Patent ID: 6491870
Filing Date: 2002-12-10
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
A test strip for determining the presence or quantity of an analyte in a liquid by inserting said test strip into an optical reading apparatus; said test strip comprising:a portion, for having liquid applied thereto, said portion having an area on a major surface of the strip defining a reaction zone, such reaction zone varying in reflectance as a function of the quantity of analyte in the applied liquid; said test strip further comprising an area on said major surface defining an orientation index zone, said orientation index zone being positioned to lead said reaction zone as said strip is inserted into said apparatus; said orientation index zone having a contrasting reflectance relative to that of the areas of the major surface contiguous to the orientation index zone; whereby said apparatus may be provided with optical means for sequentially determining reflectance values of the major surface as the strip is inserted into the apparatus and with microprocessing means for detecting the presence of the orientation index zone or for reporting its absence.