A method for calibrating an imager of a reagent analyzer, comprises positioning a dry reagent pad at a first read position in a field of view of the imager, the first read position illuminated by an illumination source with a first intensity, detecting a reference optical signal by the imager, indicative of a first reflectance value of the dry reagent pad at the first read position, positioning the dry reagent pad at a second read position, the second read position illuminated with a second intensity different from the first intensity, detecting a first optical signal by the imager, indicative of a second reflectance value of the dry reagent pad at the second read position, and calculating, by a processor, a calibration factor for the dry reagent pad at the second read position based on a difference between the reference optical signal and the first optical signal.

A method of distinguishing a control solution from a sample in an electrochemical test sensor is performed. The method includes adding a control marker to the control solution. The control solution includes the control marker and analyte. The test sensor includes working and counter electrodes, and a reagent. A potential is applied to the test sensor to oxidize the control marker and the analyte. The resulting electrical current is measured. A potential is applied to the test sensor lower than the other potential in which the potential is sufficient to oxidize the analyte and not the control marker. The resulting electrical current is measured. Determining whether a control solution or a sample is present based on the measured electrical currents. To increase the measured current, a salt may be added to the control solution in an amount sufficient to increase the electrical current by at least 5% as compared to a control solution in the absence of a salt.

A device includes: a first portion configured to be grasped by the hand of the user, and a second portion defining a reservoir containing a control material, wherein the control material contains a target analyte in a known or predetermined concentration. Methods for verifying the accuracy of an analyte monitoring device include receiving control information from a test cartridge, transporting control material to an analysis site, determining the presence of the control material, analyzing the control material, and providing a pass or fail signal.

This invention is in the field of medical devices. Specifically, the present invention provides fluidic systems having a plurality of reaction sites surrounded by optical barriers to reduce the amount of optical cross-talk between signals detected from various reaction sites. The invention also provides a method of manufacturing fluidic systems and methods of using the systems.

Apparatuses for preparing a sample are disclosed herein. The apparatuses include a chamber, a first valve at least partially disposed in the first chamber, a second valve at least partially disposed in the first chamber, and a pump comprising an actuator and nozzle.

The invention relates to improved electrochemiluminescence assay methods for phosphorylated peptides or proteins employing phospho-specific antibodies and buffer compositions that are substantially free of inorganic phosphate.

This blood analyzer includes a sample preparation portion preparing a measurement sample free from a labeling substance from a blood sample and a hemolytic agent free from a labeling substance, a light information generation portion generating fluorescent information and at least two types of scattered light information from the measurement sample and a control portion performing a first classification of white blood cells in the measurement sample into at least four groups of monocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils and others on the basis of the fluorescent information and the two types of scattered light information.

A method for performing an assay on a liquid sample for the detection of one or more analytes of interest in an assay device having a flow path which includes a sample zone and detection zone thereon includes: dispensing the sample onto the sample zone; combining the sample and a reagent, wherein the sample and reagent may be combined prior to addition of the sample to the sample zone or on the assay device, flowing the combined sample/reagent by capillary action into and through the detection zone having capture elements bound thereto, wherein a signal at least partially representative of the presence or concentration of analyte(s) is produced and detected; determining a reaction time or reaction volume; and determining the concentration of the analyte by using both the detected signal and the reaction time or reaction volume.

Methods are provided for end users of diagnostic measurement procedures to prepare quality controls having desired analyte recoveries, estimate recoveries of quality controls already prepared, and compare estimated and measured recoveries. To prepare a quality control containing a particular analyte, a desired recovery of a measurement procedure for the analyte can be scaled by a correlation factor to obtain a target nominal concentration of the analyte in the quality control. Alternatively, the nominal concentration of an analyte in a quality control can be scaled by a correlation factor to obtain a predicted recovery of a measurement procedure for the analyte. The correlation factors can be based on recovery data previously obtained using the measurement procedure and optionally one or more reference procedures, and can be calculated using regression analysis of these data. Each quality control can be prepared by dissolving a number of solid beads containing the analyte(s) of interest in a volume of base matrix.

A parallel processing system for processing samples is described. In one embodiment, the parallel processing system includes an instrument interface parallel controller to control a tray motor driving system, a close-loop heater control and detection system, a magnetic particle transfer system, a reagent release system, a reagent pre-mix pumping system and a wash buffer pumping system.