Cauzin Systems, Incorporated

Home Diagnostics, Inc.

MIT Development Corporation

G Thomas Roth

Robert L Brass

John Glaberson

Scott Santulli

Richard W Mason

Gregory P Paolini

Brent E Modzelewski

Richard K Balaska, Jr

William M Feero

Douglas E Bell

Steven B Gilmour

Henry S Imiolek

John Frega

Arthur J L'Heureux, Iii

The present invention provides a method of measuring an analyte, such as glucose in a fluid sample, such as whole blood, by a reflectance reading device. The method includes making periodic intermediate calculations of analyte level and dynamically ascertaining when an analytical reaction has reached an end point. Once stable, the process stops making periodic calculations and reports the final, actual glucose concentration. According to an exemplary embodiment, the method is performed by a reflectance photometer using an analytical test strip containing reagents that react with an analyte of interest in the test fluid. The end point is determined by calculating an intermediate analyte level of the testing element at predetermined intervals and calculating a ratio value corresponding to the (n) measurement to an (n-5) measurement. When two consecutive ratio values are less than or equal to a predetermined value, the end point is deemed reached and the final analyte level ascertained.

Method for determining concentration of an analyte in a test strip

A method and apparatus for strip insertion detection in an analytical meter system. The invention allows for individual meter calibration, adaptive thresholding and ambient light correction. Increased performance is economically realized, while providing enhanced meter accuracy in varying light conditions.

Method of strip insertion detection

An apparatus for enhancing the analysis of light reflected from a blood exposed reagent is described. Light from sources, such as LED's, is used to detect the levels of glucose and fructosamine in the blood exposed reagent. A special optical arrangement is used to obtain optical signals indicative of the optically sensitive chemicals in the reagent. The optical beams from respective LED's are directed at a common surface of an optical element used to redirect the light onto the reagent and reflect portions onto a reference detector. A main detector is strategically located adjacent a surface of the optical element to detect reflections from the reagent. A control circuit is described with which the light from the LED light sources can be held at substantially constant levels despite factors tending to cause light level changes.

Blood fluid characteristics analysis instrument

An apparatus for enhancing the analysis of light reflected from a blood exposed reagent is described. Light from sources, such as LED's, is used to detect the levels of glucose and fructosamine in the blood exposed reagent. A special optical arrangement is used ot obtain optical signals indicative of the optically sensitive chemicals in the reagent. The optical beams from respective LED's are directed at a common surface of an optical element used to redirect the light onto the reagent and reflect portions onto a reference detector. A main detector is strategically located adjacent a surface of the optical element to detect reflections from the reagent. A control circuit is described with which the light from the LED light sources can be held at substantially constant levels despite factors tending to cause light level changes.

A printed data strip (7) on a substrate (5) is provided including bit encoded information (23) and control information (15, 19, 27, 29) for an optical scanner. The encoded information is in a plurality of parallel, contiguous data lines (11) formed of bits of sequentially-encoded information, the bits being of uniform height and width. The data lines (11) start along a common line and, together, form an information portion (23) of sequentially-encoded data. The data lines (11) are transverse to the longitudinal dimension of the data strip (7). Associated with the encoded information on the printed substrate (5) are printed areas serving preliminarily to align the optical scanner with the data lines (17), and to set contrast levels (17), to maintain alignment during scanning (27, 29), and to set the vertical (19) and horizontal (15) rates of scanning. Means are provided to control and adjust the timing of each scanned data line by the optical scanner during the course of scanning.

Printed data strip including bit-encoded information and scanner control

A data strip (2) of predetermined size is made (a) by determining the total nibbles of digital information to be encoded and the maximum number of integral nibbles per data line (14), using predetermined minimum dibit dimensions, after allowing for parity checks, alignment guides (32,36), and a start line (28), (b) by increasing the dibit dimensions to achieve the predetermined size, and adjusting the bit size to account for ink spread, and (c) by preparing a reader instruction header (16) containing coded specifications as to the data strip format. These factors are interdependent and must be correlated to provide a final data strip (2) satisfying all the predetermined criteria. An associated printer (64) prints the data strip (2) with a header (16) and a data portion (12) in the determined format. The printer (64) may be a dot matrix printer which prints a data strip having the full width of the printer, which is then reduced photographically to increase the accuracy of the final data strip (2); or a laser or dot matrix printer can be used to print in the finished size.

Method and apparatus for transforming digitally encoded data into

An apparatus and method are provided for reading contiguous, conterminous, parallel data lines (76) of minute, rectangular bits of information printed on a substrate (2) and together forming a data strip (3) with its length, perpendicular to the data lines (76). The reader (1) includes alignment means for holding the strip (5) and includes data line scanning means (33, 40, 130) on a chassis (20) which moves longitudinally of the data strip (3) while simultaneously and synchronously scanning the tranverse data lines (76) at a rate that scans each data line a plurality of times. An infra-red light source (50) illuminates the data line (76) being scanned, and crossed cylindrical lenses (30, 32, 40, 130), moving relative to each other and to the data strip (3), focus individual scanned bits upon a matched infra-red detector (42). Multiples (33) of one of the cylindrical lenses, mounted on a rotating drum (44), are used to increase speed of operation. Means are provided for continuously aligning the lenses with the data strip (144, 170), for synchronizing the relative motion of the lenses and the data strip (44, 27, 28, 24), for correlating the scanning means with the size and number of bits of information and with the ratio of the illumination intensity of the printed bits and the substrate (74, 80), and for utilizing a single scan from each multiply-scanned data line (76).

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Fairfield, CT, United States of America

G Thomas Roth