Device and Method for Monitoring and Quantifying Analytes

Abstract

The present invention can be described as an apparatus and cartridge for detecting the presence of an analyte in a fluid. The invention can also be described as a method of detecting the presence of an analyte in a fluid using the apparatus and cartridge. The method comprises the steps of clamping a sensor cartridge into a cartridge receiver of the apparatus, providing fluid to a fluid flow-path of the cartridge, illuminating at least a portion of a sensor, and using a photodetector to detect a change in the optical property of the sensor, wherein the change is caused by the presence or absence of an analyte in the fluid.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cartridge for use in an apparatus having a clamping head assembly for detecting the presence of an analyte in a fluid, the cartridge comprising:
 a cartridge body having a fluid flow-path between an inlet and an outlet;   a first sensor port on the cartridge body, positioned between the inlet and the outlet, and having a first sensor assembly configured to be exposed to fluid in the flow-path and further configured to detect the presence of an analyte in the fluid; and   an illumination port on the cartridge body configured to allow light energy to illuminate at least a portion of the first sensor assembly in contact with fluid in the flow-path.   
     
     
         2 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the illumination port includes a filter assembly arranged such that the light energy passes through the filter assembly before illuminating the at least a portion of the first sensor assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the first sensor assembly is configured to detect glucose. 
     
     
         4 . The cartridge of  claim 3 , further comprising a second sensor port on the cartridge body, positioned between the inlet and the outlet, and having a second sensor assembly configured to be exposed to fluid in the flow-path and further configured to detect the presence of oxygen in the fluid. 
     
     
         5 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the cartridge body is opaque. 
     
     
         6 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , further comprising an electronic memory device for storing sensor and calibration data. 
     
     
         7 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the cartridge body includes a second fluid flowpath and a second sensor port having a second sensor assembly configured to detect the presence of an analyte in a fluid in the second fluid flow-path. 
     
     
         8 . A cartridge for use in an apparatus having a clamping head assembly for detecting the presence of an analyte in a fluid, the cartridge comprising:
 a cartridge body having a fluid flow-path between an inlet and an outlet;   at least one sensor port on the cartridge body, each sensor port having a sensor assembly configured to be in contact with fluid in the flow-path; and   at least one light source configured to illuminate at least a portion of each sensor assembly in contact with fluid in the flow-path;   wherein at least one sensor port is positioned between the inlet and the outlet.   
     
     
         9 . The cartridge of  claim 8 , further comprising a battery in electrical connection with the light source. 
     
     
         10 . The cartridge of  claim 8 , further comprising conductive contacts positioned on the cartridge body so as to be in electrical connection with the apparatus for delivering power to the at least one light source.