Fluids testing apparatus and methods of use

Abstract

The invention is directed to a mobile hand held miniature laboratory system in general, and to fluid testing apparatus for performing a parameter measurement in a fluid sample and methods of use thereof in particular. The apparatus comprising: A strip adapted to absorb a fluid sample and to produce a signal indicative of said parameter level in said sample; and an adaptor adapted to connect said strip to a smart phone to thereby allow delivery of the produced signal or a correlated signal to said smart phone for obtaining a measurement of said fluid parameter displayed on said smart phone, wherein said testing apparatus relies on said smart phone at least for power supply and display means.

1 - 50 . (canceled) 
     
     
         51 . A fluid testing apparatus for performing a parameter measurement in a fluid sample comprising:
 a. a strip adapted to absorb a fluid sample and to produce a signal indicative of said parameter level in said sample; and   b. an adaptor adapted to connect said strip to a mobile device to thereby allow delivery of the produced signal or a correlated signal to said mobile device for obtaining a measurement of said fluid parameter displayed on said mobile device, wherein said testing apparatus is adapted to obtain at least a display means from said mobile device.   
     
     
         52 . The fluid testing apparatus according to  claim 51 , wherein said fluid testing apparatus is adapted such that at least one of the following is true:
 a. said produced signal or a correlated signal is processed at least partially by said fluid testing apparatus before delivery to said mobile device; and   b. said produced signal or a correlated signal is delivered to said mobile device for processing by a dedicated application software installed on said mobile device.   
     
     
         53 . The fluid testing apparatus according to  claim 52 , wherein said processing is conducted by reading the peak and timing of peak of a current of a voltage signal obtained upon loading the fluid sample on said strip. 
     
     
         54 . The fluid testing apparatus according to  claim 51 , wherein at least one of the following is true:
 a. said adaptor comprises an electrical circuit adapted to allow communication between the strip inner circuit and a connecting plug adapted to allow delivery of the produced signal or a correlated signal to said mobile device;   b. said adaptor further comprises a micro control unit adapted to perform at least partial processing of said signal prior to delivery of said signal to said mobile device;   c. said fluid testing apparatus is adapted such that upon delivery of said signal or a correlated signal to said mobile device, processing of said signal is performed by dedicated application software installed on said mobile device, and wherein a measurement is displayed on said mobile device; and   said testing apparatus is adapted to obtain at least a power supply from said mobile device.   
     
     
         55 . The fluid testing apparatus according to  claim 51 , wherein said apparatus is adapted to be provided with storage of data and communication by said mobile device. 
     
     
         56 . The fluid testing apparatus according to  claim 51 , wherein said strip is either one of a chemical strip or an electrochemical strip, and wherein said signal transferred to said mobile device by electric current signal or voltage signal. 
     
     
         57 . The fluid testing apparatus according to  claim 51 , wherein said fluid is a physiological fluid, and wherein said fluid sample is either one of a blood sample, a urine sample, an amniotic fluid sample, and a saliva sample, or a mixture thereof. 
     
     
         58 . The fluid testing apparatus according to  claim 51 , wherein said parameter measurement is one selected from the group comprising of a glucose level, cholesterol level, HbAlC level, Hemoglobin level, fetal lung maturation level, PSA level or a toxic substance. 
     
     
         59 . The fluid testing apparatus according to  claim 51 , wherein said apparatus comprises two separable subunits, first subunit comprises a lancing device and housing; and second subunit comprises a slot adapted to allow collection of said physiological fluid sample, a strip, an adaptor to thereby allow physical attachment and signals transmission between said testing apparatus and said mobile device, and housing. 
     
     
         60 . The fluid testing apparatus according to  claim 59 , wherein the length of said lancet is adjustable to functionally allow a user to adapt said lancet length to his physical dimensions. 
     
     
         61 . The fluid testing apparatus according to  claim 51 , wherein said apparatus is provided with a connecting plug or audio jack that is functionally adapted to be inserted into said mobile device via the audio jack port to thereby obtain at least a power supply or display means from said mobile device. 
     
     
         62 . The fluid testing apparatus according to  claim 51 , wherein said a signal indicative of said parameter level is delivered to said mobile device via the audio jack port. 
     
     
         63 . The fluid testing apparatus according to  claim 62 , wherein any of said strip, said lancet said first subunit, said second subunit and said apparatus is disposable. 
     
     
         64 . The fluid testing apparatus according to  claim 51 , wherein said apparatus is functionally connectable to said mobile device via a USB entry to thereby obtain at least a power supply or display means from said mobile device. 
     
     
         65 . The fluid testing apparatus according to  claim 51 , wherein said a signal indicative of said parameter level is delivered to said mobile device via a USB entry or wirelessly. 
     
     
         66 . The fluid testing apparatus according to  claim 51 , wherein said adaptor is adapted to connect said strip to said mobile device selected from the group comprising of smart phone, tablet, iPad, laptop Android or an iPod. 
     
     
         67 . The fluid testing apparatus according to  claim 51 , wherein said apparatus is provided with a Micro processing Unit (MCU) that functionally allows said apparatus to receive commands from said mobile device via the speaker output pin. 
     
     
         68 . The fluid testing apparatus according to  claim 51 , wherein at least one of the following is true:
 a. said adaptor comprises an electrical circuit adapted to allow communication between the strip inner circuit and a connecting plug adapted to allow delivery of the produced signal or a correlated signal to said mobile device;   b. said adaptor further comprises a micro control unit adapted to perform at least partial processing of said signal prior to delivery of said signal to said mobile device;   c. said fluid testing apparatus is adapted such that upon delivery of said signal or a correlated signal to said mobile device, processing of said signal is performed by dedicated application software installed on said mobile device, and wherein a measurement is displayed on said mobile device; and   d. said testing apparatus is adapted to obtain at least a power supply from said mobile device.   
     
     
         69 . The fluid testing apparatus according to  claim 68 , wherein said adaptor is adapted to connect said strip to said mobile device selected from the group comprising of smart phone, tablet, iPad, laptop, Android or an iPod. 
     
     
         70 . A fluid testing apparatus for performing a parameter measurement in a fluid sample comprising:
 a. a strip adapted to absorb a fluid sample and to produce a signal indicative of said parameter level in said sample; and   b. an adaptor adapted to connect said strip to a mobile device to thereby allow delivery of the produced signal or a correlated signal to said mobile device for obtaining a measurement of said fluid parameter displayed on said mobile device, wherein said testing apparatus is adapted to obtain at least a display means from said mobile device and is connected thereto by said adaptor audio jack to audio port of said mobile device.   
     
     
         71 . The fluid testing apparatus according to  claim 70 , wherein said fluid testing apparatus is adapted such that at least one of the following is true:
 a. said produced signal or a correlated signal is processed at least partially by said fluid testing apparatus before delivery to said mobile device; and   b. said produced signal or a correlated signal is delivered to said mobile device for processing by a dedicated application software installed on said mobile device.   
     
     
         72 . A method for performing a fluid parameter measurement in a fluid sample comprising steps of:
 a. installing a dedicated application software on a mobile device;   b. loading a fluid sample on a fluid testing apparatus, said apparatus comprising: a strip adapted to absorb said sample and to produce a signal indicative of said parameter level in said sample; and an adaptor adapted to connect said strip to a mobile device to thereby allow delivery of the produced signal or a correlated signal to said mobile device for obtaining a measurement of said fluid parameter displayed on said mobile device;   c. inserting said loaded fluid testing apparatus to allow communication between said apparatus and said mobile device; and   d. obtaining the measured parameter level displayed on said mobile device screen,   wherein said step of inserting is into the audio jack port of a mobile device.   
     
     
         73 . The method according to  claim 72 , wherein said testing apparatus is adapted to obtain at least a power supply and display means from said mobile device. 
     
     
         74 . The method according to  claim 72 , wherein said fluid testing apparatus is adapted such that at least one of the following is true:
 a. said produced signal or a correlated signal is processed at least partially by said fluid testing apparatus before delivery to said mobile device; and   b. said produced signal or a correlated signal is delivered to said mobile device for processing by a dedicated application software installed on said mobile device.