A test strip code reader is provided. The test strip code reader includes a test strip carrier for accommodating a test strip, a first conductive element for decoding a code of the test strip, a second conductive element configured to be in a contact state or a separation state with the first conductive element, and an activation element having a body and a plurality of protrusions, wherein the body is used to prevent the first conductive element from being contaminated, and according to whether the plurality of protrusions are actuated by the test strip, the contact state or the separation state between the first conductive element and the second conductive element is determined to decode the code of the test strip.

Contamination detection systems, kits, and techniques are described for testing surfaces for the presence of hazardous contaminants, while minimizing user exposure to these contaminants. Even trace amounts of contaminants can be detected. A collection kit provides a swab that is simple to use, easy to hold and grip, allows the user to swab large areas of a surface, and keeps the user's hands away from the surface being tested. The kit also provides open and closed fluid transfer mechanism to transfer the collected fluid to a detection device while minimizing user exposure to hazardous contaminants in the collected fluid. Contamination detection kits can rapidly collect and detect hazardous drugs, including trace amounts of antineoplastic agents, in healthcare settings at the site of contamination.

A device including a light source, one or more actuators, and an image capturing device. The device is operable to receive a request to capture image data of a sample, determine at least one of an analyte being tested within the sample or a container holding the sample, position the image capturing device relative to the sample based on the analyte being tested or the container holding the sample, illuminate the light source based on the analyte being tested or the container holding the sample, capture the image data, and send the image data to one or more computing devices for image processing.

A test device is configured for diagnostic testing and includes an optical readable medium, in turn including a pattern of spots of material arranged on a surface of the device. Several patterns may be provided. The patterns accordingly formed may be human and/or machine readable. They may notably encode security information, e.g., indicating whether the device has already been used. The spots may notably be inkjet spotted. In addition, a method is provided for decoding information encoded in a pattern of such a test device. In embodiments, liquid is introduced in the device, which comprises additional spots having a substantially different solubility than spots forming the actual pattern. Thus, the additional spots get solubilized in and flushed by the liquid as the latter wets them, and an initially hidden pattern may be read, which is formed of the remaining spots (not solubilized). Encoding methods are also provided.

The present disclosure relates to automated medical diagnostic systems and methods. One example embodiment includes a system. The system includes a test cartridge, a test strip usable to indicate the presence of one or more patient conditions, and a kiosk configured to receive and process the test cartridge and the test strip. The kiosk includes a vortex mixer; a conveyor belt; a robotic pipette module; an imaging system; a display; and a processor communicative coupled to the vortex mixer, the conveyor belt, the robotic pipette module, the imaging system, and the display. The processor is configured to execute instructions stored within a memory to operate the vortex mixer, the conveyor belt, the robotic pipette module, the imagine system, and the display; to receive the image of the test strip from the imaging system; and to analyze the image to determine whether one or more patient conditions is present.

A physiological signal monitoring device is adapted for monitoring a physiological signal of a biofluid, and includes: a biosensor strip that has at least one signal output end adapted for outputting the physiological signal; a strip reciprocating module that includes a strip seat for receiving the biosensor strip, a guide seat mounted to the strip seat, and a rotating plate mounted rotatably to the strip seat for triggering reciprocating movement of the biosensor strip and the guide seat relative to the strip seat; and a contact module that includes an electronic module, and at least one extending piece connected electrically with the at least one signal output end to transmit the physiological signal to the electronic module.

A system for diagnostic testing may include a meter for performing a diagnostic test on a sample applied to a test media, the meter having a housing and an interface for receiving a signal representing coding information, and a container configured to contain test media compatible with the meter, the container having a coding element associated therewith. Additionally, the system may provide a mechanism for removing the meter from an interconnected test container and reattaching it to a new container using on-container coding methods that can recalibrate the meter for the new container of test strips.

In one embodiment, a cartridge includes at least one compartment and a reagent in the at least one compartment. The reagent is a chemical composition for testing at least one of soil and vegetation for a chemical contained in the soil or vegetation. The reagent can be used in a soil and/or vegetation analysis test. The cartridge can contain an authentication chip to ensure that the reagent is the correct reagent for the analysis test.

A fluid specimen collection, storage, transport, and testing cup contains a removable chromatographic strip-carrying cartridge and an axially moveable liquid specimen preserving caddy which moves between a first, pre-test position and a second, post-test position. During which a caddy drain is temporarily opened allowing an amount of liquid specimen deposited in the caddy to flow into the cup and contact the strips. Once in the second position, the drain is sealed for later confirmatory testing. The caddy is moved between the two positions by screwing a threaded lid more tightly onto the top opening of the cup. The axial range of the screw is limited by a removable obstruction collar. The caddy can include a liquid specimen containing chamber having a lower opening sealed by a frangible barrier.

In one aspect, an assay test strip includes a test label that specifically binds a target analyte and a control label that is free of any specific binding affinity for the target analyte and has a different optical characteristic than the test label. In another aspect, an assay test strip includes a test label that specifically binds a target analyte and at least one non-specific-binding label that is free of any specific binding affinity for the target analyte. Systems and methods of reading assay test strips also are described.