Patent ID: 7820451

Claim:
An analytical test element for determining at least one analyte in a liquid, the analytical test element comprising: a support having a first side; at least one intermediate layer provided over a portion of the first side of the support; a hydrophilic network comprising a non-absorbent fabric material having mesh interspaces with mesh widths of about 10 μm to about 500 μm, the hydrophilic network having a first side, a second side opposite the first side of the hydrophilic network, and a channel-covering portion, the first side of the hydrophilic network facing the first side of the support, the hydrophilic network provided over at least a portion of the at least one intermediate layer such that the channel-covering portion, lateral surfaces of the portion of the at least one intermediate layer underneath the hydrophilic network, and the first side of the support together define a capillary channel between the support and the hydrophilic network; and at least one capillary-active detection element having a contact side, the at least one capillary-active detection element provided over at least a portion of the hydrophilic network such that the contact side faces the second side of the hydrophilic network, such that the entire contact side is in direct contact with the second side of the hydrophilic network and defines a contact zone of the hydrophilic network and the at least one capillary-active detection element, and such that at least a portion of the contact side contacts the channel-covering portion of the hydrophilic network and defines a fluidic-connection portion of the contact side, wherein the liquid can be transported through the hydrophilic network only where the channel-covering portion of the hydrophilic network contacts the fluidic-connection portion of the contact side of the at least one capillary-active detection element, and wherein the contact zone comprises continuous capillary-active spaces from the capillary channel to the at least one capillary-active detection element through the mesh interspaces of the hydrophilic network.