Automated point-of-care fluid testing device and method of using the same

A method of evaluating at least two characteristics of a fluid sample of a patient comprising:

• attaching a fluid connector to a patient;
• providing a fluid testing system for determining properties of a fluid, the fluid testing system comprising:
• a patient connection;
• a primary fluid routing portion having a pump region, a fluid transfer region comprising a valve, and an in-line testing region comprising a first sensor, the fluid transfer region being disposed between the pump region and the in-line testing region of the primary fluid routing portion;
• a secondary fluid routing portion including an off-line testing portion comprising a second sensor;
• and a communications device;
• connecting the fluid connector to the patient connection of the testing system;
• installing the first sensor of the primary fluid routing portion and the second sensor of the secondary fluid routing portion within at least one opening of a main body comprising a housing;
• collecting a fluid sample from the patient via the fluid connector and the patient connection using the pump region of the testing system to draw the fluid sample from the patient to the primary fluid routing portion of the testing device;
• analyzing the fluid sample in the in-line testing region of the primary fluid routing portion to determine a first characteristic, comprising a concentration of an analyte, of the fluid sample;
• transferring a portion of the fluid sample through the fluid transfer portion of the primary fluid routing portion to the off-line testing portion of the secondary fluid routing portion while the valve is in an open position, and then closing the valve to prevent the transferred portion of the fluid sample in the off-line testing portion from flowing back into the primary fluid routing portion;
• determining a second characteristic of the fluid sample in the off-line testing portion while the valve is closed;
• and
• returning the remaining portion of the fluid sample in the primary fluid routing portion to the patient while the valve is closed, following the act of transferring, via the fluid connector and the patient connection using the pump region of the testing system to pump the fluid sample back into the patient.

A method of evaluating at least two characteristics of a fluid sample of a patient comprising:

• attaching a fluid connector to a patient;
• providing a fluid testing system for determining properties of a fluid, the fluid testing system comprising:
• a patient connection;
• a primary fluid routing portion having a pump region, a fluid transfer region comprising a valve, and an in-line testing region comprising a first sensor;
• a secondary fluid routing portion including an off-line testing portion comprising a second sensor;
• and a communications device;
• connecting the fluid connector to the patient connection of the testing system;
• installing the first sensor of the primary fluid routing portion and the second sensor of the secondary fluid routing portion within at least one opening of a main body comprising a housing;
• collecting a fluid sample from the patient via the fluid connector and the patient connection using the pump region of the testing system to draw the fluid sample from the patient to the primary fluid routing portion of the testing device;
• analyzing the fluid sample in the in-line testing region of the primary fluid routing portion to determine a first characteristic, comprising a concentration of an analyte, of the fluid sample;
• transferring a portion of the fluid sample through the fluid transfer portion of the primary fluid routing portion to the off-line testing portion of the secondary fluid routing portion while the valve is in an open position, and then closing the valve to prevent the transferred portion of the fluid sample in the off-line testing portion from flowing back into the primary fluid routing portion;
• determining a second characteristic of the fluid sample in the off-line testing portion while the valve is closed;
• returning the remaining portion of the fluid sample in the primary fluid routing portion to the patient while the valve is closed, following the act of transferring, via the fluid connector and the patient connection using the pump region of the testing system to pump the fluid sample back into the patient;
• and
• accessing the off-line testing portion by opening a secondary fluid routing portion access door of the housing, while the valve is closed, and removing or replacing the second sensor of the off-line testing portion without disrupting the flow of the fluid sample in the primary fluid routing portion.