Patent ID: 8206650

Claim:
A spectroscopic and biosensor system for analyzing a blood sample taken from a patient, the system comprising: a disposable cartridge, the disposable cartridge comprising: a cartridge housing; an inlet opening in the cartridge housing for receiving the blood sample; one or more than one flow path to receive the blood sample from the inlet opening; an optical chamber in the one or more than one flow path, the optical chamber having at least one optical window to facilitate detection of an electromagnetic radiation-based signal derived from the blood; a biosensor chamber in the one or more than one flow path, the biosensor chamber comprising a pH biosensor, the cartridge housing further comprising an electrical output contact in electrical communication with the pH biosensor for receiving sample biosensor data from the pH biosensor after the blood sample makes contact with the pH biosensor at least one of an outlet vent and a compression suction chamber for facilitating flow of the blood sample inside the one or more than one flow path; and a meter absent one or more blood fluid connection with the disposable cartridge, the meter further comprising: a meter housing; a meter source of electromagnetic radiation; a slot in the meter housing for receiving the cartridge, the slot having an electrical input contact for mating with the output contact of the cartridge when the cartridge is inserted into the slot; and one or more than one photodetector for measuring electromagnetic radiation transmitted through or reflected from the blood sample within the optical chamber and for providing an electromagnetic radiation-based signal derived from the electromagnetic radiation transmitted through or reflected from the blood sample; and a processor, the processor comprising: a blood hemoglobin oxygen saturation calibration algorithm for transforming the electromagnetic radiation-based signal into a blood hemoglobin oxygen saturation result; and a pH calibration algorithm for transforming the sample biosensor data into a pH result, the processor being in communication with i) the one or more than one photodetector to receive the electromagnetic radiation-based signal, and ii) the electrical input contact to receive the sample biosensor data; whereby the blood hemoglobin oxygen saturation result and the blood pH result will provide an assessment of the patient's oxygenation and acid-base status.