Abstract: Described are various embodiments of a point-of-care testing (POCT) system, analyzer and method for measuring quantities of at least two analytes in a blood sample, for example bilirubin and hemoglobin. The system comprises an analyzer and a removable cartridge. The removable cartridge comprises an optical chamber configured for receiving the blood sample. The analyzer comprises a receptor for receiving the removable cartridge, a first and second set of incident electromagnetic radiation (EMR) for example two broadband LEDs, an EMR dispersive element for example a reflective grating, a photo diode array detector, and a processor. The two EMR sources are implemented in such a way so that the spectral wavelength range of EMR emerging from the blood is expanded, and the effect of stray EMR is mitigated. The expanded wavelength range and the mitigation of stray EMR allows the analyzer to measure quantities of the analytes in lysed or unlysed blood.

Abstract: A point-of-care testing (POCT) system comprising an analyzer, a measurement cartridge, and a calibration cartridge for calibrating the measurement cartridge is described. The measurement cartridge comprises at least one electrochemical sensor for measuring the one or more properties of the blood sample, and the calibration cartridge comprises a similar at least one electrochemical sensor and at least one sealed blister containing calibration fluid for calibrating the measurement cartridge. Examples of properties of the blood sample may be pH, blood gases, electrolytes, and metabolites like glucose and creatinine. The measurement cartridge may also comprise an optical chamber for measuring for example, bilirubin and hemoglobin species, for which the analyzer comprises stored calibration algorithms. The optical chamber may be disposed in any location in the measurement cartridge, for receiving a portion of the blood sample.

Abstract: A joint point-of-care testing (POCT) analyzer, and a system comprising an analyzer and a cartridge, for measuring one or more analyte quantities per unit volume of blood and one or more formed element quantities per unit volume of blood, is described. Examples of formed elements of blood are red blood cells and white blood cells, and cell counts are determined by imaging using a two-dimensional multi-channel detector. Examples of analytes are hemoglobin and bilirubin, and hemoglobin and bilirubin concentrations are determined by spectroscopy using a one-dimensional multi-channel detector. Other examples of analytes are electrolytes, and electrolyte concentrations may be determined using biosensors incorporated in the cartridges.

Abstract: A point-of-care testing (POCT) system comprising an analyzer, a measurement cartridge, and a calibration cartridge for calibrating the measurement cartridge is described. The measurement cartridge comprises at least one electrochemical sensor for measuring the one or more properties of the blood sample, and the calibration cartridge comprises a similar at least one electrochemical sensor and at least one sealed blister containing calibration fluid for calibrating the measurement cartridge. Examples of properties of the blood sample may be pH, blood gases, electrolytes, and metabolites like glucose and creatinine. The measurement cartridge may also comprise an optical chamber for measuring for example, bilirubin and hemoglobin species, for which the analyzer comprises stored calibration algorithms. The optical chamber may be disposed in any location in the measurement cartridge, for receiving a portion of the blood sample.

Abstract: A joint point-of-care testing (POCT) analyzer, and a system comprising an analyzer and a cartridge, for measuring one or more analyte quantities per unit volume of blood and one or more formed element quantities per unit volume of blood, is described. Examples of formed elements of blood are red blood cells and white blood cells, and cell counts are determined by imaging using a two-dimensional multi-channel detector. Examples of analytes are hemoglobin and bilirubin, and hemoglobin and bilirubin concentrations are determined by spectroscopy using a one-dimensional multi-channel detector. Other examples of analytes are electrolytes, and electrolyte concentrations may be determined using biosensors incorporated in the cartridges.

Abstract: A joint point-of-care testing (POCT) analyzer, and a system comprising an analyzer and a cartridge, for measuring one or more analyte quantities per unit volume of blood and one or more formed element quantities per unit volume of blood, is described. Examples of formed elements of blood are red blood cells and white blood cells, and cell counts are determined by imaging using a two-dimensional multi-channel detector. Examples of analytes are hemoglobin and bilirubin, and hemoglobin and bilirubin concentrations are determined by spectroscopy using a one-dimensional multi-channel detector. Other examples of analytes are electrolytes, and electrolyte concentrations may be determined using biosensors incorporated in the cartridges.

Abstract: A joint point-of-care testing (POCT) analyzer, and a system comprising an analyzer and a cartridge, for measuring one or more analyte quantities per unit volume of blood and one or more formed element quantities per unit volume of blood, is described. Examples of formed elements of blood are red blood cells and white blood cells, and cell counts are determined by imaging using a two-dimensional multi-channel detector. Examples of analytes are hemoglobin and bilirubin, and hemoglobin and bilirubin concentrations are determined by spectroscopy using a one-dimensional multi-channel detector. Other examples of analytes are electrolytes, and electrolyte concentrations may be determined using biosensors incorporated in the cartridges.

Abstract: A cartridge and system involving a joint spectroscopic and biosensor blood analyzer for measurement of at least two hemoglobin species in a patient's blood sample by spectroscopy, and measurement of at least pH of the blood sample by biosensor, for assessing the patient's oxygenation and acid-base status. The cartridge comprises a housing having a first housing member and a second housing member bonded together by a gasket. The housing comprises a cartridge inlet; a blood storage conduit; an optical chamber; a biosensor conduit; a waste receptacle; a vent; an air bladder, an air bladder exit port; and, an optical window and an aligned optical member, the aligned optical member being one of a reflecting member or a second optical window, and being positioned to align with at least a portion of the optical chamber and at least a portion of the optical window.

Abstract: Disposable cartridges comprising hinged caps and optical chambers for measuring one or more properties of a blood sample are described. Blood flow in the disposable cartridges may be regulated by either positive or negative pressure. Other embodiments of cartridges comprising a biosensor chamber disposed downstream of the optical chamber are also described. Methods for measuring one or more properties of a blood sample using different cartridge embodiments are provided.

Abstract: Disposable cartridges comprising hinged caps and optical chambers for measuring one or more properties of a blood sample are described. Blood flow in the disposable cartridges may be regulated by either positive or negative pressure. Other embodiments of cartridges comprising a biosensor chamber disposed downstream of the optical chamber are also described. Methods for measuring one or more properties of a blood sample using different cartridge embodiments are provided.

Abstract: A disposable cartridge and method for measuring one or more properties of a blood sample are provided. The disposable cartridge can receive a sample when it is in an unsealed configuration. After adjusting the cartridge from the unsealed configuration to a sealed configuration, facilitated by a hingedly attached cap, pressurized air from an air bladder may be used to force the blood from a sample storage well into a detection chamber in a regulated manner, so that the one or more properties of the blood sample may then be measured.

Abstract: The present invention provides a disposable ultra-filtration system comprising a disposable pipetting tip and a disposable ultra-filtration cartridge, wherein the cartridge includes a membrane filtration chamber and a dead-end channel. In use, a piston in the pipette pressurizes air within the channel; the pressurized air can subsequently move the piston and cause a reverse flow back through the membrane of the cartridge, unplugging the pores thereof. Also disclosed is an automated workstation incorporating the disposable ultra-filtration system, and a system comprising the automated workstation, useful for measuring the free therapeutic drug concentration and free hormone concentration in a sample.

Abstract: A disposable cartridge and method for measuring one or more properties of a blood sample are provided. The disposable cartridge can receive a sample when it is in an unsealed configuration. After adjusting the cartridge from the unsealed configuration to a sealed configuration, facilitated by a hingedly attached cap, pressurized air from an air bladder may be used to force the blood from a sample storage well into a detection chamber in a regulated manner, so that the one or more properties of the blood sample may then be measured.

Abstract: A disposable cartridge for rapidly metering a sample for measuring a property of the sample is described. The cartridge can receive a sample when it is in an unsealed configuration, and a cap is used to facilitate metering of the sample and sealing the cartridge. When the cartridge is in a sealed configuration, pressurized air is used to push the metered sample into a chamber containing at least one reagent, and subsequently into a detection chamber for measuring a property of the sample.

Abstract: A disposable cartridge for rapidly metering a sample for measuring a property of the sample is described. The cartridge can receive a sample when it is in an unsealed configuration, and a cap is used to facilitate metering of the sample and sealing the cartridge. When the cartridge is in a sealed configuration, pressurised air is used to push the metered sample into a chamber containing at least one reagent, and subsequently into a detection chamber for measuring a property of the sample.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a disposable cartridge for rapidly metering a sample for measuring a property of the sample. The cartridge can receive a sample when it is in an unsealed configuration, and a cap is used to facilitate metering of the sample and sealing the cartridge. When the cartridge is in a sealed configuration, pressurised air is used to push the metered sample into a chamber containing at least one reagent, and subsequently into a detection chamber for measuring the property of the sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides a disposable ultra-filtration system comprising a disposable pipetting tip and a disposable ultra-filtration cartridge, wherein the cartridge includes a membrane filtration chamber and a dead-end channel. In use, a piston in the pipette pressurizes air within the channel; the pressurized air can subsequently move the piston and cause a reverse flow back through the membrane of the cartridge, unplugging the pores thereof. Also disclosed is an automated workstation incorporating the disposable ultra-filtration system, and a system comprising the automated workstation, useful for measuring the free therapeutic drug concentration and free hormone concentration in a sample.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a disposable cartridge for rapidly metering a sample for measuring a property of the sample. The cartridge can receive a sample when it is in an unsealed configuration, and a cap is used to facilitate metering of the sample and sealing the cartridge. When the cartridge is in a sealed configuration, pressurised air is used to push the metered sample into a chamber containing at least one reagent, and subsequently into a detection chamber for measuring the property of the sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides a disposable ultra-filtration system comprising a disposable pipetting tip and a disposable ultra-filtration cartridge, wherein the cartridge includes a membrane filtration chamber and a dead-end channel. In use, a piston in the pipette pressurizes air within the channel; the pressurized air can subsequently move the piston and cause a reverse flow back through the membrane of the cartridge, unplugging the pores thereof. Also disclosed is an automated workstation incorporating the disposable ultra-filtration system, and a system comprising the automated workstation, useful for measuring the free therapeutic drug concentration and free hormone concentration in a sample.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a system for measurement of at least two hemoglobin species in a patient's blood sample by spectroscopy, and measurement of at least pH of the blood sample by biosensor. The system comprises a disposable cartridge adapted for insertion into a slot of an analyzer, and the results are used to monitor the acid-base status of a patient. A method for monitoring the acid-base status of a patient using the system is also provided.