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Abstract

A machine readable assaying system including a test card providing a machine readable assaying arrangement. At least one analysis strip is provided, possibly including antibodies and or reagents capable of detecting and optically indicating the presence or absence of at least one substance present within a volume of physiological fluid. The analysis strips composing, at least in part, an assaying mechanism in the form a pattern of elements, generally additionally including at least one fixed strip, and at least one blank region. Each analysis strip, upon contacting the physiological fluid of a donor for a suitable temporal interval, may effect a change from a first state having a first reflectance level to a second state having a second substantially different reflectance level, thereby altering the pattern formed by the assaying mechanism. The particular pattern that results from an exposure to the volume of the physiological fluid is contemplated to produce a distinct machine readable indicia. The assaying system may also include a scanner and decoder to optically scan and read the machine readable indicia and transmit read information over a communication link to a remote location for processing. In a most preferred embodiment of the system, the transformation of the pattern, which occurs on the test card, will not be readable or interpretable by the administrator of the test/assay, thus preserving the anonymity and privacy of the tested individual.

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First Claim