Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
190 words
A reagent test strip having a matrix near one end for use in an apparatus for determining a concentration of glucose in a sample of whole blood, the apparatus comprising optical means for detecting intensity of light at wavelengths of about 635 nm and about 700 nm reflected from at least a portion of the matrix, which matrix comprises a) a sample receiving surface for receiving the whole blood sample and passing a portion of the sample toward a testing surface opposite thereto, the testing surface having a reflectance at about 700 nm that, when the testing surface becomes wet, undergoes a change that is substantially equivalent to that produced by the absorbance of hemoglobin in blood b) a structure that selectively retards the passage of red blood cells through the matrix and minimizes the lysing of the cells in the matrix, whereby any portion of the sample that is visible from the testing surface does not absorb light to any appreciable extent at about 700 nm, and c) a reagent for indicating the glucose concentration by creating at the testing surface a change in reflectance at about 635 nm.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
190 words
A reagent test strip having a matrix near one end for use in an apparatus for determining a concentration of glucose in a sample of whole blood, the apparatus comprising optical means for detecting intensity of light at wavelengths of about 635 nm and about 700 nm reflected from at least a portion of the matrix, which matrix comprises a) a sample receiving surface for receiving the whole blood sample and passing a portion of the sample toward a testing surface opposite thereto, the testing surface having a reflectance at about 700 nm that, when the testing surface becomes wet, undergoes a change that is substantially equivalent to that produced by the absorbance of hemoglobin in blood b) a structure that selectively retards the passage of red blood cells through the matrix and minimizes the lysing of the cells in the matrix, whereby any portion of the sample that is visible from the testing surface does not absorb light to any appreciable extent at about 700 nm, and c) a reagent for indicating the glucose concentration by creating at the testing surface a change in reflectance at about 635 nm.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The strip of claim 1 in which the matrix comprises a membrane that has pores that trap the red blood cells of the whole blood sample.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The strip of claim 1 in which the matrix comprises an anisotropic membrane.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The strip of claim 3 in which the membrane has pores that are larger near the sample receiving surface and smaller near the testing surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The strip of claim 1 in which the matrix comprises a polyamide membrane.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The strip of claim 1 in which the matrix has an interior region that absorbs 700 nm light and that is visible from the testing surface only when the surface is wet.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The strip of claim 6 in which the matrix interior region comprises a nonwoven material having substantial absorbance at 700 nm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The strip of claim 1 in which the matrix further comprises a water-soluble dye that has light absorption at 700 nm that is substantially increased when the dye goes into solution.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The strip of claim 8 in which the dye comprises copper phthalocyanine.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The strip of claim 1 in which the reagent comprises a dye precursor that forms a chromophore indicative of the glucose concentration, the chromophore absorbing light at 635 nm.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
The strip of claim 10 in which the reagent dye precursor is selected from the group consisting of 3-methyl-2-benzothlazolinone hydrazone hydrochloride (MBTH) with 3-dimethylaminobenzoic acid (DMAB); MBTH with 8-anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonate (ANS); MBTH with its formaldehyde azine and combinations thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The strip of claim 11 in which the reagent dye precursor comprises MBTH and ANS.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The strip of claim 11 in which the reagent dye precursor comprises MBTH combined with DMAB.