| abstract |
A portable apparatus (10) for measuring the electrochemical characteristics of a sample is disclosed. A disposable cartridge (16) including a plurality of interconnected flow chambers (32), houses a printed circuit board substrate (44) upon which reference (40A) and indicating electrodes (40B) are formed. The electrodes are employed in the presence of chemical reagents to aid in the electrochemical determination of a sample undergoing analysis. A thermal sensing element (42) is in close proximity to the electrodes to permit the correction of the measurement for variations in temperature. After a pH value has been determined, the used cartridge (16) can be mechanically ejected thus eliminating user exposure to the blood sample being measured. In this way the pH of a blood sample can be determined quickly, effectively, inexpensively and with a minimum amount of sample and reagent preparation. |