Abstract: A method is provided for determining analyte concentrations, for example glucose concentrations, that utilizes a dynamic determination of the appropriate time for making a glucose measurement, for example when a current versus time curve substantially conforms to a Cottrell decay, or when the current is established in a plateau region. Dynamic determination of the time to take the measurement allows each strip to operate in the shortest appropriate time frame, thereby avoiding using an average measurement time that may be longer than necessary for some strips and too short for others.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display driver has N common drive lines and M segment drive lines. A liquid crystal display has M segment driver leads and N times P common drive leads, P being at least two. P multiplexers are provided, each external to the liquid crystal display driver. Each of the M segment driver lines is connected with a respective one of the M segment drive leads. Each multiplexer comprising N switches, each switch defining a normally-open contact, a normally-closed contact, and a common contact. Each of the switches is connected by its common contact with a respective one of the common drive leads of the liquid crystal display. Each of the switches is connected by its normally-closed contact with a cancel signal. The N switches of each multiplexer are each connected with a respective one of the N common drive lines of the liquid crystal display driver.

Abstract: Measurement of the series resistance of a working and counter electrode pair in an electrochemical test strip provide error detection for multiple variations in the quality of the test strip, as well as the operation of strip in the test meter. In particular, a single measurement of series resistance can be used to detect and generate an error message when an incorrect reading is likely to result due to (1) damaged electrode tracks, (2) fouled electrode surfaces, (3) dirty strip contacts, or (4) short circuit between the electrodes.

Abstract: Detection of abnormal signal traces in electrochemical measurements generated using an electrochemical test strip to which a potential is applied allows for an indication of an erroneous analyte determination. The current trace has an expected shape in which a peak current is observed a time tpeak after which there is a decrease in current. To detect abnormal signal traces, the time tpeak is determined experimentally and compared with an expected value, t?peak, and if the difference between the two values to over a predetermined threshold, an error message is provided to the user instead of a test result. The value of t?peak is determined as a function of a mobility term that is determined during a potentiometry phase following the amperometric measurements.

Abstract: A device is provided for the analysis of samples. The device includes a plurality of sample-containment features and a non-fluorescent quenching material for minimizing cross-talk between optical signals emitted from or directed toward the sample-containment features.

Abstract: An apparatus for normalizing a PCR instrument, can comprise a microplate comprising at least 6,000 wells and a system of dyes at known concentrations in a plurality of the at least 6,000 wells. A method for normalizing a system can comprise (a) providing a microplate comprising at least 6,000 wells and a system of dyes; (b) exciting at least one dye; (c) detecting an emission output for the at least one dye; (d) determining if the emission output is in an acceptable range; and (e) adjusting the system so that the emission output is in the acceptable range.

Abstract: A method of using a standard to correct for variability in sample handling, can comprise (a) adding a template of known concentration to an assay comprising a sample; (b) preamplifying the assay; (c) amplifying the assay; (d) collecting data during the amplifying; and (e) correcting the data using a comparison of data collected from the template to data collected from the sample.

Abstract: An automated seal applicator for applying a sealing cover to a microplate. The microplate can comprise a plurality of wells for receiving an assay. The automated seal applicator can comprise a housing and a removable sealing cover cassette containing a sealing cover roll. The sealing cover roll can comprise an elongated carrier liner and a plurality of individual sealing covers releasably carried on the elongated carrier liner. The sealing cover cassette can be selectively engagable with the housing. A sealing cover drive system can engage the sealing cover roll and maintain a predetermined alignment of each of the plurality of individual sealing covers relative to the microplate.

Abstract: A sealing cover roll for use in sealing a microplate comprising an elongated carrier liner having a first surface and a second surface. A plurality of sealing covers are releasably carried on the first surface of the elongated carrier liner. Each of the plurality of sealing covers comprises a base stock and an adhesive. The adhesive is operable to retain the base stock to the elongated carrier liner and permit release of the base stock and the adhesive from the elongated carrier liner. A roll core supports a rolled configuration of the elongated carrier liner such that the first surface of the elongated carrier liner faces toward the roll core when rolled.

Abstract: The ability to switch at will between amperometric measurements and potentiometric measurements provides great flexibility in performing analyses of unknowns. Apparatus and methods can provide such switching to collect data from an electrochemical cell. The cell may contain a reagent disposed to measure glucose in human blood.

Abstract: Abstract of the Disclosure The ability to switch at will between amperometric measurements and potentiometric measurements provides great flexibility in performing analyses of unknowns. Apparatus and methods can provide such switching to collect data from an electrochemical cell. The cell may contain a reagent disposed to measure glucose in human blood.

Abstract: An electrochemical test device is provided having a base layer with a first electrode thereon and a top layer with a second electrode thereon. The two electrodes are separated by a spacer layer having an opening therein, such that a sample-receiving space is defined with one electrode on the top surface, the other electrodes on the bottom surface and side walls formed from edges of the opening in the spacer. Reagents for performing the electrochemical reaction are deposited on one of the electrodes and on the side walls of the sample-receiving space.

Abstract: A substantially planar electrochemical test strip for determination of the presence and/or quantity of an analyte in a sample is provided that has a first electrode, a first connector including two contact pads, and a first conductive lead extending between the first electrode and the first connector to establish a path for conduction of an electrical signal between the first electrode and the first connector; a second electrode, a second connector including one or more contact pads, and a second conductive lead extending between the second electrode and the second connector to establish a path for conduction of an electrical signal between the second electrode and the second connector, and a sample chamber for receiving a sample. The first and second electrode are disposed to contact a sample within the sample chamber such that an electrochemical signal is generated. The contact pad or pads of the second connector are between the contact pads of the first connector when viewed in the plane of the test strip.

Abstract: Electrochemical test cells are made with precision and accuracy by adhering an electrically resistive sheet having a bound opening to a first electrically conductive sheet. A notching opening is then punched through the electrically resistive sheet and the first electrically conductive sheet. The notching opening intersects the first bound opening in the electrically resistive sheet, and transforms the first bound opening into a notch in the electrically resistive sheet. A second electrically conductive sheet is punched to have a notching opening corresponding to that of first electrically conductive sheet, and this is adhered to the other side of the electrically resistive sheet such that the notching openings are aligned. This structure is cleaved from surrounding material to form an electrochemical cell that has a sample space for receiving a sample defined by the first and second conductive sheets and the notch in the electrically resistive sheet.

Abstract: An inverted microplate for conducting a thermocycled amplification reaction of polynucleotide. The microplate can comprise a main body having a first and second surfaces and a plurality of wells disposed in the first surface. Each of the plurality of wells can comprise a well opening and a well bottom and be sized to receive an assay. A sealing cover can be operably coupled to the first surface of the main body to seal the well openings of the plurality of wells when the main body is inverted so that the assay is in contact with the sealing covering cover.

Abstract: A filling apparatus for filling a microplate. The microplate can comprise a plurality of wells each sized to receive an assay. A substrate can comprise a first surface and an opposing second surface, a first assay input port for receiving the assay disposed on the first surface, a plurality of staging capillaries extending through the substrate, and a first plurality of microfluidic channels fluidly coupling the first assay input port with at least one of the plurality of staging capillaries. Each of the plurality of staging capillaries can comprise an inlet and an outlet and be sized to receive the assay.

Abstract: A filling apparatus for filling a microplate. The microplate having a plurality of wells each sized to receive an assay. The filling apparatus can comprise an output layer having a depression and a plurality of staging capillaries. Each of the plurality of staging capillaries can comprises an inlet disposed in the depression and an outlet, and can further be sized to receive the assay. A floating insert comprising a first surface and an opposing second surface, and an aperture for receiving the assay extending therethrough, can be moveably disposed in the depression. The floating insert and the depression can together define a main capillary gap therebetween in fluid communication between the aperture and each of the plurality of staging capillaries. The size of the main capillary gap can vary depending upon the relative position of the floating insert and the output layer.

Abstract: A method for simultaneously determining a genetic expression profile for an individual member of a species relative to an entire standard genome for the species. The method can comprise distributing a liquid sample into an array of reaction chambers of a substrate. The array can comprise a primer set and a probe for each polynucleotide target along the entire standard genome. The liquid sample can comprise substantially all genetic material of the member. Each of the reaction chambers can comprise the primer set and the probe for at least one of the polynucleotide targets and a polymerase. The method can further comprise amplifying the liquid sample in the array, detecting a signal emitted by at least one of the probes, and identifying the genetic expression profile in response to the signal.

Abstract: An automated seal applicator for applying a sealing cover to a microplate. The microplate can comprise a plurality of wells for receiving an assay. The automated seal applicator can comprise a housing and a sealing cover cartridge containing a sealing cover releasably carried on a carrier liner. The sealing cover can be at least partially contained within the sealing cover cartridge. A sealing cover drive system can engage the sealing cover and/or the carrier liner and maintain a predetermined alignment of the sealing cover relative to the microplate.

Abstract: A filling apparatus for filling a microplate. The microplate having a plurality of wells each sized to receive an assay. The filling apparatus can comprise an assay input layer having a first surface and an opposing second surface. The assay input layer can comprise an assay input port extending from the first surface to the second surface, a venting manifold formed in the second surface, and a vent hole in fluid communication with the venting manifold and atmosphere. An output layer can comprise a plurality of staging capillaries each having an inlet and an outlet. A venting layer can be disposed between the assay input layer and the output layer. The venting layer can comprise a plurality of microfluidic channels, a flow aperture being in fluid communication with the assay input port and the plurality of microfluidic channels, and a plurality of vent apertures each in fluid communication with at least one of the plurality of staging capillaries.