Method and apparatus for determining an analyte concentration in a sample having interferents

A system for estimating the concentration of an analyte in a sample, the system comprising:

• a fluid network configured to connect to a patient and draw fluid samples therefrom;
• a separating apparatus configured to receive the fluid sample and separate a first interferent from the sample, the remainder comprising an analysis sample;
• an apparatus configured to perform a measurement of the analysis sample;
• an identifying apparatus configured to identify, based on the measurement of the analysis sample, a second interferent to the estimation of the analyte in the sample, the second interferent located in the analysis sample;
• a calibration processor configured to calculate a calibration constant which reduces error attributable to the second interferent, the calibration constant based at least partly on the measurement of the fluid analysis sample identifying the second interferent;
• the calibration processor further configured to apply the calibration constant to the measurement;
• and
• an estimating apparatus configured to estimate, based on the calibrated measurement, the analyte concentration in the sample.

An analyte detection system comprising:

• a fluid network configured to be connected to a patient and receive periodic sample withdrawals therefrom;
• a separator for separating a first interferent from a sample to provide an analysis sample;
• a sensor configured to provide information relating to a measurement of an analyte in the analysis sample;
• a processor;
• and
• a computer storage medium having stored program instructions executable by the processor such that the system is configured to:
• identify, based on the measurement of the analysis sample after the first interferent has been separated, a second interferent to the estimation of the analyte in the sample;
• calculate, based on the identified second interferent, a calibration which reduces error attributable to the second interferent, the calibration comprising determining a calibration constant;
• apply the calibration to the measurement;
• and
• estimate, based on the calibrated measurement, the analyte concentration in the sample.

A method for determining a concentration of an analyte in a portion of a fluid sample from a patient, the method comprising:

• providing a fluid handling system in fluid communication with a fluid source in a patient, the fluid handling system configured to draw a plurality of fluid samples while in continuous fluid communication with the fluid source in the patient, said plurality of fluid samples comprising at least a first fluid sample and a second fluid sample, the second fluid sample drawn after the first fluid sample;
• drawing, via the fluid handling system, the first fluid sample from the patient, the first fluid sample comprising blood or a component of blood;
• transporting, via the fluid handling system, a portion of the first fluid sample to an analysis system;
• removing a first interference from the first fluid sample;
• identifying based on a measurement of the first fluid sample, a second interference to a determination of a concentration of an analyte in the first fluid sample, the second interference located in the first fluid sample;
• correcting for the second interference by using the measurement of the first fluid sample to calculate a calibration constant;
• applying the calibration constant to the measurement;
• wherein the fluid handling system is configured to remain in fluid communication with the fluid source in the patient during said drawing, said transporting, and said correcting, and
• wherein said correcting occurs before drawing the second fluid sample from the fluid source in the patient.