Detection sensor systems and methods

Abstract

Analyte detection systems and devices are provided. In one embodiment, a sensor initially reviews an assay, for instance a test strip, to designate a particular testing sequence. The sensor may calibrate the unit and then identify the particular testing sequence by identifying a color indicator on the test strip. The result is systems and methods to improve the detection of the presence and/or absence of at least one analyte in a sample.

1 . An assay measurement apparatus to generate a test result from an assay test strip, said apparatus comprising:
 a. an incubator receiving and incubating said assay test strip; and   b. a reader aligned with said assay test strip when positioned in said incubator, wherein said incubator and said reader define an integral assembly concurrently incubating and observing a diagnostic test on said assay test strip that undergoes a change when contacted with a sample to generate said test result.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , including a housing enclosing said incubator and reader. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said imaging detector will not generate said test result until identifying a diagnostic sequence. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus includes temporary registers storing information corresponding to a plurality of imaging parameters. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said voltage amplitude reflected of said assay activates a corresponding diagnostic test in said optical detector. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said voltage amplitude reflected off said assay activates a corresponding incubation environment in said incubator. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said light source is an array of discrete light sources comprising colored light emitting diodes chosen from red, green, blue and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said sequential pattern includes illuminating said red light emitting diodes, then said green light emitting diodes, then said blue light emitting diodes. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus to generate a test result from an assay test strip, said apparatus comprising:
 a. an incubator receiving and incubating said assay test strip;   b. a plurality of light emitting diodes emitting an illumination reflected off said assay test strip;   c. an imaging detector generating a voltage amplitude reflected off said assay test strip to identify a diagnostic sequence and subsequently perform said diagnostic sequence to generate said test result; and   d. a housing enclosing said incubator, said light emitting diodes, and said imaging detector into a substantially integral unit.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said plurality of light emitting diodes include at least one red light emitting diode, at least one blue light emitting diode, and at least one green light emitting diode. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said voltage amplitude reflected off an assay's identification portion is digitized to produce a value representative of primary colors contained on said assay's identification portion. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said voltage amplitude is digitized through a A/D converter. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , including a dividing wall separating said light emitting diodes and a photodiode. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , including a calibration offset to provide a functional range of voltage amplitude reflected off said assay's identification portion. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein said calibration offset compensates for an offset chosen from the group consisting of apparatus variation, losses, and imperfections. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein an identified diagnostic sequence activates a corresponding image detection of said assay by said optical detector. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said apparatus includes a multichannel reader and an identified diagnostic sequence activates a corresponding channel in said multichannel reader. 
     
     
         18 . An assembly to generate a test result from an assay, said assembly comprising:
 a. an incubator receiving and incubating said assay;   b. a light source emitting an illumination pattern reflected off said assay; and   c. a reader aligned with said incubator in a substantially integral unit and having a sensitivity to wavelengths of said illumination emitted from said light emitting diodes, wherein said reader generates a voltage amplitude reflected off said assay to generate said test result concurrently as said incubator incubates said assay.   
     
     
         19 . The assembly of  claim 18 , including a housing enclosing said incubator and reader. 
     
     
         20 . The assembly of  claim 18 , wherein said reader and incubator define an integral apparatus concurrently incubating and observing a diagnostic test on said assay test strip that undergoes a change when contacted with a sample to generate said test result.