Abstract: In certain embodiments, the disclosure provides an inflatable bladder lid that configures with a cartridge configured for assay testing. The inflatable bladder provides substantially uniform pressure to the cartridge. The pressure is substantially distributed across the one or more regions of the cartridge to extend pressure over a wide cartridge surface. At least a portion of the bladder lid may comprise a flexible membrane material that inflates and stretches over at least a portion of the cartridge to conformally contact its first/top surface.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to method, system and apparatus for assay testing. In an exemplary embodiment, the disclosure relates to a cartridge for testing an assay. The cartridge includes a sample reservoir to receive a mixture of a plurality of target particles and a ferrofluidic solution; a capture region formed on the cartridge; a fluidic channel to communicate the mixture between the sample reservoir and the capture region; a magnetic ferrofluidic solution positioned inside the fluidic channel; and at least one pneumatic valve to communicate a quantity of the mixture from the sample reservoir. The magnetic ferrofluidic solution is excitable in response to an externally applied electromagnetic field to affect the ferrofluidic solution in the mixture.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of measuring an analyte, such as glucose in a fluid sample, such as whole blood, by a reflectance reading device. The method includes making periodic intermediate calculations of analyte level and dynamically ascertaining when an analytical reaction has reached an end point. Once stable, the process stops making periodic calculations and reports the final, actual glucose concentration. According to an exemplary embodiment, the method is performed by a reflectance photometer using an analytical test strip containing reagents that react with an analyte of interest in the test fluid. The end point is determined by calculating an intermediate analyte level of the testing element at predetermined intervals and calculating a ratio value corresponding to the (n)th measurement to an (n-5)th measurement. When two consecutive ratio values are less than or equal to a predetermined value, the end point is deemed reached and the final analyte level ascertained.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for strip insertion detection in an analytical meter system. The invention allows for individual meter calibration, adaptive thresholding and ambient light correction. Increased performance is economically realized, while providing enhanced meter accuracy in varying light conditions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of measuring an analyte, such a glucose in a fluid sample, such as whole blood, by a reflectance reading device. The method includes making periodic intermediate calculations of analyte level and dynamically ascertaining when an analytical reaction has reached an end point. Once stable, the process stops making periodic calculations and reports the final, actual glucose concentration. According to an exemplary embodiment, the method is performed by a reflectance photometer using an analytical test strip containing reagents that react with an analyte of interest in the test fluid. The end point is determined by calculating an intermediate analyte level of the testing element at predetermined intervals and calculating a ratio value corresponding to the (n)th measurement to an (n-5)th measurement. When two consecutive ratio values are less than or equal to a predetermined value, the end point is deemed reached and the final analyte level ascertained.

Abstract: A method an apparatus for strip insertion detection in an analytical meter system. The invention allows for individual meter calibration, adaptive thresholding and ambient light correction. Increased performance is economically realized, while providing enhanced meter accuracy in varying light conditions.

Abstract: An apparatus for enhancing the analysis of light reflected from a blood exposed reagent is described. Light from sources, such as LED's, is used to detect the levels of glucose and fructosamine in the blood exposed reagent. A special optical arrangement is used to obtain optical signals indicative of the optically sensitive chemicals in the reagent. The optical beams from respective LED's are directed at a common surface of an optical element used to redirect the light onto the reagent and reflect portions onto a reference detector. A main detector is strategically located adjacent a surface of the optical element to detect reflections from the reagent. A control circuit is described with which the light from the LED light sources can be held at substantially constant levels despite factors tending to cause light level changes.

Abstract: An apparatus for enhancing the analysis of light reflected from a blood exposed reagent is described. Light from sources, such as LED's, is used to detect the levels of glucose and fructosamine in the blood exposed reagent. A special optical arrangement is used ot obtain optical signals indicative of the optically sensitive chemicals in the reagent. The optical beams from respective LED's are directed at a common surface of an optical element used to redirect the light onto the reagent and reflect portions onto a reference detector. A main detector is strategically located adjacent a surface of the optical element to detect reflections from the reagent. A control circuit is described with which the light from the LED light sources can be held at substantially constant levels despite factors tending to cause light level changes.

Abstract: A printed data strip (7) on a substrate (5) is provided including bit encoded information (23) and control information (15, 19, 27, 29) for an optical scanner. The encoded information is in a plurality of parallel, contiguous data lines (11) formed of bits of sequentially-encoded information, the bits being of uniform height and width. The data lines (11) start along a common line and, together, form an information portion (23) of sequentially-encoded data. The data lines (11) are transverse to the longitudinal dimension of the data strip (7).Associated with the encoded information on the printed substrate (5) are printed areas serving preliminarily to align the optical scanner with the data lines (17), and to set contrast levels (17), to maintain alignment during scanning (27, 29), and to set the vertical (19) and horizontal (15) rates of scanning. Means are provided to control and adjust the timing of each scanned data line by the optical scanner during the course of scanning.

Abstract: A data strip (2) of predetermined size is made (a) by determining the total nibbles of digital information to be encoded and the maximum number of integral nibbles per data line (14), using predetermined minimum dibit dimensions, after allowing for parity checks, alignment guides (32,36), and a start line (28), (b) by increasing the dibit dimensions to achieve the predetermined size, and adjusting the bit size to account for ink spread, and (c) by preparing a reader instruction header (16) containing coded specifications as to the data strip format. These factors are interdependent and must be correlated to provide a final data strip (2) satisfying all the predetermined criteria.An associated printer (64) prints the data strip (2) with a header (16) and a data portion (12) in the determined format.

Abstract: A data strip (2) of predetermined size is made (a) by determining the total nibbles of digital information to be encoded and the maximum number of integral nibbles per data line (14), using predetermined minimum dibit dimensions, after allowing for parity checks, alignment guides (32,36), and a start line (28), (b) by increasing the dibit dimensions to achieve the predetermined size, and adjusting the bit size to account for ink spread, and (c) by preparing a reader instruction header (16) containing coded specifications as to the data strip format. These factors are interdependent and must be correlated to provide a final data strip (2) satisfying all the predetermined criteria.An associated printer (64) prints the data strip (2) with a header (16) and a data portion (12) in the determined format.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for reading contiguous, conterminous, parallel data lines (76) of minute, rectangular bits of information printed on a substrate (2) and together forming a data strip (3) with its length, perpendicular to the data lines (76).The reader (1) includes alignment means for holding the strip (5) and includes data line scanning means (33, 40, 130) on a chassis (20) which moves longitudinally of the data strip (3) while simultaneously and synchronously scanning the tranverse data lines (76) at a rate that scans each data line a plurality of times. An infra-red light source (50) illuminates the data line (76) being scanned, and crossed cylindrical lenses (30, 32, 40, 130), moving relative to each other and to the data strip (3), focus individual scanned bits upon a matched infra-red detector (42).Multiples (33) of one of the cylindrical lenses, mounted on a rotating drum (44), are used to increase speed of operation.