# US 2014/0151245 A1 · Systems and methods of discriminating between a control sample and a test fluid using capacitance

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- Number: US 2014/0151245 A1
- Document ID: US20140151245A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/087,527
- Filed: 2013-11-22
- Published: 2014-06-05
- Earliest claimed: 2010-09-30
- Assignees: Cilag GmbH International
- Applicants: Cilag GmbH International
- Inventors: Ronald C. Chatelier; Alastair M. Hodges
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140151245A1

## CPC

- G01N 27/28: Electrolytic cell components
- C12Q 1/005: {involving specific analytes or enzymes (including groups of enzymes, e.g. oxydases; C12Q1/004 takes precedence)}
- G01N 27/3274: {Corrective measures, e.g. error detection, compensation for temperature or hematocrit, calibration (coding of calibration information G01N33/48771)}
- G01N 33/48707: {by electrical means (G01N33/49, G01N33/493 take precedence)}
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)
- C12Q: MEASURING OR TESTING PROCESSES INVOLVING ENZYMES, NUCLEIC ACIDS OR MICROORGANISMS (immunoassay G01N33/53); COMPOSITIONS OR TEST PAPERS THEREFOR; PROCESSES OF PREPARING SUCH COMPOSITIONS; CONDITION-RESPONSIVE CONTROL IN MICROBIOLOGICAL OR ENZYMOLOGICAL PROCESSES

## Abstract

Methods for distinguishing between an aqueous non-blood sample (e.g., a control solution) and a blood sample are provided herein. In one aspect, the method includes using a test strip in which multiple current transients are measured by a meter electrically connected to an electrochemical test strip. The current transients are used to determine if a sample is a blood sample or an aqueous non-blood sample based on characteristics of the sample (e.g., amount of interferent present, reaction kinetics, and/or capacitance). The method can also include calculating a discrimination criteria based upon these characteristics. Various aspects of a system for distinguishing between a blood sample and an aqueous non-blood sample are also provided herein.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for distinguishing between a blood sample and an aqueous non-blood sample, the method comprising:
(a) introducing a sample into an electrochemical cell, the electrochemical cell comprising:
(i) two electrodes in a spaced apart relationship; and
(ii) a reagent;
(b) applying a first test potential, having a first polarity, between the electrodes, and measuring cell current;
(c) measuring a capacitance of the electrochemical cell;
(d) summing at least two current values measured during the first test potential to generate a first reference value,;
(e) calculating a capacitance index related to the measured capacitance;
(f) using the capacitance index and the first reference value to distinguish between a blood sample and an aqueous non-blood sample.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising calculating a second reference value related to reaction kinetics; and using the capacitance index, the first reference value, and the second reference value to distinguish between a blood sample and an aqueous non-blood sample.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the aqueous non-blood sample comprises a control solution.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the capacitance index comprises a ratio of an average capacitance of electrochemical cells of the same type and the measured capacitance of the electrochemical cell.