Test strip coding and quality measurement
Inventors
Diamond, Steven • Forest, Martin • Wei, Baoguo • Harding, Ian • Iyengar, Sridhar
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11346803-B2
Publication Date
2022-05-31
Expiration Date
Abstract
A test strip and analytical apparatus have pin connections permitting the definition of geographic regions or of particular customers. A test strip made for use in a particular region or for a particular customer will have pin connections matching features of the apparatus made for use in that region or by that customer. Insertion of the strip into the apparatus does not merely turn on the apparatus, but provides the regional or customer coding. Analog switches within the apparatus allow coding of a larger number of distinct regions or customers than would otherwise be possible, all without degrading the quality of the measurements made of the fluid being tested. Conductive paths in the strips permit testing the strips during manufacture so as to detect quality lapses regarding the printing or deposition of the paths.
Core Innovation
A planar electrochemical test strip is elongated along a first dimension parallel to a first axis and has a second dimension corresponding to the width of the strip. The strip includes an electrochemical analysis cell at one axial end, a connection region at the other axial end, and at least one conductor extending from the connection region to the electrochemical cell, with a first portion that is not a conductive path for analysis and does not make contact with sample in the electrochemical cell.
The invention provides a method for use with the planar test strip by applying first and second pins to the first non-conductive-for-analysis portion such that a line extending from the first pin to the second pin is disposed axially or perpendicular to the first axis and separated from one another along the length or width of the planar strip. The method determines whether the first and second pins are connected via the first portion of the conductor, defining a first finding.
The conductor further includes a second separate non-conductive-for-analysis portion, and the method applies third and fourth pins to the second portion in an analogous pin arrangement. The method determines whether the third pin is not connected to either the first and second pins via the first portion of the conductor, defining a second finding, and performs an electrochemical analysis if the first and second findings are affirmative.
Claims Coverage
The document provides one independent claim and one dependent claim that adds a geometric constraint. The inventive features focus on selective pin-connection detection using separate non-conductive-for-analysis portions to gate whether electrochemical analysis is performed.
Gated electrochemical analysis using separate non-conductive-for-analysis conductor portions
The method for use with the planar test strip applies first and second pins to a first portion of a conductor that is not a conductive path for analysis, determines whether the first and second pins are connected via the first portion to define a first finding, applies third and fourth pins to a second separate portion of the conductor that is not a conductive path for analysis, determines whether the third pin is not connected to either of the first and second pins via the first portion to define a second finding, and performs an electrochemical analysis only if the first and second findings are in the affirmative.
Perpendicular pin-to-pin line constraint for first and second non-conductive portions
The line extending from the third pin to the fourth pin is perpendicular to the line extending from the first pin to the second pin.
Overall, the claim coverage centers on using a planar strip with separate non-conductive-for-analysis portions, applying two sets of pins to respective portions, determining connection findings, and only performing electrochemical analysis when both findings are affirmative. A dependent refinement specifies a perpendicular relationship between the pin-to-pin lines.
Stated Advantages
Electrochemical analysis is performed only when the first and second findings are in the affirmative.
Electrochemical analysis is not performed when the first and second findings are not in the affirmative.
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
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