Abstract: The invention provides a handheld RF meter with an improved isolation from EMI. The meter incorporates an interference barrier comprising a connecting cable and one or more ferrite cores possibly having different impedance characteristics.

Abstract: The invention provides a handheld RF meter with an improved isolation from EMI. The meter incorporates an interference barrier comprising a connecting cable and one or more ferrite cores possibly having different impedance characteristics.

Abstract: In combination, an instrument for determining a characteristic of a biological fluid or a control, and a cuvette for holding a sample of the biological fluid or control, the characteristic of which is to be determined. The instrument comprises a radiation-reflective surface, a first source for irradiating the surface, and a first detector for detecting radiation reflected from the surface. The cuvette has two opposed walls substantially transparent to the source radiation and reflected radiation. The first source and first detector are disposed adjacent a first one of the two opposed walls. The radiation reflective surface is disposed adjacent a second of the two opposed walls. A second source is provided for irradiating the surface. The first detector detects radiation from the second source reflected from the surface.

Abstract: In combination, an instrument for determining a characteristic of a biological fluid or a control, and a cuvette for holding a sample of the biological fluid or control, the characteristic of which is to be determined. The instrument comprises a radiation-reflective surface, a first source for irradiating the surface, and a first detector for detecting radiation reflected from the surface. The cuvette has two opposed walls substantially transparent to the source radiation and reflected radiation. The first source and first detector are disposed adjacent a first one of the two opposed walls. The radiation reflective surface is disposed adjacent a second of the two opposed walls. A second source is provided for irradiating the surface. The first detector detects radiation from the second source reflected from the surface.

Abstract: In combination, an instrument for determining a characteristic of a biological fluid or a control, and a cuvette for holding a sample of the biological fluid or control, the characteristic of which is to be determined. The instrument comprises a radiation-reflective surface, a first source for irradiating the surface, and a first detector for detecting radiation reflected from the surface. The cuvette has two opposed walls substantially transparent to the source radiation and reflected radiation. The first source and first detector are disposed adjacent a first one of the two opposed walls. The radiation reflective surface is disposed adjacent a second of the two opposed walls. A second source is provided for irradiating the surface. The first detector detects radiation from the second source reflected from the surface.

Abstract: An instrument for determining a characteristic of a biological fluid or a control includes a radiation-reflective surface, a first source for irradiating the surface, and a first detector for detecting radiation reflected from the surface. A cuvette for use with the instrument holds a sample of the biological fluid or control the characteristic of which is to be determined. The cuvette has two opposed walls substantially transparent to the source radiation and reflected radiation. The first source and first detector are disposed adjacent a first one of said two opposed walls and the radiation reflective surface is disposed adjacent a second of said two opposed walls.

Abstract: An instrument monitors the coangulation of coagulable fluid blood, blood fraction or a control by combining the coagulable fluid with particles which are affected by a magnetic field so that the particles become suspended relatively freely in the fluid. A time-varying magnetic field causes the particles to be reoriented as the magnetic field varies. The reorientation changes as the fluid coagulates owing to the fluid's changing viscosity. An electromagnet creates the time-varying magnetic field. The electromagnet includes a core comprising a first leg an electrically conductive coil for creating a time-varying magnetic flux in the core, and a return for the time-varying magnetic flux. The first leg and the flux return together comprise a generally H-shaped core of ferromagnetic material. A bobbin is provided on the first leg and the electrically conductive coil is wound on the bobbin.

Abstract: An instrument and a method for determining a characteristic of a biological fluid or control comprise providing a radiation-reflective surface, a source for irradiating the surface, a detector for detecting radiation reflected from the surface, and a cuvette for holding a sample of the biological fluid or control. The cuvette has two opposed walls substantially transparent to the source radiation and reflected radiation. The source and detector are disposed adjacent a first one of the two opposed walls and the radiation reflective surface is disposed adjacent the other wall. The method comprises detecting radiation from the source reflected from the surface using the radiation detector to determine a characteristic of the biological fluid or control.

Abstract: A method of immunizing the operation of an instrument which determines a characteristic of a biological fluid or a control against noise. The instrument includes a surface upon which a user deposits a sample of biological fluid or control the characteristic of which is to be determined. The instrument irradiates the sample and detects radiation from the sample to determine the characteristic.

Abstract: A method of determining whether a sample or a control has been applied to an instrument for measuring coagulation of a fluid by optically detecting when the fluid that has been applied to the instrument has passed a first and a second points, determining the flow time for the fluid between the two points, establishing a time threshold, and the flow time to the threshold to determining if the fluid is a sample or a control.

Abstract: An instrument and a method for determining a coagulation characteristic of blood, a blood fraction or a control comprise a radiation-reflective surface, a first source for irradiating the surface, and a first detector for detecting radiation reflected from the surface. A cuvette holds a sample of the blood, blood fraction or control the coagulation characteristic of which is to be determined. The cuvette has two opposed walls substantially transparent to the source radiation and reflected radiation. The first source and first detector are disposed adjacent a first one of the two opposed walls and the radiation reflective surface is disposed adjacent a second of the two opposed walls.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (10) for determining the remission of a chemistry (106) which reacts with a medically significant component of a body fluid. The remission of the chemistry (106) changes as it reacts. The method and apparatus (10) include irradiating the chemistry (106) with a radiation source (182), detecting remissions of radiation from the chemistry (106) with a radiation detector (300), providing a radiation pathway (164) between the source (182) and the chemistry (106), providing a remission pathway (164) between the chemistry (106) and the detector (300), and detecting the rate of change of remission of the chemistry (106) with respect to time.

Abstract: An instrument for analyzing test strips supporting chemistries which react with a medically significant component of a body fluid to indicate the concentration of the component in the body fluid. The instrument includes a pathway along which radiation is guided from a radiation source to a strip when the strip is inserted into the instrument and along which remission is guided from the strip to a radiation detector. A title provided on the instrument provides a first remission when no strip is inserted into the instrument. The tile is separated from the radiation source by the strip when the strip is inserted into the instrument. The first remission and the strip's remission, respectively, indicate the absence and the presence of the strip in the instrument. The strip also has a surface opposite the chemistry supporting surface characterized by a second strip remission different from the first strip remission.

Abstract: A disposable diagnostic assembly or device for performing diagnostic tests which include test card and strip structures having a generally flat area, containing a well with an interior wall defining a reagent pad pocket to receive a specifically designed chemical reagent pad and which is secured in place by an annular snap-on cover. Additionally, the test card or strip may have a raised rib to contain spilled sample fluid. The diagnostic assembly is used to measure the concentration of an analyte via visualization or in combination with a meter.