Patent ID: 6106780
Filing Date: 2000-08-22
Classification: A61B,C12Q,G01D,G01N,Y10S

Abstract:
A synchronized kit for detecting the presence of an analyte in a sample based on a physically detectable reaction of the sample with a reagent, the kit comprising:a set of test strips each containing the reagent disposed thereon, each set containing at least one test strip;a calibration means corresponding to the set of test strips and containing calibration information uniquely characteristic to the reagent in the set of test strips; anda detection device comprising a testing instrument having:a housing having a docking portion for engaging at least one of the test strips;a sensor disposed at least partially in the housing and adapted to generate an electrical signal responsive to the reaction of the sample with the reagent; anda processor disposed at least partially in the housing and adapted to operate in accordance with the calibration means to generate a detection signal representative of the presence of the analyte in the sampler;wherein the detection device has means for limiting its use to a predetermined number of times which does not exceed the number of test strips in a given set such that the detection device is disabled after reading the last test strip in the set.