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 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 adaptor adapted to connect said strip to a smart phone to 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. The fluid may be a physiological fluid such as blood, urine, saliva or amniotic fluid, or a non-physiological fluid such as fluid obtained from industrial pools for fish or algae growth, or entertainment swimming pools.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A method for performing a fluid parameter measurement in a fluid sample comprising the steps of:
 a) installing a dedicated application software on a smart phone comprising an earphone socket;   b) providing a fluid testing apparatus, said apparatus comprising:
 i) a strip adapted to absorb said sample and to produce a signal indicative of said parameter level in said sample; 
 ii) means for processing said produced signal to thereby obtain a processed signal; and 
 iii) an adaptor adapted to connect said strip to the smart phone to thereby allow delivery of said processed signal to said smart phone for obtaining a measurement of said fluid parameter displayed on said smart phone, 
   c) inserting an earphone plug of said fluid testing apparatus into the earphone socket of the smart phone to thereby allow communication between said apparatus and said smart phone;   d) subsequently loading a fluid sample on the fluid testing apparatus;   e) upon delivery of said processed signal to the smart phone, further processing the delivered signal by said dedicated application software and obtaining the measured parameter level displayed on said smart phone screen;   
       the method characterized by the steps of:
 f) functionally connecting said fluid testing apparatus to said phone via said earphone socket to thereby obtain at least a power supply and display means from said smart phone, said fluid testing apparatus thereby relying on the smart phone at least for power supply and display means; and 
 g) delivering said processed signal to said smart phone via said earphone socket. 
 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus for performing a fluid parameter measurement in a fluid sample, said apparatus comprising:
 a) a smart phone comprising an earphone socket; and   b) a fluid testing apparatus comprising:
 i) a strip adapted to absorb said fluid sample and to produce a signal indicative of said parameter level in said sample; 
 ii) means for processing said produced signal to thereby obtain a processed signal; and 
 iii) an adaptor adapted to connect said strip to the smart phone to thereby allow delivery of said processed signal to the smart phone for obtaining a measurement of said fluid parameter displayed on said smart phone; 
   wherein upon delivery of said processed signal to the smart phone, further processing of the delivered signal is performed by dedicated application software installed on said smart phone, and wherein a measurement is being displayed on said smart phone;   the apparatus characterized in that   said fluid testing apparatus is functionally connected to said smart phone via the earphone socket to thereby obtain at least a power supply and display means from said smart phone, the fluid testing apparatus thereby relying on the smart phone at least for power supply and display means; and   said processed signal is delivered to said smart phone via the earphone socket.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said fluid testing apparatus further relies on said smart phone for memory for storing said signal indicative of said parameter level in said sample. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said fluid testing apparatus further relies on said smart phone for display means. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said fluid testing apparatus further relies on said smart phone for fluid parameter monitoring means. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said fluid testing apparatus further relies on said smart phone for fluid parameter alerting means. 
     
     
         21 . the apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said fluid testing apparatus further relies on said smart phone for communication means.