초록 ▼

An electrochemical assay includes a method for determining with great accuracy the time at which an applied sample bridges a gap between the electrodes of an electrochemical cell. The method involves applying a constant small current across the gap, while monitoring the potential difference between

An electrochemical assay includes a method for determining with great accuracy the time at which an applied sample bridges a gap between the electrodes of an electrochemical cell. The method involves applying a constant small current across the gap, while monitoring the potential difference between the electrodes. The time at which the sample bridges the gap is marked by a sharp drop in the potential. A constant voltage is applied after the sample is detected, and the current and/or charge through the sample is monitored over a period of time. From the measured current or charge, the analyte concentration of interest can be calculated.

대표청구항 ▼

[We claim:] [1.](a) applying a predetermined, constant current source between the working and reference electrodes,(b) monitoring a potential difference across the electrodes,(c) applying the sample to the strip,(d) determining a sample detection time by noting when the potential difference falls be

[We claim:] [1.](a) applying a predetermined, constant current source between the working and reference electrodes,(b) monitoring a potential difference across the electrodes,(c) applying the sample to the strip,(d) determining a sample detection time by noting when the potential difference falls below a predetermined threshold voltage,(e) applying a predetermined constant voltage to the sample,(f) measuring an electrical response at a predetermined time after applying the constant voltage, and(g) calculating the analyte concentration using the measured electrical response.