US 2004/0166023 A1 · System for automatically testing a fluid specimen

Abstract

A system for automatically testing a fluid specimen, e.g., urine, to indicate the presence of specified chemical components in the specimen. The system preferably utilizes an assaying device comprised of a collection cup and a cap which carries at least one test strip. The device includes an integrated aliquot delivery mechanism actuatable to wet the test strip with an aliquot delivered from the fluid specimen. The assaying device is configured to operate in conjunction with an electronic reader device capable of actuating the aliquot delivery mechanism and reading the reaction of the test strip. A preferred reader device defines a keyed receptacle for accommodating a complementary shaped cup housing in a particular orientation. The reader device is comprised of a camera for capturing the image of a test strip, an actuator for actuating an aliquot delivery mechanism, and a microprocessor/controller for (1) controlling the camera and actuator and (2) processing the image.

Claims13

Dependent claims

An apparatus for use with an assaying device presenting a lower periphery and including a test strip for providing a visual indication of at least one property of a fluid specimen, said apparatus comprising:

an apparatus housing including a base portion and a head portion,
said base portion having a keyed recess formed therein for receiving and holding the device in a fixed position relative to said head portion,
said keyed recess being complementary to the lower periphery of the assaying device to place the device in a specific orientation relative to said head portion;
a camera coupled to said head portion and operable to acquire an image of said test strip;
a processor operable to control said camera to periodically capture sequential images of said test strip, generate a digital representation of each captured image, and to process said digital representations to detect markings on said image indicative of each of said chemical components in said fluid specimen;
and
output means for reporting the detection of said markings.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

10/779,014Filed 13 Feb 2004

Priority

14 Feb 1997

Published

26 Aug 2004

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification39 codes

G16H 10/60
ICT specially adapted for the handling or processing of patient-related medical or healthcare data: for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic…
B01L 3/502
Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes: with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures
B01L 3/502715
By integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g.…
B01L 3/545
Labware with identification means: for laboratory containers

Family

Application08/801,041Continuation in part · filed 14 Feb 1997

Application08/832,957Continuation in part · filed 4 Apr 1997

Application09/018,487Continuation in part · filed 4 Feb 1998

Application09/025,559Continuation in part · filed 18 Feb 1998

Application09/245,175Continuation in part · filed 5 Feb 1999

Application09/444,926Division · filed 24 Nov 1999

Application09/444,926Continuation in part · filed 24 Nov 1999

Application10/072,154Division · filed 6 Feb 2002

Application10/779,014Division · filed 13 Feb 2004

US 2002/0081233 A1Published application

US 5,902,982 ARelated patent