figure 8. On the upstream side of the biosensor 50, a groove-shaped dotting area 51 is formed where the liquid sample is dotted, and one end of the electrode used for measurement is exposed. On the downstream side of the biosensor 50, an electrode area 52 is formed where the other end of the electrode is exposed. When the biosensor 50 is attached to the measuring device 10, this electrode area 52 is the part that contacts the terminal 15 (see Figure 7) provided on the measuring instrument 102 of the measuring device 10. The biosensor 50 has a structure in which a metal electrode is sandwiched between two flexible materials such as synthetic resin.

[0022] To insert the biosensor 50, both the insertion port 12 and the opening 22 are formed in a long, narrow slit shape to match the shape of the biosensor 50. As shown in Figure 7, when the protective cover 20 is attached to the housing 101, the opening 22 is at a higher position than the insertion port 12. In other words, the insertion port 12 and the opening 22 are offset vertically, and their heights from the bottom surface of the measuring device 10 are different. When viewed from the front of the measuring device 10, the upper edge of the opening 22 is closer to the top surface of the measuring device 10 and is located above the upper edge of the insertion port 12. The lower edge of the opening 22 is closer to the top surface of the measuring device 10 and is located above the lower edge of the insertion port 12. Furthermore, the lower edge of the opening 22 is closer to the top surface of the measuring device 10 and is located above the upper edge of the insertion port 12. In other words, in the vertical direction, the upper edge of the insertion port 12 is located below the lower edge of the opening 22. Note that the upper edge of the insertion port 12 may be above the lower edge of the opening 22. In this case, the difference between the upper edge of the insertion port 12 and the lower edge of the opening 22 should be set to be smaller than the thickness h of the biosensor 50.

[0023] The measuring instrument 102 is housed inside the housing 101 located at the back of the insertion opening 12, and the space extending from the insertion opening 12 is the biosensor housing section 14 (see Figure 7) where the biosensor 50 is housed. The space from the insertion opening 12 to the biosensor housing section 14 extends in the front-to-back direction, forming the path through which the biosensor 50 travels from the insertion opening 12 to the biosensor housing section 14. The biosensor 50 can travel parallel to this path and smoothly make contact with the terminals 15 (see Figure 7) located in the biosensor housing section 14.

[0024] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the biosensor 50 inserted into the measuring device 10 shown in Figure 7, with the protective cover 20 attached to the housing 101. The process of inserting the biosensor 50 into the opening 22 of the protective cover 20 and the measuring device will now be explained. First, the tip of the biosensor 50 with the electrode portion 52 is placed on the second guide portion 25 that protrudes forward. Here, since the upper edge of the second guide portion 25 is flush with the opening 22, it becomes possible to insert the biosensor 50 into the narrower opening 22 along the second guide portion 25 that protrudes forward. This makes it easier to insert the biosensor 50 into the opening 22 compared to when the second guide portion 25 is not present.

[0025] Furthermore, as the biosensor 50 is inserted into the opening 22 along the second guide section 25, the tip of the biosensor 50 comes into contact with the chamfer 12a applied around the insertion opening 12 of the housing 101. As described above, the biosensor 50 is formed in an elongated sheet shape and is flexible, so as the biosensor 50 is inserted further, its flexibility smoothly guides its tip to the insertion opening 12, which is located lower than the opening 22. Here, a portion of the chamfer 12a overlaps with the lower edge of the opening 22 in the front-to-back direction, so the tip of the biosensor 50 resting on the lower edge of the opening 22 always comes into contact with the chamfer 12a. The chamfer 12a is a smoothly sloping surface that connects to the insertion opening 12, and along this chamfer 12a, the biosensor 50 can be easily inserted into the insertion opening 12, which is located below the opening 22.

[0026] As shown in Figure 9, when the tip of the biosensor 50, which has advanced horizontally from the second guide section 25 to the opening 22, is pressed further against the chamfer 12a, the tip bends downward and is guided into the insertion opening 12 below. If insertion continues, the tip of the biosensor 50 passes through the insertion opening 12 and enters the back of the biosensor housing section 14, pushing the terminal 15 upward. When this state is reached, the insertion of the biosensor 50 is complete. In this state, the biosensor 50 is slightly bent due to the difference in height between the opening 22 and the insertion opening 12. Therefore, the point contact section 51 on the upstream side of the biosensor 50 and the electrode section 52 on the downstream side have different heights in the vertical direction.

[0027] At this time, as shown in Figure 9, the lower surface of the biosensor 50 inserted into the insertion port 12 is in contact with the upper edge of each rear-side rib 23a of the guide portion 23 (i.e., the lower rear edge 22b of the opening 22), and the upper surface of the biosensor 50 is in contact with the upper front edge 22a of the opening 22 of the protective cover 20. As the flexible biosensor 50 is bent, the contact becomes tighter at each contact point due to the force attempting to restore the bend. In addition, due to the contact between the lower surface of the biosensor 50 and the multiple rear-side ribs 23a, a gap may be created between the lower surface of the biosensor 50 and the gap 23b between each rear-side rib 23a.

[0028] Furthermore, the width of the opening 22 in the left-right direction is formed to be somewhat longer than the width of the biosensor 50. As a result, when the biosensor 50 is inserted into the measuring device 10 with the protective cover 20 attached, there is a slight gap between the left and right edges of the opening 22 and the left and right edges of the biosensor 50. In addition, the multiple rear side ribs 23a that form the guide portion 23 are positioned to intersect with the lower surface of the biosensor 50 when it is inserted into the insertion port 12.

[0029] Based on the above configuration, the following occurs when excess liquid sample is applied to the biosensor 50. In this embodiment, excess liquid sample refers to the amount of liquid sample that exceeds the amount required for measurement.

[0030] As described above, the upper surface of the biosensor 50 abuts against the upper front edge 22a of the opening 22. This abutment prevents excess liquid sample applied to the point application area 51 of the biosensor 50 from flowing down the upper surface of the biosensor 50, to some extent from entering the interior of the protective cover 20. Depending on the amount of excess liquid sample, it may also remain at this first contact area due to surface tension. However, the likelihood of excess liquid sample flowing to this first contact area is not very high to begin with, and in most cases, it flows down to the underside of the biosensor 50 due to gravity.

[0031] If excess liquid sample flows along the underside of the biosensor 50, it may reach the gap formed between the underside of the biosensor 50 and each gap 23b, and be drawn into the gap 23b by capillary force. Depending on the amount of excess liquid sample, it may be contained within the gap 23b. However, if there is a large amount of excess liquid sample, it may flow to the flange 29 and remain there due to surface tension. Also, when excess liquid sample flows along the top or bottom surface of the biosensor 50, it may flow along both sides of the biosensor 50. Liquid sample that has flowed along both sides of the biosensor 50 may be guided through the gap between the left and right walls of the opening 22 and the biosensor 50 to the oblique guide section 28. Here, since the guide section 23 and the oblique guide section 28 are separated from the flange 29 below, even if there is excess liquid sample that cannot be contained in the guide section 23 and the oblique guide section 28, it can remain in the liquid reservoir 24.

[0032] In other words, if excess liquid sample 60 seeps into the back of the protective cover 20, as shown in the rear view of Figure 10, it may be captured by the guide section 23, the third guide section 26, and the oblique guide section 28, depending on the amount of excess liquid sample 60. Furthermore, any amount that cannot be absorbed by the guide section 23, the third guide section 26, and the oblique guide section 28 is captured in the liquid reservoir 24. Moreover, since the back side 20b of the protective cover 20 and the guide section 23 are separated from the insertion port 12 and the outer surface of the housing 101 of the measuring device 10 (see Figure 9), excess liquid sample 60 captured by the guide section 23, the third guide section 26, and the liquid reservoir 24 will not reach the insertion port 12 and the housing 101.

[0033] Furthermore, as shown in the front view of Figure 11, the second guide unit 25 can capture a certain amount of excess liquid sample 60 even on the front side of the protective cover 20.

[0034] Furthermore, the guide section 23, the second guide section 25, the third guide section 26, and the oblique guide section 28 can be configured not only in the gaps between the ribs as described above, but also by attaching a fibrous material capable of absorbing liquid samples to the corresponding positions.

[0035] As shown in the above embodiment, the measuring device 10 of this disclosure is equipped with a detachable protective cover 20. Therefore, if the protective cover 20 becomes contaminated with a sample, a new protective cover 20 can be attached, or it can be cleaned and then reattached.

[0036] In the above embodiment, the protective cover 20 was described as being attached to the end of the measuring device 10 such that the opening 22 is located above the insertion port 12 of the measuring device 10 in the vertical direction. However, the protective cover 20 is an optional part that can be freely attached to and detached from the measuring device 10. Therefore, in addition to the above embodiment, the opening 22 may be located below the insertion port 12. Also, the opening 22 and the insertion port 12 may be formed so that their lower edges are flush. Furthermore, as long as the protective cover 20 can perform its functions of guiding the liquid sample by capillary force and preventing liquid from entering the device, it is not limited to any other form of use of the protective cover 20. Also, when the protective cover 20 is fitted onto the measuring device 10 as in the above embodiment, the positional relationship between the opening 22 and the insertion port 12 can be appropriately set by adjusting the fitting angle and fitting position, and is not limited to a specific positional relationship. [Industrial applicability]

[0037] This invention can be used as a protective cover attached to measuring devices for measuring liquid samples such as blood and urine, including blood glucose meters. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0038] 10 Measuring device 12 Insertion port 12a Chamfer 13 Display unit 14 Biosensor housing unit 15 Terminals 20 Protective cover 20a Front side 20b Back side 21 Side guard 22 Opening 22a Front upper edge 22b Lower edge on the rear side 23 Guide section 23a Rib on the rear side 23b Gap 24 Liquid reservoir 25 Second guide section 25a Front rib 25b Gap 26 Third guide section 26a Upper rib 28 Oblique guide section 28a Oblique rib 28b Gap 29 Flange 50 Biosensor 51 Point attachment area 52 Electrode area 60 surplus liquid samples 101 Enclosure 102 Measuring instrument

Claims

1. A protective cover for a measuring device, The measuring device is equipped with an insertion port for inserting a biosensor on which a liquid sample is applied, The protective cover is curved so as to be concave on the back side to match the shape of the end of the measuring device where the insertion port is located, and has an opening through which the biosensor can be inserted. A guide portion is provided at the lower edge on the rear side of the opening, which guides the liquid sample by capillary force. The guide portion is composed of a plurality of ribs connected to the lower edge on the rear side of the opening, and the gaps between adjacent ribs. A protective cover in which the upper edges of the multiple ribs are flush with the lower edge on the rear side of the opening.

2. A protective cover for a measuring device, The measuring device is equipped with an insertion port for inserting a biosensor on which a liquid sample is applied, The protective cover is curved so as to be concave on the back side to match the shape of the end of the measuring device where the insertion port is located, and has an opening through which the biosensor can be inserted. A guide portion is provided at the lower edge on the rear side of the opening, which guides the liquid sample by capillary force. A protective cover having a second guide portion provided at the lower front edge of the opening, through which the liquid sample is guided by capillary force.

3. The protective cover according to claim 2, wherein the second guide portion is composed of a plurality of ribs connected to the lower front edge of the opening and gaps between adjacent ribs.

4. The protective cover according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the second guide portion protrudes forward from the opening.

5. A protective cover for a measuring device, The measuring device is equipped with an insertion port for inserting a biosensor on which a liquid sample is applied, The protective cover is curved so as to be concave on the back side to match the shape of the end of the measuring device where the insertion port is located, and has an opening through which the biosensor can be inserted. A guide portion is provided at the lower edge on the rear side of the opening, which guides the liquid sample by capillary force. A protective cover having oblique guide sections provided at both the left and right ends on the rear side of the opening, which guide the liquid sample by capillary force.

Images