Importance

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Abstract

An electrochemical test strip is formed from a first insulating substrate layer, a second substrate layer, and an intervening insulating spacer layer. An opening in the insulating spacer layer defines a test cell which is in contact with the inner surface of the first substrate on one side and the inner surface of the second substrate on the other side. The size of the test cell is determined by the area of substrate exposed and the thickness of the spacer layer. Working and counter electrodes appropriate for the analyte to be detected are disposed on the first insulating substrate in a location within the test cell. The working and counter electrodes are associated with conductive leads that allow The second substrate is conductive at least in a region facing the working and counter electrodes. No functional connection of this conductive surface of the second substrate to the meter is required. When a potential difference is applied between the working and counter electrodes, because of the presence of the conductive surface on the second substrate, the relevant diffusion length is not dependent on the distance between working and counter electrodes, but is instead dependent on the distance between the first and second substrates (i.e., on the thickness of the spacer layer). This means that shorter measurement times can be achieved without having to reduce the spacing of the working and counter electrodes.

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First Claim