Patent ID: 9575026
Date: 2017-02-21
CPC Classifications: C12Q,G01N

Claim:
1. A method for distinguishing between a blood sample and an aqueous non-blood sample, the method comprising: (a) applying a first test potential between a first electrode and a second electrode when a sample is introduced into an electrochemical cell and measuring a first current transient; (b) applying a second test potential between a first electrode and a second electrode, the second test potential being sufficient to oxidize a reduced mediator at the second electrode and measuring a second current transient; (c) measuring a capacitance of the electrochemical cell; (d) applying a third test potential between a first electrode and a second electrode, the third test potential being sufficient to oxidize a reduced mediator at the first electrode, and measuring a third current transient; (e) calculating, based on the first current transient, a first reference value; (f) calculating, based on the second and third current transients, a second reference value; (g) calculating, based on at least the measured capacitance, a capacitance index (C (h) calculating, based on the first reference value and the capacitance index, a third reference value; and (i) determining, based on the second and third reference values, whether the sample is a blood sample or an aqueous non-blood sample,wherein the capacitance index is a ratio of an average predetermined capacitance of electrochemical cells of the same type (C