Abstract: Absorbance spectroscopy methods and systems are disclosed including a spectroscopy analyzer, comprising: an optical element device positioned to receive an analysis light that passes through a sample of a fluid specimen from an illumination unit, the analysis light including first light in a first light range and second light in a second light range different than the first light range, the optical element device comprising: a housing assembly that defines an internal space; and a dichroic mirror-reflector within the internal space positioned to receive the analysis light, the dichroic mirror-reflector configured to filter the analysis light such that a first portion of the analysis light in the first light range is reflected off the dichroic mirror-reflector as a spectrometer light, and such that a second portion of the analysis light in the second light range passes through the dichroic mirror-reflector as a detector light.

Abstract: Analyzers and methods of use are disclosed, including a blood analyzer comprising a light source to transmit an optical signal; a detector to generate data indicative of optical signal intensity; a transparent sample vessel between the light source and the detector; a dispensing device to pass a first portion of the blood sample comprising whole blood or lysed blood into the vessel at a first instance of time, and to pass a plasma portion of the blood sample into the vessel at a second instance of time; a controller to cause a processor to obtain first and second data generated by the detector, the first data indicative of the optical signal passing through the first portion of the blood sample and the second data indicative of the optical signal passing through the plasma, to determine a total absorbance spectrum in which the first data is adjusted by the second data.

Abstract: A lysis device including a sample vessel, at least one piezo element, and a controller is disclosed. The sample vessel has a microchannel formed therein. The sample vessel has at least one port extending through a surface to the microchannel. The piezo element is attached to the surface of the sample vessel. The controller has logic to cause the controller to emit a first signal including a series of frequencies to the at least one piezo element to cause the at least one piezo element to generate ultrasonic acoustic standing waves in the sample vessel, to receive a second signal indicative of measured vibration signals from the sample vessel detected by the at least one piezo element, and to determine a resonant frequency of the sample vessel using the measured vibration signals.

Abstract: An illumination unit is described that includes a first light source positioned on a first axis and a second light source on a second axis that intersects and is angularly offset with respect to the first axis. The illumination unit includes a reflector having an aperture through which the first axis extends and a reflective surface angled with respect to the first axis and second axis.

Abstract: An illumination unit is described that includes a first light source positioned on a first axis and a second light source on a second axis that intersects and is angularly offset with respect to the first axis. The illumination unit includes a reflector having an aperture through which the first axis extends and a reflective surface angled with respect to the first axis and second axis.

Abstract: An illumination unit is described that includes a first light source positioned on a first axis and a second light source on a second axis that intersects and is angularly offset with respect to the first axis. The illumination unit includes a reflector having an aperture through which the first axis extends and a reflective surface angled with respect to the first axis and second axis.

Abstract: This invention includes a chromatographic assay device for detecting the presence of free hemoglobin in a whole blood sample. The device comprising a chromatographic detection pad with a sample application site and a detection side. The chromatographic detection pad defines a path for capillary fluid flow. The chromatographic detection pad has a pore size. The sample application site on the chromatographic detection pad is for application of a portion of the whole blood sample. The detection site on the chromatographic detection pad is spaced apart from the application site and is downstream of the sample application site. The chromatographic detection pad is devoid of a compound located downstream of the application site that is reactive to the whole blood sample. The invention also includes a medical diagnostics device for use with the chromatographic assay device, as well as methods of using the chromatographic assay device and/or medical diagnostics device.

Abstract: An illumination unit is described that includes a first light source positioned on a first axis and a second light source on a second axis that intersects and is angularly offset with respect to the first axis. The illumination unit includes a reflector having an aperture through which the first axis extends and a reflective surface angled with respect to the first axis and second axis.

Abstract: A sensor assembly has a substrate with a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, at least one analyte sensor positioned on at least one of the first surface and the second surface of the substrate, and at least one electrical contact positioned on the substrate in electrical communication with a corresponding one of the at least one analyte sensor. The substrate is configured to define a tube having an interior surface, and an exterior surface. At least a portion of the first surface of the substrate defines the interior surface of the tube, and the at least one analyte sensor is disposed on at least one of the interior surface and the exterior surface of the tube.

Abstract: A sensor assembly has a substrate with a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, at least one analyte sensor positioned on at least one of the first surface and the second surface of the substrate, and at least one electrical contact positioned on the substrate in electrical communication with a corresponding one of the at least one analyte sensor. The substrate is configured to define a tube having an interior surface, and an exterior surface. At least a portion of the first surface of the substrate defines the interior surface of the tube, and the at least one analyte sensor is disposed on at least one of the interior surface and the exterior surface of the tube.

Abstract: A shutter assembly includes a first shutter blade having a first toothed arm extending therefrom and a first light transmitting aperture therein, and a second shutter blade positioned adjacent and parallel to the first shutter blade. The second shutter blade has a second toothed arm extending therefrom and a second light transmitting aperture therein. The first and second shutter blades are supported to allow parallel linear motion. A motor gear is disposed between, and meshed with, the first and second toothed arms such that rotation of the gear causes the first and second shutter blades to move linearly in opposite directions between an open position in which the first and second light transmitting apertures are in an overlapping relationship with respect to one another, and a closed position in which the first and second light transmitting apertures are in a non-overlapping relationship with respect to one another.

Abstract: A shutter assembly includes a first shutter blade having a first toothed arm extending therefrom and a first light transmitting aperture therein, and a second shutter blade positioned adjacent and parallel to the first shutter blade. The second shutter blade has a second toothed arm extending therefrom and a second light transmitting aperture therein. The first and second shutter blades are supported to allow parallel linear motion. A motor gear is disposed between, and meshed with, the first and second toothed arms such that rotation of the gear causes the first and second shutter blades to move linearly in opposite directions between an open position in which the first and second light transmitting apertures are in an overlapping relationship with respect to one another, and a closed position in which the first and second light transmitting apertures are in a non-overlapping relationship with respect to one another.

Abstract: A shutter assembly includes a first shutter blade having a first toothed arm extending therefrom and a first light transmitting aperture therein, and a second shutter blade positioned adjacent and parallel to the first shutter blade. The second shutter blade has a second toothed arm extending therefrom and a second light transmitting aperture therein. The first and second shutter blades are supported to allow parallel linear motion. A motor gear is disposed between, and meshed with, the first and second toothed arms such that rotation of the gear causes the first and second shutter blades to move linearly in opposite directions between an open position in which the first and second light transmitting apertures are in an overlapping relationship with respect to one another, and a closed position in which the first and second light transmitting apertures are in a non-overlapping relationship with respect to one another.

Abstract: In one aspect, the inventive concepts disclosed herein are directed to a chromatographic assay device for detecting the presence of free hemoglobin in a whole blood sample. The device comprising a chromatographic detection pad with a sample application site and a detection side. The chromatographic detection pad defines a path for capillary fluid flow. The chromatographic detection pad has a pore size. The sample application site on the chromatographic detection pad is for application of a portion of the whole blood sample. The detection site on the chromatographic detection pad is spaced apart from the application site and is downstream of the sample application site. The chromatographic detection pad is devoid of a compound located downstream of the application site that is reactive to the whole blood sample.

Abstract: A sample analyzer has an illuminator for illuminating an assay sample to cause luminescence, and a support for a sample vessel containing the assay sample. The support is adapted to position the assay sample proximate the illuminator. A detector is positioned along an optical axis extending from the illuminator, through the positioned assay sample, to the detector, so as to detect the luminescence from the assay sample. A reflector is removably disposed between the illuminator and the assay sample so as to reflect a portion of the luminescence back through the positioned assay sample toward the detector.

Abstract: A sample analyzer has an illuminator for illuminating an assay sample to cause luminescence, and a support for a sample vessel containing the assay sample. The support is adapted to position the assay sample proximate the illuminator. A detector is positioned along an optical axis extending from the illuminator, through the positioned assay sample, to the detector, so as to detect the luminescence from the assay sample. A reflector is removably disposed between the illuminator and the assay sample so as to reflect a portion of the luminescence back through the positioned assay sample toward the detector.

Abstract: A shutter assembly includes a first shutter blade having a first toothed arm extending therefrom and a first light transmitting aperture therein, and a second shutter blade positioned adjacent and parallel to the first shutter blade. The second shutter blade has a second toothed arm extending therefrom and a second light transmitting aperture therein. The first and second shutter blades are supported to allow parallel linear motion. A motor gear is disposed between, and meshed with, the first and second toothed arms such that rotation of the gear causes the first and second shutter blades to move linearly in opposite directions between an open position in which the first and second light transmitting apertures are in an overlapping relationship with respect to one another, and a closed position in which the first and second light transmitting apertures are in a non-overlapping relationship with respect to one another.

Abstract: A sensor assembly has a substrate with a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, at least one analyte sensor positioned on at least one of the first surface and the second surface of the substrate, and at least one electrical contact positioned on the substrate in electrical communication with a corresponding one of the at least one analyte sensor. The substrate is configured to define a tube having an interior surface, and an exterior surface. At least a portion of the first surface of the substrate defines the interior surface of the tube, and the at least one analyte sensor is disposed on at least one of the interior surface and the exterior surface of the tube.

Abstract: A device including an optical reader, a first light source, and a second light source. The optical reader has a field of view comprising a first surface point and a second surface point horizontally offset from the first surface point along the field of view. The first light source is positioned a first distance from the first surface point. The first light source is operably connected to a first control channel and has a first luminous output. The second light source is positioned a second distance from the second surface point and has a second luminous output. The first distance is different from the second distance, and the first luminous output is different from the second luminous output such that the illumination at the first surface point is substantially equivalent to the illumination at the second surface point of the field of view.