Patent ID: 7547382

Claim:
A method for detection of partial fill in an electrochemical test strip having electrodes and a liquid sample disposed between the electrodes comprising the steps of: (a) introducing sample to an electrochemical test strip; (b) applying a potential difference, V app , between the electrodes of the test strip; (c) switching off the applied potential at time t switch and optionally reapplying a second potential; (d) observing current generated and determining from the observed current a double layer charging or discharging at the electrodes; (e) observing a voltage change after the applied potential is switched off, and determining the double layer capacitance of test strip from the measured double layer charging or discharging and the observed voltage change; and (f) comparing the determined double layer capacitance to a reference value, wherein a double layer capacitance less than the reference value is an indication that the liquid sample covers a portion of the electrodes and that the electrochemical test strip is only partially filled.