Abstract: Correction for initial variation in thickness of a polymer layer and for changes in the coating thickness that occur after implantation of a biosensor and therefore provides substantial increase in the accuracy and lifetime of implantable sensors is done using a factor derived from the decay of potential.

Abstract: The presence of oxygen or red blood cells in a sample applied to an electrochemical test strip that makes use of a reduced mediator is corrected for by an additive correction factor that is determined as a function of the temperature of the sample and a measurement that reflects the oxygen carrying capacity of the sample. The measured oxygen carrying capacity can also be used to determine hematocrit and to distinguish between blood samples and control solutions applied to a test strip.

Abstract: Electrochemical test cells are made with precision and accuracy by adhering an electrically resistive sheet having a bound opening to a first electrically conductive sheet. A notching opening is then punched through the electrically resistive sheet and the first electrically conductive sheet. The notching opening intersects the first bound opening in the electrically resistive sheet, and transforms the first bound opening into a notch in the electrically resistive sheet. A second electrically conductive sheet is punched to have a notching opening corresponding to that of first electrically conductive sheet, and this is adhered to the other side of the electrically resistive sheet such that the notching openings are aligned. This structure is cleaved from surrounding material to form an electrochemical cell that has a sample space for receiving a sample defined by the first and second conductive sheets and the notch in the electrically resistive sheet.

Abstract: A test strip with an incorporated optical waveguide and deflectors punched through the optical waveguide allows light to exit through a layer of the test strip and be detected by a photo detector. Using light and a photodetector, these uniquely coded strips are identified. The waveguide can be constructed by sandwiching two layers of the test strip around a light transmissible layer. This configuration allows light to be transmitted through the test strip and out the other end, as well as allowing some light to escape the deflector. This light is detected by a photodetector mounted in the analyte test meter. The deflectors may be placed in patterns such that detection of this light indicates certain characteristics of the strip, such as non-counterfeit, regional identification, type of analyte tested, and coding information.

Abstract: A test meter for receiving a test strip comprises: (a) a housing; (b) electronic circuitry disposed within the housing and (c) a strip port connector connected to the electronic circuitry and extending to an opening in the housing, said strip port connector connecting the electronic circuitry with a received test strip. The strip port connector contains a pair of top and bottom contacts, said top and bottom contacts having a proximal end and a distal end and a central contact portion, the top and bottom contacts of the pair are transversely aligned with one another; and the distal ends of the top and bottom contacts are separated or separable from one another by insertion of a test strip between the opposed contacts. The contacts and the meter are adapted to permit detection of faulty contacts and/or coding associated with an inserted test strip.

Abstract: The ability to switch at will between amperometric measurements and potentiometric measurements provides great flexibility in performing analyses of unknowns. Apparatus and methods can provide such switching to collect data from an electrochemical cell. The cell may contain a reagent disposed to measure glucose in human blood.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a select analyte in a sample in an electrochemical system. The method includes applying to the electrochemical system a time-varying potential superimposed on a DC potential to generate a signal; and discerning from the signal a contribution from the select analyte by resolving an estimation equation based on a Faradaic signal component and a nonfaradaic signal component.

Abstract: A test strip with an incorporated optical waveguide and deflectors punched through the optical waveguide allows light to exit through a layer of the test strip and be detected by a photo detector. Using light and a photodetector, these uniquely coded strips are identified. The waveguide can be constructed by sandwiching two layers of the test strip around a light transmissible layer. This configuration allows light to be transmitted through the test strip and out the other end, as well as allowing some light to escape the deflector. This light is detected by a photodetector mounted in the analyte test meter. The deflectors may be placed in patterns such that detection of this light indicates certain characteristics of the strip, such as non-counterfeit, regional identification, type of analyte tested, and coding information.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining analyte concentrations, for example glucose concentrations, that utilizes a dynamic determination of the appropriate time for making a glucose measurement, for example when a current versus time curve substantially conforms to a Cottrell decay, or when the current is established in a plateau region. Dynamic determination of the time to take the measurement allows each strip to operate in the shortest appropriate time frame, thereby avoiding using an average measurement time that may be longer than necessary for some strips and too short for others.

Abstract: The presence of oxygen or red blood cells in a sample applied to an electrochemical test strip that makes use of a reduced mediator is corrected for by an additive correction factor that is determined as a function of the temperature of the sample and a measurement that reflects the oxygen carrying capacity of the sample. The measured oxygen carrying capacity can also be used to determine hematocrit and to distinguish between blood samples and control solutions applied to a test strip.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a select analyte in a sample in an electrochemical system. The method includes applying to the electrochemical system a time-varying potential superimposed on a DC potential to generate a signal; and discerning from the signal a contribution from the select analyte by resolving an estimation equation based on a Faradaic signal component and a nonfaradaic signal component.

Abstract: A test meter for receiving a test strip comprises: (a) a housing; (b) electronic circuitry disposed within the housing and (c) a strip port connector connected to the electronic circuitry and extending to an opening in the housing, said strip port connector connecting the electronic circuitry with a received test strip. The strip port connector contains a pair of top and bottom contacts, said top and bottom contacts having a proximal end and a distal end and a central contact portion, the top and bottom contacts of the pair are transversely aligned with one another; and the distal ends of the top and bottom contacts are separated or separable from one another by insertion of a test strip between the opposed contacts. The contacts and the meter are adapted to permit detection of faulty contacts and/or coding associated with an inserted test strip.

Abstract: The presence of a select analyte in the sample is evaluated in an an electrochemical system using a conduction cell-type apparatus. A potential or current is generated between the two electrodes of the cell sufficient to bring about oxidation or reduction of the analyte or of a mediator in an analyte-detection redox system, thereby forming a chemical potential gradient of the analyte or mediator between the two electrodes After the gradient is established, the applied potential or current is discontinued and an analyte-independent signal is obtained from the relaxation of the chemical potential gradient. The analyte-independent signal is used to correct the analyte-dependent signal obtained during application of the potential or current.

Abstract: The ability to switch at will between amperometric measurements and potentiometric measurements provides great flexibility in performing analyzes of unknowns. Apparatus and methods can provide such switching to collect data from an electrochemical cell. The cell may contain a reagent disposed to measure glucose in human blood.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining analyte concentrations, for example glucose concentrations, that utilizes a dynamic determination of the appropriate time for making a glucose measurement, for example when a current versus time curve substantially conforms to a Cottrell decay, or when the current is established in a plateau region. Dynamic determination of the time to take the measurement allows each strip to operate in the shortest appropriate time frame, thereby avoiding using an average measurement time that may be longer than necessary for some strips and too short for others.

Abstract: A device for measuring blood coagulation time is formed from a first substrate; a second substrate; a spacer layer disposed between the first and second substrates, said spacer layer having an opening formed therein defining a sample receiving chamber, a vented sink chamber, and an elongated reservoir forming a conduit for liquid movement between the sample receiving chamber and the sink chamber; a first electrode disposed on the first substrate, said first electrode being exposed in the reservoir portion through a first opening in the spacer layer; and a second electrode disposed on the second substrate, said second electrode being exposed in the reservoir portion through a second opening in the spacer layer. The device of the invention is used in combination with an apparatus that is connected to the first and second electrodes for measuring current flow between the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: The presence of oxygen or red blood cells in a sample applied to an electrochemical test strip that makes use of a reduced mediator is corrected for by an additive correction factor that is determined as a function of the temperature of the sample and a measurement that reflects the oxygen carrying capacity of the sample. The measured oxygen carrying capacity can also be used to determine hematocrit and to distinguish between blood samples and control solutions applied to a test strip.

Abstract: The presence of a select analyte in the sample is evaluated in an electrochemical system using a conduction cell-type apparatus. A potential or current is generated between the two electrodes of the cell sufficient to bring about oxidation or reduction of the analyte or of a mediator in an analyte-detection redox system, thereby forming a chemical potential gradient of the analyte or mediator between the two electrodes After the gradient is established, the applied potential or current is discontinued and an analyte-independent signal is obtained from the relaxation of the chemical potential gradient. The analyte-independent signal is used to correct the analyte-dependent signal obtained during application of the potential or current.

Abstract: The ability to switch at will between amperometric measurements and potentiometric measurements provides great flexibility in performing analysis of unknowns. Apparatus and methods can provide such switching to collect data from an electrochemical cell. The cell may contain a reagent disposed to measure glucose in human blood.

Abstract: Electrochemical test cells are made with precision and accuracy by adhering an electrically resistive sheet having a bound opening to a first electrically conductive sheet. A notching opening is then punched through the electrically resistive sheet and the first electrically conductive sheet. The notching opening intersects the first bound opening in the electrically resistive sheet, and transforms the first bound opening into a notch in the electrically resistive sheet. A second electrically conductive sheet is punched to have a notching opening corresponding to that of first electrically conductive sheet, and this is adhered to the other side of the electrically resistive sheet such that the notching openings are aligned. This structure is cleaved from surrounding material to form an electrochemical cell that has a sample space for receiving a sample defined by the first and second conductive sheets and the notch in the electrically resistive sheet.