System for automatically testing a fluid specimen

• US 6,964,752 B2
• Filed: 02/13/2004
• Issued: 11/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: eScreen (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: eScreen (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Whitford, Bill, Birkner, David A., Goodin, John W., Lappe, Murray I., Patten, Keith
• Primary Examiner(s): Warden, Jill
• Assistant Examiner(s): SIEFKE, SAMUEL P
• Application Number:
  US10/779,014
• Publication Number:
  US 20040166023A1
• Time in Patent Office: 641 Days
• Field of Search: 422/68.1, 422/63, 422/82.05, 422/119, 422/58, 422/61, 422/100, 422/102, 422/103
• US Class Current: 422/82
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0605 Metering of fluids
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/141 Preventing contamination, tampering
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/021 Identification, e.g. bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/025 Displaying results or values with integrated means
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/042 Caps; Plugs
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/046 Function or devices integrated in the closure
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/047 Additional chamber, reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0663 Whole sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/069 Absorbents; Gels to retain a fluid
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0825 Test strips
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0832 cylindrical, tube shaped
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0406 capillary forces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0478 pistons
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0683 mechanically breaking a wall or membrane within a channel or chamber
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502 with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures centrifugal-type cuvettes G01N21/07; analysis by separation into components G01N30/00; automatic analysers G01N35/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502715 characterised by interfacing components, e.g. fluidic, electrical, optical or mechanical interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/545 for laboratory containers
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/528 Atypical element structures, e.g. gloves, rods, tampons, toilet paper
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/54366 Apparatus specially adapted for solid-phase testing
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/94 involving narcotics or drugs or pharmaceuticals, neurotransmitters or associated receptors
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00871 : Communications between instruments or with remote terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/10 : at least one kind of marking being used for authentication, e.g. of credit or identity cards verification of coded identity or credit cards in mechanisms actuated by them G07F7/12
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 2019/06253 : for a specific application
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/018 : Certifying business or products
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/30 : Writer recognition; Reading and verifying signatures
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/40 : for data related to laboratory analysis, e.g. patient specimen analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 : for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 : for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 : for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/12 : Condition responsive control
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/13 : Tracers or tags
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25 : including sample preparation

Abstract

A system for automatically testing a fluid specimen, e.g., urine, to indicate the presence of specified chemical components in the specimen. The system preferably utilizes an assaying device comprised of a collection cup and a cap which carries at least one test strip. The device includes an integrated aliquot delivery mechanism actuatable to wet the test strip with an aliquot delivered from the fluid specimen. The assaying device is configured to operate in conjunction with an electronic reader device capable of actuating the aliquot delivery mechanism and reading the reaction of the test strip. A preferred reader device defines a keyed receptacle for accommodating a complementary shaped cup housing in a particular orientation. The reader device is comprised of a camera for capturing the image of a test strip, an actuator for actuating an aliquot delivery mechanism, and a microprocessor/controller for (1) controlling the camera and actuator and (2) processing the image.

Claims

1. An apparatus for use with an assaying device presenting a lower periphery and including a test strip for providing a visual indication of at least one property of a fluid specimen, said apparatus comprising:

an apparatus housing including a base portion and a head portion,

said base portion having a keyed recess formed therein for receiving and holding the device in a fixed position relative to said head portion,

said keyed recess being complementary to the lower periphery of the assaying device to place the device in a specific orientation relative to said head portion;

a camera coupled to said head portion and operable to acquire an image of said test strip;

a processor operable to control said camera to periodically capture sequential images of said test strip, generate a digital representation of each captured image, and to process said digital representations to detect markings on said image indicative of each of said chemical components in said fluid specimen; and

output means for reporting the detection of said markings.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further including a selectively actuated piston mounted in said head portion configured for contacting and engaging a portion of the device.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further including:

a host computer;

a communication network; and

wherein

said output means including a connectivity device for connecting to said host computer via said communication network.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further including at least one light source for illuminating said test strip.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further including a light shield movably mounted in said head portion for movement toward the assaying device to minimize stray light on said test strip.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, said base portion being fixed relative to said camera and configured to directly contact the device.