Patent ID: 8172995

Claim:
A test strip comprising: (a) a base substrate having disposed thereon (i) a first electrode and connector track, said first electrode and connector track comprising a first electrode connector, and (ii) a second electrode connector, (b) a dielectric layer comprising two strips of dielectric material extending longitudinally along the base substrate from a measurement end to a connector end, said dielectric strips having an open space between them defined by inner longitudinal edges, said open space exposing a portion of the first electrode and connector track and extending less than the entire length of the base substrate, such that a first of said strips of dielectric leaves a portion the first electrode connector exposed at the connector end of the first dielectric strip, and the second of said strips leaves at least a portion of the second electrode connector exposed at the connector end of the second dielectric strip, said exposed portion of the second electrode connector being greater in length than the exposed portion of the first electrode connector, (c) a spacer layer comprising two strips of insulating material disposed over the dielectric layer, said insulating strips having an open space between them exposing the inner longitudinal edges of the dielectric strips and extending less than the entire length of the base substrate such that a first of said insulating strips leaves a portion of the first electrode connector exposed, and the second of said insulating strips leaves at least a portion of the second electrode connector exposed, said exposed portion of the second electrode connector being greater in length than the exposed portion of the first electrode connector, (d) a conductive material disposed to make conductive contact with the exposed portion of the second electrode connector, and (e) a top layer comprising a substrate having disposed thereon a second electrode and connector track, wherein a portion of the second electrode and connector track is disposed in opposition to the exposed portion of the first electrode and connector track, and a portion of the second connector track is disposed in contact with the conductive material, said top layer being shorter than the base substrate such that a connector portion of the base substrate having the exposed portions of the first electrode connector and the second electrode connector remains exposed.