Method of selectively increasing the hydrophilicity of a web

• US 6,254,736 B1
• Filed: 08/31/1999
• Issued: 07/03/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Roche Diabetes Care Inc. (Roche Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Corporation (Roche Holding AG)
• Inventors: Heald, Brian A., Earl, Robert Kitchel
• Primary Examiner(s): Mayekar, Kishor
• Application Number:
  US09/386,562
• Time in Patent Office: 672 Days
• Field of Search: 204/164, 204/165
• US Class Current: 204/164
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/001 Enzyme electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/3272 Test elements therefor, i.e. disposable laminated substrates with electrodes, reagent and channels optical biosensors G01N33/52
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/5438 Electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 435/817 Enzyme or microbe electrode

Abstract

There is disclosed a method of selectively increasing the hydrophilicity of a web, such as a plastic glucose electrochemical test strip. The web is corona arc treated, and a film of water is selectively applied to the web where a reduction of the effect of the initial corona treatment is desired. The water is then removed by drying.

Claims

1. A method of selectively increasing the hydrophilicity of a web by corona treatment, comprising:

applying to the web a corona treatment;

then applying a film of water to a selected area of the web to cause a reduction of the effect of said corona treatment on said selected area; and

then removing the water by drying.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the film of water is applied at a thickness from about 1.5 microns to about 3.0 microns.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the water is deionized water.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the corona arc is applied at a distance of about 0.040 inch from the surface.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the corona treatment is applied at a waft density from about 20 to about 90 watts per centimeter per second.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein drying is accomplished by forced convection.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein drying is accomplished by infrared radiation.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein after drying, the selected area has a surface energy of less than about 62 dynes.