Abstract: A wavelength correction function provides corrected reflectance values from actual reflectance values taken in a reflectance-base instrument. The correction is provided as a function of measured reflectance values and a predefined set of high resolution reflectance values established for the reflectance-based instrument implementing the wavelength correction function.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically detecting the presence of a reagent strip (14) having a body fluid sample disposed thereon and for inspecting the reagent strip (14) after the presence of the reagent strip (14) is detected is provided with a detection system adapted to automatically detect the presence of a reagent strip (14) at a reagent strip receiving area (12), a light source (64 or 68) adapted to illuminate the reagent strip (14) after the presence of the reagent strip (14) at the reagent strip receiving area (12) is detected, and a detector (66 or 70) adapted to receive light from the reagent strip (14) when the reagent strip (14) is being illuminated by the light source.

Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting a reagent strip (14) having a fluid sample disposed thereon is provided with a conveyor system (80) adapted to move the reagent strip (14) from a first reagent strip inspection location to a second reagent strip inspection location, a first readhead (60) associated with the first reagent strip inspection location, and a second readhead (62) associated with the second reagent strip inspection location. Each of the readheads (60, 62) has a light source (64, 68) and a light detector (66, 70) associated therewith, each light source (64, 68) being adapted to illuminate the reagent strip (14) at one of the reagent strip inspection locations and each light detector (66, 70) being adapted to detect light from the reagent strip (14) when the reagent strip (14) is disposed at one of the reagent strip inspection locations.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automated method for reading a test strip for the analysis of one or more analyte in a liquid test sample. The method involves the spectrophotometric reading of a test strip which bears at least two marker fields on its surface which are capable of reflecting light at different spectral regions from each other. The reading means of the spectrophotometer is programmed to discern information concerning the strip, such as what analyte the strip is designed to detect, from the sequences of spectral classifications by spectral reflectancy measurements of the strip's marker fields.

Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing a body-fluid sample disposed on a reagent pad is provided with a light bulb for successively illuminating a plurality of different portions of the reagent pad on which the body-fluid sample is disposed and a detector array for detecting light received from the reagent pad and generating a plurality of reflectance signals in response to light received from a corresponding one of the different portions of the reagent pad. The apparatus is also provided with means for determining whether the magnitude of one of the reflectance signals is substantially different than the magnitude of another of the reflectance signals. Where the body-fluid sample is urine, this capability allows the apparatus to detect the presence of non-hemolyzed in the urine sample. The light bulb may successively illuminate a plurality of overlapping portions of the reagent pad, and may successively illuminate at least three different portions of the reagent pad which are linearly offset from each other.

Abstract: A video test strip reader uses a video imager or camera for viewing a viewing field containing reagent test strips each having test pads reacted with a specimen containing constituents of interest. The video imager produces an analog signal representing an image of the viewing field. An image handler coupled to the video imager converts or digitizes the analog signal into a digital signal representing the image and stores the image in the form of an array of pixels representing the image. Each pixel contains color information broken down into red, green or blue (RGB). A processor coupled to the image handler analyzes the array of pixels, determines the location and orientation of a test strip, identifies the test areas on the test strip, measures the corresponding test areas on the strip at the proper times and calculates the test results, such as the concentration of the constituents of interest in the specimen or other measurable properties of the specimen such as color or specific gravity, etc.

Abstract: A radiation aperture system where two sets of apertures are distributed in ring sections of like radius on two parallel rings. As one ring is rotated with respect to its counterpart, one aperture of each ring will align to pass a radiation beam through both apertures. Only a single aperture pair is formed at each unique time, allowing sequential measurements of all combinations of both aperture openings during rotation without halting the rotation.