Apparatus for measuring glycation of red blood cells and glycated hemoglobin level using physical and electrical characteristics of cells, and related methods

A sample testing apparatus, comprising:

• a substrate having an inlet configured to receive a blood sample with red blood cells suspended therein, an outlet configured to release the blood sample, and a microchannel extending therebetween, wherein the microchannel is sized to compress individual ones of the red blood cells traveling therein;
• first and second electrodes on or embedded in the substrate, wherein the first and second electrodes are spaced apart along the microchannel to define a first detection region therebetween;
• and
• third and fourth electrodes on or embedded in the substrate, wherein the third and fourth electrodes are spaced apart along the microchannel to define a second detection region therebetween, wherein the second detection region is positioned between the first detection region and the outlet.

A sample testing system, comprising:

• a substrate having a cell-deforming microchannel configured to deform blood cells in a fluid sample from a user while the fluid sample travels along the cell-deforming microchannel via capillary action;
• a detection circuit configured to detect a deformation-related parameter of individual ones of the blood cells being deformed by the cell-deforming microchannel;
• and
• a controller in communication with the detection circuit and programmed to determine an analyte level of the user based on the measured deformation-related parameter.