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Methods and devices for electrochemically detecting a change in the viscosity of a fluid are provided. In the subject methods, a fluid sample is introduced into an electrochemical cell having oppositely spaced apart working and reference electrodes. An electric potential is applied to the cell to first achieve a steady state cell current. A decrease in the steady state cell current is then detected and related to a change in viscosity of the sample. In many embodiments, the sample is blood and the change in viscosity is related to the onset of coagulation in the blood sample, and often the PT of the blood sample. Also provided are test strips, kits thereof and meters for use in practicing the subject methods.

Inventors: Timothy J. Ohara, Maria Teodorczyk, Robert Justice Shartle
Original Assignee: Lifescan, Inc.
Primary Examiner: T. Tung
Secondary Examiner: Alex Noguerola
Attorneys: Frank P. Becking, Bozicevic, Field & Francis LLP
Current U.S. Classification: 205/792; 205/775; 436/69
International Classification: G01N/2726; G01N/3386

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Citations

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Referenced by

Citing PatentFiling dateIssue dateOriginal AssigneeTitle
US7144495Aug 23, 2002Dec 5, 2006Lifescan, Inc.Electrochemical test strip with an integrated micro-needle and associated methods
US7166208Feb 17, 2005Jan 23, 2007Apoenzyme reactivation electrochemical detection method and assay
US7169117Sep 20, 2005Jan 30, 2007Lifescan, Inc.Integrated lance and strip for analyte measurement
US7309607Mar 10, 2005Dec 18, 2007PlaCor Inc.Method and device for monitoring platelet function
US7399637Jul 15, 2004Jul 15, 2008Medtronic, Inc.Blood coagulation test cartridge, system, and method
US7422905Apr 19, 2004Sep 9, 2008Medtronic, Inc.Blood coagulation test cartridge, system, and method
US7439069Jan 31, 2005Oct 21, 2008Blood coagulation test cartridge, system, and method
US7473264Oct 14, 2005Jan 6, 2009Lifescan, Inc.Integrated lance and strip for analyte measurement
US7534620Dec 7, 2007May 19, 2009PlaCor Inc.Method and device for monitoring platelet function
US7837941Apr 7, 2006Nov 23, 2010AgaMatrix, Inc.Method and apparatus for monitoring alteration of flow characteristics in a liquid sample
US7875047Jan 25, 2007Jan 25, 2011Pelikan Technologies, Inc.Method and apparatus for a multi-use body fluid sampling device with sterility barrier release
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Claims

1. A method for detecting a change in the viscosity of a fluid sample, said method comprising:

(a) introducing a sample into an electrochemical cell comprising a redox couple and oppositely spaced apart working and reference electrodes;
(b) applying an electric potential to said reaction cell to produce a peak in current, followed by a steady state current between said oppositely spaced apart electrodes;
(c) detecting a change from said steady state current; and
(d) relating said change in steady state current to a change in viscosity of said fluid sample.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said change from steady state current is a decrease.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said change in viscosity is an increase.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein said fluid sample is a physiological sample.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein said physiological sample is blood.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein said method further comprises relating said change in viscosity to the prothrombin time (PT) of said blood.

7. A method for detecting the onset of coagulation of a blood sample, said method comprising:

(a) introducing said blood sample into an electrochemical cell comprising:
(i) oppositely spaced apart working and reference electrodes; and
(ii) a reagent mixture comprising a redox couple;
(b) applying an electric potential to said reaction cell to produce a peak in current, followed by a steady state current between said oppositely spaced apart electrodes;
(c) detecting a change from said steady state current; and
(d) relating said change in steady state current to the onset of coagulation in said blood sample.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein said change is a decrease.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein said reagent comprises a coagulation catalyzing agent.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein said coagulation catalyzing agent comprises thromboplastin.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein said method further comprises relating said onset of coagulation to the prothrombin time of said blood sample.

Drawings