Patent ID: 8118992

Claim:
A method for determining a concentration of an analyte in a body fluid of a patient, comprising the steps of: piercing a location of skin on a patient to provide a body fluid sample of less than 1 μL, wherein the location comprises a lower nerve end density as compared to a fingertip; transporting at least a portion of the body fluid into an analyte sensor comprising: at least two plates, wherein said plates form a boundary area wherein a biological fluid is analyzed, wherein said boundary area receives a volume of biological fluid no greater than 500 nl; a working electrode and a reference electrode and/or counter electrode; a reagent layer including an enzyme-based composition, wherein said reagent layer is associated with said working electrode; and a tapered tip fill region associated with said boundary area for the transport of a biological fluid; holding the sample within said boundary area of the analyte sensor in a non-flow-through manner; and determining by coulometry the concentration of the analyte in the body fluid from the portion of the body fluid transported into the analyte sensor.