Abstract: The present invention provides an inventive biosensor that includes multiple regions in which the electrical pattern is formed from different electrically conductive materials. The present invention also provides an inventive method for mass producing biosensors as just described. In one embodiment of this method, first and second different electrically conductive materials are deposited side by side on a portion of an electrically insulating base material, and a plurality of electrical patterns is formed on the portion of the base material. Each electrical pattern includes a first region formed from the first electrically conductive material electrically connected to a second region formed from the second electrically conductive material.

Abstract: The present invention provides an inventive biosensor that includes multiple regions in which the electrical pattern is formed from different electrically conductive materials. The present invention also provides an inventive method for mass producing biosensors as just described. In one embodiment of this method, first and second different electrically conductive materials are deposited side by side on a portion of an electrically insulating base material, and a plurality of electrical patterns is formed on the portion of the base material. Each electrical pattern includes a first region formed from the first electrically conductive material electrically connected to a second region formed from the second electrically conductive material.

Abstract: The present invention provides an inventive biosensor that includes multiple regions in which the electrical pattern is formed from different electrically conductive materials. The present invention also provides an inventive method for mass producing biosensors as just described. In one embodiment of this method, first and second different electrically conductive materials are deposited side by side on a portion of an electrically insulating base material, and a plurality of electrical patterns is formed on the portion of the base material. Each electrical pattern includes a first region formed from the first electrically conductive material electrically connected to a second region formed from the second electrically conductive material.

Abstract: A sensor strip comprises an electrode substrate, an electrode set, on the electrode substrate, and a heat conducting layer, on the electrode substrate opposite the electrode set. A sensor instrument for use with this sensor strip comprises a temperature sensor, at a side of a gap for accepting the sensor strip, opposite electrical contacts. The invention provides an accurate determination of the temperature of a sample.

Abstract: A biosensor is provided that comprises a substrate, a sample site positioned on the substrate, a cover coupled to the substrate, and biocide positioned between the substrate and the cover. The biosensor may also include desiccant. The cover is operative to selectively block access to the sample site. The cover includes a fixed end coupled to the substrate, an opposite free end, and a middle portion extending across the sample site. The middle portion is releasably and recloseably adhered to the substrate.

Abstract: A sensor strip comprises an electrode substrate, an electrode set, on the electrode substrate, and a heat conducting layer, on the electrode substrate opposite the electrode set. A sensor instrument for use with this sensor strip comprises a temperature sensor, at a side of a gap for accepting the sensor strip, opposite electrical contacts. The invention provides an accurate determination of the temperature of a sample.

Abstract: A sensor strip comprises an electrode substrate, an electrode set, on the electrode substrate, and a heat conducting layer, on the electrode substrate opposite the electrode set. A sensor instrument for use with this sensor strip comprises a temperature sensor, at a side of a gap for accepting the sensor strip, opposite electrical contacts. The invention provides an accurate determination of the temperature of a sample.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, a cell for electrochemical analysis is provided, comprising a body having a chamber, and a pair of electrodes opposing each other within the camber comprising a electrically conductive rod extending through the body transverse to the longitudinal direction and removed within the capillary channel. According to a preferred embodiment, at least one reagent is provided within the capillary channel. The cell may be part of a plurality of such cells connected in seriatim.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, a cell for electrochemical analysis is provided, comprising a body having a chamber, and a pair of electrodes opposing each other within the camber comprising a electrically conductive rod extending through the body transverse to the longitudinal direction and removed within the capillary channel. According to a preferred embodiment, at least one reagent is provided within the capillary channel. The cell may be part of a plurality of such cells connected in seriatim.

Abstract: A method of making a patterned laminate includes ablating through a portion of a metallic layer with a laser, to form a pattern in the metallic layer, where the metallic layer is on and in contact with an insulating substrate. The patterned laminate may be patterned to form electrodes, and can be formed into an electrochemical sensor strip.

Abstract: A sensor strip comprises an electrode substrate, an electrode set, on the electrode substrate, and microspheres. The sensor strip allows for a smaller sample volume and maintain a more uniform flow profile through the sample channel.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, an electrochemical cell for analysis of a sample is provided, comprising a dual electrode having a dielectric strip with electrical conductors on opposite sides. According to a preferred embodiment, the electrochemical cell comprises a base, and a first reagent the proximate the dual electrode. According to a further preferred embodiment, a second reagent is provided proximate the dual electrode. A cover may also be provided comprising a sample aperture. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the first and second reagents are superposed, and the dual electrode is between the first and second reagents. The dual electrode separates the two and preserves chemical stability until a sample is applied.

Abstract: A biosensor is provided that comprises a substrate, a sample site positioned on the substrate, a cover coupled to the substrate, and biocide positioned between the substrate and the cover. The biosensor may also include desiccant. The cover is operative to selectively block access to the sample site. The cover includes a fixed end coupled to the substrate, an opposite free end, and a middle portion extending across the sample site. The middle portion is releasably and recloseably adhered to the substrate.

Abstract: A recloseable biosensor is provided that comprises a substrate, a sample site positioned on the substrate, and an openable and recloseable cover coupled to the substrate. The cover is operative to selectively block access to the sample site. The cover includes a fixed end coupled to the substrate, an opposite free end, and a middle portion extending across the sample site. The middle portion is releasably and recloseably adhered to the substrate.

Abstract: A fluid-delivery apparatus for delivering a medicament to a patient is provided in accordance with the present invention. The apparatus includes a housing defining a passageway, a bellowed ampoule positioned to lie in the passageway of the housing, and a piston. The bellowed ampoule includes a body with first and second ends and is formed to define a cavity configured to contain the medicament. The piston presses the second end of the ampoule toward the first end to dispense the medicament from the cavity. In addition, the fluid-delivery apparatus includes a visible non-linear scale that represents the relationship between a volume of medicament delivered from the first end of the ampoule and a distance that the piston has traveled in the housing toward the first end.

Abstract: A method of making a set of metallic deposits includes injection molding a substrate, where a pattern of channels is in a surface of the substrate, applying a metallic layer on the surface, to form metallic deposits in the pattern, and removing a portion of the metallic layer, to expose a portion of the surface. The set of metallic deposits can form an electrode set for an electrochemical sensor strip.

Abstract: A capillary pathway is dimensioned so that the driving force for the movement of liquid through the capillary pathway arises from capillary pressure. A plurality of groups of microstructures are fixed in the capillary pathway within discrete segments of the pathway for facilitating the transport of a liquid around curved portions of pathway. Capillary channels can be coupled between two adjacent groups of microstructures to either the inner and outer wall of the capillary pathway. The width of each capillary channel is generally smaller than the capillary pathway to which it is connected, and can be varied to achieve differences in fill initiation. The grouped microstructures are spaced from each other within each group on a nearest neighbor basis by less than that necessary to achieve capillary flow of liquid with each group. Each group of microstructures are spaced from any adjacent group by an inter-group space greater than the width of any adjacent capillary channels connected to the capillary pathway.

Abstract: A biosensor is provided in accordance with this invention. The biosensor includes a bottom section with an edge and a flange extending from the edge, a top section supported on the bottom section and having an edge and flange extending from the edge in alignment with the flange of the bottom section. The flanges of the top and bottom sections cooperate to form a capillary channel, and first and second electrodes. Additionally, the first electrode is positioned on the flange of the bottom section in the capillary channel and the second electrode is positioned on the flange of the top section in the capillary channel.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention a biosensor apparatus is provided, comprising a base, electrodes positioned on the base, a cover including ports, a plate positioned on the base and including apertures in communication with at least one of the electrodes, a cover including ports in communication with the plate and offset from the apertures, and at least one reagent positioned between the plate and the cover. According to a preferred embodiment the plate includes microstructures extending into the ports of the cover.

Abstract: A capillary hematocrit separation structure is included within a housing having a fluid inlet port, a reaction region, and a capillary pathway connecting the inlet port and the reaction region. The capillary pathway is dimensioned so that the driving force for the movement of liquid through the capillary pathway arises from capillary pressure. A plurality of obstructions are fixed in the capillary pathway, each obstruction having a concave portion facing toward the vented reaction region on the down stream side of the obstructions as viewed with reference to a liquid flowing from the inlet port to the reaction region. The capillary pathway in a hematocrit separation structure for a single drop sample size includes about 105 obstructions, each obstruction including a concave portion having a volume of between about 10−4 to 10−5 &mgr;l for selectively receiving hematocrit.