Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides methods for fabricating substrates for use in a variety of analytical and/or diagnostic applications. Such a substrate can be generated by exposing a semiconductor surface (e.g., silicon surface) to a plurality of short laser pulses to generate micron-sized, and preferably submicron-sized, structures on the surface. The structured surface can then be coated with discontinuous metal coating characterized by one or more metalized surface region and a plurality of surface gaps.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel osmium-based electrochemical species for the detection of wide variety of analytes using immunological techniques. The present invention also provides diagnostic kits and test sensors supporting electrode structures that can be used with the osmium-based electrochemical species. The test sensor can be fabricated to support interdigitated arrays of electrodes that have been designed to provide amplification of the electrical signal amplification desired to analyze analytes that may be present at low concentrations.

Abstract: A method of making a biosensor is provided. The method includes providing an electrically conductive material on a base and partially removing the conductive material using laser ablation from the base so that less than 90% of the conductive material remains on the base and at least one electrode pattern is formed from the conductive material. The at least one electrode pattern has an edge extending between two points. A standard deviation of the edge from a line extending between two points is less than about 6 ?m along the length of the edge.

Abstract: A method of making a biosensor is provided. The biosensor includes an electrically conductive material on a base and electrode patterns formed on the base, the patterns having different feature sizes. The conductive material is partially removed from the base using broad field laser ablation so that less than 90% of the conductive material remains on the base and that the electrode pattern has an edge extending between two points.

Abstract: An electrochemical biosensor with electrode elements that possess smooth, high-quality edges. These smooth edges define gaps between electrodes, electrode traces and contact pads. Due to the remarkable edge smoothness achieved with the present invention, the gaps can be quite small, which provides marked advantages in terms of test accuracy, speed and the number of different functionalities that can be packed into a single biosensor. Further, the present invention provides a novel biosensor production method in which entire electrode patterns for the inventive biosensors can be formed all at one, in nanoseconds—without regard to the complexity of the electrode patterns or the amount of conductive material that must be ablated to form them.

Abstract: A biosensor having multiple electrical functionalities located both within and outside of the measurement zone in which a fluid sample is interrogated. Incredibly small and complex electrical patterns with high quality edges provide electrical functionalities in the biosensor and also provide the electrical wiring for the various other electrical devices provided in the inventive biosensor. In addition to a measurement zone with multiple and various electrical functionalities, biosensors of the present invention may be provided with a user interface zone, a digital device zone and/or a power generation zone. The inventive biosensors offer improved ease of use and performance, and decrease the computational burden and associated cost of the instruments that read the biosensors by adding accurate yet cost-effective functionalities to the biosensors themselves.

Abstract: The invention relates to polymeric compositions useful in analyte determination. The compositions contain a polymer, a reagent system for analyte determination, and an extender. The last component alleviates tackiness in the composition, and thus reduces damage in preparation of test apparatus. Mica is the particularly preferred extender.

Abstract: Control reagents an oxidant or a hydroxylamine compound together with other ingredients, the most important of which is a known amount of the analyte for which the reagent acts as a control.