Patent ID: 8303912

Claim:
A method for determining an analyte in a liquid sample comprising: a) providing an analytical test system comprising: a sample pick-up and metering device comprising: a metering element that picks up and retains a defined volume of the liquid sample, a support which contains at least one closed liquid compartment in which a defined volume of a liquid is contained, wherein the support, the liquid compartment, and the metering element form one constructional unit, and the metering element is fixedly connected to the support, and a reaction cuvette; b) contacting the metering element with the liquid sample to be analyzed such that the defined volume of the liquid sample remains in the metering element; c) introducing the sample pick-up and metering device into the reaction cuvette; d) opening at least one liquid compartment on the support such that the liquid contained in this liquid compartment flows into the reaction cuvette and comes there into contact with the liquid sample contained in the metering element in such a manner that the liquid sample from the metering element is provided in the reaction cuvette and a reaction mixture is formed; and e) determining the analyte on the basis of a characteristic measured quantity for the analyte.