Patent ID: 7425310

Claim:
In a system for measuring a concentration of at least one target analyte, a sensor carrier subsystem comprising: a transparent substrate having a first surface, a second surface disposed opposite of said first surface, and a reagent deposit supported on said first surface, said reagent deposit being reactive to an exposure to the target analyte and further characterized by a capacity to absorb electromagnetic energy, wherein said absorption capacity changes after said reagent deposit reacts upon the exposure to the target analyte such that said change in capacity is indicative of an amount of the exposure to the target analyte; an electromagnetic spectrum emitting source (EM source) positioned proximal to said transparent substrate, said EM source being operable to irradiate said reagent deposit by way of a path directed through said transparent substrate; and a pyroelectric transducer positioned adjacent to said reagent deposit to detect energy absorbed by said reagent deposit upon irradiation by said EM source and generate output signals indicative of the detected energy, such that said output signal is indicative of the exposure to the target analyte; and wherein the reagent deposit is spaced apart from the pyroelectric transducer.