US 6,150,124 A · Method for passively determining the application of a sample fluid on an analyte strip

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for passively determining the application of a sample fluid on an analyte strip using measurement of ambient light passing through the strip. Sample fluid, such as whole blood, is applied to a reagent matrix and the amount of ambient light transmitted through the matrix is periodically measured both before and after application of the sample fluid. A step increase of the transmitted light reading occurs after hydration of the strip, and the occurrence of this step increase is used to start a predetermined incubation period. At the expiration of the incubation period, another light transmission measurement is made which is indicative of an analyte concentration in the sample fluid (such as glucose concentration in a whole blood sample).

Claims7

Dependent claims

A method for determining a start of reaction timing for measurement of a reaction between a sample fluid and a reagent, comprising the steps of:

a) measuring a transmission of light through the reagent at intervals prior to application of the sample fluid to the reagent;
b) applying the sample fluid to the reagent;
c) measuring the transmission of light through the reagent/sample fluid combination at intervals after performing step (b);
d) determining a location of a step increase in the measurement data taken at steps (a) and (c);
e) beginning a predetermined time period at a time corresponding to the step increase;
and
f) measuring the transmission of light through the reagent sample fluid combination after expiration of the predetermined time period.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method for passively determining the application of a sample fluid on an analyte strip

Life of this patent

Method for passively determining the application of a sample fluid on an analyte strip

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims7