Method, system, and apparatus for measurement and recording of blood chemistry and other physiological measurements

Abstract

A multi-component test strip for analyzing a plurality of blood components in a single blood sample. The test strip comprises a porous medium having a sample receiving region, and two or more sample analysis regions. The sample receiving region is fluidically in series with the two or more sample analysis regions, and the two or more sample analysis regions are fluidically in parallel with each other. The two or more sample analysis regions contain indicating reagents specific to two or more specific blood components. Also disclosed is a system using the test strip for blood characterization, and a method of blood characterization and analysis.

1 . A multi-component test strip for analyzing a plurality of blood components in a single blood sample, said test strip comprising a porous medium having a sample receiving region, and two or more sample analysis regions, wherein said sample receiving region is fluidically in series with said two or more sample analysis regions, and said two or more sample analysis regions are fluidically in parallel with each other, and further wherein said two or more sample analysis regions contain indicating reagents specific to two or more specific blood components.  
     
     
         2 . The multi-component test strip of  claim 1  comprising: 
 (a) an apertured first substrate;    (b) an apertured second substrate;    (c) said porous medium interposed between and bonded to said substrates and having the sample receiving region for receiving a blood sample in contact with the apertured first substrate and positioned to receive a blood sample through an aperture in the first substrate; and said sample analysis regions positioned with respect to apertures in the second apertured substrate to display indications of the presence of blood components through the apertures in the second substrate.    
     
     
         3 . The multi-component test strip of  claim 2  wherein said porous medium comprises: 
 (a) a sample receiving and distribution pad; and    (b) individual sample analysis pads.    
     
     
         4 . The multi-component test strip of  claim 2  wherein said porous medium comprises; 
 (a) a sample receiving pad;    (b) a sample distribution pad; and    (c) individual sample analysis pads;    wherein said sample distribution pad is positioned between said sample receiving pad and said individual sample analysis pads and is configured to divide sample from the sample receiving pad among the same analysis pads.    
     
     
         5 . The test strip of  claim 1  comprising a distributor between said first porous pad and said analysis pads, for carrying portions of blood from said first porous pad and said analysis pads.  
     
     
         6 . The test strip of  claim 2  wherein said apertured first substrate, said porous first pad, said distributor, said analysis pads, and said apertured second substrate are bonded together.  
     
     
         7 - 10 . (canceled)  
     
     
         11 . A system configured to read a multi-indicator blood test strip, said blood test strip having two or more distinct regions for detecting and calorimetrically indicating the presence and concentration of blood fractions, said system including: 
 (a) optics adapted to illuminate the distinct regions of the test strip and detect a colorimetric property thereof;    (b) circuitry to digitize the detected colorimetric property for each of the regions;    (c) memory circuitry to store the digitized calorimetric property of each of the regions;    (d) a display to display the digitized colorimetric properties of the regions; and    (e) input/output circuitry to receive commands from an associated computer and send digitized colorimetric properties of the regions to the associated computer.    
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1   1  comprising separate optics to illuminate and detect individual regions of the test strip.  
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1   1  wherein the input/output circuitry to receive commands from an associated computer and send digitized colorimetric properties of the regions to the associated computer comprises synchronization circuitry and instructions to send the digitized calorimetric properties to an associated local computer.  
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the input/output circuitry to receive commands from an associated computer and send digitized colorimetric properties of the regions to the associated computer comprises transmission circuitry and instructions to transmit the digitized calorimetric properties of the regions to a remote server.  
     
     
         15 - 19 . (canceled)  
     
     
         20 . A system configured to 
 (a) read a multi-indicator blood test strip, said blood test strip having two or more distinct regions for detecting and calorimetrically indicating the presence and concentration of blood fractions,    (b) receive physiological data chosen from the group consisting of one or more of respiration, pulse rate, blood pressure, and electrocardiogram traces;    (c) storing the readings from the multi-indicator blood test strip and the physiological data; and    (d) synchronizing or uploading the data with a host or server.    
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20  including: 
 (a) optics adapted to illuminate the distinct regions of the test strip and detect a colorimetric property thereof;    (b) circuitry to digitize the detected colorimetric property for each of the regions;    (c) memory circuitry to store the digitized calorimetric property of each of the regions;    (d) a display to display the digitized colorimetric properties of the regions;    (e) input/output circuitry to receive the physiological data; and    (f) input/output circuitry to receive commands from an associated computer and send digitized colorimetric properties of the regions and the physiological data to the associated computer.