Method of differentiating between blood and control solutions containing a common analyte

Abstract

Glucose measured in blood samples is distinguished from glucose measured in the control solutions used to test the optical instruments which make such measurements. The control solutions contain a labeling substance recognized by the optical instrument to distinguish glucose measurements made of control solutions from those made of blood samples.

1 . A control solution for testing the performance of an optical instrument adapted to measure the concentration of glucose in blood in proportion to the optical response of an indicator, the solution comprising:
 a labeling substance recognized by the optical instrument as identifying the presence of the control solution; and   a known amount of glucose.   
     
     
         2 . The control solution of  claim 1 , wherein the labeling substance has a characteristic response to excitation by a light-emitting diode in the optical instrument that is distinguishable from the response of the indicator. 
     
     
         3 . The control solution of  claim 1 , wherein the labeling substance has a peak absorbance of light that is distinguishable from the absorbance of the indicator. 
     
     
         4 . The control solution of  claim 3 , wherein the labeling substance is indocyanine green. 
     
     
         5 . The control solution of  claim 4 , wherein the labeling substance is distinguished from a tetrazolium salt indicator. 
     
     
         6 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . The control solution of  claim 1 , wherein the labeling substance is a dye dissolved in the control solution. 
     
     
         23 . The control solution of  claim 1 , wherein the labeling substance has a characteristic response when exposed to a light-emitting diode having a wavelength in a range of peak absorption by the labeling substance. 
     
     
         24 . A control solution for testing the performance of an optical instrument adapted to measure the concentration of at least one analyte in a fluid sample in proportion to the optical response of an indicator, the control solution comprising a labeling substance, the labeling substance having a peak absorbance of light that is distinguishable from the absorbance of the indicator. 
     
     
         25 . The control solution of  claim 24 , wherein the labeling substance is indocyanine green. 
     
     
         26 . The control solution of  claim 25 , wherein the labeling substance is distinguished from a tetrazolium salt indicator. 
     
     
         27 . The control solution of  claim 26 , wherein the labeling substance is a dye dissolved in the control solution. 
     
     
         28 . The control solution of  claim 24 , further comprising a known amount of the at least one analyte. 
     
     
         29 . The control solution of  claim 24 , wherein the at least one analyte is glucose.