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 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 enables an application executing on a mobile computing device to access, via an application programming interface, data associated with a measurement taken by a blood glucose meter peripheral to the mobile computing device. The method includes transmitting, by a blood glucose meter peripherally connected to a mobile computing device, to a software module provided by a first organization and executing on the mobile computing device, a blood glucose reading of a user of the blood glucose meter. The method includes generating, by the software module, an identification of an event responsive to the transmitted blood glucose reading. The method includes providing, by the software module, an application programming interface allowing an application provided by a second organization and executing on the mobile computing device, to access data associated with at least one of the blood glucose reading and the identification of the event.

Abstract: An easily manufactured electrochemical test strip is made with facing electrode but side by side connectors for insertion into an electrochemical test meter. Current is conducted from the electrode on one layer to a connector on the other by a conductive layer disposed adjacent the end of a spacer layer, or by displacing the layer to bring a conductive surface on it into contact with the connector.

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: Determination of an analyte such as glucose in a sample is done making use of a plurality of electron transfer reagents, for example two electron transfer reagents, that work together to transfer electrons between the enzyme and the electrodes. The first electron transfer agent is a mediator that interacts with the enzyme after it has acted on the analyte to regenerate enzyme in its active form. The second electron transfer agent is a shuttle that interacts with the electrodes and optionally the mediator. The oxidation and reduction of the shuttle serves as the major source of current that is measured as an indication of analyte.

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 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 lancet cartridge has a U-shaped support with a pair of anchor portions, a base portion, and a pair of deformable leg portions connecting the anchor portions to the base portion. The pair of deformable leg portions change shape from an initial shape to an extended shape in response to an external applied force and recover to a retracted shape upon removal of the force. The lancet cartridge also has a lancet having a tip end, an opposing base end, and an axis extending between the tip end and the base end. A portion of the lancet is disposed between the pair of deformable leg portions of the U-shaped support. The lancet is movable between a starting position, an extended puncturing position, and an ending position along the axis of the lancet in a path defined by the U-shaped support. When the lancet is in the starting position, the tip end of the lancet is disposed at least partially through the base portion of the U-shaped support, and the U-shaped support is in the initial shape.

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: A test strip and analytical apparatus have pin connections permitting the definition of geographic regions or of particular customers. A test strip made for use in a particular region or for a particular customer will have pin connections matching features of the apparatus made for use in that region or by that customer. Insertion of the strip into the apparatus does not merely turn on the apparatus, but provides the regional or customer coding. Analog switches within the apparatus allow coding of a larger number of distinct regions or customers than would otherwise be possible, all without degrading the quality of the measurements made of the fluid being tested. Conductive paths in the strips permit testing the strips during manufacture so as to detect quality lapses regarding the printing or deposition of the paths.

Abstract: Determination of an analyte with increased accuracy is achieved by electrochemically determining an initial analyte concentration, performing a plurality of amperometric/potentiometric switching cycles, observing a characteristic of the signal during each of the plurality of switching cycles, determining an averaged value for the characteristic of the signal, and correcting the initial measurement value to arrive at a final measurement value of analyte concentration or rejecting the initial measurement value depending on the averaged value of the characteristic of the signal. The characteristic of the signal that is observed is not per se indicative of the amount of analyte present in a sample. Rather, it is a characteristic of the signal that reflects the quality of the electrodes, the extent of fill of the electrochemical cell or characteristics of the sample other than analyte concentration such as oxygen levels or hematocrit.

Abstract: A test strip and analytical apparatus have pin connections permitting the definition of geographic regions or of particular customers. A test strip made for use in a particular region or for a particular customer will have pin connections matching features of the apparatus made for use in that region or by that customer. Insertion of the strip into the apparatus does not merely turn on the apparatus, but provides the regional or customer coding. Analog switches within the apparatus allow coding of a larger number of distinct regions or customers than would otherwise be possible, all without degrading the quality of the measurements made of the fluid being tested. Conductive paths in the strips permit testing the strips during manufacture so as to detect quality lapses regarding the printing or deposition of the paths.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for creating test strips that may be identified based on differences in electrical conduction or resistance between contact point on the test strip. This is achieved by creating a base test strip with contact points that may be connected to other contact points by an electrical connection. These base test strips may be modified to create a difference in electrical conductivity between contact points, or a contact point may be eliminated. This modification can be used to distinguish different types of test strips based on electrical signature. Additionally, the base test strip may be created such that multiple modifications are possible to distinguish numerous characteristics of test strips.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for electrochemical detection of analyte in a sample makes use of a binding interaction and relies on the discovery that asymmetric distribution of a redox enzyme between two electrodes that occurs when a redox enzyme-containing reagent is immobilized at the surface of one electrode can be detected as a chemical potential gradient arising from an asymmetry, in the distribution of oxidized or reduced redox substrate. This chemical potential gradient can be detected potentiometrically by observing the potential difference between the electrodes in an open circuit, or amperometrically by observing the current flow between the electrodes when the circuit is closed. In both cases, the observation of asymmetry can be done without the application of an external potential or current to the electrodes.

Abstract: An easily manufactured electrochemical test strip is made with facing electrode but side by side connectors for insertion into an electrochemical test meter. Current is conducted from the electrode on one layer to a connector on the other by a conductive layer disposed adjacent the end of a spacer layer, or by displacing the layer to bring a conductive surface on it into contact with the connector.

Abstract: An electrochemical test strip is formed from a first insulating substrate layer, a second substrate layer, and an intervening insulating spacer layer. An opening in the insulating spacer layer defines a test cell which is in contact with the inner surface of the first substrate on one side and the inner surface of the second substrate on the other side. The size of the test cell is determined by the area of substrate exposed and the thickness of the spacer layer. Working and counter electrodes appropriate for the analyte to be detected are disposed on the first insulating substrate in a location within the test cell. The working and counter electrodes are associated with conductive leads that allow The second substrate is conductive at least in a region facing the working and counter electrodes. No functional connection of this conductive surface of the second substrate to the meter is required.

Abstract: A container system for a liquid has an open-topped receptacle for receiving a liquid and a cover. The cover has an interior surface fitting on or within the open top of the receptacle and an exterior surface that it exposed when the cover is fitted to the open top of the receptacle. The cover also has an aspirating nipple formed therein. The aspirating nipple has a tube with an internal channel extending from the exterior of the cover into the receptacle for transferring liquid out of the receptacle and a gasket disposed on the exterior surface of the cover and surrounding the channel.

Abstract: A lancet cartridge has a U-shaped support with a pair of anchor portions, a base portion, and a pair of deformable leg portions connecting the anchor portions to the base portion. The pair of deformable leg portions change shape from an initial shape to an extended shape in response to an external applied force and recover to a retracted shape upon removal of the force. The lancet cartridge also has a lancet having a tip end, an opposing base end, and an axis extending between the tip end and the base end. A portion of the lancet is disposed between the pair of deformable leg portions of the U-shaped support. The lancet is movable between a starting position, an extended puncturing position, and an ending position along the axis of the lancet in a path defined by the U-shaped support. When the lancet is in the starting position, the tip end of the lancet is disposed at least partially through the base portion of the U-shaped support, and the U-shaped support is in the initial shape.

Abstract: Determination of an analyte with increased accuracy is achieved by electrochemically determining an initial analyte concentration, performing a plurality of amperometric/potentiometric switching cycles, observing a characteristic of the signal during each of the plurality of switching cycles, determining an averaged value for the characteristic of the signal, and correcting the initial measurement value to arrive at a final measurement value of analyte concentration or rejecting the initial measurement value depending on the averaged value of the characteristic of the signal. The characteristic of the signal that is observed is not per se indicative of the amount of analyte present in a sample. Rather, it is a characteristic of the signal that reflects the quality of the electrodes, the extent of fill of the electrochemical cell or characteristics of the sample other than analyte concentration such as oxygen levels or hematocrit.