Measuring device and methods for use therewith

A test equipment for receiving an electrochemical cell comprising at least first and second electrodes and a reagent reactive with a constituent of a human bodily fluid, said equipment comprising:

• at least first and second connectors for providing electric contact between the test equipment and at least first and second electrodes of a received electrochemical cell, a source of potential for applying a potential difference between the at least first and second electrodes through the at least first and second connectors;
• potentiometric circuitry;
• electronic control means;
• the electronic control means coupled with the source of potential to controllably apply the source of potential to the electrochemical cell, thereby allowing current to flow through the cell;
• and
• amperometric means external to the electrochemical cell for measuring the flow of current through the electrochemical cell;
• wherein the electronic control means is coupled with the potentiometric circuitry to automatically cease application of potential to the electrochemical cell, and then cause the potentiometric circuitry to measure a decay in chemical potential at the electrochemical cell in the absence of the applied potential.