Patent ID: 8137529

Claim:
A method for evaluating whether an electrochemical sensor is properly filled, the electrochemical sensor including a working electrode and a counter electrode, the counter electrode including a high-resistance portion and a low-resistance portion, the high-resistance portion including a resistor, the method comprising: introducing the fluid test sample to the electrochemical test sensor; applying a first potential between a counter electrode and a working electrode for a first predetermined time period after the fluid test sample has electrically connected the working electrode and the counter electrode; after the first predetermined time period, applying a second potential between the counter electrode and the working electrode for a second predetermined time period, the second potential having a magnitude that is greater than a magnitude of the first potential; measuring the current between the counter electrode and the working electrode at a first interval during the first predetermined time period to obtain a first current measurement; measuring the current between the counter electrode and the working electrode at a second interval during the second predetermined period to obtain a second current measurement; determining a first parameter based on the first current measurement and the second current measurement; comparing the first parameter to at least one first predetermined parameter; and notifying a user that an insufficient quantity of fluid test sample has been introduced to the electrochemical test sensor based on the comparing the first parameter to the at least one first predetermined parameter.