Patent ID: 8518236

Claim:
A method of preparing an electrochemical device, said method comprising: (a) providing an electrochemical cell having a working electrode and a pseudo reference electrode; (b) preconditioning the working electrode by applying a stepped preconditioning potential across the cell for a duration of up to 100s, wherein the preconditioning potential is applied in the presence of an aqueous solution capable of allowing an electric current to pass and the preconditioning potential consists of either one potential step, or one positive and one negative potential step; (c) providing an electroactive reagent to the electrochemical cell and optionally drying the reagent; (d) supplying a sample comprising a bodily fluid to the device, the sample being in contact with the working electrode and with the electroactive reagent; and (e) applying a measuring potential across the cell and measuring the resulting electrochemical response; wherein the electrochemical response of the cell is not measured during the preconditioning step; and wherein said preconditioning step (b) is carried out either before step (c) or between steps (c) and (d).