Patent ID: 7344626

Claim:
A method for determination of an analyte in a sample comprising the steps of: (a) introducing the sample to an electrochemical test strip having working and counter electrodes; (b) applying a potential difference, V app , between the electrodes of the test strip and observing a current signal sufficient to provide a determination of analyte in the sample; (c) determining a time t peak , said time occurring at a maximum in the current at the point of changeover when sufficient material is available at the counter electrode to balance the consumption of analyte at the working electrode; (d) switching off the applied potential at time t switch (e) determining a time, t mob , wherein t mob is the time after the applied potential is switched off, that it takes for the potential between the electrodes to decay to a predetermined value, (f) calculating an expected value of t peak , t′ peak , where t′ peak is a function of t mob , and (g) comparing the absolute value of t peak −t′ peak to a predetermined threshold value, rejecting the test if the absolute value of t peak −t′ peak is greater than the threshold value.