A cartridge capable of measuring an analyte or property of a liquid sample, the cartridge comprising: a housing comprising: a top portion including: a first substantially rigid zone of a substantially rigid material; and a substantially flexible zone of a substantially flexible material; and a bottom portion separate from the top portion and including a second substantially rigid zone ; wherein the substantially rigid material has a Young's modulus at least ten times higher than the substantially flexible material and/or the substantially rigid material has an absolute hardness value that is at least 25% greater than the hardness of the substantially flexible material; and at least one sensor recess containing a sensor , wherein said at least one sensor recess is formed in said bottom portion ; and a gasket situated between said top portion and said bottom portion , wherein said top portion and said bottom portion of said housing are bonded together to form a conduit over at least a portion of said sensor ; said gasket defines and seals said conduit ; said gasket covers an entire area between said top portion and said bottom portion of said housing; and said gasket includes apertures to enable physical, fluidic and/or gaseous communication between structural features of said top portion and said bottom portion . a housing comprising: a top portion including: a first substantially rigid zone of a substantially rigid material; and a substantially flexible zone of a substantially flexible material; and a bottom portion separate from the top portion and including a second substantially rigid zone ; wherein the substantially rigid material has a Young's modulus at least ten times higher than the substantially flexible material and/or the substantially rigid material has an absolute hardness value that is at least 25% greater than the hardness of the substantially flexible material; and a top portion including: a first substantially rigid zone of a substantially rigid material; and a substantially flexible zone of a substantially flexible material; and a first substantially rigid zone of a substantially rigid material; and a substantially flexible zone of a substantially flexible material; and a bottom portion separate from the top portion and including a second substantially rigid zone ; wherein the substantially rigid material has a Young's modulus at least ten times higher than the substantially flexible material and/or the substantially rigid material has an absolute hardness value that is at least 25% greater than the hardness of the substantially flexible material; and at least one sensor recess containing a sensor , wherein said at least one sensor recess is formed in said bottom portion ; and a gasket situated between said top portion and said bottom portion , wherein said top portion and said bottom portion of said housing are bonded together to form a conduit over at least a portion of said sensor ; said gasket defines and seals said conduit ; said gasket covers an entire area between said top portion and said bottom portion of said housing; and said gasket includes apertures to enable physical, fluidic and/or gaseous communication between structural features of said top portion and said bottom portion . <EOS>