Abstract: A method for determining a concentration of an analyte in a fluidic sample is described. A sample is applied to a biosensor including an electrochemical cell having electrodes. A predetermined voltage waveform is applied during at least first and second time intervals. At least first and second current values are measured during the first and second time intervals, respectively. A turning point time is determined during the first time interval at which the measured first current values transition from a first to a second profile. The concentration of analyte in the sample is calculated based on determined turning point time and at least one measured current value. In another example, a physical characteristic of the sample is estimated based on measured current values. The concentration is calculated using a first or second model if the estimated physical characteristic of the sample is in a first or second range, respectively.

Abstract: A method for determining contamination of a biosensor in which the biosensor is loaded into a test meter and a sample is then applied. First and second predetermined test voltages are applied between spaced electrodes of the biosensor for respective first and second predetermined time intervals. First and second current values are measured during the respective first and second predetermined time intervals. Reference values are determined based on the measured first and second current values. Based on one or more of the reference values, a determination of contamination is made. Reporting of the analyte concentration of the sample can be suppressed based on the determination.

Abstract: A method for determining a concentration of an analyte in a fluidic sample is described. A sample is applied to a biosensor including an electrochemical cell having electrodes. A predetermined voltage waveform is applied during at least first and second time intervals. At least first and second current values are measured during the first and second time intervals, respectively. A turning point time is determined during the first time interval at which the measured first current values transition from a first to a second profile. The concentration of analyte in the sample is calculated based on determined turning point time and at least one measured current value. In another example, a physical characteristic of the sample is estimated based on measured current values. The concentration is calculated using a first or second model if the estimated physical characteristic of the sample is in a first or second range, respectively.

Abstract: Various embodiments for methods and systems that allow for a more accurate analyte concentration with a biosensor by determining at least one physical characteristic of the sample containing the analyte and deriving one of a batch slope, sampling time, or combinations thereof to attain accurate glucose concentration.

Abstract: A hand-held test meter for use with an electro-chemical-based analytical test strip in the determination of an analyte in a bodily fluid sample includes a housing; a strip port connector disposed at least partially within the housing and configured to receive an electro-chemical based analytical test strip; a micro-controller disposed in the housing and configured to generate a micro-controller command signal; an electrode bias drive circuit block disposed in the housing and configured to generate a bias drive signal based on the micro-controller command signal, and a dynamic bias drive adjustment circuit block disposed in the housing and configured to receive at least one sensed electrode voltage and to adjust a bias drive signal from the electrode bias drive circuit block based on the sensed electrode voltage to create an adjusted bias drive signal.

Abstract: A method for determining a concentration of an analyte in a fluidic sample is described. A sample is applied to a biosensor including an electrochemical cell having electrodes. A predetermined voltage waveform is applied during at least first and second time intervals. At least first and second current values are measured during the first and second time intervals, respectively. A turning point time is determined during the first time interval at which the measured first current values transition from a first to a second profile. The concentration of analyte in the sample is calculated based on determined turning point time and at least one measured current value. In another example, a physical characteristic of the sample is estimated based on measured current values. The concentration is calculated using a first or second model if the estimated physical characteristic of the sample is in a first or second range, respectively.

Abstract: A hand-held test meter for use with an electro-chemical-based analytical test strip in the determination of an analyte in a bodily fluid sample includes a housing; a strip port connector disposed at least partially within the housing and configured to receive an electro-chemical based analytical test strip; a micro-controller disposed in the housing and configured to generate a micro-controller command signal; an electrode bias drive circuit block disposed in the housing and configured to generate a bias drive signal based on the micro-controller command signal, and a dynamic bias drive adjustment circuit block disposed in the housing and configured to receive at least one sensed electrode voltage and to adjust a bias drive signal from the electrode bias drive circuit block based on the sensed electrode voltage to create an adjusted bias drive signal.

Abstract: Methods for forming a pipe end for a pipe having an inner surface lined with a liner are provided, wherein the pipe is cut at an axial location to provide a first end having an initial inner diameter defined by an inner surface of the pipe; and a length of the pipe is expanded from the first end to form an upset, bell end where an inner diameter of the upset, bell end is larger than the initial diameter, thereby defining an annulus between the inner surface of the pipe and the liner. A clamp for limiting a pipe's movement during various operations is also provided.

Abstract: A method for determining a concentration of an analyte in a fluidic sample is described. A sample is applied to a biosensor including an electrochemical cell having electrodes. A predetermined voltage waveform is applied during at least first and second time intervals. At least first and second current values are measured during the first and second time intervals, respectively. A turning point time is determined during the first time interval at which the measured first current values transition from a first to a second profile. The concentration of analyte in the sample is calculated based on determined turning point time and at least one measured current value. In another example, a physical characteristic of the sample is estimated based on measured current values. The concentration is calculated using a first or second model if the estimated physical characteristic of the sample is in a first or second range, respectively.

Abstract: A pipe manipulation apparatus having a base frame and a sliding end slidable towards and away from the base frame, each of the base frame and sliding end having at least one pipe support coupled with a press clamp pivotable between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the open position, a pipe is placeable on to the at least one pipe support and, in the closed position, the inner surfaces of the press clamp and the pipe support define a bore in which a lengthwise portion of the pipe is receivable. The pipe manipulation apparatus may be portable, tiltable, and/or rotatable to accommodate pipes of various locations and angles.

Abstract: A method for determining contamination of a biosensor in which the biosensor is loaded into a test meter and a sample is then applied. First and second predetermined test voltages are applied between spaced electrodes of the biosensor for respective first and second predetermined time intervals. First and second current values are measured during the respective first and second predetermined time intervals. Reference values are determined based on the measured first and second current values. Based on one or more of the reference values, a determination of contamination is made. Reporting of the analyte concentration of the sample can be suppressed based on the determination.

Abstract: Various embodiments for a method that allow for a more accurate analyte concentration with a biosensor by determining at least one physical characteristic of the sample containing the analyte and deriving a parameter relating to the biosensor to attain accurate glucose concentration.

Abstract: Various embodiments for methods and systems that allow for a more accurate analyte concentration with a biosensor by determining at least one physical characteristic of the sample containing the analyte and deriving one of a batch slope, sampling time, or combinations thereof to attain accurate glucose concentration.

Abstract: Various embodiments for methods and systems that allow for a more accurate analyte concentration with a biosensor by determining at least one physical characteristic of the sample containing the analyte and deriving one of a batch slope, sampling time, or combinations thereof to attain accurate glucose concentration.

Abstract: Various embodiments for a method that allow for a more accurate analyte concentration with a biosensor by determining at least one physical characteristic, typically hematocrit, of the sample containing the analyte and deriving from this characteristic a parameter relating to the biosensor to attain accurate glucose concentration.

Abstract: A system for determining usability of an analytical test strip includes a sample chamber to receive a fluid sample, a reagent in the sample chamber having a moisture-varying impedance, and two detection electrodes contacting the reagent. A test meter applies an AC waveform across the reagent via the detection electrodes while measuring an impedance of the reagent. A processor automatically determines whether the measured impedance of the reagent meets a dryness criterion. The meter includes a housing, a strip port connector, an impedance measurement circuit and the processor. A method for determining usability of a strip inserted in a hand held meter includes applying an AC waveform across a reagent of the strip and measuring a first electrical signal, and determining whether the strip meets the dryness criterion based on the first electrical signal. The test strip and ways of determining an analyte are also described.

Abstract: Methods for forming a pipe end for a pipe having an inner surface lined with a liner are provided, wherein the pipe is cut at an axial location to provide a first end having an initial inner diameter defined by an inner surface of the pipe; and a length of the pipe is expanded from the first end to form an upset, bell end where an inner diameter of the upset, bell end is larger than the initial diameter, thereby defining an annulus between the inner surface of the pipe and the liner. A clamp for limiting a pipe's movement during various operations is also provided.

Abstract: Described and illustrated herein are systems and exemplary methods of operating an analyte measurement system having a meter and a test strip. The methods and systems describe herein allow for trapping various errors during calculation of the analyte due to variations in the structure and materials making up the test strip and ambient temperatures.

Abstract: A system and a method for correcting an analyte concentration measurement taken by a test strip is described herein. The test strip includes at least two spaced apart electrodes defining an electrochemical cell or reaction chamber. An initial polarization parameter of the test strip is determined at the time of test strip manufacture and a testing polarization parameter is determined at the time of testing. A resulting correction factor is then determined based on the initial and testing polarization parameters. The correction parameter can be applied to a measured analyte concentration in order to correct the measured analyte concentration.

Abstract: An analytical test strip for the determination of an analyte (such as glucose and/or hematocrit) in a bodily fluid sample (such as a whole blood sample) includes a first capillary sample-receiving chamber, a second capillary sample-receiving chamber, and a physical barrier island disposed between the first and second capillary sample-receiving chambers. Moreover, the physical island barrier is disposed such that bodily fluid sample flow between the first capillary sample-receiving chamber and the second capillary sample-receiving chamber is prevented during use of the analytical test strip.