Patent ID: 8486244

Claim:
An analyte test strip comprising: a generally planar substrate that extends from a first end to a second end; a first electrode track that extends between the first and second end of the substrate; and a first electrode located proximate the first end of the generally planar substrate, the first electrode including: a first electroactive area disposed on the substrate proximate the first end, the first electroactive area comprising a single continuous surface area of conductive material and a reagent disposed thereon; two spaced-apart first whisker tracks contiguous to both the first electroactive area and one end of the first electrode track; a second electrode located proximate the first electrode, the second electrode including: a second electrode track that extends between the first and second end of the substrate; and a second electrode located proximate the first end, the second electrode including: a second electroactive area disposed on the substrate proximate the first electroactive area, the second electroactive area comprising: a single continuous surface area of conductive material and the reagent disposed thereon; and two spaced-apart second whisker tracks contiguous to both the second electroactive area and the second electrode track; a third electrode track that extends between the first and second ends; and a third electrode located proximate the first end, the third electrode including: a third electroactive area disposed on the substrate proximate the first and second electroactive areas, the third electroactive area comprising a single continuous surface area of conductive material and the reagent disposed thereon; and two spaced-apart third whisker tracks of conductive material contiguous to both the third electroactive area and the third electrode track; wherein uncovered reagent is disposed over each of the two spaced apart first, second, and third whisker tracks to define respective fourth, fifth, and sixth electroactive areas, and in which each of the fourth, fifth, and sixth electroactive areas is about 10% or less with respect to the first, second and third electroactive areas; and wherein one of the first, second and third electrodes comprises a generally rectangular shaped electrode having two spaced-apart islands of conductive material located in the electrode and electrically isolated from each of the electrodes, each of the two isolated islands being generally rectangular in shape with at least one side contiguous to one of the two spaced-apart first, second, or third whisker tracks.