Meter

Abstract

An apparatus ( 31, 32, 132 ) and method for determining the concentration of a medically significant component (for example, glucose) of a biological fluid (for example, blood) comprise providing a cell ( 31 ) for receiving a sample of the fluid (for example, blood). The cell ( 31 ) supports a chemistry which reacts with the medically significant component (for example, glucose), and first and second terminals across which the reaction of the chemistry with the medically significant component can be assessed. An instrument ( 32, 132 ) has first ( 34 - 2, 134 - 2 ) and second ( 34 - 3, 134 - 3 ) terminals complementary to the first and second terminals, respectively, of the cell ( 31 ). An assessment controller ( 52, 54, 148, 158 ) is provided. The apparatus determines the type of sample and the concentration of a medically significant component of the sample.

1 . An apparatus for determining the concentration of a medically significant component of a biological fluid, the apparatus comprising a cell for receiving a sample of the fluid, the cell supporting a chemistry which reacts with the medically significant component and first and second terminals across which the reaction of the chemistry with the medically significant component can be assessed, an instrument having first and second terminals complementary to the first and second terminals, respectively, of the cell, placement of the first and second terminals of the cell in contact with the first and second terminals, respectively, of the instrument permitting the instrument to assess the reaction, the instrument including an assessment controller for applying across the first and second terminals of the instrument a first signal, determining a first correction value in response of the cell to the first signal, assessing the reaction of the medically significant component with the chemistry and combining the correction value with the result of the reaction assessment to produce an indication of the concentration of the medically significant component in the sample.  
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the assessment controller comprises an assessment controller for applying across the first and second terminals a signal having an AC component.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the assessment controller comprises an assessment controller for applying across the first and second terminals an AC signal.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the instrument further comprises a third terminal, placement of the first and second terminals of the cell in contact with the first and second terminals of the instrument placing one of the first and second terminals of the cell in contact with the third terminal of the instrument.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the assessment controller for determining a first correction value in response to the first signal comprises an assessment controller for feeding back a portion of the first signal appearing at the third terminal.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the assessment controller for assessing the reaction of the medically significant component with the chemistry comprises an assessment controller for applying across a pair of the first, second and third terminals of the instrument a second signal and assessing the reaction of the medically significant component with the chemistry in response to the second signal.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the assessment controller for applying across the first and second terminals of the instrument a first signal comprises an assessment controller for applying across the first and second terminals of the instrument a second signal, determining a second response to the second signal, the second response determining if the assessment controller proceeds with the application of the first signal.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the assessment controller for applying across the first and second terminals of the instrument a second signal comprises an assessment controller for applying across the first and second terminals a signal having an AC component.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the assessment controller for applying across the first and second terminals of the instrument a second signal comprises an assessment controller for applying across the first and second terminals an AC signal.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the instrument further comprises a third terminal, placement of the first and second terminals of the cell in contact with the first and second terminals of the instrument placing one of the first and second terminals of the cell in contact with the third terminal of the instrument.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the assessment controller for determining a first correction value in response to the first signal comprises an assessment controller for feeding back a portion of the first signal appearing at the third terminal.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the assessment controller for assessing the reaction of the medically significant component with the chemistry comprises an assessment controller for applying across a pair of the first, second and third terminals of the instrument a second signal and assessing the reaction of the medically significant component with the chemistry in response to the second signal.  
     
     
         13 . An apparatus for determining the concentration of a medically significant component of a biological fluid, the apparatus comprising a cell for receiving a sample of the fluid, the cell supporting a chemistry which reacts with the medically significant component and first and second terminals across which the reaction of the chemistry with the medically significant component can be assessed, an instrument having first and second terminals complementary to the first and second terminals, respectively, of the cell, placement of the first and second terminals of the cell in contact with the first and second terminals, respectively, of the instrument permitting the instrument to assess the reaction, the instrument including an assessment controller for applying across the first and second terminals of the instrument a first signal having an AC component, determining a first response of the cell to the first signal, and determining based upon the first response whether to proceed with the determination of the concentration of the medically significant component of the biological fluid.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the assessment controller for applying across the first and second terminals of the instrument a first signal comprises an assessment controller for applying across the first and second terminals an AC signal.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the assessment controller for applying across the first and second terminals of the instrument a first signal comprises an assessment controller for applying across the first and second terminals of the instrument a second signal, determining a first correction value in response to the second signal, and combining the correction value with the result of the reaction assessment to produce an indication of the concentration of the medically significant component in the sample.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the assessment controller for applying across the first and second terminals a second signal comprises an assessment controller for applying across the first and second terminals a second signal having an AC component.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein the assessment controller for applying across the first and second terminals a second signal comprises an assessment controller for applying across the first and second terminals an AC second signal.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17  wherein the instrument further comprises a third terminal, placement of the first and second terminals of the cell in contact with the first and second terminals of the instrument placing one of the first and second terminals of the cell in contact with the third terminal of the instrument.  
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein the assessment controller for determining a first correction value in response to the second signal comprises an assessment controller for feeding back a portion of the second signal appearing at the third terminal.  
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19  wherein the assessment controller for assessing the reaction of the medically significant component with the chemistry comprises an assessment controller for applying across a pair of the first, second and third terminals of the instrument a third signal and assessing the reaction of the medically significant component with the chemistry in response to the second signal.  
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the instrument further comprises a third terminal, placement of the first and second terminals of the cell in contact with the first and second terminals of the instrument placing one of the first and second terminals of the cell in contact with the third terminal of the instrument.  
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 21  wherein the assessment controller for determining a first correction value in response to the second signal comprises an assessment controller for feeding back a portion of the second signal appearing at the third terminal.  
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 22  wherein the assessment controller for assessing the reaction of the medically significant component with the chemistry comprises an assessment controller for applying across a pair of the first, second and third terminals of the instrument a third signal and assessing the reaction of the medically significant component with the chemistry in response to the third signal.  
     
     
         24 . A method for determining the concentration of a medically significant component of a biological fluid, the method comprising providing a cell for receiving a sample of the fluid, providing on the cell a chemistry which reacts with the medically significant component and first and second terminals across which the reaction of the chemistry with the medically significant component can be assessed, providing an instrument having first and second terminals complementary to the first and second terminals, respectively, of the cell, placement of the first and second terminals of the cell in contact with the first and second terminals, respectively, of the instrument permitting the instrument to assess the reaction, including in the instrument an assessment controller, causing the assessment controller to apply across the first and second terminals of the instrument a first signal having an AC component, causing the assessment controller to determine a first response of the cell to the first signal, and causing the assessment controller to determine based upon the first response whether to proceed with the determination of the concentration of the medically significant component of the biological fluid.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24  wherein the step of applying across the first and second terminals of the instrument a first signal comprises applying across the first and second terminals of the instrument a second signal, determining a first correction value in response to the second signal and combining the first correction value with the result of the reaction assessment to produce an indication of the concentration of the medically significant component in the sample.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the step of applying across the first and second terminals a second signal comprises applying across the first and second terminals an AC second signal.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26  wherein providing an instrument having first and second terminals complementary to the first and second terminals of the cell comprises providing an instrument having first, second and third terminals, placement of the first and second terminals of the cell in contact with the first, second and third terminals of the instrument permitting the instrument to assess the reaction.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27  wherein determining the second response of the cell to the second signal and converting that second response to a first correction value comprises feeding back a portion of the second signal appearing at the third terminal.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28  wherein assessing the reaction of the medically significant component with the chemistry comprises applying across a pair of the first, second and third terminals of the instrument a third signal and assessing the reaction of the medically significant component with the chemistry in response to the third signal.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 24  wherein providing an instrument having first and second terminals complementary to the first and second terminals, respectively, of the cell comprises providing an instrument having first, second and third terminals, placement of the first and second terminals of the cell in contact with the first and second terminal of the instrument placing one of the first and second terminals of the cell in contact with the third terminal of the instrument.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30  wherein determining the correction value in response to the second signal comprises feeding back a portion of the second signal appearing at the third terminal.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31  wherein assessing the reaction of the medically significant component with the chemistry comprises applying across a pair of the first, second and third terminals of the instrument a third signal and assessing the reaction of the medically significant component with the chemistry in response to the third signal.  
     
     
         33 . A method for determining the concentration of a medically significant component of a biological fluid, the method comprising providing a cell for receiving a sample of the fluid, providing the cell with a chemistry which reacts with the medically significant component and first and second terminals across which the reaction of the chemistry with the medically significant component can be assessed, providing an instrument having first and second terminals complementary to the first and second terminals, respectively, of the cell, placement of the first and second terminals of the cell in contact with the first and second terminals, respectively, of the instrument permitting the instrument to assess the reaction, providing in the instrument an assessment controller, causing the assessment controller to apply across the first and second terminals of the instrument a first signal, determining a first correction value in response to the first signal, assessing the reaction of the medically significant component with the chemistry, and combining the correction value with the result of the reaction assessment to produce an indication of the concentration of the medically significant component in the sample.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33  wherein providing an instrument having first and second complementary terminals comprises providing an instrument having first, second and third terminals, placement of the first and second terminals of the cell in contact with the first and second terminals, respectively, of the instrument placing one of the first and second terminals of the cell in contact with the third terminal of the instrument.  
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34  wherein determining a first response of the cell to the first signal and converting that first response to a first correction value comprises feeding back a portion of the first signal appearing at the third terminal.  
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35  wherein assessing the reaction of the medically significant component with the chemistry comprises applying across a pair of the first, second and third terminals of the instrument a second signal and assessing the reaction of the medically significant component with the chemistry in response to the second signal.  
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 33  wherein applying across the first and second terminals of the instrument a first signal comprises applying across the first and second terminals of the instrument a second signal, determining a second response to the second signal, and determining if the assessment controller proceeds with the application of the first signal.  
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 33 ,  34 ,  35   36  or  37  wherein applying the first signal comprises applying a first signal having an AC component.  
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 33 ,  34 ,  35 ,  36  or  37  wherein applying the first signal comprises applying a first AC signal.  
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 37  wherein applying a second signal comprises applying a second signal having an AC component.  
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40  wherein applying a second signal comprises applying an AC second signal.  
     
     
         42 . An apparatus for determining the concentration of a medically significant component of a biological fluid comprising a cell for receiving a sample of the fluid, the cell supporting a chemistry which reacts with the medically significant component and first and second terminals across which the reaction of the chemistry with the medically significant component can be assessed, an instrument having first and second terminals complementary to the first and second terminals, respectively, of the cell, placement of the first and second terminals of the cell in contact with the first and second terminals, respectively, of the instrument permitting the instrument to assess the reaction, the instrument including an assessment controller for applying across the first and second terminals of the instrument a first signal, for determining the identity of the sample in response of the cell to the first signal, and for producing an indication of the identity of the sample.  
     
     
         43 . The apparatus of  claim 42  wherein the assessment controller comprises an assessment controller for applying across the first and second terminals a signal having an AC component.  
     
     
         44 . The apparatus of  claim 43  wherein the assessment controller comprises an assessment controller for applying across the first and second terminals an AC signal.  
     
     
         45 . The apparatus of  claim 42  wherein the instrument further comprises a third terminal, placement of the first and second terminals of the cell in contact with the first and second terminals of the instrument placing one of the first and second terminals of the cell in contact with the third terminal of the instrument, the assessment controller applying across a pair of the first, second and third terminals of the instrument a second signal, determining a first correction value in response of the cell to the second signal, assessing the reaction of the medically significant component with the chemistry, and combining the correction value with the result of the reaction assessment to produce an indication of the concentration of the medically significant component in the sample.  
     
     
         46 . The apparatus of  claim 45  wherein the assessment controller for assessing the reaction of the medically significant component with the chemistry comprises an assessment controller for applying across a pair of the first, second and third terminals of the instrument a third signal, determining a third response to the third signal, the third response determining if the assessment controller proceeds with the application of at least one of the first and second signals.  
     
     
         47 . The apparatus of  claim 42  wherein the assessment controller further comprises a third terminal, placement of the first and second terminals of the cell in contact with the first and second terminals of the instrument placing one of the first and second terminals of the cell in contact with the third terminal of the instrument, the assessment controller applying across a pair of the first, second and third terminals of the instrument a second signal, determining a second response to the second signal, the second response determining if the assessment controller proceeds with the application of the first signal.  
     
     
         48 . A method for determining the concentration of a medically significant component of a biological fluid comprising providing a cell for receiving a sample of the fluid, providing on the cell a chemistry which reacts with the medically significant component and first and second terminals across which the reaction of the chemistry with the medically significant component can be assessed, providing an instrument having first and second terminals complementary to the first and second terminals, respectively, of the cell, placement of the first and second terminals of the cell in contact with the first and second terminals, respectively, of the instrument permitting the instrument to assess the reaction, providing in the instrument an assessment controller for applying across the first and second terminals of the instrument a first signal, determining the identity of the sample in response of the cell to the first signal, and producing an indication of the identity of the sample.  
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 48  wherein the step of providing an instrument having first and second terminals comprises the step of providing an instrument having first, second and third terminals, placement of the first and second terminals of the cell in contact with the first and second terminals of the instrument placing one of the first and second terminals of the cell in contact with the third terminal of the instrument, the assessment controller applying across a pair of the first, second and third terminals of the instrument a second signal, determining a first correction value in response of the cell to the second signal, assessing the reaction of the medically significant component with the chemistry, and combining the correction value with the result of the reaction assessment to produce an indication of the concentration of the medically significant component in the sample.  
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49  wherein the assessment controller applies across a pair of the first, second and third terminals of the instrument a third signal and determines a third response to the third signal, the third response determining if the assessment controller proceeds with the application of at least one of the first and second signals.  
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 48  wherein the step of providing an instrument having first and second terminals comprises the step of providing an instrument having first, second and third terminals, placement of the first and second terminals of the cell in contact with the first and second terminals of the instrument placing one of the first and second terminals of the cell in contact with the third terminal of the instrument, the assessment controller applying across a pair of the first, second and third terminals of the instrument a second signal and determining a second response to the second signal, the second response determining if the assessment controller proceeds with the application of the first signal.