Patent ID: 8114271
Filing Date: 2012-02-14
Classification: A61B,C12Q,G01N

Abstract:
1. A method for determining a concentration of an analyte in a body fluid of a patient, comprising the steps of: creating an unassisted flow of the body fluid from the patient, wherein the body fluid comprises whole blood; transporting by capillary action or by wicking at least a portion of the body fluid into an in vitro analyte sensor configured and arranged to determine the concentration of the analyte from 1000 mL or less of body fluid, wherein the in vitro analyte sensor comprises a sample chamber comprising a working electrode and a counter or a reference electrode; holding the portion of the body fluid within the sample chamber of the analyte sensor in a non-flow-through manner and in contact with the electrodes; and determining by coulometry the concentration of the analyte in the body fluid within 1 minute after transporting the body fluid into the analyte sensor, wherein a signal generated by electrolysis of a buffer solution comprising 6 mM analyte is at least about four times greater than a signal generated by electrolysis of a buffer solution comprising no analyte.