Patent ID: 8603323

Claim:
An electrochemical system, comprising: an electrochemical sensor having an electrode; a test meter configured to receive the electrochemical sensor; and a high impedance circuit within the test meter, the high impedance circuit including a common electrical connector configured to form an electrical connection with the electrode of the electrochemical sensor when the sensor is disposed in the test meter, the circuit further being configured to detect a first voltage of the common electrical connector indicating that no electrochemical sensor is disposed in the test meter, a second voltage of the common electrical connector, distinct from the first voltage, indicating that the electrochemical sensor that is devoid of a bodily fluid sample is disposed in the test meter, and a third voltage of the common electrical connector, distinct from the first and second voltages, indicating that the electrochemical sensor is disposed in the test meter and a bodily fluid sample has been applied to the electrochemical sensor and wherein the test meter further comprises a sensor port connector including first and second electrical connectors, the circuit being configured such that the presence of an electrochemical sensor in the test meter results in a low impedance connection between the first and second electrical connectors.