This signal then travels through the circuit to the meter where a computer chip converts the current into a numerical reading.
ACCU CHEK TEST STRIPS EXPIRATION PATCH
So when you drop your blood sample onto the colored patch at the strip end, your blood triggers a series of extremely quick process starting from the blood being soaked up by the absorbent layer, filtered through the narrow chamber by induced capillary action, and landed on the bottom layer for the electrochemical reaction to occur to create an electrical current. At the bottom sits the gold and palladium coated circuit that transfer the reaction electrons to the meter for analysis. The next layer includes three basic parts: the enzyme that reacts with the blood glucose, a mediator chemical that speeds the electrons along the strip’s circuit so that an accurate reading can occur before the reaction dissipates, and a concoction of chemicals that stabilize and preserves the enzyme and mediator chemicals.
The middle layers serve as a filter to channel the blood sample to the reaction center. Essentially, the top layer serves as a mini sponge to soak up your blood sample. As shown in the diagram, a test strip is actually composed of several layers that each serves its own function. But how exactly does such tiny piece of plastic achieve this reaction? In order to answer this question, we must first look at the construction of the test strips.Įven though so many different brands of blood glucose test strips and meters present on the market each has its own technology and design, they all fundamentally function the same way. We understand that the glucose test strips works by using the glucose oxidase enzyme that converts glucose in your blood sample into an electrical current. This has become our current glucose test strips. The glucose oxidase enzyme was used to transform glucose into an electrical current that would then be read out by the glucometer as a glucose concentration. In the early ‘90s, electrochemistry was combined with the test strip technology. Since then, test strips technology went through great advancement. Compared to the current testing process, the old practice was much more time consuming. However, during that time, the glucose test strip was quite different from the present day product it measured blood glucose by using an enzyme to convert the blood sample glucose into a proportional amount of dye sample.Ī meter then analyzed the amount of dye present by shining a beam of light on the test spot to detect how much light was absorbed by the dye. It wasn’t until early the 1980s that home glucose monitoring was made possible with the development of glucose test strips by two companies called Bayer and Roche (they have become known as the generic products by many health care authorities). The first glucometer was invented by Leland C. Selling Your Glucose Test Strips A Good Idea? What to Do with All These Test Strip Containers?
ACCU CHEK TEST STRIPS EXPIRATION HOW TO
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You can check the list of selections they offer by clicking here.īlood glucose test strips play a crucial role in helping you to monitor your daily blood glucose level and giving your doctor the data to adjust your medication to control your diabetes symptoms. Update: A lot of our readers ask us where can they find the best deals for test strips.