Patent ID: 6702988
Filing Date: 2004-03-09
Classification: B01L,G01N,G16H,Y10S

Abstract:
An on-site drug testing system including a network of collection sites, each collection site comprising:a plurality of integrable consumables including test kits and collection cups for holding samples of bodily fluid, each test kit including at least one optically-readable test strip which produces visible test results when brought into contact with the bodily fluid; a computer system for transmitting the test results to a central location; and an automated test kit reader, coupled to the computer system, for generating a pixel image of a consumed test kit, including a consumed test strip, the pixel image including a plurality of pixel positions, the plurality of pixel positions including at least one predetermined test pixel position and at least one predetermined control pixel position; when the test strips include a control bar that changes color to indicate sufficient wetting of the consumed test strip by the bodily fluid during consumption of the consumed test strip; the at least one predetermined control pixel position of the pixel image includes an image of the control bar; the pixel image is transmitted to the computer system and is automatically analyzed by the computer system by checking intensity of the at least one predetermined control pixel position; and when the intensity of the at least one predetermined control pixel position indicates sufficient wetting of the consumed test strip, the system is configured to check intensity of the at least one predetermined test pixel position of the plurality of pixel positions of the pixel image to generate the test results.