Abstract: A system for operating at least first and second amperometric sensors includes a cartridge and a control device. The cartridge includes a first amperometric sensor and a second amperometric sensor. The first amperometric sensor is in fluid flow communication with a liquid sample inlet and includes a first electrode. The second amperometric sensor is in fluid flow communication with a liquid sample and includes a second electrode. The control device sets the first and second electrodes to about the same potential such that the first and second amperometric sensors can be operated simultaneously.

Abstract: A cartridge for analyzing a bodily fluid for use with an analytical device includes a base structure, a sensor arrangement, a pump arrangement, and a pump control arrangement configured to selectively operate the pump when the cartridge is operatively positioned in the analytical device. A system for analyzing a bodily fluid includes an analytical device with a cartridge-receiving receptacle and a cartridge operatively and removably mounted in the cartridge-receiving receptacle. The cartridge includes a sensor arrangement and a pump. The analytical device includes a pump control arrangement to selectively operate the pump. A method of analyzing bodily fluid includes inserting a cartridge into an analytical device, dispensing a sample into the cartridge, sensing the fluid with the cartridge, and allowing the analytical device to automatically pump a calibration fluid over sensors in the cartridge.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring conductance are provided. The method and apparatus are particularly well adapted for use with a removable or replaceable cartridge in a blood analysis system. The apparatus generally involves providing a system having a first, unfiltered, conductance measurement cell and a second, filtered, conductance measurement cell. The preferred method involves relating values measured in the two cells for a whole blood sample and for a known calibrant together, to obtain a value, for example hematocrit, for the unknown whole blood sample.

Abstract: An analytical test cartridge is provided. The analytical test cartridge can be used for medical analyses of liquid samples removed from a patient, for example blood. The analytical test cartridge is configured to provide for titration experiments. An example of a titration experiment that can be performed with the arrangement, is titration of heparin with protamine. Methods of assembly and use are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for determining the coagulation propensity of blood wherein a condition in a portion of a blood sample is assessed and related to the onset of coagulation. Apparatus for performing the method is encompassed by the invention.

Abstract: A portable device that includes a plurality of test modules for analyzing preselected concentrations of various body fluids of a patient. The portable diagnostic device interfaces and utilizes disposable cartridges and reagent diagnostic test strips and other fluid sample diagnostic devices to determine the amounts of preselected parameters in a patient's blood through either electrochemical, electrical, optical, or mechanical analysis. The disposable fluid sample diagnostic devices may include sample chambers with inlet ports, electrical, physical, or chemical sensors, in situ calibration media, a plurality of electrical interface terminals, and temperature control elements. An electrical interface interconnects the various test modules with one or more corresponding integrated circuits which in turn are electrically coupled to a common interactive display, printer, power supply, and communication ports.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling the concentration of one or more gaseous species of interest in a fluid reference medium throughout a range of temperatures in which a temperature related, dominant independent source of the gaseous species of interest is used to control the partial pressure of one or more gaseous species of interest contained in the reference medium in a manner such that the concentration of the gaseous species of interest in the reference medium is controlled as a predetermined, normally generally linear, function of temperature, f(T), over the temperature range. The source of the one or more gaseous species of interest is a separate reservoir containing an amount of a formulated temperature sensitive source of the one or more gaseous species of interest. The reference medium and the reservoir are contained in separate liquid-tight, gas-permeable enclosures contained in a common substantially gas-tight enclosure.

Abstract: A portable clinical system for providing a rapid electrochemical analysis of biological sera of interest at the point-of-care using a portable analyzer unit and a multi-sensor electrochemical plug-in cartridge analyzing system is disclosed which features a plug-in module including a reusable sensor cartridge having an inlet port for receiving a sample, an outlet drain port and array of self-calibrating electrochemical sensors, a plurality of electrical interfaced terminals for interfacing with the portable analyzer unit. An integral flushing system is provided for cleaning and allowing recalibration of the sensor between sample analyses. Connection devices on the analyzer unit and plug-in multi-use test module are provided for removably attaching the module to the analyzer unit. The connection devices are configured to receive a single-use sensor cartridge interchangeably and without modification with said plug-in multi-use test module.

Abstract: A device and method for testing and monitoring, either manually or automatically, the performance of various components electrically linked to the electronic circuitry of a diagnostic instrument. Components of the electrical circuitry, including potentiometric operational amplifiers and a multi-channel connector, are tested for leakage current, A/D reference voltage, edge connector contact resistance and background noise.

Abstract: A disposable, vented capillary draw device is described that is also capable of use for the syringe pressurized dispensing of liquid benignly drawn. The system includes a vented capillary collection tube for drawing liquid samples by capillary rise in a bubble-free manner. A reversible, positive vent shut-off is provided to help contain the drawn material in the capillary. A reciprocating, loose fitting, syringe plunger arrangement is also provided attached to and operable in the capillary tube. Initial axial displacement of the plunger in the capillary toward the open end is used to initially operate the vent seal or positive vent shut-off device to close the vent and, upon further advancement of the plunger, the plunger forces the liquid material back out of the draw tube.

Abstract: A reference electrode system for a disposable test cell which provides both a reference electrical potential and a liquid junction between the reference medium and an analytic or sample medium to which a sample is introduced to be tested includes a substrate carrying and supporting a thin metallic electrode layer, an hydrophilic medium overlays the electrodes, a portion connecting the metallic layer and the sample conducting medium to provide an electrical connection and free diffusion liquid junction with the sample medium, a liquid impermeable dielectric barrier layer sealing all but a selected, relatively minor portion of the hydrophilic medium exposed to contact the analytic medium. Electrolyte salts introduced into the free diffusion channel control both the reference electrode potential and the junction potential.

Abstract: A gaseous oxygen electrochemical sensing system sustains inter-electrode ionic conductivity by the use of a combination of an hydrophilic coating layer on a gas-permeable barrier or separation membrane to supply sufficient moisture to the electrolyte of an electrode system to activate the sensor and sustain proper operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus which contemplates coverage control, and collateral containment of calibration media with respect to diverse electrodes in a flow-through calibration and measurement cell during storage and sensor calibration and in which the calibration media are displaced by the entry of a subsequent sample to be tested. The system is associated with a disposable cartridge insertable into a portable instrument that contains all of the electronics and other end support equipment associated with automated calibration and sample measurement.

Abstract: An accurate, low cost temperature control system for a disposable cartridge carrying including a sample chamber for a portable medical diagnostic device or other electrochemical analytical device is disclosed. The disposable cartridge may include its own heating element on a sensor chip and plugs into a terminal which contains electrical input/output connections. The outer surface of the chip is exposed. A remote temperature sensor which senses the temperature of the outer surface of the chip of the measuring cell and generates a control signal which is used with conventional temperature control circuitry as the basis for thermostatic control of the cell temperature.

Abstract: A multi-phase control and/or calibration system consists of a liquid phase containing an amount of dissolved oxygen (O.sub.2) in which the O.sub.2 partial pressure is made relatively temperature insensitive over an ambient temperature range of interest, and an amount of dissolved carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) and one or more solute species that provide temperature stability with respect to the partial pressure of CO.sub.2 over the ambient temperature range of interest. The liquid phase is in equilibrium with a vapor phase and the system sealed with a storage atmosphere.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling the concentration of one or more gaseous species of interest in a sample medium throughout a range of temperatures in which a temperature related, time variable dominant independent source of the gaseous species of interest is used to control the partial pressure of one or more gaseous species of interest contained in the sample medium in a manner such that the concentration of the gaseous species of interest in the sample medium remains essentially the same over the temperature range. The source of the gaseous species of interest comprises a reservoir containing an amount of a temperature sensitive source of the gaseous species of interest. The sample and the reservoir are contained in separate fluid-tight, gas-permeable enclosures further confined by a common substantially gas-tight enclosure.