Analytical test strip

A method for determining an analyte in a bodily-fluid sample, the method comprising:

• receiving an analytical test strip inserted in a longitudinal direction into a test-strip-receiving module of a test meter so that first and second electrical contact pads exposed on a second side of the analytical test strip make electrical contact with first and second electrical connector pins of the test-strip-receiving module, respectively, and a third electrical contact pad exposed on a first side of the analytical test strip makes electrical contact with a third electrical connector pin of the test-strip receiving module, the analytical test strip including a sample-receiving chamber adapted to receive a bodily-fluid sample;
• wherein the third electrical contact pad is arranged laterally between the first and second electrical contact pads of the analytical test strip, and
• wherein the third electrical contact pad is disposed such that said third electrical pad extends longitudinally from the sample-receiving chamber by a distance greater than either the first electrical contact pad or the second electrical contact pad;
• sensing, using a signal processing module of the test meter, electrical continuity between the first electrical connector pin of the test-strip-receiving module and the second electrical connector pin of the test strip receiving module via the first electrical contact pad and the second electrical contact pad of the analytical test strip;
• when continuity is sensed, the signal processing module automatically applying a selected electrical signal to the third electrical connector pin and either the first or the second electrical connector pin and measuring a resulting electrical signal;
• and
• the signal processing module automatically processing the resulting electrical signal to detect whether a bodily-fluid sample has been applied to the sample-receiving chamber and, if so, the signal-processing module automatically determining the analyte in the applied bodily-fluid sample using the resulting electrical signal.

An analytical test system for use in the determination of an analyte in a bodily-fluid sample, the analytical test system comprising:

• a) a test meter with:
• i) a test-strip-receiving module with first, second, and third electrical connector pins;
• and
• ii) a signal processing module;
• and
• b) an analytical test strip with lateral and longitudinal axes, the test strip having:
• i) first and second electrodes;
• ii) first and second electrical contact pads electrically connected to the first electrode, each pad configured to communicate an electrical response of the first electrode to the test meter should the test meter be in electrical communication with that pad;
• iii) a third electrical contact pad protruding longitudinally beyond the first and second electrical contact pads and electrically connected to the second electrode, the third electrical contact pad being configured to communicate an electrical response of the second electrode to the test meter should the test meter be in electrical communication with the third electrical contact pad;
• and
• iv) in which the test-strip-receiving module is arranged such that the first, second, and third electrical connector pins make electrical connection with the first, second, and third electrical contact pads, respectively, when the analytical test strip is inserted into the test-strip receiving module;
• wherein the signal processing module is configured to:
• i) detect the test strip by sensing electrical continuity between the first and second electrical connector pins;
• ii) apply a selected electrical signal to the third electrical pin and either the first or the second electrical connector pin after the test strip is detected and measure a result electrical signal;
• and
• iii) process the result electrical signal to detect the bodily-fluid sample and, if the bodily-fluid sample is present, determine the analyte.