Patent ID: 6638415
Filing Date: 2003-10-28
Classification: C12Q,G01N

Abstract:
A device for detecting a presence or an absence of a redox reactive analyte in an aqueous sample, the device comprising an electrochemical cell having a sensing chamber, a first electrode, a second electrode wherein the second electrode is mounted in opposing relationship a distance of less than about 500 microns from the first electrode, an aperture for admitting the sample into the sensing chamber, and a reagent contained within the sensing chamber, wherein the electrochemical cell contains a quantity of the reagent sufficient for only a single experiment, and wherein the reagent is capable of undergoing a redox reaction directly with the analyte to generate an electrical signal indicative of the presence or absence of the analyte, the device further comprising a heating element, wherein the heating element is an exothermic substance contained within the sensing chamber.