US 11,768,158 B2Granted

Implement analyzing device and method for utilizing the same

AssigneeNeogen Corporation

InventorsFrank Eric Klein, Andrew John Wheeler, Andrew John DenHartigh, William Hoerner, Nathaniel Banner, Damon Borich, Andrea Grbavac, Alejandro Silveyra, Michelle Silveyra, Zwckxally Obregon

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

patentgrep

Loading patent…

Abstract

An implement analyzing device that is sized for receiving, more than one fluid retainer cartridge assembly is disclosed. The implement analyzing device includes a support member, a housing, a cartridge receiver, at least one cartridge heater, an Imaging, device and an implement analyzing device integrated circuit. The cartridge receiver is disposed within a cavity in the implement analyzing device and defines at least one cartridge viewing window. At least one cartridge heater disposed within the cavity and connected to the cartridge receiver. The imaging device is disposed within the cavity and arranged opposite the at least one cartridge viewing window. The implement analyzing device integrated circuit is communicatively coupled to the at least one cartridge heater and the imaging device.

Claims34

Dependent claims

A method comprising:

receiving, at data processing hardware, image data from an imaging device in communication with the data processing hardware, the imaging device capturing the image data within a field of view directed toward a cartridge receiver;
detecting, based on the image data, a plurality of test strip assays retained by two or more fluid retainer cartridge assemblies removably-inserted into the cartridge receiver, each of the two or more fluid retainer cartridge assemblies configured to retain a fluid and at least one of the detected plurality of test strip assays, each of the test strip assays configured to chemically react with a chemical analyte after contact with the fluid in the corresponding fluid retainer cartridge assembly;
obtaining, by the data processing hardware, test information associated with each detected test strip assay;
and
for each detected test strip assay, executing, by the data processing hardware, an analysis routine on the corresponding test strip assay based on the corresponding test information, the analysis routine configured to:
analyze one of or both of color information and intensity information within a result region located on the corresponding test strip assay based on the image data received from the imaging device;
and
determine a test result indicating one of or both of a presence and a concentration of the chemical analyte within the fluid in the corresponding fluid retainer cartridge assembly based on one of or both of the analyzed color and the intensity information.

5 more elements

A method comprising:

receiving, at data processing hardware, image data from an imaging device in communication with the data processing hardware, the imaging device capturing the image data within a field of view directed toward a cartridge receiver;
detecting, based on the image data, at least one test strip assay retained by at least one removably-inserted fluid retainer cartridge assembly received by the cartridge receiver, the at least one test strip assay configured to chemically react with a chemical analyte after contact with a fluid:
obtaining, by the data processing hardware, test information associated with the at least one detected test strip assay;
for the at least one removably inserted fluid retainer cartridge assembly:
measuring, by the data processing hardware, a level of the fluid retained by the corresponding removably-inserted fluid retainer cartridge assembly;
determining, by the data processing hardware, whether the measured level of the fluid is at least a threshold fluid level;
and
in response to determining the measured level of the fluid is at least the threshold fluid level, executing an analysis routine on the at least one detected test strip assay based on the corresponding test information, the analysis routine configured to:
analyze one of or both of color information and intensity information within a result region located on the corresponding test strip assay based on the image data received from the imaging device;
and
determine a test result indicating one of or both of a presence and a concentration of the chemical analyte within the fluid in the corresponding fluid retainer cartridge assembly based on one of or both of the analyzed color and the intensity information.

8 more elements

A method comprising:

receiving at data processing hardware, image data from an imaging device in communication with the data processing hardware, the imaging device capturing the image data within a field of view directed toward a cartridge receiver;
detecting, based on the image data, at least one test strip assay retained by at least one removably-inserted fluid retainer cartridge assembly received by the cartridge receiver, the at least one test strip assay configured to chemically react with a chemical analyte after contact with a fluid;
obtaining, by the data processing hardware, test information associated with the at least one detected test strip assay;
for the at least removably-inserted fluid retainer cartridge assembly,
selectively activating, by the data processing hardware, at least one heating device in communication with the data processing hardware and thermally coupled to a corresponding removably-inserted fluid retainer cartridge assembly based on a desired temperature of the retained fluid, the desired temperature specified by the test information associated with at least one detected test strip assay retained by the corresponding removably-inserted fluid retainer cartridge assembly, and
selectively deactivating, by the data processing hardware, the corresponding heating device after a prescribed period of time specified by the test information;
and
for each detected test strip assay, executing, by the data processing hardware, an analysis routine on the corresponding test strip assay based on the corresponding test information, the analysis routine configured to
analyze one of or both of color information and intensity information within a result region located on the corresponding test strip assay based on the image data received from the imaging device, and
determine a test result indicating one of or both of a presence and a concentration of the chemical analyte within the fluid in the corresponding, fluid retainer cartridge assembly based on one of or both of the analyzed color and the intensity information.

7 more elements

A method comprising:

obtaining an implement analyzing device, wherein the implement analyzing device includes a cartridge receiver, data processing hardware, and an imaging device in communication with the data processing hardware;
obtaining two fluid retainer cartridge assemblies and two test strip assays
wherein each of the two fluid retainer cartridge assemblies is configured to retain a fluid and one or more test strip assay:
inserting one test strip assay into one of the two fluid retainer cartridge assemblies and inserting the other test strip assay into the other of the fluid retainer cartridge assemblies;
wherein each test strip assay is configured to chemically react with a chemical analyte after contact with the fluid in the corresponding fluid retainer cartridge assembly;
inserting the two fluid retainer cartridge assemblies into the cartridge receiver;
receiving, at the data processing hardware, image data from the imaging device, the imaging device capturing the image data within a field of view directed toward the cartridge receiver;
detecting, by the data processing hardware, the two test strip assays received by the cartridge receiver based on the image data;
obtaining, by the data processing hardware, test information associated with each detected test strip assay;
and
for each detected test strip assay, executing, by the data processing hardware, an analysis routine on the corresponding test strip assay based on the corresponding test information the analysis routine configured to:
analyze one of or both of color information and intensity information within a result region located on the corresponding test strip assay based on the image data received from the imaging device;
and
determine a test result indicating one of or both of a presence and a concentration of the chemical analyte within the fluid in the corresponding fluid retainer cartridge assembly based on the analyzed color and intensity information.

11 more elements

A method comprising:

obtaining an implement analyzing device, wherein the implement analyzing device includes a cartridge receiver, data processing hardware, and an imaging device in communication with the data processing hardware;
obtaining at least one fluid retainer cartridge assembly, wherein the at least one fluid retainer cartridge assembly is configured to retain a fluid and the at least one test strip assay, Wherein the at least one test strip assay is configured to chemically react with a chemical analyte after contact with the fluid;
inserting the at least one test strip assay into the at least one fluid retainer cartridge assembly:
inserting the at least one fluid retainer cartridge assembly into the cartridge receiver;
receiving at the data processing hardware, image data from the imaging device, the imaging device capturing the image data within a field of view directed toward the cartridge receiver;
detecting, by the data processing hardware, the at least one or more test strip assay retained by the at least one fluid retainer cartridge assembly based on the image data;
obtaining, by the data processing hardware, test information associated with the detected at least one test strip assay;
and
for the at least one test strip assay:
measuring, by the data processing hardware, a level of the fluid retained by the corresponding inserted fluid retainer cartridge assembly;
determining, by the data processing hardware, whether the measured level of the fluid is at least a threshold fluid level, wherein the threshold fluid level is specified by the test information;
and
in response to determining that the measured level of the fluid is at least the threshold fluid level, executing an analysis routine on the each detected at least one test strip assay based on the corresponding test information, the analysis routine configured to:
analyze one of or both of color information and intensity information within a result region located on the corresponding test strip assay based on the image data received from the imaging device;
and
determine a test result indicating one of or both of a presence and a concentration of the chemical analyte within the fluid in the corresponding fluid retainer cartridge assembly based on one of or both of the analyzed color and the intensity information.

13 more elements

A method comprising:

obtaining, an implement analyzing device, Wherein the implement analyzing device includes a cartridge receiver, data processing hardware, and an imaging device in communication with the data processing hardware;
obtaining at least one fluid retainer cartridge assembly, wherein the at least one fluid retainer cartridge assembly is configured to retain a fluid and the at least one test strip assay, wherein the at least one test strip assay is configured to chemically react with a chemical analyte after contact with the fluid;
inserting the at least one test strip assay into the at least one fluid retainer cartridge assembly:
inserting the at least one fluid retainer cartridge assembly into the cartridge receiver;
receiving, at the data processing hardware, image data from the imaging device, the imaging device capturing the image data within a field of view directed toward the cartridge receiver;
detecting, by the data processing hardware, the at least one or more test strip assay retained by the at least one fluid retainer cartridge assembly based on the image data;
obtaining, by the data processing hardware, test information associated with the detected at least one test strip assay;
and
for the at least one test strip assay:
selectively activating, by the data processing hardware, at least one healing device in communication with the data processing hardware and thermally coupled to a corresponding inserted fluid retainer cartridge assembly based on a desired temperature of the retained fluid, the desired temperature specified by the test information associated with at least one detected test strip assay retained by the corresponding inserted fluid retainer cartridge assembly;
and
selectively deactivating, by the data processing hardware, the corresponding heating device after a prescribed period of time specified by the test information;
and
for each detected at least one test strip assay, executing, by the data processing hardware, an analysis routine based on the corresponding test information, the analysis routine configured to:
analyze one of or both of color information and intensity information within a result region located on the corresponding test strip assay based on the image data received from the imaging device, and
determine a test result indicating one of or both of a presence and a concentration of the Chemical analyte within the fluid in the corresponding, fluid retainer cartridge assembly based on one of or both of the analyzed color and the intensity information.

13 more elements

A method comprising:

obtaining an implement analyzing device, wherein the implement analyzing device includes a cartridge receiver, data processing hardware, and an imaging device in communication with the data processing hardware;
obtaining at least one fluid retainer cartridge assembly, wherein the at least one fluid retainer cartridge assembly is configured to retain a fluid and the at least one test strip assay, wherein the at least one test strip assay is configured to chemically react with a chemical analyte after contact with the fluid:
inserting the at least one test strip assay into the at least one fluid retainer cartridge assembly;
inserting the at least one fluid retainer cartridge assembly into the cartridge receiver;
receiving, at the data processing hardware, image data from the imaging device, the imaging device capturing the image data within a field of view directed toward the cartridge receiver;
detecting, by the data processing hardware, the at least one or more test strip assay retained by the at least one fluid retainer cartridge assembly based on the image data;
obtaining, by the data processing hardware, test information associated with the detected at least one test strip assay;
and
for each detected test strip assay, executing, by the data processing hardware, an analysis routine based on the corresponding test information, the analysis routine configured to:
analyze one of or both of color information and intensity information within a result region located on the corresponding test strip assay based on the image data received from the imaging device and determine a test result indicating one of or both of a presence and a concentration of the chemical analyte within the fluid in the corresponding fluid retainer cartridge assembly based on one of or both of the analyzed color and the intensity information, and
analyze line intensity of one or more result lines superimposed in the result region of the corresponding test strip assay based on the image data received from the imaging device;
and
determine a rate of change in the line intensity of the one or more result lines;
and
predict a test result indicating one of or both of the presence and concentration of the chemical analyte within the fluid based on the rate of change in line intensity.

12 more elements

A method comprising:

obtaining an implement analyzing device, Wherein the implement analyzing device includes a cartridge receiver, data processing hardware, and an imaging device in communication with the data processing hardware;
obtaining at least one fluid retainer cartridge assembly, wherein the at least one fluid retainer cartridge assembly is configured to retain a fluid and the at least one test strip assay, wherein the at least one test strip assay is configured to chemically react with a chemical analyte after contact with the fluid;
inserting the at least one test strip assay into the at least one fluid retainer cartridge assembly;
inserting the at least one fluid retainer cartridge assembly into the cartridge receiver;
receiving, at the data processing hardware, image data from the imaging device, the imaging device capturing the image data within a field of view directed toward the cartridge receiver;
detecting, the data processing hardware, the at least one or more test strip assay retained by the at least one fluid retainer cartridge assembly based on the image data;
obtaining, by the data processing hardware, test information associated with the detected at least one test strip assay;
and
for each detected test strip assay, executing an analysis routine on the corresponding test strip assay that comprises
executing a result line centering routine on the corresponding test strip assay to center one or more result lines superimposed in the result region of the corresponding test strip assay, the result line centering routine configured to:
identify the one or more result lines superimposed in the result region based on the image data received from the imaging device;
and
adjust a position of the one or more result lines to align with result line centering information specified, the line centering information specified by the test information associated with the corresponding test strip assay;
and
the analysis routine on the corresponding test strip assay further configured to:
analyze one of or both of color information and intensity information within a result region located on the corresponding test strip assay based on the image data received from the imaging device;
and
determine a test result indicating one of or both of a presence and a concentration of the chemical analyte within the fluid in the corresponding fluid retainer cartridge assembly based on one of or both of the analyzed color and the intensity information.

15 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 17/064,876Filed 7 Oct 2020 · division
Priority: 28 Dec 2016
Published: US 2021/0018443 A121 Jan 2021
Granted: 26 Sep 2023
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification15 codes

G01N 21/78
By observing the effect on a chemical indicator: producing a change of colour
B01L 3/5023
With fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures: with a sample being transported to, and subsequently stored in an absorbent for analysis
G01N 1/38
Preparing specimens for investigation including physical details of chemical methods covered elsewhere, e.g. G01N33/50, C12Q: diluting, dispersing…
G01N 35/00584
Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor:…

Family

Application62/439,568Us provisional application · filed 28 Dec 2016
Application15/488,793Parent of this division · filed 17 Apr 2017
US 2021/0018443 A1Pre-grant publication · published 21 Jan 2021
US 10,837,914 B2Parent of this division
US 2018/0180552 A1Published application
US 11,768,158 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.