Abstract: A device for collecting, drying, and transporting a urine sample, and extracting an analyte of interest from the dried sample for determining the presence or absence of the analyte or, if present, the amount or concentration thereof, is described. A preferred embodiment of the device is a sample collection strip which includes a collection pad for collecting and retaining the sample and a handle member for handling or manipulation of the device. Methods of use, and kits relating to the device are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for performing an analytical assay by providing a kit for collecting and storing a test sample, the kit including a sample collection device, a sample storage device, and a printed material having indicated thereon an electronic address for accessing the result of the assay; using the kit to collect a specimen from a test subject at a first location such as the subject's home or a health care provider's office; transporting the collected specimen to an off-site laboratory; analyzing the specimen at the off-site laboratory; and reporting the result of the analysis over a computer communications network such as the Internet.

Abstract: Filter paper absorbed with a solution of anticoagulant, e.g., ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA), then dried, useful for collection of a blood sample for analysis of hemoglobin or a hemoglobin fraction in the sample showed higher precision in standard assays than untreated filter paper. Methods of using the anticoagulant-treated filter paper are also described.

Abstract: For blood or other physiological fluid sample collection kits that use filter paper to collect the sample the performance of the kit and associated analytical method can be improved by using a material having properties which are superior to those of standard filter paper or modified filter paper routinely used in standard biological assays. Certain materials currently available for uses other than blood collection, storage, or transport have properties that are advantageous as employed in assays of biological fluids, including the use of specific glass fiber blotting materials for collecting blood samples for hemoglobin or hemoglobin A1c monitoring.

Abstract: A device for remote-site biological sample collection for laboratory analysis is described. The device can be made in several configurations which all include separate members for collecting and separating the biological sample into its desired components which are detected or measured. Methods of use for the device are also described.

Abstract: For blood or other physiological fluid sample collection kits that use filter paper to collect the sample, the performance of the kit and associated analytical method can be improved by using a material having properties which are superior to those of standard filter paper or modified filter paper routinely used in standard biological assays. Certain materials currently available for uses other than blood collection, storage, or transport have properties that are advantageous as employed in assays of biological fluids, including the use of specific cellulose blotting materials for collecting blood samples for hemoglobin or hemoglobin A1c monitoring.

Abstract: A device for remote-site biological sample collection for laboratory analysis is described. The device can be made in several configurations which all include separate members for collecting and separating the biological sample into its desired components which are detected or measured. Methods of use for the device are also described.

Abstract: An enzymatic reagent is provided for use in the kinetic measurement of the concentration of an enzyme substrate present in a sample and possessing the Michaelis-Menten relationship between reaction rate and substrate concentration. The reagent includes an enzyme such as glucose oxidase, uricase or urease for reacting with corresponding enzyme substrates such as glucose, uric acid or urea. In addition, the reagent includes a nonreacting competitive inhibitor of the enzyme. The inhibitor is present in an amount sufficient to improve the linearity of the reaction rate-concentration relationship associated with the enzyme substrate reaction at concentrations which are low relative to the Michaelis-Menten constant, Km, for the particular enzyme substrate reaction. The improved linearity, in turn, improves the accuracy of the kinetic measurements of substrate concentration made by linear output analyzers especially in an upper portion of the predetermined range where the relationship is particularly nonlinear.

Abstract: Apparatus for the analysis of samples such as blood or urine includes a reaction cell for reacting the sample with a chemical reagent at a predetermined temperature. A heat exchanger is provided on the reaction cell for establishing the temperature of the cell. Reagent is pumped into the cell through a conduit, and a portion of the conduit is wound around the reaction cell in contact with the heat exchanger to preheat reagent in the conduit before the reagent is pumped into the cell.