Abstract: A method and system for determining a failsafe value for a biosensor having two perimeter electrodes, a distal electrode, and a proximal electrode are disclosed. A liquid measuring medium is applied to a capillary channel of the biosensor. The method includes applying an alternating voltage to the perimeter electrode and the proximal electrode, measuring conductivity to determine a first impedance between the perimeter electrode and the proximal electrode, applying the alternating voltage to the perimeter electrode and the distal electrode, measuring conductivity to determine a second impedance between the perimeter electrode and the distal electrode, determining a value using the first impedance and the second impedance, and providing an error message to the user if the value is out of tolerance. If the value is out of tolerance, then defects or breaks in the electrodes and/or reagent in a reaction area are present and the method disallows the test result.

Abstract: Detection reagents, multi-analyte test elements, test systems, and multi-analyte measuring methods are provided. In particular, multi-analyte test elements have (1) a first working electrode and first counter electrode pair covered with a first analyte-specific reagent that includes an enzyme, a coenzyme and a first mediator and have (2) a second working electrode covered with a second analyte-specific reagent that includes an enzyme, a coenzyme and a second mediator, where the second mediator is different than the first mediator. The single counter electrode can be used as the counter electrode for both the first and second analyte measurements at their respective working electrodes. Moreover, the mediator concentrations, measurement ranges, and applied potential differences are not the same for each analyte-specific measurement.

Abstract: Detection reagents, multi-analyte test elements, test systems, and multi-analyte measuring methods are provided. In particular, multi-analyte test elements have (1) a first working electrode and first counter electrode pair covered with a first analyte-specific reagent that includes an enzyme, a coenzyme and a first mediator and have (2) a second working electrode covered with a second analyte-specific reagent that includes an enzyme, a coenzyme and a second mediator, where the second mediator is different than the first mediator. The single counter electrode can be used as the counter electrode for both the first and second analyte measurements at their respective working electrodes. Moreover, the mediator concentrations, measurement ranges, and applied potential differences are not the same for each analyte-specific measurement.

Abstract: A biosensor including a capillary chamber having an inner boundary, a working electrode including an effective working electrode portion positioned within the capillary chamber, and a counter electrode including an effective counter electrode portion positioned within the capillary chamber, and with the working and counter electrodes each having a neck that constitutes the sole portion of the electrodes that extends across the inner boundary and out of the capillary chamber. In one embodiment, the effective working electrode portion defines an average working electrode width, and the working electrode neck defines a working electrode neck width that is reduced relative to the average working electrode width.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for measuring an analyte concentration in a fluidic sample. Such methods further allow one to correct and/or compensate for confounding variables such as hematocrit (Hct), temperature or both before providing an analyte concentration. The measurement methods utilize information obtained from test sequences having at least one AC block and at least one pulsed DC block, where pulsed DC block includes at least one recovery potential, and where a closed circuit condition of the electrode system is maintained during the DC block. Also disclosed are devices, apparatuses and systems incorporating the various measurement methods.

Abstract: Electrode arrangements for test elements, test elements and methods of determining sample sufficiency, monitoring fill time, establishing fill directions and/or confirming electrode coverage by a sample for test elements are disclosed. The test elements have an electrode-support substrate including a spacer having an edge defining a boundary of a capillary channel. The electrode-support substrate also includes a first electrode pair and a second electrode pair, wherein the first electrode pair is positioned between the second electrode pair.

Abstract: Electrode arrangements for test elements, test elements and methods of determining sample sufficiency, monitoring fill time, establishing fill directions and/or confirming electrode coverage by a sample for test elements are disclosed. The test elements have an electrode-support substrate including a spacer having an edge defining a boundary of a capillary channel. The electrode-support substrate also includes a first electrode pair and a second electrode pair, wherein the first electrode pair is positioned between the second electrode pair.

Abstract: A method and system for determining a failsafe value for a biosensor having two perimeter electrodes, a distal electrode, and a proximal electrode are disclosed. A liquid measuring medium is applied to a capillary channel of the biosensor. The method includes applying an alternating voltage to the perimeter electrode and the proximal electrode, measuring conductivity to determine a first impedance between the perimeter electrode and the proximal electrode, applying the alternating voltage to the perimeter electrode and the distal electrode, measuring conductivity to determine a second impedance between the perimeter electrode and the distal electrode, determining a value using the first impedance and the second impedance, and providing an error message to the user if the value is out of tolerance. If the value is out of tolerance, then defects or breaks in the electrodes and/or reagent in a reaction area are present and the method disallows the test result.

Abstract: Methods are provided for correcting for effects of uncompensated resistances in conductive elements of biosensors during electrochemical analyte measurements, where such methods include theoretically segmenting areas of conductive elements of biosensors into a number of conductive “squares,” respectively, and using this information to calculate or determine sheet resistance of a biosensor's conductive elements in ?/square at a time of use by measuring resistance of one or more paths or patterns of the conductive elements and then dividing by a theoretical number of uncompensated conductive squares in the path or pattern of conductive elements to obtain one or more uncompensated resistance values. Measurement errors can be compensated, corrected and/or minimized by subtracting uncompensated resistances from a real portion of a measured impedance.

Abstract: Detection reagents, multi-analyte test elements, test systems, and multi-analyte measuring methods are provided. In particular, multi-analyte test elements have (1) a first working electrode and first counter electrode pair covered with a first analyte-specific reagent that includes an enzyme, a coenzyme and a first mediator and have (2) a second working electrode covered with a second analyte-specific reagent that includes an enzyme, a coenzyme and a second mediator, where the second mediator is different than the first mediator. The single counter electrode can be used as the counter electrode for both the first and second analyte measurements at their respective working electrodes. Moreover, the mediator concentrations, measurement ranges, and applied potential differences are not the same for each analyte-specific measurement.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for measuring an analyte concentration in a fluidic sample. Such methods further allow one to correct and/or compensate for confounding variables such as hematocrit (Hct), temperature or both before providing an analyte concentration. The measurement methods utilize information obtained from test sequences having at least one AC block and at least one pulsed DC block, where pulsed DC block includes at least one recovery potential, and where a closed circuit condition of the electrode system is maintained during the DC block. Also disclosed are devices, apparatuses and systems incorporating the various measurement methods.

Abstract: A biosensor including a capillary chamber having an inner boundary, a working electrode including an effective working electrode portion positioned within the capillary chamber, and a counter electrode including an effective counter electrode portion positioned within the capillary chamber, and with the working and counter electrodes each having a neck that constitutes the sole portion of the electrodes that extends across the inner boundary and out of the capillary chamber. In one embodiment, the effective working electrode portion defines an average working electrode width, and the working electrode neck defines a working electrode neck width that is reduced relative to the average working electrode width.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for measuring an analyte concentration in a fluidic sample. Such methods further allow one to correct and/or compensate for confounding variables such as hematocrit (Hct), temperature or both before providing an analyte concentration. The measurement methods utilize information obtained from test sequences having at least one AC block and at least one pulsed DC block, where pulsed DC block includes at least one recovery potential, and where a closed circuit condition of the electrode system is maintained during the DC block. Also disclosed are devices, apparatuses and systems incorporating the various measurement methods.

Abstract: A biosensor including a capillary chamber having an inner boundary, a working electrode including an effective working electrode portion positioned within the capillary chamber, and a counter electrode including an effective counter electrode portion positioned within the capillary chamber, and with the working and counter electrodes each having a neck that constitutes the sole portion of the electrodes that extends across the inner boundary and out of the capillary chamber. In one embodiment, the effective working electrode portion defines an average working electrode width, and the working electrode neck defines a working electrode neck width that is reduced relative to the average working electrode width.

Abstract: Electrode arrangements for test elements, test elements and methods of determining sample sufficiency, monitoring fill time, establishing fill directions and/or confirming electrode coverage by a sample for test elements are disclosed. The test elements have an electrode-support substrate including a spacer having an edge defining a boundary of a capillary channel. The electrode-support substrate also includes a first electrode pair and a second electrode pair, wherein the first electrode pair is positioned between the second electrode pair.

Abstract: Electrode arrangements for test elements, test elements and methods of determining sample sufficiency, monitoring fill time, establishing fill directions and/or confirming electrode coverage by a sample for test elements are disclosed. The test elements have an electrode-support substrate including a spacer having an edge defining a boundary of a capillary channel. The electrode-support substrate also includes a first electrode pair and a second electrode pair, wherein the first electrode pair is positioned between the second electrode pair.

Abstract: Measurement systems and methods are disclosed for minimizing the effects created by a meter's output amplifier during electrochemical measurements. In the systems and methods, transition of an excitation potential applied between electrodes of a test strip is controlled so that it is at a sufficiently slow rate below a slew rate capability of the system (but still fast enough to minimally impact overall test time) to reduce variability in the test results. The methods and systems therefore use a transition having a ramp-shaped waveform, a sinusoidal-shaped waveform or an exponential-shaped waveform. Additionally, the excitation potential can be purposefully controlled by a processor, memory driven digital-to-analog converter or external circuitry at a rate sufficiently slow to make variations in the analog electronics slew rate insignificant for all sample types and test conditions.

Abstract: An analyte test sensor strip is disclosed having information coded thereon as well as a method of forming the same and conducting an analyte test using the analyte test sensor strip. Information relating to an attribute of the strip or batch/lot of strips may be coded based on resistance values pertaining to electrical aspects of the strip, such as a primary resistive element and a secondary resistive element, the secondary resistive element having one of a plurality of states defined by a location of a closed tap to form a unique resistive path for the secondary resistive element that includes a portion of the primary resistive element depending on the location of the closed tap. The states may be formed on the strip by a secondary processing step in the manufacture of the strip in which a plurality of taps are severed leaving only one tap in a closed state.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for measuring an analyte concentration in a fluidic sample. Such methods further allow one to correct and/or compensate for confounding variables such as hematocrit (Hct), temperature or both before providing an analyte concentration. The measurement methods utilize information obtained from test sequences having at least one AC block and at least one pulsed DC block, where pulsed DC block includes at least one recovery potential, and where a closed circuit condition of the electrode system is maintained during the DC block. Also disclosed are devices, apparatuses and systems incorporating the various measurement methods.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a test strip with a sample chamber opening spanning the width of the test strip at the sampling end and including a portion of the lateral sides at that end. The chamber is vertically bounded by upper and lower substrate layers, horizontally bounded by the front face of a spacer layer, and open on the remaining sides. The test strip fills rapidly and requires small sample volumes. Both 1-up and 2-up manufacturing techniques for producing such test strips eliminate registration and alignment steps, and other techniques relating to the 2-up technique (simultaneously manufacturing test strips arranged in multiple columns) are also disclosed.