| abstract |
A method is provided for extracting and analyzing body fluid from a patient at a point of care for the patient. The method includes establishing fluid communication between an analyte detection system 334, 1700 and a bodily fluid within the patient. A portion of the body fluid is withdrawn from the patient. The extracted portion is separated into a first portion of the body fluid while the analyte detection system 334, 1700 is in a sputum in fluid communication with the patient. The analyte detection system 334, 1700 analyzes the first portion to measure the analyte concentration. |