Patent ID: 7807031

Claim:
A disposable test strip for use in a test meter which receives a disposable test strip and a sample of blood and performs an electrochemical analysis of the amount of a blood analyte in the sample, comprising: (a) a substrate; (b) a first conductive element disposed on the substrate; (c) a second conductive element disposed on the substrate in sufficient proximity to the first conductive element to allow the completion of an electrical circuit between the first and second conductive elements when a sample of blood is placed on the test strip; (d) a non-conductive integrated reagent/blood separation layer disposed over the first conductive element, the integrated reagent/blood separation layer comprising reagents for the electrochemical detection of the analyte dispersed in a non-conductive matrix effective to exclude blood cells from the surface of the first conductive element while permitting access to the first conductive element by soluble electroactive species; (e) contacts for making an electrical connection between the first and second conductive elements and the test meter; and (f) an insulation layer disposed over at least the first conductive element, the insulation layer having a first aperture therein aligned with the first conductive element, the insulation layer having a peripheral portion adjacent to a surrounding area of the first aperture, wherein the non-conductive integrated reagent/blood separation layer is formed covering the entire first aperture and the peripheral portion.