A compact semi-programmable device for reading reagent test strips and method relating thereto

Claim 1

A portable photoanalytical device for reading reagent test strips, said device comprising: a random access memory (RAM) chip within said photoanalytical device, battery means for maintaining information within said RAM chip; external connector means for downloading information into said random access memory (RAM) chip, said downloaded information providing said device with at least one constant value capable of being used by the device in a software program for translating reflectance readings into concentration values; switching means for initiating execution of said software program for taking a reflectance reading from a reagent test strip within said device and comparing said reflectance reading to an internal standard and translating the reading to a concentration value using said constant value and storing said concentration value within said RAM chip, the stored concentration value capable of being outputted through said external connector means; and internal data integrity (IDI) means for determining whether said information maintained within said RAM chip is erroneous and displaying an appropriate message in the event that said information is erroneous.

Claim 9

A method of reading a reagent test strip, said method comprising the steps of: downloading control information into a portable hand-held photoanalytical device by means of an external connector means whereby said control information is retained within a random access memory (RAM) chip within said photoanalytical device, said control information being maintained within said RAM chip by means of a battery means; inserting a reagent test strip into said photoanalytical device; activating a switching means and thereby initiating execution of a software program to use said control information for taking a reflectance reading from the reagent test strip, comparing said reading to an internal standard and converting said reading into a concentration value, said value being stored within said RAM chip, said stored value capable of being outputted through said external connector means; and monitoring internal data integrity ("IDI") using an IDI means, said IDI means being capable of determining whether said information maintained within said RAM chip is erroneous and displaying an appropriate message in the event that said information is erroneous.

Claim 10

A method of reading a reagent test strip, said method comprising the steps of: downloading control information into a portable hand-held photoanalytical device by means of an external connector means whereby said control information is retained within a random access memory (RAM) chip within said photoanalytical device, said control information being maintained within said RAM chip by means of a battery means; inserting a reagent test strip into said photoanalytical device; activating a switching means and thereby initiating execution of a software program to use said control information for taking a reflectance reading from the reagent test strip, comparing said reading to an internal standard and converting said reading into a concentration value, said value being stored within said RAM chip, said stored value capable of being outputted through said external connector means; and monitoring internal data integrity ("IDI") using an IDI means, said IDI means being capable of determining whether said information maintained within said RAM chip is erroneous and displaying an appropriate message in the event that said information is erroneous.

Claim 12

A method of operating a portable photoanalytical device for reading a reagent test strip, said photoanalytical device including a random access memory (RAM) within said photoanalytical device, a battery for powering said RAM to maintain information within said RAM, a keyboard for obtaining an activity value for said reagent test strip from an operator, a display for displaying information to said operator, a microprocessor executing a software program including a procedure for taking a reflectance reading from said reagent test strip, comparing said reflectance reading to an internal standard and translating the reading to a concentration value by said procedure using constant values maintained in said RAM and using said activity value, and an external connector through which said constant values are downloaded to said RAM, said method comprising the steps of: a) executing software instructions with said microprocessor to determine whether said RAM has stored within it said constant values which are not erroneous, and if not, requiring constant values to be downloaded through said external connector, b) executing software instructions with said microprocessor to display to said user an activity value having been stored in said RAM and permitting said operator to use said keyboard to change said activity value, c) executing said procedure of said software program to take a reflectance reading from said reagent test strip, compare said reflectance reading to said internal standard and translate the reading to a concentration value by using said constant values maintained in said RAM and said activity value.

Claim 13

A method of operating a portable photoanalytical device for reading a reagent test strip, said photoanalytical device including a random access memory (RAM) within said photoanalytical device, a battery for powering said RAM to maintain information within said RAM, a keyboard for obtaining an activity value for said reagent test strip from an operator, a display for displaying information to said operator, a microprocessor executing a software program including a procedure for taking a reflectance reading from said reagent test strip, comparing said reflectance reading to an internal standard and translating the reading to a concentration value by said procedure using constant values maintained in said RAM and using said activity value, and an external connector through which said constant values are downloaded to said RAM, said method comprising the steps of: a) executing software instructions with said microprocessor to determine whether said RAM has stored within it said constant values which are not erroneous, and if not, requiring constant values to be downloaded through said external connector, b) executing software instructions with said microprocessor to display to said user an activity value having been stored in said RAM and permitting said operator to use said keyboard to change said activity value, c) executing said procedure of said software program to take a reflectance reading from said reagent test strip, compare said reflectance reading to said internal standard and translate the reading to a concentration value by using said constant values maintained in said RAM and said activity value.