Optical reagent format for small sample volumes
First Claim
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1. A method of optically analyzing a fluid sample comprising:
- placing a sample-side surface of an optical format against a skin surface, the optical format including an optical communication path formed by an input light guide coupled with an input reflector, an output light guide coupled with an output reflector, and a sample cavity disposed between the input reflector and the output reflector, the optical communication path being continuous and closed between a first end of the input light guide and the input reflector and being continuous and closed between a first end of the output light guide and the output reflector;
puncturing the skin surface with a lancet in communication with the sample cavity to obtain the fluid sample;
collecting the fluid sample in the sample cavity;
interacting the fluid sample with a reagent;
directing light entering the input light guide through the sample cavity;
detecting light which has passed through the sample cavity; and
optically analyzing the fluid sample using the detected light.
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Abstract
An optical waveguiding optical format enables consistent optical analysis of small sample volumes with minimal variation in light path length among optical formats. The optical format is comprised of an input guide, an output guide, and a sample cavity adapted to allow light to pass through a sample on its way from the input guide to the output guide. A lid removed from the light pathway within the format may be provided with a reagent for assisting fluid analysis.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method of optically analyzing a fluid sample comprising:
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placing a sample-side surface of an optical format against a skin surface, the optical format including an optical communication path formed by an input light guide coupled with an input reflector, an output light guide coupled with an output reflector, and a sample cavity disposed between the input reflector and the output reflector, the optical communication path being continuous and closed between a first end of the input light guide and the input reflector and being continuous and closed between a first end of the output light guide and the output reflector; puncturing the skin surface with a lancet in communication with the sample cavity to obtain the fluid sample; collecting the fluid sample in the sample cavity; interacting the fluid sample with a reagent; directing light entering the input light guide through the sample cavity; detecting light which has passed through the sample cavity; and optically analyzing the fluid sample using the detected light. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of using an optical format, the method comprising:
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engaging the optical format against skin of a user, the optical format including an optical communication path formed by an input light guide coupled with an input reflector, an output light guide coupled with an output reflector, and a sample cavity disposed between the input reflector and the output reflector, the optical communication path being continuous and closed between the input light guide and the input reflector and being continuous and closed between the output light guide and the output reflector; receiving the fluid sample from the skin in the sample cavity; and directing light entering the input light guide through the sample cavity. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for determining an analyte concentration in a fluid sample comprising:
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puncturing skin of a user with a lancet; allowing the fluid sample to accumulate on a surface of the skin; engaging an optical format against the skin of the user, the optical format including an optical communication path formed by an input light guide coupled with an input reflector, an output light guide coupled with an output reflector, and a sample cavity disposed between the input reflector and the output reflector, the input light guide being formed by a first four-sided wall structure and the output light guide being formed by a second four-sided wall structure, the optical communication path being continuous and closed between the input light guide and the input reflector and being continuous and closed between the output light guide and the output reflector; collecting at least a portion of the accumulated fluid sample in the sample cavity of the optical format; interacting the fluid sample with a reagent provided on a lid adjacent the sample cavity; directing light entering the input light guide through the sample cavity, at least a portion of the entering light passing through the sample cavity; detecting light which has passed through the sample cavity; and determining the analyte concentration in the fluid sample using the detected light. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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Specification