Electrochemical Analyte Measurement Using DC Block Descriptors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for electrochemically measuring analytes in fluidic samples, such as glucose, are affected by confounding variables like hematocrit, salt concentration, and temperature, leading to inaccuracies in analyte concentration determination.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using a test sequence with DC blocks that include excitation and recovery potentials in a closed circuit, allowing for the measurement of current responses to build within- and across-pulse descriptors, which correct for the effects of hematocrit, salt concentration, and temperature, thereby improving the accuracy of analyte concentration measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional electrochemical measurement methods are used, then the measurement process is simple, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to confounding variables like hematocrit, salt concentration, and temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The test sequence is divided into multiple DC blocks, each containing excitation and recovery potentials. This segmentation allows separate measurement of analyte signal from confounding variable effects, enabling correction algorithms to improve precision without overwhelming complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement uses periodic excitation and recovery potentials applied in alternating DC blocks. This periodic action creates distinct measurement phases that allow separation of analyte concentration signals from interference signals, improving measurement precision through temporal discrimination
2Reliability
If conventional measurement methods are used, then the device operation is simple, but the reliability deteriorates in the presence of confounding variables
Solution Approach 1:
Correction algorithms act as intermediaries between the raw electrochemical signals and the final analyte concentration result. These algorithms process the multi-phase measurement data to eliminate confounding variable effects, improving reliability while maintaining ease of operation through automated correction
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement system uses feedback from multiple measurement phases (excitation and recovery currents) to iteratively correct for confounding variables. The system adjusts the interpretation of signals based on information from previous measurement phases, improving reliability under varying hematocrit, salt, and temperature conditions
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables analyte concentration determination with a variation of ±10% or less across a range of hematocrit (20-70%), salt (140-180 mg/dL), and temperature (6-44°C) variations, providing more reliable results.
Implementation Method 1
electrochemically measuring an analyte in a fluidic sample based upon an algorithm incorporating across- and within-pulse descriptors derived from AC and/or DC response information of an electrical test sequence
Data Source
AI summary
Methods are disclosed for measuring an analyte concentration in a fluidic sample. Such methods allow one to correct and/or compensate for confounding variables such as hematocrit, salt concentration and/or temperature before providing an analyte concentration. The measurement methods use response information from a test sequence having at least one DC block, where DC block includes at least one excitation pulse and at least one recovery pulse, and where a closed circuit condition of an electrode system is maintained during the at least one recovery pulse. Information encoded in the excitation and recovery pulses are used to build within- and across-pulse descriptors to correct/compensate for hematocrit, salt concentration and/or temperature effects on the analyte concentration. Methods of transforming current response data also are disclosed. Further disclosed are devices, apparatuses and systems incorporating the various measurement methods.