Abstract: Abstract of the Disclosure 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: 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 liquid crystal display driver has N common drive lines and M segment drive lines. A liquid crystal display has M segment driver leads and N times P common drive leads, P being at least two. P multiplexers are provided, each external to the liquid crystal display driver. Each of the M segment driver lines is connected with a respective one of the M segment drive leads. Each multiplexer comprising N switches, each switch defining a normally-open contact, a normally-closed contact, and a common contact. Each of the switches is connected by its common contact with a respective one of the common drive leads of the liquid crystal display. Each of the switches is connected by its normally-closed contact with a cancel signal. The N switches of each multiplexer are each connected with a respective one of the N common drive lines of the liquid crystal display driver.

Abstract: Abstract of the Disclosure An electrochemical cell has two terminals. One of the terminals is connected to a pulse-width-modulated (PWM) power supply and to a voltmeter. The other terminal is connected to circuitry capable of switching between amperometric and potentiometric measurement modes. A sequence of successive approximations permits selection of a PWM duty cycle giving rise to a desired voltage at the terminal connected with the power supply. In this way a stable excitation voltage is supplied to the cell even in the face of supply voltage instability or drift or instability in electronics coupled with the cell.

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.