Patent ID: 7846321

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 and for a period of time sufficient to determine a plateau current, I plateau , that reflects the recycling or shuttling of mediator between the electrodes; (c) switching off the applied potential at time t switch and determining the magnitude, V drop , of a voltage drop arising from series electrode resistance, if present; (d) calculating a track resistance R track , and comparing the determined magnitude of R track against a predetermined range, and rejecting the test if the magnitude of R track falls outside of the range wherein the value of R track =V drop /I plateau , and (e) if the magnitude is within the predetermined range, proceeding to display or communicate the result from the determination of analyte.