Electrochemical coagulation assay and device
First Claim
1. A method for detecting a change in the viscosity of a fluid sample, said method comprising:
- (a) introducing a sample into an electrochemical cell comprising oppositely spaced apart working and reference electrodes;
(b) applying an electric potential to said reaction cell to produce a steady state current between said oppositely spaced apart electrodes;
(c) detecting a change in said steady state current; and
(d) relating said change in steady state current to a change in viscosity of said fluid sample.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and devices for electrochemically detecting a change in the viscosity of a fluid are provided. In the subject methods, a fluid sample is introduced into an electrochemical cell having oppositely spaced apart working and reference electrodes. An electric potential is applied to the cell to first achieve a steady state cell current. A decrease in the steady state cell current is then detected and related to a change in viscosity of the sample. In many embodiments, the sample is blood and the change in viscosity is related to the onset of coagulation in the blood sample, and often the PT of the blood sample. Also provided are test strips, kits thereof and meters for use in practicing the subject methods.
33 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for detecting a change in the viscosity of a fluid sample, said method comprising:
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(a) introducing a sample into an electrochemical cell comprising oppositely spaced apart working and reference electrodes;
(b) applying an electric potential to said reaction cell to produce a steady state current between said oppositely spaced apart electrodes;
(c) detecting a change in said steady state current; and
(d) relating said change in steady state current to a change in viscosity of said fluid sample. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for detecting the onset of coagulation of a blood sample, said method comprising:
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(a) introducing said blood sample into an electrochemical cell comprising;
(i) oppositely spaced apart working and reference electrodes; and
(ii) a reagent mixture comprising a redox couple;
(b) applying an electric potential to said reaction cell to produce a steady state current between said oppositely spaced apart electrodes;
(c) detecting a change in said steady state current; and
(d) relating said change in steady state current to the onset of coagulation in said blood sample. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An electrochemical test strip comprising:
an electrochemical cell comprising;
(a) oppositely spaced apart working and reference electrodes; and
(b) a reagent mixture comprising;
(i) a redox couple; and
(ii) a coagulation catalyzing agent. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A meter for detecting a change in viscosity of a fluid sample, said meter comprising:
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(a) means for applying an electric potential to an electrochemical cell made up of oppositely spaced apart working and reference electrodes and comprising said fluid sample;
(b) means for measuring cell current between said oppositely space apart working and reference electrodes;
(c) means for detecting a change in said measured cell current; and
(d) means for relating said change in measured cell current to a change in viscosity of said fluid sample. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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20. A kit for use in detecting a coagulation event in a blood sample, said kit comprising:
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(a) at least one electrochemical test strip comprising an electrochemical cell comprising;
(i) oppositely spaced apart working and reference electrodes; and
(ii) a reagent mixture comprising a redox couple and a coagulation catalyzing agent; and
(b) at least one of a calibration means and a means for obtaining a sample.
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Specification