Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling auto-exposure settings of a mobile device when capturing an image of a color reference card and of a test field. Provided are a color reference card and an optical test strip having the test field with a sample applied thereto. The color reference card has different color reference fields having known reference color values and one or more gray background fields having defined gray values. An exposure metering area is set and auto-exposure settings are determined based on a scene in the exposure metering area. The scene has at least part of the test field and at least part of the different color reference fields and the one or more gray background fields. The camera captures an image of the scene using the determined auto-exposure settings. A method of determining concentration of analyte in a sample by using a mobile device is also disclosed.

Abstract: This disclosure concerns a method and a system for quality evaluation of a handheld analytical device, wherein the device is operable by a human user in a sequence of handling steps to test an analyte in a sample fluid applied on a test element, the method comprising the steps of (a) programming a handling cycle for a robot having at least one robot arm in order to mimic the sequence of handling steps, (b) operating the device in at least one handling cycle by means of the robot, (c) monitoring the operation in step (b) by a control unit to evaluate at least one parameter influencing the quality of the device.

Abstract: This disclosure concerns a method and a system for quality evaluation of a handheld analytical device, wherein the device is operable by a human user in a sequence of handling steps to test an analyte in a sample fluid applied on a test element, the method comprising the steps of (a) programming a handling cycle for a robot having at least one robot arm in order to mimic the sequence of handling steps, (b) operating the device in at least one handling cycle by means of the robot, (c) monitoring the operation in step (b) by a control unit to evaluate at least one parameter influencing the quality of the device.

Abstract: This disclosure concerns a method and a system for quality evaluation of a handheld analytical device, wherein the device is operable by a human user in a sequence of handling steps to test an analyte in a sample fluid applied on a test element, the method comprising the steps of (a) programming a handling cycle for a robot having at least one robot arm in order to mimic the sequence of handling steps, (b) operating the device in at least one handling cycle by means of the robot, (c) monitoring the operation in step (b) by a control unit to evaluate at least one parameter influencing the quality of the device.

Abstract: This disclosure concerns a method and a system for quality evaluation of a handheld analytical device, wherein the device is operable by a human user in a sequence of handling steps to test an analyte in a sample fluid applied on a test element, the method comprising the steps of (a) programming a handling cycle for a robot having at least one robot arm in order to mimic the sequence of handling steps, (b) operating the device in at least one handling cycle by means of the robot, (c) monitoring the operation in step (b) by a control unit to evaluate at least one parameter influencing the quality of the device.

Abstract: This disclosure concerns a method and a system for quality evaluation of a handheld analytical device, wherein the device is operable by a human user in a sequence of handling steps to test an analyte in a sample fluid applied on a test element, the method comprising the steps of (a) programming a handling cycle for a robot having at least one robot arm in order to mimic the sequence of handling steps, (b) operating the device in at least one handling cycle by means of the robot, (c) monitoring the operation in step (b) by a control unit to evaluate at least one parameter influencing the quality of the device.

Abstract: A test tape cassette is disclosed that includes a cassette housing and an analytical test tape. The test tape includes a plurality of analytical test elements, a spreading fabric for applying a body fluid, and an underlying reagent layer for detecting an analyte in the body fluid. The cassette housing has an application tip that has a guide path extending longitudinally to the test tape in an arched-shape and is uncurved at right angles thereto for supporting the test tape in a kink-free manner. The guide path has an apex area with a central opening that delimits a measuring window for an optical measurement on the test elements.

Abstract: A system and method of use is provided, relating to an analytical system in which a disposable unit configured to contain a plurality of test strips is inserted into a hand-held device, the test strips being successively presented at a measuring position by a drive provided with the device, wherein after a disposable unit is removed and replaced, the drive is activated to position the test strip that is first in order at the measuring position and it is determined whether the test strip is present, and if the first test strip is not present, the test strip that was presented last when the device was actuated is again positioned at the measuring position.

Abstract: A method for producing an analytical consumable is proposed. The analytical consumable comprises at least one carrier and at least one analytical aid connected to the carrier. At least one optically sensitive material is applied to the carrier, said material being designed to carry out at least one optically detectable alteration in the event of action of an electromagnetic radiation. In at least one coding step, at least one function information item about the analytical consumable is introduced into the optically sensitive material by means of electromagnetic radiation. The function information item is designed to enable at least one analytical instrument to use the analytical consumable correctly.

Abstract: A method for producing an analysis tape for fluid samples, in particular body fluids, is proposed. In the method, diagnostic auxiliary labels are transferred to a carrier tape, wherein at least one vacuum roller is used for the transfer of the diagnostic auxiliary labels. The diagnostic auxiliary labels are detected on the vacuum roller. At least one tape position of the carrier tape is furthermore detected. The transfer of the auxiliary labels to the carrier tape is effected in accordance with the detected auxiliary labels and the tape position.

Abstract: A test tape cassette is disclosed that includes a cassette housing and an analytical test tape. The test tape includes a plurality of analytical test elements, a spreading fabric for applying a body fluid, and an underlying reagent layer for detecting an analyte in the body fluid. The cassette housing has an application tip that has a guide path extending longitudinally to the test tape in an arched-shape and is uncurved at right angles thereto for supporting the test tape in a kink-free manner. The guide path has an apex area with a central opening that delimits a measuring window for an optical measurement on the test elements.

Abstract: Methods of producing an analysis spreading layer for absorbing a liquid to be analyzed, by: supplying a porous membrane having a bottom, a top and a thickness D, the size of the pores of the membrane increasing over its thickness D; cutting the membrane at a predefined distance, the spreading layer being a sublayer with a thickness d less than the starting thickness D, the pores of the spreading layer having a fluid connection to one another in such a manner that it is permeable to a liquid. The membrane surface is formed by removing a sublayer of the membrane being the liquid outlet side of the spreading layer. The mean size of the pores on the liquid outlet side is at least 1 ?m.

Abstract: A method for producing an analytical consumable is proposed. The analytical consumable comprises at least one carrier and at least one analytical aid connected to the carrier. At least one optically sensitive material is applied to the carrier, said material being designed to carry out at least one optically detectable alteration in the event of action of an electromagnetic radiation. In at least one coding step, at least one function information item about the analytical consumable is introduced into the optically sensitive material by means of electromagnetic radiation. The function information item is designed to enable at least one analytical instrument to use the analytical consumable correctly.

Abstract: A method for producing an analysis tape for fluid samples, in particular body fluids, is proposed. In the method, diagnostic auxiliary labels are transferred to a carrier tape, wherein at least one vacuum roller is used for the transfer of the diagnostic auxiliary labels. The diagnostic auxiliary labels are detected on the vacuum roller. At least one tape position of the carrier tape is furthermore detected. The transfer of the auxiliary labels to the carrier tape is effected in accordance with the detected auxiliary labels and the tape position.

Abstract: Methods of producing an analysis spreading layer for absorbing a liquid to be analyzed, by: supplying a porous membrane having a bottom, a top and a thickness D, the size of the pores of the membrane increasing over its thickness D; cutting the membrane at a predefined distance, the spreading layer being a sublayer with a thickness d less than the starting thickness D, the pores of the spreading layer having a fluid connection to one another in such a manner that it is permeable to a liquid. The membrane surface is formed by removing a sublayer of the membrane being the liquid outlet side of the spreading layer. The mean size of the pores on the liquid outlet side is at least 1 ?m.

Abstract: A method for producing an analytical consumable is proposed. The analytical consumable comprises at least one carrier and at least one analytical aid connected to the carrier. At least one optically sensitive material is applied to the carrier, said material being designed to carry out at least one optically detectable alteration in the event of action of an electromagnetic radiation. In at least one coding step, at least one function information item about the analytical consumable is introduced into the optically sensitive material by means of electromagnetic radiation. The function information item is designed to enable at least one analytical instrument to use the analytical consumable correctly.

Abstract: A system and method of use is provided, relating to an analytical system in which a disposable unit configured to contain a plurality of test strips is inserted into a hand-held device, the test strips being successively presented at a measuring position by a drive provided with the device, wherein after a disposable unit is removed and replaced, the drive is activated to position the test strip that is first in order at the measuring position and it is determined whether the test strip is present, and if the first test strip is not present, the test strip that was presented last when the device was actuated is again positioned at the measuring position.

Abstract: The invention relates to embodiments of a method and a system for monitoring the correct positioning of a test element in a test element receptacle of an analysis unit, the test element carrying a sample to be analyzed by the analysis unit. Using a delimiting element, responsive signals resulting from irradiating an analysis region on the test element are effectively prevented from impinging upon a signal detector when the analysis region is in an incorrect position relative to the analysis unit. The delimiting element is provided with a light-opaque region and a light-transmissive region, and the light-opaque region is positioned such that responsive signals impinge upon it rather than the light-transmissive region when the analysis region is in an incorrect position.

Abstract: The invention relates to embodiments of a method and a system for monitoring the correct positioning of a test element in a test element receptacle of an analysis unit, the test element carrying a sample to be analyzed by the analysis unit. Using a delimiting element, responsive signals resulting from irradiating an analysis region on the test element are effectively prevented from impinging upon a signal detector when the analysis region is in an incorrect position relative to the analysis unit. The delimiting element is provided with a light-opaque region and a light-transmissive region, and the light-opaque region is positioned such that responsive signals impinge upon it rather than the light-transmissive region when the analysis region is in an incorrect position.

Abstract: The invention concerns an analytical test element for the determination of an analyte in a liquid containing an inert carrier, a detection element and a channel capable of capillary liquid transport which has a sample application opening at one end and a vent opening at the other end of the channel capable of capillary liquid transport, wherein the channel capable of capillary liquid transport is formed at least partially by the carrier and the detection element and extends in the direction of capillary transport from the sample application opening at least to the edge of the detection test element that is nearest to the vent opening and wherein a notch is located in one of the surfaces forming the channel capable of capillary liquid transport at the edge of the test element forming the sample application opening so that one side of the edge of the test element forming the sample application opening is at least partially discontinuous and the surface opposite to the notch is exposed.