TEST STRIP FOR DETERMINING CONCENTRATION OF MULTIPLE ANALYTES IN A SINGLE FLUID SAMPLE

摘要

A multilayer test strip [20] that measures concentrations of multiple analytes from a single whole blood sample [58]. The test strip [201 includes a test matrix [36] of several layers held together in constant contact by a test strip holder [22]. The invention is characterized in that it has no moving parts, which is made possible by the novel use of an elongate disbursement layer [38] that spreads blood throughout its entire length, despite having layers [40, 110] with known wicking properties adjacent to and in contact with it [38]. Since the invention relies primarily on a vertical flow format, the test strip [20] is advantageously quite compact. With a single 35 microliter sample [58] of blood applied thereto, the novel test strip [20] can provide readings of total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides. From these, LDL can be calculated, thereby providing a full "lipid panel." Other analytes such as glucose and ketoses may be included in the test strip [20] in addition to or in lieu of one or more of the other analytes.