Method of processing assay test results
First Claim
1. A method of testing a fluid sample to determine whether or not it contains a certain substance, comprising:
- using an assay test device having sample and reaction sensors mounted within a housing;
storing a predetermined threshold range for readings of the sample and reaction sensors indicative of a desired amount of light within the housing prior to introduction of the fluid sample;
using the sample sensor to determine an initial sample sensor reading;
using the reaction sensor to determine an initial reaction sensor reading;
storing the initial readings of the sample and reaction sensors;
comparing the initial sample sensor reading to the predetermined threshold range;
determining in response to the comparing the initial sample sensor reading to the predetermined threshold range whether or not the initial sample sensor reading is acceptable;
comparing the initial reaction sensor reading to the predetermined threshold range;
determining in response to the comparing the initial reaction sensor reading to the predetermined threshold range whether or not the initial reaction sensor reading is acceptable;
generating a signal in response to either determining step finding an unacceptable initial reading to alert the user that the test device is faulty;
flowing the fluid sample along an elongated test strip;
using the sample sensor spaced from the test strip to detect the presence of the fluid sample using the light reflecting from a first location on the test strip;
starting a timer for a predetermined time delay interval in response to the sample sensor detecting the fluid sample under test being received at the first location on the test strip;
generating an electric time-out signal at the end of the predetermined time delay interval started by the sample sensor;
using the reaction sensor remote from the sample sensor starting the time delay interval for detecting the fluid sample under test at a second location on the test strip in response to the time-out signal at the end of the time delay interval started by the sample sensor;
determining whether or not the fluid sample under test at the second location on the test strip contains a predetermined quantity of the certain substance in response to the reaction sensor detecting the fluid sample under test;
generating an electric output signal in response to the determination in the reaction sensor; and
indicating the presence or absence of a predetermined quantity of the certain substance contained within the fluid sample under test,wherein the sample sensor and the reaction sensor are photo-optic sensors.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In accordance with certain disclosed embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a method of analyzing assay test results for determining whether a fluid under test contains a certain substance. The disclosed method includes detecting the certain substance in the fluid under test received on a test strip, and generating an electrical signal indicative of the amount of the substance detected. The disclosed method further includes responding to the signal, and determining whether or not the fluid under test contains a predetermined quantity of the certain substance to generate an electric output signal. The method disclosed also includes responding to the output signal to indicate the presence or absence of a predetermined quantity of the certain substance contained within the fluid under test. The disclosed method includes delaying in the detecting until after a predetermined time delay interval, and storing the detected information at the completion of the time delay interval. The stored information is compared with stored threshold electric signals to determine whether or not the fluid under test contains a predetermined quantity of the certain substance.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method of testing a fluid sample to determine whether or not it contains a certain substance, comprising:
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using an assay test device having sample and reaction sensors mounted within a housing; storing a predetermined threshold range for readings of the sample and reaction sensors indicative of a desired amount of light within the housing prior to introduction of the fluid sample; using the sample sensor to determine an initial sample sensor reading; using the reaction sensor to determine an initial reaction sensor reading; storing the initial readings of the sample and reaction sensors; comparing the initial sample sensor reading to the predetermined threshold range; determining in response to the comparing the initial sample sensor reading to the predetermined threshold range whether or not the initial sample sensor reading is acceptable; comparing the initial reaction sensor reading to the predetermined threshold range; determining in response to the comparing the initial reaction sensor reading to the predetermined threshold range whether or not the initial reaction sensor reading is acceptable; generating a signal in response to either determining step finding an unacceptable initial reading to alert the user that the test device is faulty; flowing the fluid sample along an elongated test strip; using the sample sensor spaced from the test strip to detect the presence of the fluid sample using the light reflecting from a first location on the test strip; starting a timer for a predetermined time delay interval in response to the sample sensor detecting the fluid sample under test being received at the first location on the test strip; generating an electric time-out signal at the end of the predetermined time delay interval started by the sample sensor; using the reaction sensor remote from the sample sensor starting the time delay interval for detecting the fluid sample under test at a second location on the test strip in response to the time-out signal at the end of the time delay interval started by the sample sensor; determining whether or not the fluid sample under test at the second location on the test strip contains a predetermined quantity of the certain substance in response to the reaction sensor detecting the fluid sample under test; generating an electric output signal in response to the determination in the reaction sensor; and indicating the presence or absence of a predetermined quantity of the certain substance contained within the fluid sample under test, wherein the sample sensor and the reaction sensor are photo-optic sensors. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification