Lifescan Corporation

Deborah P Tuohy

Ernest J Kiser

John M Dubowik

Joel Sterling Douglas

Michael F Tomasco

Edward G Rice

Scott Segelke

Remedios Dato

Mark Maxson

Zbigniew Witko

A test strip for determining the concentration of an analyte in a body fluid includes a membrane in fluid communication with a porous layer. The membrane and the porous layer are divided into compressed portions, which restrict the capillary flow of the body fluid, and uncompressed portions. The uncompressed portions are adapted to absorb and retain body fluids in excess of the amount required for operation of the test strip. The test strip may be constructed with an internal relief chamber to accommodate the uncompressed portions. A method of making the test strip by pressure and/or heat sealing individual components on a shaping die is also provided.

Test strip for measuring analyte concentration over a broad range of sample volume

Method of making a test strip for determining analyte concentration over a broad range of sample volumes

A multilayer reagent test strip measures the concentration of analyte in a liquid sample that is applied to it. The sample is guided to a number of assay areas arrayed along the strip, where the analyte can react with a reagent to cause a color change. Each assay area also includes an inhibitor for the color-change reaction. The inhibitor concentration increases in successive assay areas; thus, the number of areas that change color is a measure of the analyte concentration. The test strip is particularly adapted for measuring glucose in a whole blood sample. In a preferred embodiment, the sample is guided to the assay areas along a path formed by crushing selected areas of a membrane, and the assay areas are uncrushed areas of the membrane.

Visually-readable reagent test strip

Growing community of inventors

San Jose, CA, United States of America

Deborah P Tuohy