An optical module for reading a test region of an assay includes a near-infrared light source for illuminating the test region of the assay with light in a near-infrared spectrum. The optical module also includes an optical detector. The optical detector includes an optical input for receiving light emitted from the test region of the assay and an electrical output. The optical module further includes an electrical signal processor electrically coupled to the electrical output. The optical module additionally includes one or more optical filter arranged in front of the optical input of the optical detector.

A dry reagent composition that includes an active redox enzyme that oxidizes an analyte as a specific substrate to produce an inactive reduced form of the enzyme; and a salt of ferricyanide provides improved performance in electrochemical test strips such as those used for detection of glucose. The salt of ferricyanide consists of ferricyanide and positively-charged counter ions, and the positively charged counter ions are selected such that the salt of ferricyanide is soluble in water, and such that the salt of ferricyanide or the crystalline phase of the salt of ferricyanide has a solubility in water and/or a lower E.sup.0.sub.eff at a concentration of 100 mM than potassium ferricyanide. For example, the salt of ferricyanide may be tetramethylammonium ferricyanide.

The disclosed technology includes a planar device for performing multiple biochemical assays at the same time, or nearly the same time. Each assay may include a biosample including a biochemical, enzyme, DNA, and/or any other biochemical or biological sample. Each assay may include one or more tags including dyes and/or other chemicals/reagents whose optical characteristics change based on chemical characteristics of the biological sample being tested. Each assay may be optically pumped to cause one or more of luminescence, phosphorescence, or fluorescence of the assay that may be detected by one or more optical detectors. For example, an assay may include two tags and a biosample. Each tag may be pumped by different wavelengths of light and may produce different wavelengths of light that is filtered and detected by one or more detectors. The pump wavelengths may be different from one another and different from the produced wavelengths.

The invention provides light-emitting compositions, including lasing and fluorescent compositions. The invention particularly relates to programmable biological substrates, which fluoresce and/or lase, and which have a wide variety of different applications. The invention extends to use of the fluorescent compositions and lasing compositions comprising programmable biological substrates in fabricating lasers, and in various biological imaging applications, such as in assays.

An impedance spectroscopy biosensor is provided that is fabricated on a stretchable substrate. The stretchable substrate is integrated with an impedance biosensor that undergoes cyclic strain without cracking. The biosensor is formed by curing an elastomer precursor while on a pre-tensioned membrane that includes a conductive electrode. The resulting elastomeric material is released from the support after curing which releases the pre-tensioned state to produce the biosensor.

A mobile device based multi-analyte testing analyzer for use in medical diagnostic monitoring and screening, and a method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. A reflectance based, colorimetric test strip reader for use with a mobile device having a jack plug receiving socket, said test strip reader adapted for removably receiving a test strip having a test strip longitudinal axis, comprising a housing; a jack plug operably coupled to and extending from said housing and adapted for operable coupling with said jack plug receiving socket; a test strip adapter including structure defining a test strip receiving channel; a light source oriented within said housing for directing light toward said test strip receiving channel to illuminate a test strip arranged within said test strip adapter; and a light sensor oriented within said housing to sense light reflected from a test strip carried by said test strip receiving channel.

A coagulation test device for measuring clotting time and clot characteristics of a whole blood sample under different hemostatic conditions. Results of the test are used as an aid in management of patients with coagulopathy of unknown etiology in order to help the physician determine appropriate clinical action to arrest bleeding in a patient.

A manufacturing device and a manufacturing method of a test strip. The manufacturing device includes a fluid push module, a fluid flow module and a fluid output module. The fluid push module includes an actuator and a transmission unit. The transmission unit has at least a fluid delivery member. The fluid flow module includes a reagent storage unit and a reagent delivery unit. The reagent storage unit has at least one reagent storage chamber. The reagent delivery unit has at least one drain chamber, at least one first infusion line, at least a second infusion line and a plurality of check valves. The fluid output module includes a plurality of reagent outlets and a reagent output unit, and one end of each of the reagent outlets is configured with an inner recess. The reagent output unit has a plurality of channels corresponding to the reagent outlets.

An automated in situ heat induced antigen recovery and staining method and apparatus for treating a plurality of microscope slides. The process of heat induced antigen recovery and the process of staining the biological sample on the microscope slide are conducted in the same apparatus, wherein the microscope slides do not need to be physically removed from one apparatus to another. Each treatment step occurs within the same reaction compartment. The reaction conditions of each reaction compartment for treating a slide can preferably be controlled independently, including the individualized application of reagents to each slide and the individualized treatment of each slide.

A test meter for analyzing a body fluid sample applied to a test strip includes an outer housing having an opening, an actuator, and a cartridge positioned adjacent the outer housing. The cartridge further includes a dispensing member connected to the actuator, a plurality of stacked test strips biased toward the dispensing member, and a cartridge outer housing that is adjacent at least a portion of the dispensing member. Each time the actuator is actuated, the dispensing member is rotated to cause movement of one test strip from the plurality of stacked test strips through the opening, and another test strip is biased toward the dispensing member.