초록 ▼

A multichemistry measuring device and diagnostic test strips which, in combination with the multichemistry measuring device, provide a multichemistry testing system are disclosed. The test strips are for chemical analysis of a sample, and are adapted for use in combination with a measuring device ha

A multichemistry measuring device and diagnostic test strips which, in combination with the multichemistry measuring device, provide a multichemistry testing system are disclosed. The test strips are for chemical analysis of a sample, and are adapted for use in combination with a measuring device having a test port and capable of performing a multiplicity of testing functionalities. Each type of test strip corresponds to at least one of the testing functionalities, and at least some types of test strips have indicators of the testing functionality on them. The test port is adapted for use in combination with a multiplicity of different types of test strips and includes a sensor capable of specifically interacting with the indicator(s) on the test strips, thereby selecting at least one of the multiplicity of testing functionalities corresponding to the type of test strip.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A test strip for chemical analysis of a sample, adapted for use in combination with a measuring device having a test port and capable of performing a multiplicity of testing functionalities, said test strip comprising:(a) a support capable of releasably engaging said test port;(b) at least one re

1. A test strip for chemical analysis of a sample, adapted for use in combination with a measuring device having a test port and capable of performing a multiplicity of testing functionalities, said test strip comprising:(a) a support capable of releasably engaging said test port;(b) at least one reaction area on said support for receiving said sample; and(c) an indicator capable of interacting with said test port to select only one of said multiplicity of testing functionalities of said measuring device, wherein said indicator comprises at least one electrically conductive indicator contact capable of engaging at least two electrically conductive pins within said test port to thereby select only one of said multiplicity of testing functionalities of said measuring device. 2. The test strip of claim 1, wherein said indicator contacts comprise a material selected from the group consisting of carbon, gold, silver, platinum, nickel, palladium, titanium, copper, and lead. 3. The test strip of claim 2, wherein said material is a printable ink. 4. The test strip of claim 1, wherein said sample is a bodily fluid. 5. The test strip of claim 1, wherein said chemical analysis comprises measuring in said sample the concentration of a compound selected from the group consisting of L-amino acids, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, urea, creatinine, xanthines, sarcosine, glucolate, pyruvate, lactate, fructosamine, methylamine, carbon monoxide, cholesterol, hemoglobin, glycated hemoglobin, microalbumin, high density lipoproteins, and low density lipoproteins. 6. The test strip of claim 1, wherein said compound is glucose. 7. The test strip of claim 1, wherein said reaction area comprises at least one reagent adsorbed to said support, said at least one reagent capable of reacting with a compound in said sample. 8. The test strip of claim 7, wherein said at least one reagent is selected from the group consisting of glucose oxidase, lactate dehydrogenase, peroxidase, and galactose oxidase. 9. The test strip of claim 1, further comprising a multiplicity of electrically conductive testing contacts capable of transferring current between said reaction area and said measuring device. 10. The test strip of claim 9, wherein said testing contacts comprise a material selected from the group consisting of carbon, gold, silver, platinum, nickel, palladium, titanium, copper and lead. 11. The test strip of claim 10, wherein said material is a printable ink. 12. The test strip of claim 9, wherein said testing contacts are located on a first major surface of said test strip and said indicator is located on a second major surface of said test strip. 13. The test strip of claim 9, wherein said testing contacts and said indicator are located on the same surface of said test strip. 14. A test strip for chemical analysis of a sample, adapted for use in combination with a measuring device having a test port and capable of performing a multiplicity of testing functionalities, said test strip comprising:(a) a support capable of releasably engaging said test port;(b) at least one reaction area on said support for receiving said sample; and(c) an indicator capable of interacting with said test port to select only one of said multiplicity of testing functionalities of said measuring device, wherein said indicator comprises at least one projection on said support, said at least one projection capable of mechanically engaging at least one pin within said test port to thereby select only one of said multiplicity of testing functionalities of said measuring device. 15. The test strip of claim 14, wherein said at least one projection displaces said at least one pin. 16. The test strip of claim 14, wherein said sample is a bodily fluid. 17. The test strip of claim 14, wherein said chemical analysis comprises measuring in said sample the concentration of a compound selected from the group consisting of L-amino acids, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, urea, creatinine, xanthines, sarc osine, glucolate, pyruvate, lactate, fructosamine, methylamine, carbon monoxide, cholesterol, hemoglobin, glycated hemoglobin, microalbumin, high density lipoproteins, and low density lipoproteins. 18. The test strip of claim 14, wherein said compound is glucose. 19. The test strip of claim 14, wherein said reaction area comprises at least one reagent adsorbed to said support, said at least one reagent capable of reacting with a compound in said sample. 20. The test strip of claim 19, wherein said at least one reagent is selected from the group consisting of glucose oxidase, lactate dehydrogenase, peroxidase, and galactose oxidase. 21. The test strip of claim 14, further comprising a multiplicity of electrically conductive testing contacts capable of transferring current between said reaction area and said measuring device. 22. The test strip of claim 21, wherein said testing contacts comprise a material selected from the group consisting of carbon, gold, silver, platinum, nickel, palladium, titanium, copper and lead. 23. The test strip of claim 22, wherein said material is a printable ink. 24. The test strip of claim 21, wherein said testing contacts are located on a first major surface of said test strip and said indicator is located on a second major surface of said test strip. 25. The test strip of claim 21, wherein said testing contacts and said indicator are located on the same major surface of said test strip. 26. A test strip for chemical analysis of a sample, adapted for use in combination with a measuring device having a test port and capable of performing a multiplicity of testing functionalities, said test strip comprising:(a) a support capable of releasably engaging said test port;(b) at least one reaction area on said support for receiving said sample; and(c) an indicator capable of interacting with said test port to select only one of said multiplicity of testing functionalities of said measuring device, wherein said indicator comprises at least one depression on said support, said at least one depression capable of mechanically engaging at least one pin within said test port to thereby select only one of said multiplicity of testing functionalities of said measuring device. 27. The strip of claim 26, wherein at least one of said pins can be displaced into at least one of said depressions. 28. The test strip of claim 26, wherein said at least one depression defines at least one hole. 29. The test strip of claim 26, wherein said sample is a bodily fluid. 30. The test strip of claim 29, wherein said chemical analysis comprises measuring in said sample the concentration of a compound selected from the group consisting of L-amino acids, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, urea, creatinine, xanthines, sarcosine, glucolate, pyruvate, lactate, fructosamine, methylamine, carbon monoxide, cholesterol, hemoglobin, glycated hemoglobin, microalbumin, high density lipoproteins, and low density lipoproteins. 31. The test strip of claim 26, wherein said compound is glucose. 32. The test strip of claim 26, wherein said reaction area comprises at least one reagent adsorbed to said support, said at least one reagent capable of reacting with a compound in said sample. 33. The test strip of claim 32, wherein said at least one reagent is selected from the group consisting of glucose oxidase, lactate dehydrogenase, peroxidase, and galactose oxidase. 34. The test strip of claim 26, further comprising a multiplicity of electrically conductive testing contacts capable of transferring current between said reaction area and said measuring device. 35. The test strip of claim 34, wherein said testing contacts comprise a material selected from the group consisting of carbon, gold, silver, platinum, nickel, palladium, titanium, copper and lead. 36. The test strip of claim 35, wherein said material is a printable ink. 37. The test strip of claim 34, wherein said testing contacts are located on a first major surface of said test strip and said indica tor is located on a second major surface of said test strip. 38. The test strip of claim 34, wherein said testing contacts and said indicator are located on the same major surface of said test strip. 39. A test strip for chemical analysis of a sample, adapted for use in combination with a measuring device having a test port and capable of performing a multiplicity of testing functionalities, said test strip comprising:(a) a support capable of releasably engaging said test port;(b) at least one reaction area on said support for receiving said sample; and(c) an indicator capable of interacting with said test port to select only one of said multiplicity of testing functionalities of said measuring device, wherein said indicator comprises an optically detectable pattern capable of signaling or being detected by an optical detector in said test port to thereby select only one of said multiplicity of testing functionalities of said measuring device. 40. The test strip of claim 39, wherein said sample is a bodily fluid. 41. The test strip of claim 39, wherein said chemical analysis comprises measuring in said sample the concentration of a compound selected from the group consisting of L-amino acids, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, urea, creatinine, xanthines, sarcosine, glucolate, pyruvate, lactate, fructosamine, methylamine, carbon monoxide, cholesterol, hemoglobin, glycated hemoglobin, microalbumin, high density lipoproteins, and low density lipoproteins. 42. The test strip of claim 39, wherein said compound is glucose. 43. The test strip of claim 39, wherein said reaction area comprises at least one reagent adsorbed to said support, said at least one reagent capable of reacting with a compound in said simple. 44. The test strip of claim 43, wherein said at least one reagent is selected from the group consisting of glucose oxidase, lactate dehydrogenase, peroxidase, and galactose oxidase. 45. The test strip of claim 39, further comprising a multiplicity of electrically conductive testing contacts capable of transferring current between said reaction area and said measuring device. 46. The test strip of claim 45, wherein said testing contacts comprise a material selected from the group consisting of carbon, gold, silver, platinum, nickel, palladium, titanium, copper and lead. 47. The test strip of claim 46, wherein said material is a printable ink. 48. The test strip of claim 45, wherein said testing contacts are located on a first major surface of said test strip and said indicator is located on a second major surface of said test strip. 49. The test strip of claim 45, wherein said testing contacts and said indicator are located on the same major surface of said test strip. 50. A test port for use in a measuring device capable of performing a multiplicity of testing functionalities and adapted for use with the test strip of claim 1, said test port comprising at least two electrically conductive pins, said at least two electrically conductive pins capable of specifically interacting with said at least one electrically conductive indicator contact on said test strip to thereby select only one of said multiplicity of testing functionalities of said measuring device. 51. The test port of claim 50, wherein at least two of said electrically conductive pins can be bridged by said at least one electrically conductive indicator contact, thereby closing an electrical circuit. 52. A test port for use in a measuring device capable of performing a multiplicity of testing functionalities and adapted for use with the test strip of claim 14, wherein said test port comprises at least one pin that can be mechanically engaged by said indicator on said test strip, thereby either closing an electrical circuit or opening an electrical circuit. 53. A test port for use in a measuring device capable of performing a multiplicity of testing functionalities and adapted for use with the test strip of claim 26, wherein said test port comprises a pattern of at lea st one indentation or hole, wherein said at least one indentation or hole fails to displace at least one pin of said test strip upon insertion of said test strip into said test port to thereby select only one of said multiplicity of testing functionalities of said measuring device. 54. A test port for use in a measuring device capable of performing a multiplicity of testing functionalities and adapted for use with the test strip of claim 39, wherein said test port comprises at least one optical sensor capable of measuring light absorbance, reflectivity, color, or a character. 55. A measuring device having a multiplicity of testing functionalities for chemical analysis, adapted for use with the test strip of claim 1, said device comprising:(a) a test port comprising at least two electrically conductive pins, said at least two electrically conductive pins capable of specifically interacting with said at least one electrically conductive indicator contact on said test strip to thereby select only one of said multiplicity of testing functionalities of said measuring device; and(b) a multiplicity of test circuitries for specifically measuring reactions on said test strip, said multiplicity of said test circuitries corresponding to said multiplicity of testing functionalities. 56. A measuring device having a multiplicity of testing functionalities for chemical analysis, adapted for use with the test strip of claim 4, said device comprising:(a) a test port comprising at least one pin that can be mechanically engaged by said indicator on said test strip, thereby either closing an electrical circuit or opening an electrical circuit; and(b) a multiplicity of test circuitries for specifically measuring reactions on said test strip, said multiplicity of said test circuitries corresponding to said multiplicity of testing functionalities. 57. A measuring device having a multiplicity of testing functionalities for chemical analysis, adapted for use with the test strip of claim 26, said device comprising:(a) a test port comprising a pattern of at least one indentation or hole, wherein said at least one indentation or hole fails to displace at least one pin of said test strip upon insertion of said test strip into said test port to thereby select only one of said multiplicity of testing functionalities of said measuring device; and(b) a multiplicity of test circuitries for specifically measuring reactions on said test strip, said multiplicity of said test circuitries corresponding to said multiplicity of testing functionalities. 58. A measuring device having a multiplicity of testing functionalities for chemical analysis, adapted for use with the test strip of claim 39, said device comprising:(a) a test port comprising at least one optical sensor capable of measuring light absorbance, reflectivity, color, or a character; and(b) a multiplicity of test circuitries for specifically measuring reactions on said test trip, said multiplicity of said test circuitries corresponding to said multiplicity of testing functionalities.