Abstract: An optical waveguiding optical format enables consistent optical analysis of small sample volumes. The optical format is comprised of an illumination light guide, a read window upon which a sample is placed, a sample collection needle or capillary, and a detection guide. Light redirecting facets are provided within the format itself such that the format serves as a unitary component for accepting light, directing light through a sample, and emitting light for detection.

Abstract: An electrochemical sensor with a capillary channel is formed by placing a sacrificial insert and electrodes on a sensor base and applying plastic material. After the plastic material is cured, the sacrificial is removed leaving a capillary channel in the sensor. The inserts may be removed by a tool including a clamp for clamping and holding each insert stationary and a sliding block to which the sensor is secured.

Abstract: An optical reagent format with a precise capillary channel is made by molding a format on a carrier of a precise predetermined thickness. The carrier includes an insert at least a portion of which is molded in the format. Once the format is made, the insert is detached from the carrier and removed from the format leaving a precisely dimensioned capillary channel with an inlet and vent. A reagent may be applied in the capillary channel and the format used to measure the analyte in a fluid such as blood. An electrochemical sensor with a capillary channel is formed by placing a sacrificial insert and electrodes on a sensor base and applying plastic material. After the plastic material is cured, the sacrificial is removed leaving a capillary channel in the sensor. The inserts may be removed by a tool including a clamp for clamping and holding each insert stationary and a sliding block to which the sensor is secured.

Abstract: Sensors for the electro-chemical analysis of samples and methods for the manufacturing of sensors allow for more efficient manufacture and use of electro-chemical sensors. Flexible sheets, such as polycarbonate sheets, are used to easily manufacture sensor components, with sensor chemistry being applied to the sensor components at manufacture. Sensors may be manufactured with modular components, enabling easy production-line manufacture and construction of electro-chemical sensors with significant cost savings and increased efficiency over existing sensor styles and sensor manufacturing techniques.

Abstract: An electrochemical sensor with a capillary channel is formed by placing a sacrificial insert on a sensor base and applying casting material. After the casting material is cured, the sacrificial is removed leaving a capillary channel in the sensor. The insert may be removed by a tool including a clamp for clamping and holding the insert stationary and a sliding block to which the sensor is secured.

Abstract: An optical reagent format with a precise capillary channel is made by molding a format on a carrier of a precise predetermined thickness. The carrier includes an insert at least a portion of which is molded in the format. Once the format is made, the insert is detached from the carrier and removed from the format leaving a precisely dimensioned capillary channel with an inlet and vent. A reagent may be applied in the capillary channel and the format used to measure the analyte in a fluid such as blood. An electrochemical sensor with a capillary channel is formed by placing a sacrificial insert and electrodes on a sensor base and applying plastic material. After the plastic material is cured, the sacrificial is removed leaving a capillary channel in the sensor. The inserts may be removed by a tool including a clamp for clamping and holding each insert stationary and a sliding block to which the sensor is secured.

Abstract: Sensors for the electro-chemical analysis of samples and methods for the manufacturing of sensors allow for more efficient manufacture and use of electro-chemical sensors. Flexible sheets, such as polycarbonate sheets, are used to easily manufacture sensor components, with sensor chemistry being applied to the sensor components at manufacture. Sensors may be manufactured with modular components, enabling easy production-line manufacture and construction of electro-chemical sensors with significant cost savings and increased efficiency over existing sensor styles and sensor manufacturing techniques.

Abstract: An optical waveguiding optical format enables consistent optical analysis of small sample volumes. The optical format is comprised of an illumination light guide, a read window upon which a sample is placed, a sample collection needle or capillary, and a detection guide. Light redirecting facets are provided within the format itself such that the format serves as a unitary component for accepting light, directing light through a sample, and emitting light for detection.

Abstract: An electrochemical sensor with a capillary channel is formed by placing a sacrificial insert on a sensor base and applying casting material. After the casting material is cured, the sacrificial is removed leaving a capillary channel in the sensor. The insert may be removed by a tool including a clamp for clamping and holding the insert stationary and a sliding block to which the sensor is secured.

Abstract: An optical reagent format with a precise capillary channel is made by molding a format on a carrier of a precise predetermined thickness. The carrier includes an insert at least a portion of which is molded in the format. Once the format is made, the insert is detached from the carrier and removed from the format leaving a precisely dimensioned capillary channel with an inlet and vent. A reagent may be applied in the capillary channel and the format used to measure the analyte in a fluid such as blood.

Abstract: A sensor dispensing instrument is adapted to receive a generally circular sensor pack containing a plurality of blood glucose sensors. Each of the sensors are disposed in sensor cavities, each of which is in fluid communication with a corresponding desiccant cavity and has a support wall that assists in directing the sensor as its being ejected from the cavity. The sensor pack is loaded on an indexing disk in the instrument such that when a slide actuator on the instrument is moved toward a testing position, a feed mechanism engaged by the slide actuator moves a knife blade thereon toward one of the sensor cavities. The knife blade pierces a portion of a foil covering the sensor cavity and engages the sensor disposed in the cavity to thereby eject the sensor from the sensor cavity.

Abstract: A sensor dispensing instrument is adapted to receive a generally circular sensor pack containing a plurality of blood glucose sensors. Each of the sensors are disposed in sensor cavities, each of which is in fluid communication with a corresponding desiccant cavity and has a support wall that assists in directing the sensor as its being ejected from the cavity. The sensor pack is loaded on an indexing disk in the instrument such that when a slide actuator on the instrument is moved toward a testing position, a feed mechanism engaged by the slide actuator moves a knife blade thereon toward one of the sensor cavities. The knife blade pierces a portion of a foil covering the sensor cavity and engages the sensor disposed in the cavity to thereby eject the sensor from the sensor cavity.

Abstract: A sensor dispensing instrument is adapted to receive a generally circular sensor pack containing a plurality of blood glucose sensors. Each of the sensors are disposed in sensor cavities, each of which is in fluid communication with a corresponding desiccant cavity and has a support wall that assists in directing the sensor as its being ejected from the cavity. The sensor pack is loaded on an indexing disk in the instrument such that when a slide actuator on the instrument is moved toward a testing position, a feed mechanism engaged by the slide actuator moves a knife blade thereon toward one of the sensor cavities. The knife blade pierces a portion of a foil covering the sensor cavity and engages the sensor disposed in the cavity to thereby eject the sensor from the sensor cavity.

Abstract: A sensor dispensing instrument (20) includes a sensor magazine (26) that contains a plurality of blood glucose sensors (38) disposed in sensor slots (30A-J). Each of the sensor slots (30A-J) is in fluid communication with a desiccant cavity (50A-J) in which desiccant material is disposed. The front and rear walls (34, 32) of the sensor magazine (26) are sealed with burst foils (40, 42) so as to seal the sensor slots (30A-J) and the desiccant cavities (36A-J). The sensor instrument (20) has an outer housing (22) with a laterally extending magazine opening (24) adapted to receive the sensor magazine (26). A pivot rod (28) is moved through the magazine (26) and is locked into an operating position. The magazine (26) is rotated on the pivot rod (28) until a detent arm (48) on the instrument housing (22) engages a detent groove (50A-J) on the magazine (26) to position the magazine (26) in a sensor feeding position.

Abstract: A sensor dispensing instrument is adapted to receive a generally circular sensor pack containing a plurality of blood glucose sensors. Each of the sensors are disposed in sensor cavities, each of which is in fluid communication with a corresponding desiccant cavity and has a support wall that assists in directing the sensor as its being ejected from the cavity. The sensor pack is loaded on an indexing disk in the instrument such that when a slide actuator on the instrument is moved toward a testing position, a feed mechanism engaged by the slide actuator moves a knife blade thereon toward one of the sensor cavities. The knife blade pierces a portion of a foil covering the sensor cavity and engages the sensor disposed in the cavity to thereby eject the sensor from the sensor cavity.

Abstract: A sensor dispensing instrument is adapted to receive a generally circular sensor pack containing a plurality of blood glucose sensors. Each of the sensors are disposed in sensor cavities, each of which is in fluid communication with a corresponding desiccant cavity and has a support wall that assists in directing the sensor as its being ejected from the cavity. The sensor pack is loaded on an indexing disk in the instrument such that when a slide actuator on the instrument is moved toward a testing position, a feed mechanism engaged by the slide actuator moves a knife blade thereon toward one of the sensor cavities. The knife blade pierces a portion of a foil covering the sensor cavity and engages the sensor disposed in the cavity to thereby eject the sensor from the sensor cavity.

Abstract: A high-precision liquid reagent delivery system is provided for convenient and efficient gravity flow delivery of substantially the entire volume of reagent contained within a sealed formed tray. The delivery system comprises a formed tray defining a curved cavity for holding a predetermined amount of liquid, and a substantially planar ledge surface defined around the cavity opening. The surfaces of the cavity are non-porous, uniform and smoothly converging to a point of liquid discharge at an intersection of the cavity and the ledge surface. The ledge surface further defines an apex extending longitudinally from the point of liquid discharge and defines a guide path for the delivery of liquid contained within the tray. The system also includes a flexible cover removably affixed to the ledge surface of the tray for forming a sealed chamber between the cavity and the affixed cover for containment of liquid.

Abstract: Analytical reaction cassette and method for performing sequential analytical assay procedures to determine the amount of an analyte in a liquid test mixture. The reaction cassette can be in the form of a substantially square container having a substantially horizontal axis of rotation and incorporated with one or more analytical reagents such that they are contacted with a liquid test mixture in a desired ordered sequence to perform a particular assay procedure. Corners provided by the substantially square configuration of the reaction cassette disrupt the flow of liquids disposed in the reaction cassette upon contact therewith to thereby agitate and mix such liquids. A liquid disposed in the reaction cassette is capable of being manipulated and mixed therein by rotating the reaction cassette about the horizontal axis at sufficiently low velocities wherein the transport of such liquid is noncentrifugal and due substantially only to gravitational force.

Abstract: An assembly for separating, metering and delivering fluids such as whole blood, includes a central rotating member rotatable about a fixed spin axis. A processing chamber holding member is connected to the central rotating member by a centrifugally actuated frame. At rotational speeds below a first predetermined speed, the centrifugally actuated frame is in a first position. At rotational speeds greater than the first speed, centrifugal force moves the frame to a second position angularly spaced from and at greater distance from the spin axis than the first position. A processing chamber is mounted on the holding member and its orientation relative to the spin axis is the same in the first and second positions. Fluid is provided in the processing chamber.