Passive sample detection to initiate timing of an assay

a sampling sample and timing technology, applied in the field of electrochemical assays, can solve the problems of inability to accurately represent the analyte concentration of the sample, the measured current is not accurate, and the measurement is less accurate, so as to achieve less complicated, less false or inaccurate analyte measurements, and less components

US20050161344A1Inactive Publication Date: 2005-07-28LIFESCAN INC
9 Cites 14 Cited by

Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
US · United States
Patent Type
Applications(United States)
Current Assignee / Owner
Publication Date
2005-07-28
Estimated Expiration
Not applicable · inactive patent

Smart Images

  • Figure 1
    Figure 1
  • Figure 2
    Figure 2
  • Figure 3
    Figure 3
Patent Text Reader

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.
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of electrochemical assays, particularly to the measurement of the concentration of analytes in biological fluid. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system and method for detecting the application of a sample of biological or control fluid to an electrochemical sensor and initiating the timing of the analyte measurement event. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Analyte concentration determination in biological fluids, e.g., blood or blood-derived products such as plasma, is of ever increasing importance to today's society. Such assays find use in a variety of applications and settings, including clinical laboratory testing, home testing, etc., where the results of such testing play a prominent role in the diagnosis and management of a variety of disease conditions. Common analytes of interest include glucose for diabetes management, cholesterol for monitoring cardiovascular conditions, and the...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0023] The present invention provides methods and systems for automatically detecting the presence of a sample applied to a biosensor (the “sample detection phase”) 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 sample detection phase of the subject methods is performed passively, immediately upon application of a sample to a biosensor, without application of a voltage step function (as with chronoamperometry) or current step function (as with chronopotentiometry). The subject systems include electronic circuitry for performing these steps. Also provided by the present invention are kits that include a test strip meter which incorporate the subject systems for practicing the subject methods.

[0024] Before the present invention is described in further detail, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular embod...