Method and apparatus for detection of abnormal traces during electrochemical analyte detection

A meter for receiving an electrochemical test strip having working and counter electrodes and providing a determination of an analyte in a sample applied to the electrochemical test strip when received in the meter, said meter comprising

• (a) a housing having a slot for receiving an electrochemical test strip;
• (b) communications means for receiving input from and communicating a result to a user;
• and
• (c) means for applying a potential and to determine analyte concentration from an observed current,
• (d) means determining a time tpeak, said time occurring at a maximum in the current at the point of changeover when sufficient material is available at the counter electrode to balance the consumption of analyte at the working electrode;
• (e) means for switching off the applied potential at time tswitch, and determining a time, tmob, wherein tmob is the time after the applied potential is switched off, that it takes for the potential between the electrodes to decay to a pre-determined value,
• (f) means for calculating an expected value of tpeak, t′peak, where t′peak is a function of tmob, comparing the absolute value of tpeak−t′peak to a predetermined threshold value, and generating an error message if the absolute value of tpeak−t′peak is greater than the threshold value.