The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 17, 2001
Filed:
Oct. 13, 1998
David Hough, Edwardsburg, MI (US);
Willis E. Howard, III, Elkhart, IN (US);
Richard Hurtle, Elkhart, IN (US);
Gary E. Rehm, Elkhart, IN (US);
Bayer Corporation, Elkhart, IN (US);
Abstract
An apparatus for automatically detecting the presence of a reagent strip (,) having a body fluid sample disposed thereon and for inspecting the reagent strip (,) after the presence of the reagent strip (,) is detected is provided with a detection system adapted to automatically detect the presence of a reagent strip (,) at a reagent strip receiving area (,), a light source (,or,) adapted to illuminate the reagent strip (,) after the presence of the reagent strip (,) at the reagent strip receiving area (,) is detected, and a detector (,or,) adapted to receive light from the reagent strip (,) when the reagent strip (,) is being illuminated by the light source. The detection system is provided with a light emitting apparatus (,) adapted to illuminate the reagent strip receiving area (,), a detecting apparatus (,) adapted to receive light from the reagent strip receiving area (,) while the reagent strip receiving area (,) is being illuminated by the light emitting apparatus (,) and to generate a detection signal relating to the amount of light detected from the reagent strip receiving area (,), and a circuit (,or,) adapted to automatically determine whether a reagent strip (,) is present at the reagent strip receiving area (,) based on the magnitude of the detection signal.