Patent ID: 7738085

Claim:
An apparatus for determining the concentration of an analyte in centrifuged blood from a patient, the apparatus comprising: a near-patient analyte detection system comprising: a re-usable disposable element configured for removable engagement with the optical detection system, the re-usable disposable element comprising: a reagentless sample cell configured to hold the centrifuged blood, the sample cell being adapted to engage with the analyte detection system to measure the concentration of an analyte in the biological fluid sample, the sample cell being defined by at least one window which is transmissive of infrared radiation; a sample supply passage extending from and in fluid communication with the sample cell and a fluid source; and an in-line device for moving the fluid from the fluid source while at the same time separating at least one component of the fluid from other components thereof, the in-line device being disposed between the fluid source and the reagentless sample cell.