Abstract: Methods, devices, systems, and kits useful for the collection and analysis of samples obtained by swabs are disclosed. Swab containers configured for receiving a swab containing a sample; cartridges for holding one or more of: a swab container, a swab, assay units, pipette tips, vessels, transport units, and implements; systems (which may include a sample processing device); kits; and methods for their use are disclosed. A swab container may include an entry port; an assay chamber having an assay port; a conduit comprising an interior channel connecting the entry port; and an interior channel providing fluidic communication between the entry port and assay chamber. An interior channel may be configured to squeeze a portion of a swab placed in or through the conduit. A cartridge may include a cartridge frame configured to receive one or more of swab containers, assay units, transport units, pipette tips, vessels or implements.

Abstract: A fluid collection and sampling container is disclosed, comprising; a cup member; a lid assembly removeably mounted to the cup member and having (a) on a location on the lid an aperture with closure means useful for introducing sampling means into the container without removing the lid assembly, and (b) on a further location on the lid a cannula and needle member useful for receiving an air evacuated tube and piercing its stopper. Furthermore a method is disclosed, for extracting a plurality of samples from a sampling container using alternate sampling methods which include extracting samples by means of evacuated tube and extracting samples by means of immersing extracting probe into liquid contained in the container, wherein there is no need in removal of the lid assembly or of other members from the cup during the extraction of samples through the use of the alternate sampling methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to a measurement system MS1 provided with a plurality of loading units 10 into which a measurement tool 4 supporting a reagent is loaded. The measurement system MS1 includes reading means 2 for reading information on an analyte provider that includes identification information, and guidance means 11 for guiding the measurement tool 4 to which an analyte derived from the analyte provider has been or is to be applied, to a loading unit that is selected from the plurality of loading units 10 and individually associated with the analyte provider based on the identification information that has been read by the reading means 2. With such configuration, the measurement results obtained from the analyte derived from the analyte provider can be easily associated with the information on the analyte provider that includes the identification information.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a biological measuring device with auto coding capabilities. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the biological measuring device with auto coding capabilities may include a test strip associated with a code pattern; and a code reader electrically coupled to the test strip to read the code pattern, wherein the code reader is configured to read an output from the code pattern consisted of a first logical value, a second logical value, and a third logical value.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a capillary microcuvette, the microcuvette comprises a body member having two plates and a cavity formed within the body, the cavity being defined by two opposing inner surfaces of the two plates of the body member, a portion of the cavity defining a detection zone, a capillary inlet being provided at one end of the body member that is communicated with the cavity, a sample slot being provided at a portion of the body member in which the capillary inlet is not formed, the sample slot being communicated with the cavity. The present microcuvette improves user convenience by providing dual application means of applying a specimen directly from a fingertip or using a pipette.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides medical monitoring devices, and corresponding systems, that includes at least one sensor for detecting usage of at least one consumable, an electronic controller electrically connected to the sensor to receive a signal therefrom produced when consumable usage is detected, and an electronic memory electrically connected to the controller for storing consumable usage data thereon. The medical monitoring device may further include at least one sensor for determining one or more physiological parameter of a subject and a display device for displaying the physiological parameter. The medical monitoring device may also include a communications unit for communicating stored data, such as usage and physiological parameter data, over a communication network to a remote computer.

Abstract: In one aspect, a diagnostic test system includes a housing, a reader, and a data analyzer. The housing includes a port for receiving a test strip. The reader obtains separable light intensity measurements from localized regions of an area of the detection zone exposed for optical inspection, wherein each of the localized regions is characterized by at least one surface dimension smaller than the first dimension. The data analyzer identifies ones of the light intensity measurements obtained from the at least one test region and computes at least one parameter from the identified ones of the light intensity measurements. In another aspect, the reader obtains a respective set of light intensity measurements from each of multiple corresponding regions of the exposed surface area of the detection zone, and the data analyzer computes at least one parameter from at least one of the sets of light intensity measurements.

Abstract: Techniques for fast and accurate measuring test strip intensities are disclosed herein. A method for measuring a test strip intensity comprising steps of obtaining an image of a sample line in a test strip and a plurality of reference lines, wherein the reference lines have known intensities; determining grayscale values of the sample line and the reference lines from the image; constructing a standard curve based on the grayscale values versus the known intensities of the reference lines; and determining the intensity of the sample line by fitting the grayscale value of the sample line on the standard curve.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a reflectometer-based apparatus and method for colorimetric analysis. Advantageously, the present invention includes use of a test strip provided with an aperture over which a translucent colorimetric, indicator-bearing matrix is affixed. In addition, the present invention beneficially includes a test strip holder that includes a test strip-holding channel provided with a white background.

Abstract: A method for producing a plastic injection-molded part having an insert made of a material different from the plastic material is provided, the method comprising the steps of: (a) introducing and positioning the insert in a cavity of an injection mold; (b) setting the clamping force of the injection mold on a clamping mechanism to a maximum force predetermined by the material of the insert; and (c) seamlessly encapsulating the insert with the plastic material of the plastic injection-molded part inside the injection mold, wherein the encapsulating is seamless or complete.

Abstract: A test meter for analyzing a body fluid sample applied to a test strip includes an outer housing having an opening, an actuator, and a cartridge positioned adjacent the outer housing. The cartridge further includes a dispensing member connected to the actuator, a plurality of stacked test strips biased toward the dispensing member, and a cartridge outer housing that is adjacent at least a portion of the dispensing member. Each time the actuator is actuated, the dispensing member is rotated to cause movement of one test strip from the plurality of stacked test strips through the opening, and another test strip is biased toward the dispensing member.

Abstract: A specimen sample collection system includes a handle having opposing first and second ends, and a sufficiency indicator coupled to the handle, wherein the handle second end and sufficiency indicator form a cavity adapted to receive a sample collection pad; a sample collection pad having opposing ends, the sample collection pad partially contained within and extending from the handle second end and in contact with the sufficiency indicator, the sample collection pad having a cylindrical cross section; and, a pad compression tube having a first open end to go over the sample collection pad and second end of the handle, an opposing second end, an interior surface extending therebetween, and at least outlet port proximal to the pad compression tube second end and in fluid communication with the pad compression tube interior. The system may include wherein the sufficiency indicator is a light pipe or other indicating element, providing visual, aural or haptic indication of sufficient sample volume.

Abstract: A replaceable magazine for use in an analytic test instrument a plurality of analytic aids on a carrier tape. The analytic aids can be made available in an application position of the magazine by means of the carrier tape. The magazine has a supply reel for holding regions of the carrier tape with unused analytic aids and a take-up reel for holding regions of the carrier tape with used-up analytic aids. The carrier tape can be moved in a spooling direction from the supply reel to the take-up reel. The magazine has a rewind lock of the take-up reel. The magazine has a tape release device, which is configured to make available a take-up reel tape reserve of the carrier tape on the side of the application position facing the take-up reel. The take-up reel tape reserve enables a lifting movement of an analytic aid situated in the application position.

Abstract: A sample analysis apparatus is provided with a structure for stopping rotation of a disc at a precise position. The sample analysis apparatus includes a disc configured to rotate on a rotation shaft and having at least one detection zone, an optical sensing apparatus configured to detect a reaction result at the at least one detection zone, at least one position determining protrusion provided on an exterior surface of the disc, a slider movably disposed to in a radial direction relative to the disc, and a stopper mounted to the slider and configured to stop rotation of the disc by blocking the at least one position determining protrusion.

Abstract: A method of monitoring thrombus formation is described, which comprises flowing anticoagulated blood into a thrombus formation chamber, in at least a part of which a thrombus formation inducer inducing thrombus formation is provided, while releasing the anticoagulant treatment or promoting blood coagulation to thereby monitor thrombus formation in the thrombus formation chamber.

Abstract: An improved rapid diagnostic device, assay and multifunctional buffer reagent are provided for the detection of a target analyte in a fluid test sample. The 2-step assay utilizes a dual component flow-through device comprising a test unit and a dried indicator reagent delivery unit capable of receiving the fluid sample and multifunctional buffer, respectively. The test unit comprises a reaction zone containing immobilized capture reagent that can specifically bind to the target analyte, an absorbent zone supporting the reaction zone, and optionally, a blood separation zone in lateral fluid communication with the reaction zone. The dried indicator reagent delivery unit comprises a label zone permeated with a dried indicator reagent which is capable of being placed in transient fluid communication with the reaction zone of the test unit during the assay procedure.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are hand-held medical devices, such as blood glucose meters, that include a housing with a cassette compartment for receiving an exchangeable test tape cassette, a drive assembly comprising an electric motor and a gear arrangement adapted for rotating a tape spool of the test tape cassette, where the gear arrangement has a worm drive in which a worm meshes with a worm wheel and a multistage speed-reducing unit comprising a plurality of spur gears arranged between the worm wheel and an output gear that can be directly coupled to the tape spool.

Abstract: A system for deforming and analyzing a plurality of particles carried in a sample volume includes a substrate defining an inlet, configured to receive the sample volume, and an outlet; and a fluidic pathway fluidly coupled to the inlet and the outlet.

Abstract: A biological sterilization indicator (BI) system and method. The system can include a BI and a reading apparatus comprising a well. The BI can include a housing, which can include a first portion, and a second portion movable between a first “unactivated” position and a second “activated” position. The BI can further include a frangible container containing a liquid and dimensioned to be positioned in the housing. The reading apparatus can be configured to detect activation of the biological sterilization indicator, for example, by detecting that the second portion is in the second position, and/or by detecting that the liquid from the frangible container is present in a specific chamber of the biological sterilization indicator. The method can include positioning the BI in the well of the reading apparatus and detecting activation, for example, by detecting one or more of the above conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dispensing unit for dispensing fluid into an external container. The dispensing unit comprises: a connector, a reagent cylinder for storing the fluid, and a locking ring. The connector comprises an upper fastener, and a bottom wall with at least one passage therethrough. The reagent cylinder comprises at least one compartment for storing the fluid, which compartment comprises at least one opening through a cylinder bottom. The at least one opening is located so that for at least one mutual orientation of the reagent cylinder and the connector, fluid can flow from the compartment to the external container via the at least one opening and the at least one passage. The locking ring comprises a second fastener which fastens to the upper fastener of the connector, so that when the locking ring is tightened, the reagent cylinder is pressed towards the interior bottom of the connector.