Abstract: The timing of the reaction of moisture-sensitive reagents for detecting the presence of analytes, e.g. leukocytes in urine samples, is used to detect when the reagents have been compromised by excess humidity. The ratio of light reflectance at wavelengths characteristic of the products of reaction between the reagents and the analyte and an infra-red reference dye is measured at two preset times after a urine sample has been applied to a test strip and used to determine whether the reagents have been compromised by excessive humidity. The presence of unusually dark samples is determined from the reflected light at 470 and 625 nm in order to confirm that the test strips are humidity-compromised.

Abstract: Provided herein are color charts and water color pigment solutions useful, for example, in the calibration of reflectance-based diagnostic analyzers.

Abstract: Provided herein are color charts and water color pigment solutions useful, for example, in the calibration of reflectance-based diagnostic analyzers.

Abstract: Provided herein are color charts and water color pigment solutions useful, for example, in the calibration of reflectance-based diagnostic analyzers.

Abstract: The timing of the reaction of moisture-sensitive reagents for detecting the presence of analytes, e.g. leukocytes in urine samples, is used to detect when the reagents have been compromised by excess humidity. The ratio of light reflectance at wavelengths characteristic of the products of reaction between the reagents and the analyte and an infra-red reference dye is measured at two preset times after a urine sample has been applied to a test strip and used to determine whether the reagents have been compromised by excessive humidity. The presence of unusually dark samples is determined from the reflected light at 470 and 625 nm in order to confirm that the test strips are humidity-compromised.

Abstract: The timing of the reaction of moisture-sensitive reagents for detecting the presence of analytes, e.g. leukocytes in urine samples, is used to detect when the reagents have been compromised by excess humidity. The ratio of light reflectance at wavelengths characteristic of the products of reaction between the reagents and the analyte and an infra-red reference dye is measured at two preset times after a urine sample has been applied to a test strip and used to determine whether the reagents have been compromised by excessive humidity. The presence of unusually dark samples is determined from the reflected light at 470 and 625 nm in order to confirm that the test strips are humidity-compromised.

Abstract: Provided herein are color charts and water color pigment solutions useful, for example, in the calibration of reflectance-based diagnostic analyzers.

Abstract: The timing of the reaction of moisture-sensitive reagents for detecting the presence of analytes, e.g. leukocytes in urine samples, is used to detect when the reagents have been compromised by excess humidity. The ratio of light reflectance at wavelengths characteristic of the products of reaction between the reagents and the analyte and an infra-red reference dye is measured at two preset times after a urine sample has been applied to a test strip and used to determine whether the reagents have been compromised by excessive humidity. The presence of unusually dark samples is determined from the reflected light at 470 and 625 nm in order to confirm that the test strips are humidity-compromised.

Abstract: Sample media for the analysis of analytes in a fluid test sample includes a carrier, at least one test field on the surface of the carrier including at least one reagent reactive with the analytes and capable of providing a detectable response. A non-visible bar code formed by at least two distinct non-visible marker fields is located on the carrier. The marker fields are configured to reflect electro-magnetic (EM) radiation within one or more ranges of non-visible wavelengths to form a coded sequence of reflectances correlated to identification of the sample media.

Abstract: The timing of the reaction of moisture-sensitive reagents for detecting the presence of analytes, e.g. leukocytes in urine samples, is used to detect when the reagents have been compromised by excess humidity. The ratio of light reflectance at wavelengths characteristic of the products of reaction between the reagents and the analyte and an infra-red reference dye is measured at two preset times after a urine sample has been applied to a test strip and used to determine whether the reagents have been compromised by excessive humidity. The presence of unusually dark samples is determined from the reflected light at 470 and 625 nm in order to confirm that the test strips are humidity-compromised.

Abstract: The timing of the reaction of moisture-sensitive reagents for detecting the presence of analytes, e.g. leukocytes in urine samples, is used to detect when the reagents have been compromised by excess humidity. The ratio of light reflectance at wavelengths characteristic of the products of reaction between the reagents and the analyte and an infra-red reference dye is measured at two preset times after a urine sample has been applied to a test strip and used to determine whether the reagents have been compromised by excessive humidity. The presence of unusually dark samples is determined from the reflected light at 470 and 625 nm in order to confirm that the test strips are humidity-compromised.

Abstract: Biological fluid samples are deposited by methods that produce a uniform layer of the sample over a reagent-containing surface. In one embodiment, a nozzle having multiple openings is used to deposit a sample over the reagent-containing surface simultaneously. In an alternative embodiment, single droplets of the sample are deposited in a pattern on the surface, preferably in a sequence of parallel lines. The reaction between the biological sample and the reagents is read from a spectrographic image of the reagent-containing surface obtained by optical methods.

Abstract: Biological fluid samples are deposited by methods that produce a uniform layer of the sample over a reagent-containing surface. In one embodiment, a nozzle having multiple openings is used to deposit a sample over the reagent-containing surface simultaneously. In an alternative embodiment, single droplets of the sample are deposited in a pattern on the surface, preferably in a sequence of parallel lines. The reaction between the biological sample and the reagents is read from a spectrographic image of the reagent-containing surface obtained by optical methods.

Abstract: Biological fluid samples are deposited by methods that produce a uniform layer of the sample over a reagent-containing surface. In one embodiment, a nozzle having multiple openings is used to deposit a sample over the reagent-containing surface simultaneously. In an alternative embodiment, single droplets of the sample are deposited in a pattern on the surface, preferably in a sequence of parallel lines. The reaction between the biological sample and the reagents is read from a spectrographic image of the reagent-containing surface obtained by optical methods.

Abstract: The timing of the reaction of moisture-sensitive reagents for detecting the presence of analytes, e.g. leukocytes in urine samples, is used to detect when the reagents have been compromised by excess humidity. The ratio of light reflectance at wavelengths characteristic of the products of reaction between the reagents and the analyte and an infra-red reference dye is measured at two preset times after a urine sample has been applied to a test strip and used to determine whether the reagents have been compromised by excessive humidity. The presence of unusually dark samples is determined from the reflected light at 470 and 625 nm in order to confirm that the test strips are humidity-compromised.

Abstract: Migration of liquid samples on diagnostic test strips is prevented by dividing the test strips into reagent-containing pads spaced about 0.3 to 3 mm apart with a laser.

Abstract: A system for reading an assay includes a camera and a processor. The assay is used as a test for the presence or absence of a reaction between a sample and a reagent. The assay is defined by a test area and a background area. The test area is, preferably, substantially circular with a diameter between about 0.1 mm and about 5 mm. The camera simultaneously captures a two-dimensional image of the test area and the background area. The processor determines a first color response from the background area and a second color response from the test area. The processor then calibrates the second color response according to the first color response and generates a result of the test according to the second color response. The system may also include a uniform field illuminator that provides a substantially uniform level of illumination across the assay.

Abstract: A system and method of correcting reflectance comprises determining a reflectance constant for a test product at a first wavelength for which reflectance does not substantially change with the presence of a test substance, with the test product loaded with the test substance, determining a reflectance at a second wavelength for which signal-to-noise ratio is maximized and determining a measured reflectance at the first wavelength, and determining a corrected reflectance as the product of the reflectance with a ratio of the reflectance constant to the measured reflectance.

Abstract: Identifying a test product having a test region includes impinging on the test region a set of test signals at known test wavelengths. An image of the test region is generated from the reflected signals. The image is comprised of a set of reflectance values that are compared against reference reflectance values at the test signal wavelengths to determine the test product type.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for determining the concentration of an analyte in a sample of body fluid. The method involves contacting the body fluid sample with a test strip containing mobile, labeled specific binding partner for the analyte, through which strip the test fluid, analyte and any complex formed by interaction of the analyte and labeled specific binding partner therefore can flow by capillarity. The strip contains at least one zone for capture of the labeled specific binding partner and at least one separate zone for retention of the analyte/labeled specific binding partner complex. By determining the magnitude of the signal from the detectable label in the capture zone(s) and retention zone(s) and determining a final response signal by correlating signals using an algorithm and number of zones chosen in a manner that provides a final response signal best suited for the particular assay, the concentration of the analyte can be determined with greater precision.