Instrument for determining concentration of multiple analytes in a fluid sample

• US 20030161762A1
• Filed: 02/10/2003
• Published: 08/28/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Polymer Technology Systems Incorporated (Sinocare, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Polymer Technology Systems Incorporated (Sinocare, Inc.)
• Inventors: Wallace, Matthew, Caron, Michael
• Application Number:
  US10/361,779
• Publication Number:
  US 20030161762A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/68.1
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/8483 Investigating reagent band test-element handling not specific to a test method G01N33/4875; analytical elements specific to chemical analysis of biological material G01N33/52; autometer with reagent band G01N35/04

Abstract

An instrument for reading test strips to determine concentrations of analytes from body fluid samples that are deposited onto the test strips. The instrument includes a novel modular optical block that can be replaced without requiring replacement of the entire instrument. Another feature of the invention is a novel encryption code that allows a technician during service calls to quickly identify all relevant manufacturing information for the test strips being used by the person placing the service call. Another feature of the instrument of the present invention is that it can be used in combination with a novel test strip capable of testing multiple analytes from a single sample.

Claims

1. An instrument for measuring the concentration of analytes, comprising:

an instrument body defining an opening; and

a modular optical block detachably received in said opening, said optical block comprising a test strip holder adapted to receive a test strip, whereby said modular optical block can be replaced without requiring replacement of said instrument.

2. The instrument of claim 1, wherein said optical block further comprises a light shield which directs incident beams toward the test strips that are received in said test strip holder and directs reflected beams from the test strips to a light detector.

3. The instrument of claim 2, further comprising a chip attached to the underside of said light shield, said chip having said light detectors mounted thereon and having light sources mounted thereon, said light sources producing said incident beams.

4. An encryption scheme for a diagnostic instrument that reads test strips, said encryption scheme comprising:

a display having four alphanumeric characters, a first one of said alphanumeric characters corresponding to the type of analyte the test strip measures, the second alphanumeric character corresponding to the year the test strip was made, the third alphanumeric character corresponding to the month the test strip was made, and the fourth alphanumeric character corresponding to a lot or batch number of the test strip.