Patent ID: 8071030

Claim:
A test strip for analyzing a fluid, comprising: a test strip body defining a generally hollow interior sample receiving capillary chamber defined between interior lower and upper surfaces within the test strip body, the chamber having a flared portion terminating in a fluid receiving opening of the capillary chamber and an elongated portion extending inwardly from the flared portion, the elongated portion being defined by a first pair of opposing sidewalls, the flared portion being defined by a second pair of sidewalls that narrow in a direction from the fluid receiving opening toward the elongated portion, the fluid receiving opening having a width greater than the distance between the opposing first pair of sidewalls of the elongated portion, the test strip body defining a vent in communication with the capillary chamber, whereby air can escape from the vent as fluid is drawn into the capillary chamber; and a testing area positioned in the elongated portion of the capillary chamber for analyzing the fluid; the test strip body further including a base substrate; a covering layer overlying the base substrate; and a spacing layer sandwiched between the base substrate and the covering layer, the spacing layer including a void that defines the first and second pairs of sidewalls of the capillary chamber between the base substrate and the covering layer, the base substrate and the covering layer including mutually-facing wall surfaces which comprise the interior lower and upper surfaces defining the capillary chamber.