Initiation of an analytical measurement in blood

A method for validating a measurement of analyte concentration or a physical property of a biological fluid comprising:

• a) providing a meter that measures the analyte concentration or physical property of a blood sample on a fluidic diagnostic device,
• b) inserting into the meter the device, comprising
• (i) a sample port for introducing a sample of the biological fluid into the device,
• (ii) a measurement area, in which the analyte concentration or physical property is measured,
• (iii) a channel, having a first end and a second end, to provide a fluidic path from the sample port at the first end to the measurement area,
• c) applying the biological fluid sample to the sample port,
• d) illuminating the sample port and monitoring the light scattered from the sample over a predetermined period of time,
• e) measuring the analyte concentration or physical property, and
• f) validating the measurement only if, during that time period, the scattered light has first increased abruptly, then decreased, whereby the meter will validate the measurement only if the biological fluid is whole blood.

A method for initiating a measurement of analyte concentration or a physical property of a biological fluid comprising:

• a) providing a meter that measures the analyte concentration or physical property of a blood sample on a fluidic diagnostic device,
• b) inserting into the meter the device, comprising
• (i) a transparent sample port for introducing a sample of the biological fluid into the device,
• (ii) a measurement area, in which the analyte concentration or physical property is measured,
• (iii) a channel, having a first end and a second end, to provide a fluidic path from the sample port at the first end to the measurement area
• c) applying the biological fluid sample to the sample port,
• d) illuminating the sample port and monitoring the light transmitted through the sample over a predetermined period of time, and
• e) measuring the analyte concentration or physical property only if, during that time period, the light has first decreased abruptly, then increased, whereby the meter will make the measurement only if the biological fluid is whole blood.