Measuring device and methods for use therewith

摘要

The ability to switch at will between amperometric measurements and potentiometric measurements provides great flexibility in performing analyzes 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.

主权项

1. A test equipment for receiving an electrochemical cell comprising at least first and second electrodes and a reagent reactive with a constituent of a human bodily fluid, said equipment comprising:
at least first and second connectors for providing electric contact between the test equipment and at least first and second electrodes of a received electrochemical cell, a source of potential for applying a potential difference between the at least first and second electrodes through the at least first and second connectors; potentiometric circuitry; electronic control means, the electronic control means coupled with the source of potential to controllably apply the source of potential to the electrochemical cell, thereby allowing current to flow through the cell; and amperometric means external to the electrochemical cell for measuring the flow of current through the electrochemical cell; wherein the electronic control means is coupled with the potentiometric circuitry to automatically cease application of potential to the electrochemical cell, and then cause the potentiometric circuitry to measure a decay in chemical potential at the electrochemical cell in the absence of the applied potential.