Patent US5728352A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5728352A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Disposable electronic diagnostic instrument
Assignee: PA Consulting Group Inc
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Filing: 1995-05-12
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Granted: 1998-03-17
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Expires: 2015-05-12
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
2026-11-08 03:46
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: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
212 words
An electronic instrument for measuring reflectance of a test surface which comprises an instrument housing, said housing comprising a testing area wherein said testing area defines a planar surface; a test reading aperture; a light source positioned to emit radiation towards said test area, said light source having a longitudinal light emitting axis substantially perpendicular to said planar surface; and a photodetector positioned to detect radiation reflected by said test area, said photodetector having a longitudinal light detecting axis substantially perpendicular to said planar surface, and said instrument having a keying guide defining a location at which a chemical test strip is placed; a test strip; a sensor switch located adjacent said keying guide and contacted by said strip in response to said strip being inserted into said guide; and a control circuit, said switch connected to said control circuit for activation of said instrument by providing power to said instrument in order to operate said instrument, 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
212 words
An electronic instrument for measuring reflectance of a test surface which comprises an instrument housing, said housing comprising a testing area wherein said testing area defines a planar surface; a test reading aperture; a light source positioned to emit radiation towards said test area, said light source having a longitudinal light emitting axis substantially perpendicular to said planar surface; and a photodetector positioned to detect radiation reflected by said test area, said photodetector having a longitudinal light detecting axis substantially perpendicular to said planar surface, and said instrument having a keying guide defining a location at which a chemical test strip is placed; a test strip; a sensor switch located adjacent said keying guide and contacted by said strip in response to said strip being inserted into said guide; and a control circuit, said switch connected to said control circuit for activation of said instrument by providing power to said instrument in order to operate said instrument, 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
22 words
The electronic instrument according to claim 1 said light source comprises a light emitting diode, and said detector comprises a silicon photodiode.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The electronic instrument according to claim 1 having no optical components between said light source and said photodetector.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The electronic instrument according to claim 1 wherein a flare screen is positioned between said light source and said photodetector extending substantially perpendicular to said planar surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The electronic instrument according to claim 1 wherein an optical filter, having bandpass characteristics matching the desired detection wavelengths, is mounted over said light source and photodetector.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
The electronic instrument according to claim 1 wherein 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 8
Dependent Claim
87 words
The electronic instrument according to claim 1 wherein said instrument further comprises; a. a display mounted on said instrument for displaying prompt icons to instruct the user concerning use of the instrument and results of reflectance measurement; b. a light source positioned to emit radiation towards said strip and a photodetector positioned to detect radiation reflected by said strip; c. a control circuit comprising means for controlling the operation of said light source, analyzing the output signal of said photodetector, and controlling the operation of said display.
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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) | 2001-03-16 | 2001-09-15 | 2002-03-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-03-16 | 2005-09-15 | 2006-03-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-03-16 | 2009-09-15 | 2010-03-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |