Abstract: A bodily fluid analyzer including a dry test strip impregnated with a reagent providing a non-precipitating reaction to exclude non-desired analytes. The reagent complexes the non-desired analytes so they remain in solution but cannot participate in the test reaction. Red blood cells are removed from the detection area by slowing their vertical movement and stopping flow when the detection membrane is saturated.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a test strip for testing for cholesterol-related blood analytes in whole blood includes a red blood cell separation layer, the red blood cell separation layer separating red blood cells from a blood sample applied to the test strip as the blood sample flows downward through the red blood cell separation layer. The test strip further includes a reaction layer receiving the blood sample from the red blood cell separation layer, the reaction layer including POE-POP-POE block copolymer, a surfactant, and a reflectivity changing reactant, the POE-POP-POE block copolymers solubilizing essentially only non-LDL cholesterol analytes, the non-LDL cholesterol analytes reacting with the reflectivity changing reactant in order to change a reflectivity of the blood sample.

Abstract: A method of determining concentrations of a plurality of analytes from a single blood sample placed in a single opening. A portion of the single blood sample is absorbed by a test matrix that includes a plurality of layers and a chromogenic agent. A colored response is generated by the test matrix. The colored response is proportional to the concentration of a first analyte. A portion of the single blood sample is drawn into a capillary tube and placed in contact with an electrode and a counter-electrode. An electrical property of the single blood sample is analyzed through the electrode and counter-electrode. The electrical property is proportional to the concentration of a second analyte in the single blood sample.

Abstract: A dry test strip assembly includes: a carrier base having a test port and a well adapted for receiving a dry test strip element, and a cover having a sample opening. The cover can be snapped onto the base with the sample opening aligned over the test port and with a test strip element compressed between the base and cover. A maximum dry test strip compression stop controls the maximum compression on the dry test strip, and a minimum dry test strip compression stop controls the minimum compression on the dry test strip. A rib between two test ports prevents fluid flow in the dry test strip element from one side of the rib to another, thereby separating the test strip element into a plurality of separate fluid compartments. A manufacturing system efficiently assembles the dry test strip assembly without handling by humans.

Abstract: A method of determining concentrations of a plurality of analytes from a single blood sample placed in a single opening. A portion of the single blood sample is absorbed by a test matrix that includes a plurality of layers and a chromogenic agent. A colored response is generated by the test matrix. The colored response is proportional to the concentration of a first analyte. A portion of the single blood sample is drawn into a capillary tube and placed in contact with an electrode and a counter-electrode. An electrical property of the single blood sample is analyzed through the electrode and counter-electrode. The electrical property is proportional to the concentration of a second analyte in the single blood sample.

Abstract: Comprehensive health analysis and reporting system that writes patient data, including patient identification information, test results, diagnostic information, and diagnostic results to various storage systems. The computer station establishes a network connection with a health report server, downloads patient data to the health report server which prepares a comprehensive report, and the report is transmitted back to the computer station where it may be distributed to the patient.

Abstract: There is a dry test strip holder having a test port and a retainer defining a well about the test port, and a sheet of test strip material. A test element that is 50% or less greater than the size of the test port is cut from the sheet using a die and punch. The punch drives the test element through a channel in the die while the cone-shaped outer surface of the die spreads the retainer, allowing the test element to drop into the well. A cap is snapped over the retainer to capture the test element.

Abstract: A dry test strip layer for filtering red blood cells includes a Borosilicate Glass Fiber layer and lectin, impregnated in the borosilicate layer, such that the dry test strip is configured to filter red blood cells from a blood sample.

Abstract: A health monitoring and diagnostic device (LIFESTREAM cholesterol meter) configured as a self-contained testing and diagnostic unit in a clam-shell type case. One side of the case includes a spring-loaded finger stick and a compartment for carrying one or more packages of disposable items including a test strip, a needle for the finger stick, and an alcohol swipe. The other half of the case includes a test strip reader, a key pad, and a liquid crystal display. The meter reads a test strip carrying a droplet of blood and receives additional diagnostic information from the patient, such as age, gender, weight, and family history of heart disease. Within minutes, the meter displays test results, including total cholesterol levels. The meter also displays additional diagnostic results, such as the patient's “cardiac age,” recommended weight loss, and a cardiac risk assessment. The meter also works in connection with a network-based comprehensive health analysis and reporting system.

Abstract: A health monitoring and diagnostic device (LIFESTREAM cholesterol meter) configured as a self-contained testing and diagnostic unit in a clam-shell type case. One side of the case includes a spring-loaded finger stick and a compartment for carrying one or more packages of disposable items including a test strip, a needle for the finger stick, and an alcohol swipe. The other half of the case includes a test strip reader, a key pad, and a liquid crystal display. The meter reads a test strip carrying a droplet of blood and receives additional diagnostic information from the patient, such as age, gender, weight, and family history of heart disease. Within minutes, the meter displays test results, including total cholesterol levels. The meter also displays additional diagnostic results, such as the patient's “cardiac age,” recommended weight loss, and a cardiac risk assessment. The meter also works in connection with a network-based comprehensive health analysis and reporting system.

Abstract: An on-site healthcare diagnostic device containing a blood pressure monitor and one or more test strip readers, such as a blood sugar or cholesterol test strip reader. The on-site device may be deployed as a special purpose unit or through accessories used in connection with a general purpose computer. In the special purpose unit, the on-site device includes a pump and control electronics for the blood pressure monitor and at least one test strip reader carried by an integral housing that also carries a display device and user interface, such as a three-button keypad, for operating the device. The on-site device may be expanded to accommodate external test strip readers and other diagnostic devices connected through one or more universal data ports.

Abstract: A plurality of different types of dry strips are packaged in a single-user container. Strip-specific scheduling information for using the dry test strips is placed either in or on the container. The scheduling information may be provided to the packager by a physician and may be stored on an electronically or optically readable storage device packaged with the test strips. The storage device may be a memory, which memory may be inserted into a dry test strip reader and the scheduling information may be communicated to the user either visually or audibly.

Abstract: There is a dry test strip holder having a test port and a retainer defining a well about the test port, and a sheet of test strip material. A test element that is 50% or less greater than the size of the test port is cut from the sheet using a die and punch. The punch drives the test element through a channel in the die while the cone-shaped outer surface of the die spreads the retainer, allowing the test element to drop into the well. A cap is snapped over the retainer to capture the test element.

Abstract: A health monitoring and diagnostic device (LIFESTREAM cholesterol meter) configured as a self-contained testing and diagnostic unit in a clam-shell type case. One side of the case includes a spring-loaded finger stick and a compartment for carrying one or more packages of disposable items including a test strip, a needle for the finger stick, and an alcohol swipe. The other half of the case includes a test strip reader, a key pad, and a liquid crystal display. The meter reads a test strip carrying a droplet of blood and receives additional diagnostic information from the patient, such as age, gender, weight, and family history of heart disease. Within minutes, the meter displays test results, including total cholesterol levels. The meter also displays additional diagnostic results, such as the patient's “cardiac age,” recommended weight loss, and a cardiac risk assessment. The meter also works in connection with a network-based comprehensive health analysis and reporting system.

Abstract: A health monitoring and diagnostic device (LIFESTREAM cholesterol meter) configured as a self-contained testing and diagnostic unit in a clam-shell type case. One side of the case includes a spring-loaded finger stick and a compartment for carrying one or more packages of disposable items including a test strip, a needle for the finger stick, and an alcohol swipe. The other half of the case includes a test strip reader, a key pad, and a liquid crystal display. The meter reads a test strip carrying a droplet of blood and receives additional diagnostic information from the patient, such as age, gender, weight, and family history of heart disease. Within minutes, the meter displays test results, including total cholesterol levels. The meter also displays additional diagnostic results, such as the patient's “cardiac age,” recommended weight loss, and a cardiac risk assessment. The meter also works in connection with a network-based comprehensive health analysis and reporting system.

Abstract: A bodily fluid analyzer including a dry test strip impregnated with a reagent providing a non-precipitating reaction to exclude non-desired analytes. The reagent complexes the non-desired analytes so they remain in solution but cannot participate in the test reaction. Red blood cells are removed from the detection area by slowing their vertical movement and stopping flow when the detection membrane is saturated.

Abstract: A bodily fluid analyzer including a dry test strip impregnated with a reagent providing a non-precipitating reaction to exclude non-desired analytes. The reagent complexes the non-desired analytes so they remain in solution but cannot participate in the test reaction. Red blood cells are removed from the detection area by slowing their vertical movement and stopping flow when the detection membrane is saturated.

Abstract: A multilayer test strip that measures concentrations of multiple analytes from a single whole blood sample. The test strip includes a test matrix of several layers held together in constant contact by a test strip holder. The invention is characterized in that it has no moving parts, which is made possible by the novel use of an elongate disbursement layer that spreads blood throughout its entire length, despite having layers with known wicking properties adjacent to and in contact with it. Since the invention relies primarily on a vertical flow format, the test strip is advantageously quite compact. With a single 30-50 microliter sample of blood applied thereto, the novel test strip can provide readings of total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides. From these, LDL can be calculated, thereby providing a full “lipid panel.” Other analytes such as glucose and ketones may be included in the test strip in addition to or in lieu of one or more of the other analytes.

Abstract: Cholesterol from Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL-C) is measured directly with a test strip at room temperature using a reagent that takes advantage of the varying surface charge density on LDLs and non-LDLs to selectively make LDL-C available for testing.

Abstract: A multilayer test strip that measures concentrations of multiple analytes from a single whole blood sample. The test strip includes a test matrix of several layers held together in constant contact by a test strip holder. The invention is characterized in that it has no moving parts, which is made possible by the novel use of an elongate disbursement layer that spreads blood throughout its entire length, despite having layers with known wicking properties adjacent to and in contact with it. Since the invention relies primarily on a vertical flow format, the test strip is advantageously quite compact. With a single 35 microliter sample of blood applied thereto, the novel test strip can provide readings of total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides. From these, LDL can be calculated, thereby providing a full “lipid panel.” Other analytes such as glucose and ketones may be included in the test strip in addition to or in lieu of one or more of the other analytes.