Abstract: A system for measuring a property of a sample in a liquid which includes a test strip and a meter is provided. Some embodiments relate to a diagnostic test strip for collecting a sample, the strip having a plurality of electrodes for measuring a property of the sample, and the strip having a control circuit at a distal region of the strip, the control circuit configured to communicate with a controller of a meter, the control circuit including an embedded temperature sensor, a memory for lot coding and authentication of the test strip, and an inhibit logic for inhibiting the test from being used more than once; and a diagnostic meter for receiving the test strip, the meter having a controller programmed to communicate with the control circuit.