US5795543A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Disposable electronic diagnostic instrument
Assignee: Advanced Care Products
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Filing: 1997-07-21
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Granted: 1998-08-18
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Expires: 2017-07-21
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to a disposable electronic diagnostic instrument designed for use in an Over-the-Counter (OTC) cholesterol test kit for measuring cholesterol levels of blood. The instrument is designed and calibrated specifically for use with diagnostic test strips supplied with the OTC cholesterol test kit.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward M. Poto
- 👤 Kenneth R. Strahs
- 👤 Timothy J. Conner
- 👤 Francis T. Delahanty
- 👤 Michael Moorman
- 👤 Henry Wieck
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 13:22
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/84; G01N21/8483; G01N21/17; G01N21/47; G01N33/00; G01N33/48; G01N33/50; G01N33/92; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S435/00; Y10S435/805; Y10S435/808; Y10S435/81; Y10T; Y10T436/00; Y10T436/11; Y10T436/112499; Y10T436/14; Y10T436/142222; Y10T436/143333; Y10T436/144444
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
304 words
A disposable diagnostic instrument calibrated for use with a test strip to which a blood sample is applied, comprising: a. an instrument housing having keying guides defining a location as which said strip is placed, and defining a test reading aperture on said strip on which one or more drops of blood to be tested are inoculated, said test reading aperture defining a test area; b. a sensor switch located adjacent said keying guide and contacted by the strip in response to the strip being inserted into the guide, and a control circuit, the switch connected to the control circuit for activation of the instrument by providing power to the instrument in order to operate the instrument c. a light source positioned to emit radiation of desired wavelengths towards said test area and a photodetector positioned to detect radiation reflected by said test areas said light source and photodetector capable of analyzing said blood sample at said desired wavelengths to determine the amount of cholesterol in said blood sample; d. a display mounted on said instrument housing for displaying instrumental prompt icons and cholesterol level readings; e. a first control circuit, said first control circuit capable of performing self-diagnostic testing of said instrument to determine the capability of said photodetector to read said light source within a desired range; f. a second control circuit, said second control circuit controlling the operation of said light source, analyzing the output signal of said photodetector, and controlling the operation of said display; wherein said instrument measures the change in reflectance of said strip in response to a test solution being applied to said strip, and wherein said keying guides include at least one lateral edge guide for engaging a lateral edge of strip and an angled fore guide for engaging an angled fore edge of said strip.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
304 words
A disposable diagnostic instrument calibrated for use with a test strip to which a blood sample is applied, comprising: a. an instrument housing having keying guides defining a location as which said strip is placed, and defining a test reading aperture on said strip on which one or more drops of blood to be tested are inoculated, said test reading aperture defining a test area; b. a sensor switch located adjacent said keying guide and contacted by the strip in response to the strip being inserted into the guide, and a control circuit, the switch connected to the control circuit for activation of the instrument by providing power to the instrument in order to operate the instrument c. a light source positioned to emit radiation of desired wavelengths towards said test area and a photodetector positioned to detect radiation reflected by said test areas said light source and photodetector capable of analyzing said blood sample at said desired wavelengths to determine the amount of cholesterol in said blood sample; d. a display mounted on said instrument housing for displaying instrumental prompt icons and cholesterol level readings; e. a first control circuit, said first control circuit capable of performing self-diagnostic testing of said instrument to determine the capability of said photodetector to read said light source within a desired range; f. a second control circuit, said second control circuit controlling the operation of said light source, analyzing the output signal of said photodetector, and controlling the operation of said display; wherein said instrument measures the change in reflectance of said strip in response to a test solution being applied to said strip, and wherein said keying guides include at least one lateral edge guide for engaging a lateral edge of strip and an angled fore guide for engaging an angled fore edge of said strip.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The diagnostic instrument according to claim 1, wherein said second control circuit is implemented in an application specific integrated circuit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The diagnostic instrument according to claim 1, wherein said display comprises a liquid crystal display.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
69 words
The diagnostic instrument according to claim 1, wherein said keying guides include at least one lateral edge guide for engaging a lateral edge of said strip and an angled fore guide for engaging an angled fore edge of said strip, said angled fore guide being positioned off-center with respect to said strip, such that said angled fore guide only when said strip is properly positioned in said instrument housing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The diagnostic instrument according to claim 1, wherein said second control circuit causes said liquid crystal display to exhibit a cholesterol level reading.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The diagnostic instrument according to claim 1 wherein said second control circuit comprises a memory, and said strip comprises measured reflectance levels, wherein said measured reflectance levels are stored in said memory of said second control circuit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The diagnostic instrument according to claim 6 wherein said second control circuit memory comprises an internal flare value.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
55 words
The diagnostic instrument according to claim 1, wherein said light source comprises a planar surface, said light source is mounted with its longitudinal light emitting axis substantially perpendicular to said planar surface, and said photodetector is mounted spaced from said light emitting diode with its longitudinal light detecting axis substantially perpendicular to said planar surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The diagnostic instrument according to claim 8, wherein said light source comprises a light emitting diode, and said photodetector comprises a silicon photodiode.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The diagnostic instrument according to claim 8, wherein a flare screen extending substantially perpendicular to said planar surface is positioned between said light emitting diode and said photodetector.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The diagnostic instrument according to claim 8, including an optical bandpass filter, having bandpass wavelengths matching said desired wavelengths said optical filter mounted over said light source and said photodetector.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The diagnostic instrument according to claim 1, wherein insertion of said strip into said instrument activates said first and second control circuits.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The diagnostic instrument according to claim 12, wherein said activation of said first control circuit determines optical reflectance levels of said strip.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The diagnostic instrument according to claim 1, wherein said second control circuit contains a memory, said memory storing calibration threshold levels.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The diagnostic instrument according to claim 14 wherein said calibration threshold levels comprise cholesterol threshold levels of about 100 mg/dl, 200 mg/dl and 240 mg/dl.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The diagnostic instrument according to claim 1, wherein insertion of said strip into said instrument activates said first control circuit wherein optical reflectance levels of said strip are determined.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
The diagnostic instrument according to claim 16, wherein a sensor switch is located adjacent said fore guide for activating said first control circuit in response to said strip being inserted into said instrument.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
41 words
The diagnostic instrument according to claim 17, wherein after said strip is inserted into said instrument, said first control circuit reduces power output of said light source and takes a reading as an internal check of the performance of said circuits.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
40 words
The diagnostic instrument according to claim 1, wherein said second control circuit causes said liquid crystal display to exhibit prompt icons during usage of said instrument, said icons comprising an add blood icon, a timer icon and an error icon.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
The diagnostic instrument according to claim 19, wherein said cholesterol level reading comprises an under 200 (mg/dl) reading, a 200 to 240 (mg/dl) reading and an over 240 (mg/dl) reading.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
40 words
The diagnostic instrument according to claim 20, wherein said second control circuit causes said liquid crystal display to exhibit prompt icons during usage of said instrument, said icons comprising an add blood icon, a timer icon, and an error icon.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
45 words
The diagnostic instrument according to claim 21, wherein said second control circuit causes said liquid crystal display to exhibit a cholesterol level reading, said cholesterol level reading comprising an under 200 (mg/dl) reading, a 200 to 240 (mg/dl) reading, and an over 240 (mg/dl) reading.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
79 words
The diagnostic instrument according to claim 22, wherein said keying guides include at least one lateral edge guide for engaging a lateral edge of said strip, and an angled fore guide for engaging an angled fore edge of said strip, said angled fore guide being positioned off-center with respect to said strip, such that said angled fore edge of said strip can properly engage said angled fore guide only when said strip is properly positioned in said instrument housing.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
32 words
The instrument according to claim 23, wherein a sensor switch is located adjacent said fore guide for activating said first control circuit in response to said strip being placed in said instrument.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
The diagnostic instrument according to claim 24, wherein said display comprises a liquid crystal display.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
The diagnostic instrument according to claim 25, wherein said light source comprises a light emitting diode, and said photodetector comprises a silicon photodiode.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
56 words
The diagnostic instrument according to claim 26, wherein said test area comprises a planar surface, said light emitting diode is mounted with its longitudinal light emitting axis substantially perpendicular to said planar surface, and said photodiode is mounted spaced from said light emitting diode with its longitudinal light detecting axis substantially perpendicular to said planar surface.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
28 words
The diagnostic instrument according to claim 27, wherein a flare screen extending substantially perpendicular to said planar surface is positioned between said light emitting diode and said photodetector.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
28 words
The diagnostic instrument according to claim 28, wherein an optical filter, having bandpass wavelengths matching said desired wavelengths, is mounted over said light emitting diode and said phototdetector.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
265 words
An electronic instrument for use with a chemical test strip with a simplified user interface comprising: a. an instrument having keying guides defining a location at which a chemical test strip is placed; b. a sensor switch located adjacent to said keying guides for activating said instrument in response to said strip being inserted into said instrument, wherein said insertion activates said instrument; and means is provided for testing the performance of said instrument comprising: c. A control circuit, the switch connected to the control circuit for activation of the instrument by providing power to the instrument in order to operate the instrument; d. a first strip having a defined reflectance, said strip engaging said sensor switch to activate a first control circuit to measure reflectance of said first strip when inserted into said instrument; and e. a second strip, insertable into said instrument after removal of said first strip wherein the edges of said second strip do not engage said sensor switch when said second strip is inserted into said instrument, and further comprising two regions of defined reflectance, wherein said first region is used as an indicator to said first control circuit that said strip is being measured, and said second region defining the change in measured reflectance; wherein said instrument measures the change in reflectance of said strip in response to a test solution being applied to said strip, and wherein said keying guides include at least one lateral edge guide for engaging a lateral edge of strip and an angled fore guide for engaging an angled fore edge of said strip.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
265 words
An electronic instrument for use with a chemical test strip with a simplified user interface comprising: a. an instrument having keying guides defining a location at which a chemical test strip is placed; b. a sensor switch located adjacent to said keying guides for activating said instrument in response to said strip being inserted into said instrument, wherein said insertion activates said instrument; and means is provided for testing the performance of said instrument comprising: c. A control circuit, the switch connected to the control circuit for activation of the instrument by providing power to the instrument in order to operate the instrument; d. a first strip having a defined reflectance, said strip engaging said sensor switch to activate a first control circuit to measure reflectance of said first strip when inserted into said instrument; and e. a second strip, insertable into said instrument after removal of said first strip wherein the edges of said second strip do not engage said sensor switch when said second strip is inserted into said instrument, and further comprising two regions of defined reflectance, wherein said first region is used as an indicator to said first control circuit that said strip is being measured, and said second region defining the change in measured reflectance; wherein said instrument measures the change in reflectance of said strip in response to a test solution being applied to said strip, and wherein said keying guides include at least one lateral edge guide for engaging a lateral edge of strip and an angled fore guide for engaging an angled fore edge of said strip.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
24 words
The electronic instrument according to claim 30 wherein said first and second strips comprise the top side and bottom side of a single strip.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-08-17 | 2002-02-16 | 2002-08-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-08-17 | 2006-02-16 | 2006-08-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-08-17 | 2010-02-16 | 2010-08-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |