Measuring device and methods for use therewith
First Claim
1. A method for use of a test equipment apparatus having an electrochemical cell disposed to receive a fluid sample, said electrochemical cell comprising first and second electrodes and a reagent reactive with an analyte in the fluid sample to yield a electrical signal in response to an applied current or potential, wherein the magnitude of the electrical signal is dependent on the presence of analyte, the apparatus further comprising electronic circuitry, the method comprising the steps of:
- under automatic control of the electronic circuitry, applying current or potential to the electrochemical cell for a period of time sufficient generate a chemical potential between the first and second electrodes;
measuring the electrical signal;
thereafter, under automatic control of the electronic circuitry, ceasing the application of the current or potential to the cell;
thereafter, under automatic control of the electronic circuitry, measuring a decay in the chemical potential at the cell; and
evaluating the measured electrical signal and the measured decay of chemical potential to evaluate a measure of the analyte in the fluid sample.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The ability to switch at will between amperometric measurements and potentiometric measurements provides great flexibility in performing analysis 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.
18 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method for use of a test equipment apparatus having an electrochemical cell disposed to receive a fluid sample, said electrochemical cell comprising first and second electrodes and a reagent reactive with an analyte in the fluid sample to yield a electrical signal in response to an applied current or potential, wherein the magnitude of the electrical signal is dependent on the presence of analyte, the apparatus further comprising electronic circuitry, the method comprising the steps of:
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under automatic control of the electronic circuitry, applying current or potential to the electrochemical cell for a period of time sufficient generate a chemical potential between the first and second electrodes; measuring the electrical signal; thereafter, under automatic control of the electronic circuitry, ceasing the application of the current or potential to the cell; thereafter, under automatic control of the electronic circuitry, measuring a decay in the chemical potential at the cell; and evaluating the measured electrical signal and the measured decay of chemical potential to evaluate a measure of the analyte in the fluid sample. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A test equipment comprising:
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an electrochemical cell comprising at least first and second electrodes and a reagent reactive with a constituent of a fluid sample; a source of potential or current external to the electrochemical cell and connected to the electrochemical cell for application of potential or current to the first and second electrodes; measurement circuitry external to the electrochemical cell for measuring an electrical signal generated in the electrochemical cell in response to application of potential or current; electronic control means;
the electronic control means coupled with the source of potential or current to controllably apply the source of potential or current to the electrochemical cell;and potentiometric circuitry for measuring a decay in a chemical potential between the first and second electrodes in the absence of an applied potential or current; wherein the electronic control means is coupled with the source of potential or current to automatically cease application of potential or current to the electrochemical cell after an electrical signal has been measured, and then cause the potentiometric circuitry to measure the decay in chemical potential. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification