Patent ID: 8529751

Claim:
A method for distinguishing between a blood sample and a control solution sample, the method comprising the steps of: (a) introducing a sample into an electrochemical cell, the electrochemical cell comprising: (i) two electrodes in a spaced apart relationship; and (ii) a reagent; (b) applying a first test potential, having a first polarity, between the electrodes, and measuring a first current transient; (c) applying a second test potential, having a first polarity, between electrodes, and measuring a second current transient; (d) applying a third test potential, having a second polarity, between the electrodes, and measuring a third current transient; (e) calculating, based on the first current transient, a first reference value related to the quantity of redox species in the sample; (f) calculating, based on the second and third current transients, a second reference value related to reaction kinetics; and (g) determining, based on the first and second reference values, whether the sample is a control solution sample or blood sample.