Abstract: A method for determining a test strip calibration code for use in a meter includes inserting a test strip into the meter. The inserted test strip having a substrate with a working surface for receiving the body fluid sample and a reverse surface that is in opposition to the working surface. The test strip also includes a permutative grey scale calibration pattern disposed on either of the working and reverse surfaces, with the permutative grey scale calibration pattern including more than one grey scale region. Moreover, the scale regions of the test strip define a grey scale permutation that uniquely corresponds to a calibration code of the test strip. The method also includes detecting the permutative grey scale calibration pattern with a grey scale photodetector module of the meter and determining a calibration code that uniquely corresponds to a grey scale permutation defined by the permutative grey scale calibration pattern based on permutation matrix stored in the meter.

Abstract: A system for measuring an analyte in a body fluid sample includes a meter, with a grey scale photodetector module, and a memory module. The system also includes a test strip. The test strip has a substrate with a working surface for receiving the body fluid sample and a reverse surface that is in opposition to the working surface. The test strip also includes a permutative grey scale calibration pattern disposed on either of the working and reverse surfaces, with the permutative grey scale calibration pattern including more than one grey scale region. Moreover, the scale regions of the test strip define a grey scale permutation that uniquely corresponds to a calibration code of the test strip. The grey scale photodetector module is configured to detect the permutative grey scale calibration pattern of the test strip when the test strip is inserted into the meter.

Abstract: A calibration strip for use with a package of test strips includes a substrate with and a permutative grey scale calibration pattern disposed on a surface of the substrate with the permutative grey scale calibration pattern including more than one grey scale region. Moreover, the grey scale regions of the calibration strip define a grey scale permutation that uniquely corresponds to a calibration code of test strips in a package associated with the calibration strip.

Abstract: A method for determining a test strip calibration code for use in a meter includes inserting a calibration strip into the meter, with the calibration strip having a substrate and a permutative grey scale calibration pattern disposed on the substrate. In addition, the permutative grey scale calibration pattern includes more than one grey scale region that define a grey scale permutation uniquely corresponding to a calibration code of test strips in a package associated with the calibration strip. The method also includes: (i) detecting the permutative grey scale calibration pattern with a grey scale photodetector module of the meter, and (ii) determining a calibration code that uniquely corresponds to a grey scale permutation defined by the permutative grey scale calibration pattern based on a permutation matrix stored in the meter.

Abstract: A test strip for the determination of an analyte, such as glucose, in a body fluid sample (for example, a whole blood sample) includes a substrate with a working surface for receiving the body fluid sample and a reverse surface that is in opposition to the working surface. The test strip also includes a permutative grey scale calibration pattern disposed on either of the working and reverse surfaces with the permutative grey scale calibration pattern including more than one grey scale region. Moreover, the scale regions of the test strip define a grey scale permutation that uniquely corresponds to a calibration code of the test strip.

Abstract: A test strip for the determination of an analyte, such as glucose, in a body fluid sample (for example, a whole blood sample) includes a substrate with a working surface for receiving the body fluid sample and a reverse surface that is in opposition to the working surface. The test strip also includes a permutative grey scale calibration pattern disposed on either of the working and reverse surfaces with the permutative grey scale calibration pattern including more than one grey scale region. Moreover, the scale regions of the test strip define a grey scale permutation that uniquely corresponds to a calibration code of the test strip.

Abstract: A method for determining a test strip calibration code for use in a meter includes inserting a test strip into the meter. The inserted test strip having a substrate with a working surface for receiving the body fluid sample and a reverse surface that is in opposition to the working surface. The test strip also includes a permutative grey scale calibration pattern disposed on either of the working and reverse surfaces, with the permutative grey scale calibration pattern including more than one grey scale region. Moreover, the scale regions of the test strip define a grey scale permutation that uniquely corresponds to a calibration code of the test strip. The method also includes detecting the permutative grey scale calibration pattern with a grey scale photodetector module of the meter and determining a calibration code that uniquely corresponds to a grey scale permutation defined by the permutative grey scale calibration pattern based on permutation matrix stored in the meter.

Abstract: A system for measuring an analyte in a body fluid sample includes a meter, with a grey scale photodetector module, and a memory module. The system also includes a test strip. The test strip has a substrate with a working surface for receiving the body fluid sample and a reverse surface that is in opposition to the working surface. The test strip also includes a permutative grey scale calibration pattern disposed on either of the working and reverse surfaces, with the permutative grey scale calibration pattern including more than one grey scale region. Moreover, the scale regions of the test strip define a grey scale permutation that uniquely corresponds to a calibration code of the test strip. The grey scale photodetector module is configured to detect the permutative grey scale calibration pattern of the test strip when the test strip is inserted into the meter.

Abstract: A method for determining a test strip calibration code for use in a meter includes inserting a calibration strip into the meter, with the calibration strip having a substrate and a permutative grey scale calibration pattern disposed on the substrate. In addition, the permutative grey scale calibration pattern includes more than one grey scale region that define a grey scale permutation uniquely corresponding to a calibration code of test strips in a package associated with the calibration strip. The method also includes: (i) detecting the permutative grey scale calibration pattern with a grey scale photodetector module of the meter, and (ii) determining a calibration code that uniquely corresponds to a grey scale permutation defined by the permutative grey scale calibration pattern based on a permutation matrix stored in the meter.

Abstract: A calibration strip for use with a package of test strips includes a substrate with and a permutative grey scale calibration pattern disposed on a surface of the substrate with the permutative grey scale calibration pattern including more than one grey scale region. Moreover, the grey scale regions of the calibration strip define a grey scale permutation that uniquely corresponds to a calibration code of test strips in a package associated with the calibration strip.

Abstract: A device for reconstituting liquid for medical use by bringing together a first liquid medium contained in a first vessel in the form of a cartridge (3) and a second medium, such as a drug in solid form, contained in a second vessel in the form of a vial (7), the device (19) comprising means (41) for supporting the first and second vessels, and a movable operating member (50) for applying a force to cause the first liquid medium to be delivered at a controlled rate from the first vessel into the second vessel. The first and second vessels may be provided in a pack (70) having liquid transfer means in the form of a needle (10).

Abstract: A device for reconstituting liquid for medical use by bringing together a first liquid medium contained in a first vessel in the form of a cartridge (3) and a second medium, such as a drug in solid form, contained in a second vessel in the form of a vial (7), the device (19) comprising means (41) for supporting the first and second vessels, and a movable operating member (50) for applying a force to cause the first liquid medium to be delivered at a controlled rate from the first vessel into the second vessel. The first and second vessels may be provided in a pack (70) having liquid transfer means in the form of a needle (10).

Abstract: A device for reconstituting liquid for medical use by bringing together a first liquid medium contained in a first vessel in the form of a cartridge (3) and a second medium, such as a drug in solid form, contained in a second vessel in the form of a vial (7), the device (19) comprising means (41) for supporting the first and second vessels, and a movable operating member (50) for applying a force to cause the first liquid medium to be delivered at a controlled rate from the first vessel into the second vessel. The first and second vessels may be provided in a pack (70) having liquid transfer means in the form of a needle (10).

Abstract: A method of assaying for a ligand in a sample which includes incubating, simultaneously or in any desired sequence,a) the sampleb) a reagent X andc) a reagent Y immobilised on the surface of an optical structure capable of exhibiting surface plasmon resonance,one of reagents X and Y is a specific binding partner to said ligand and the other of reagents X and Y is either a ligand analogue or a specific binding partner to said ligand, reagent X being such, that any formation of a direct or indirect complex between reagents X and Y results in an optical surface having an appreciably enhanced optical thickness as compared to the optical thickness of the optical surface which would prevail in the absence of reagent X,which method includes the step of determining whether and, if desired, the extent to which and/or rate at which the surface plasmon resonance effect exhibited by the optical structure is altered by said complex formation.

Abstract: A method of assay for a ligand in a sample is described in which calibration occurs within the assay. This is achieved utilizing a measurement region and one or more calibration regions. In at least one of the calibration regions a non-zero signal results, either because of the presence of a calibration reagent or as a result of a binding reaction analogous to that which takes place in the measurement region.

Abstract: Sensor devices for use in assaying for a substance selected from (i) enzymes capable of producing a change in their environment as a result of catalytic reaction with a substrate and (ii) substrates for such enzymes is described, the devices comprising an optical waveguide having immobilized directly or indirectly on a discrete region ("the measurement region") of one longitudinal surface thereof a species whose optical properties change as a result of the aforementioned change in its environment together with the member of an enzyme substrate/enzyme pair complementary to the substance under assay. Methods of assay using such devices are also described.

Abstract: Sensor devices for use in assaying for a ligand in a sample are described, the devices comprising: i) a discrete zone ("the measurement zone") on a region of which ("the measurement region") is immobilized directly or indirectly a first specific binding partner for the ligand under assay (or a reagent precomplexed with or capable of forming a complex with a specific binding partner for the ligand under assay), which zone additionally contains in releasable form, a first known amount of an optionally labelled second specific binding partner for the ligand under assay, the second specific binding partner being directed to an epitope of the ligand assay different to the epitope to which the first specific binding partner is directed; and ii) a second discrete zone ("the reference zone") on a region of which is immobilized directly or indirectly a first specific binding partner for the ligand under assay (or a reagent precomplexed with or capable of forming a complex with a specific binding partner for the ligand

Abstract: The use as a cuvette in spectrophotometric assays of a sample-collecting device is disclosed, the said device possessing a cavity or cavities each having a dimension small enough to enable sample liquid to be drawn into the cavity by capillary action, wherein a surface of the cavity is a surface of a transparent solid plate having a substantially rectangular cross section and forming a wall of the cavity, the opposite surface of the cavity being an additional structure having a substantially rectangular cross section and forming a wall of the cavity, and wherein a portion of said plate carries a reflective coating and a portion of said additional structure is reflective.

Abstract: A method of assay for a ligand in a sample is described in which calibration occurs within the assay. This is achieved utilizing a measurement region and one ore more calibration regions. In at least one of the calibration regions a non-zero signal results, either because of the presence of a calibration reagent or as a result of a binding reaction analogous to that which takes place in the measurement region.