Passive sample detection to initiate timing of an assay
First Claim
1. A method for determining the presence of a sample within an electrochemical cell, comprising the steps of:
- applying said sample to said electrochemical cell in the absence of an external signal applied to said electrochemical cell;
producing a potential difference within said electrochemical cell without applying an external signal to the electrochemical cell; and
monitoring said potential difference.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides methods and systems for passively and automatically detecting the presence of a sample (the “sample detection phase”) upon application of the sample to a biosensor, identifying the sample detection time and then initiating the measurement of a targeted characteristic, e.g., the concentration of one or more analytes, of the sample (the “measurement phase”), immediately upon sample detection. The subject methods and systems do not employ or involve the application of an electrical signal from an external source to the electrochemical cell for purposes of performing the sample detection phase and are, thus, less complicated and involve fewer steps and components.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method for determining the presence of a sample within an electrochemical cell, comprising the steps of:
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applying said sample to said electrochemical cell in the absence of an external signal applied to said electrochemical cell;
producing a potential difference within said electrochemical cell without applying an external signal to the electrochemical cell; and
monitoring said potential difference. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for measuring the concentration of an analyte of a sample that is applied to an electrochemical cell, comprising the steps of:
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applying said sample to said electrochemical cell in the absence of an external electrical signal applied to said electrochemical cell;
monitoring the potential difference across the electrochemical cell;
determining a sample detection time by noting when said potential difference increases above a predetermined threshold voltage;
applying a predetermined test voltage to said electrochemical cell;
measuring an electrical response to said applied predetermined test voltage at a predetermined time after applying said predetermined test voltage; and
calculating said analyte concentration using said measured electrical response. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for measuring the concentration of an analyte of a sample, comprising the steps of:
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providing an electrochemical cell comprising a signal producing systems comprising an enzyme component selected for reacting with said analyte and a reducible/oxidizable mediator component selected for reacting with said enzyme component;
monitoring the potential difference across the electrochemical cell;
applying said sample to said electrochemical cell wherein said analyte causes said enzyme component and said reducible/oxidizable mediator component to dissolve and thereby release a oxidized/reduced mediator component;
determining a sample detection time by noting when said potential difference falls below a predetermined threshold voltage;
applying a predetermined test voltage to said electrochemical cell;
measuring the current in response to said applied predetermined test voltage at a predetermined time after applying said predetermined test voltage; and
calculating said analyte concentration using said measured current. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20. A system for measuring analyte concentration in a sample that has been applied between a working and reference/counter electrode of an electrochemical cell, comprising, in electrical communication:
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means for isolating said electrodes from application of an electrical signal from a source external to said electrochemical cell;
means for monitoring a potential difference across the electrodes;
means for determining when said potential difference falls below a predetermined threshold voltage to indicate sample detection;
means responsive to sample detection for applying a predetermined test voltage to said sample;
means for measuring a resulting electrical response to said applied predetermined test voltage; and
means for calculating said analyte concentration by using said measured electrical response. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification