Abstract: A preamplifier circuit for processing a signal provided by a radiation detector includes a transimpedance amplifier coupled to receive a current signal from a detector and generate a voltage signal at its output. A second amplification stage has an input coupled to an output of the transimpedance amplifier for providing an amplified voltage signal. Detector electronics include a preamplifier circuit having a first and second transimpedance amplifier coupled to receive a current signal from a first and second location on a detector, respectively, and generate a first and second voltage signal at respective outputs. A second amplification stage has an input coupled to an output of the transimpedance amplifiers for amplifying the first and said second voltage signals to provide first and second amplified voltage signals.

Abstract: A preamplifier circuit for processing a signal provided by a radiation detector includes a transimpedance amplifier coupled to receive a current signal from a detector and generate a voltage signal at its output. A second amplification stage has an input coupled to an output of the transimpedance amplifier for providing an amplified voltage signal. Detector electronics include a preamplifier circuit having a first and second transimpedance amplifier coupled to receive a current signal from a first and second location on a detector, respectively, and generate a first and second voltage signal at respective outputs. A second amplification stage has an input coupled to an output of the transimpedance amplifiers for amplifying the first and said second voltage signals to provide first and second amplified voltage signals.

Abstract: A preamplifier circuit for processing a signal provided by a radiation detector includes a transimpedance amplifier coupled to receive a current signal from a detector and generate a voltage signal at its output. A second amplification stage has an input coupled to an output of the transimpedance amplifier for providing an amplified voltage signal. Detector electronics include a preamplifier circuit having a first and second transimpedance amplifier coupled to receive a current signal from a first and second location on a detector, respectively, and generate a first and second voltage signal at respective outputs. A second amplification stage has an input coupled to an output of the transimpedance amplifiers for amplifying the first and said second voltage signals to provide first and second amplified voltage signals.

Abstract: Method for producing an electrically conductive connection between a component (1), which is positioned in a housing, is equipped with electrical contacts and is accessible from the outside through an opening located in a wall of the housing, and a feed source, using a plug-type element (6), which is equipped with electrical mating contacts (7) and is fitted to the end of an electrical line, which is connected to the feed source and has at least two insulated conductors (8). The plug-type element (6)together with conductors (8) connected thereto is first fixed on one end of a holder (9) made from plastic, whose outer dimensions are smaller than the clear width of the opening (4) of the housing (3). Then the plug-type element (6) is passed through the opening (4) of the housing (3) by means of the holder (9) and is plugged onto the contacts (2) of the component (1).

Abstract: A local monitoring of functions, in which a sensor is connected to a voltage source via an electrical conductor, in which the sensor is arranged, together with at least one further electrical or electronic component, on a printed circuit board (9) provided with conductor tracks, the sensor being electrically conductively connected, by means of the conductor tracks of the printed circuit board (9), to the component connected to the conductor tracks, and in which the printed circuit board (9) is arranged in a housing (15). In order to supply a secure and immovable hold, the printed circuit board (9) with conductors (7, 8) connected to the conductor tracks is arranged in a holder (17), which is made from a mechanically stable insulating material, accommodates the printed circuit board (9) and has limiting stops (19, 20, 21) for the printed circuit board (9) and laterally protruding latching elements (22, 23).

Abstract: An arrangement for monitoring local temperatures in the area of heat generators is provided, in which a temperature sensor (7), the resistance of which is temperature-dependent, is connected by electrical leads (9, 10) to a voltage source. A capacitor (8) is connected to the leads (9, 10) electrically in parallel to the temperature sensor (7), and the temperature sensor (7) and the capacitor (8) are embedded jointly as a one-piece component in the insulating material (11).

Abstract: In order to fit a motor (12) in a housing (16) for an adjustment element, the motor (12) needs to be only axially introduced into a pot-shaped holding receiver (17). Said receiver (17) is then covered on the drive side by means of an assembly element (21) which is essentially in the form of a ring disk, and which, in order to obtain axial tolerance compensation, is supported opposite the housing by means of a spring arm (28) arranged in a crown-shaped manner. Said assembly element positively engages with the end shield (25) of the motor (12) and with the housing (16), in order to harness the torque. The axial connections (26) between the motor (12) and the assembly element (21) are used simultaneously, in terms of the position, the cross-section and/or depth of contact, for coding the motor classification by the assembly element (21).

Abstract: An analytical instrument for analyzing fluids. The instrument includes a cartridge carousel assembly which receives analytical cartridges. The cartridges are self-contained units which incorporate a sample metering/separation system which is operated by centrifugal force. The cartridge carousel is composed of a cartridge rotor plate which includes a center and a plurality of cartridge ports which are located in spaced relation radially outward from the center of the plate. The analytical instrument further includes an optical detector which measures a detectable analytical property of the fluid sample which is provided by the optical element of the cartridge. The optical detector includes a radiation source which shines a beam of radiation on the optical element. The optical detector further includes a return beam detector which measures the return beam of radiation emitted by the optical element. The radiation source and return beam detector are both located on the same side of the cartridge rotor plate.

Abstract: The instrument includes a cartridge carousel assembly which receives analytical cartridges. The cartridges are self-contained units which incorporate a sample metering/separation system which is operated by centrifugal force. The cartridge carousel is composed of a cartridge rotor plate which includes a center and a plurality of cartridge ports which are located in spaced relation radially outward from the center of the plate. The cartridge ports include a cartridge dock which is shaped to receive the cartridges and a balance weight dock which is located radially inward from the cartridge dock. The cartridge dock is shaped to receive a balance weight. A locking mechanism is provided which holds the cartridge in the cartridge dock during rotation of the cartridge rotor plate. A balancing mechanism is provided which includes a balance weight which is movable to the balance weight dock when a cartridge is inserted into the cartridge dock.

Abstract: An analytical instrument for analyzing fluids. The instrument includes a cartridge carousel assembly which receives analytical cartridges. The analytical cartridges include a centrifugal force-operated sample metering/separation system, a pressure-operated sample transport system, and a test element which provides a detectable analytical property of a fluid sample. The cartridge carousel assembly includes a cartridge rotor plate which has a plurality of cartridge ports which receive the cartridges. A rotary drive mechanism rotates the cartridge rotor plate to provide rotation of the plate which activates the centrifugal force-operated sample metering/separation system of the cartridge. The instrument includes a sample transport actuator which activates the pressure-operated sample transport system of the cartridge. In addition, the instrument includes a detector which measures the detectable analytical property of the fluid sample after the sample metering and transport systems have been activated.

Abstract: The instrument includes a cartridge carousel assembly which receives analytical cartridges. The cartridges are self-contained units which incorporate a sample metering/separation system which is operated by centrifugal force. The cartridge carousel is composed of a cartridge rotor plate which includes a center and a plurality of cartridge ports which are located in spaced relation radially outward from the center of the plate. The cartridge ports include a cartridge dock which is shaped to receive the cartridges and a balance weight dock which is located radially inward from the cartridge dock. The cartridge dock is shaped to receive a balance weight. A locking mechanism is provided which holds the cartridge in the cartridge dock during rotation of the cartridge rotor plate. A balancing mechanism is provided which includes a balance weight which is movable to the balance weight dock when a cartridge is inserted into the cartridge dock.

Abstract: An analytical instrument for analyzing fluids. The instrument includes a cartridge carousel assembly which receives analytical cartridges. The cartridges are self-contained units which incorporate a sample metering/separation system which is operated by centrifugal force. The cartridge carousel is composed of a cartridge rotor plate which includes a center and a plurality of cartridge ports which are located in spaced relation radially outward from the center of the plate. The analytical instrument further includes an optical detector which measures a detectable analytical property of the fluid sample which is provided by the optical element of the cartridge. The optical detector includes a radiation source which shines a beam of radiation on the optical element. The optical detector further includes a return beam detector which measures the return beam of radiation emitted by the optical element. The radiation source and return beam detector are both located on the same side of the cartridge rotor plate.

Abstract: A method for measuring the fluorescent lifetime of an unknown fluorescent sample, such as a biological liquid, without the requirement of manual intervention or a separate reference standard. An energetic light beam having its low energy component filtered out is shined on the sample. An optical detector is positioned such that the intensity of the components of the light beam reflected from the sample reaching the detector is substantially minimized but light remitted and/or fluoresced by the sample does reach the detector with non-trivial intensity. Errors arising from the electronic components of the system, such as RFI and D.C. offset errors, are isolated and minimized by positioning an opaque filter between the sample and the detector and measuring the resulting signal. The resulting baseline measurement data is stored for later error subtraction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the heart rate of a patient. In one embodiment the apparatus includes a hollow bell mounted on a diaphragm. A transducer element is also positioned therein to receive sound transmitted through the diaphragm, convert the sounds into electrical impulses, and transmit the electrical impulses to a microprocessor. The electrical impulses have real-time wave patterns corresponding to the real-time wave patterns of the original sounds. The microprocessor performs mathematical operations on wave pattern data conveyed by the electrical impulses to determine a numerical value corresponding to the frequency of the wave patterns. This numerical value is sent to a digital output and displayed thereon.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for passively determining the application of a sample fluid on an analyte strip using measurement of ambient light passing through the strip. Sample fluid, such as whole blood, is applied to a reagent matrix and the amount of ambient light transmitted through the matrix is periodically measured both before and after application of the sample fluid. A step increase of the transmitted light reading occurs after hydration of the strip, and the occurrence of this step increase is used to start a predetermined incubation period. At the expiration of the incubation period, another light transmission measurement is made which is indicative of an analyte concentration in the sample fluid (such as glucose concentration in a whole blood sample).

Abstract: An optical system for measuring the reflectance of flat strips having potentially optically non-uniform surfaces. In one embodiment the systems includes an array of discrete light sources, wherein each light source is driven by its own individual current, such that the pattern reflected onto a photodector is substantially uniform in intensity.

Abstract: A method for determining the application of a sample fluid on an analyte strip using first and second derivatives. Sample fluid, such as whole blood, is applied to a reagent matrix and sensor readings, such as reflectance readings or current readings, are taken of the fluid/reagent combination. The first and second derivatives of the sensor readings are calculated. A predetermined incubation time period is begun at either a local minimum in the first derivative or a local maximum following a local minimum in the second derivative data. At the expiration of the incubation period, another sensor reading is taken which is indicative of an analyte concentration in the sample fluid (such as glucose concentration in a whole blood sample).

Abstract: An analytical cartridge adapted for use in analyzing fluids for spectrophotometry. The cartridge includes a plumbing system composed of the cuvette and various wells or chambers which are interconnected by passageways. After introduction into the cartridge, liquid samples are separated (if necessary) and transported to a cuvette utilizing a sequential application of centrifugal force followed by pressurization of the system. The cartridge may be used in a wide variety of spectrophotometric procedures to measure the concentration of a wide variety of constituents in fluids, including bodily fluids which contain liquid and solid components.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for eliminating the effects of varying sample distance on optical measurements. In a first embodiment, a light source and a detector are both positioned in front of a measurement sample. A light source lens assembly focuses the light such that its focal point is behind the measurement sample, while a detector lens assembly focuses the light reflected from the measurement sample such that its focal point is in front of the measurement sample. Any movement of the measurement sample away from its nominal position does not affect the detector output because the effects of the source lens assembly and the detector lens assembly cancel each other. In a second embodiment, a light source and two detectors are positioned on one side off a measurement sample. The first detector is placed at a small angle relative to the sample normal, while the second detector is placed at a relatively large angle relative to the sample normal.

Abstract: A method of communicating with one or more microcomputer (200) controlled instruments (10) for determining the concentration of a medically significant component of a body fluid. Each instrument (10) includes a port (220) through which instructions and data can be received from, and transmitted to, an external device. The method comprises the steps of transmitting to each instrument (10) an attention protocol for advising each instrument (10) that a further instruction is to be transmitted, transmitting one of a global address to all of such instruments (10) and an address unique to one of such instruments (10), and transmitting an instruction to all of the instruments (10) or to the above-mentioned one instrument (10).