Systems and methods of optically determining analyte concentrations

A test strip for liquid biological samples, the test strip comprising:

• a handling portion;
• a liquid sample insertion site comprising a plasma separation membrane that is configured to, through capillary action, filter out red and white blood cells while allowing plasma to flow through;
• a first lateral flow pathway connected to the liquid sample insertion site;
• a salt that creates an optically obstructive dye on the test strip when it reacts with at least a portion of a liquid sample, wherein light is affected as it passes through the optically obstructive dye according to an analyte concentration in the liquid sample;
• a slot that is configured to ensure the test strip is seated and positioned properly upon insertion into a testing device;
• and
• a memory device, wherein the memory device is configured to store and communicate a unique electronic identifier.

An optical sensing system comprising:

• a test strip, comprising:
• a handling portion;
• a liquid sample insertion site;
• a first lateral flow pathway coupled to the liquid sample insertion site, the first lateral flow pathway comprising a first plasma separation membrane;
• a second lateral flow pathway coupled to the liquid sample insertion site, the second lateral flow pathway comprising a second plasma separation membrane;
• a measurement window coupled with the first lateral flow pathway and the second lateral flow pathway;
• a slot;
• and
• a memory device, wherein the memory device is configured to authenticate the test strip,
• wherein the measurement window comprises a salt that creates an optically obstructive dye when it reacts with at least a portion of a liquid sample;
• wherein the optically obstructive dye affects light passing through the measurement window according to an analyte concentration in the liquid sample;
• and
• a non-electrochemical sensing device, comprising:
• a cartridge port configured to receive the test strip;
• a first light source configured to emit light, wherein the first light source is configured to direct light toward the first lateral flow pathway;
• a second light source configured to emit light wherein the second light source is configured to direct light toward the second lateral flow pathway;
• a photon sensor;
• a latching interface guide rail, wherein the latching interface guide rail is configured to removably couple to the slot when the test strip is inserted into the cartridge port, wherein when the latching interface guide rail is coupled to the slot the test strip is positioned properly in the testing device;
• an interface;
• an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) configured to convert an analog signal from the photon sensor into a digital signal, wherein the analog signal corresponds to the light received by the photon sensor after it has passed through the optically obstructive dye;
• and
• a microcontroller configured to measure the analyte concentration based on the digital signal,
• wherein when the test strip is inserted into the cartridge port, light from the first light source passes through the measurement window, is affected by the optically obstructive dye in the first lateral flow pathway, and then continues toward the photon sensor;
• wherein when the test strip is inserted into the cartridge port, light from the second light source passes through the measurement window, is affected by the optically obstructive dye in the second lateral flow pathway, and then continues toward the photon sensor;
• wherein the photon sensor obtains a first measurement from the first light source, and a second measurement from the second light source;
• and
• wherein the photon sensor is configured to calculate a value using the first measurement and the second measurement and display the value on the interface.