Method and apparatus for electrochemical analysis

• US 20070205103A1
• Filed: 11/21/2005
• Published: 09/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Universal Biosensors Pty Ltd. (Universal Biosensors, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Lifescan Incorporated (Duv Holding Corporation)
• Inventors: Hodges, Alastair, Chambers, Garry, Pugh, Jerry
• Granted Patent: US 8,192,599 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 204/403.10
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/3272 Test elements therefor, i.e. disposable laminated substrates with electrodes, reagent and channels optical biosensors G01N33/52

Abstract

Electrochemical sensors for investigating a physiological sample and methods of manufacture are disclosed. The sensor includes an electrochemical reaction cell, having electrodes and a reagent, and laterally spaced electrical contact points for electrically communication with a meter. Further described herein is a multi-chambered sensor having an electrochemical reaction cell and an immunological cell. The multi-chambered cell can also include a pre-chamber.

Claims

1. An electrochemical device, comprising:

a first electrically conductive layer including a first electrode area and an opposing second electrically conductive layer including a second electrode area;

a spacing layer positioned between the first and second electrically conductive layers and a sealing layer positioned adjacent to one of the first and second electrically conductive layers;

an electrochemical cell defined by the first and second electrically conductive layers, and an opening in the spacing layer;

an immunological cell defined by one of the first and second electrically conductive layers and the sealing layer; and

first and second electrical contact areas spaced laterally from the electrochemical cell.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the electrochemical cell extends longitudinally.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the first and second electrical contact areas are positioned on opposite lateral sides of the electrochemical cell.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the immunological cell extends from a proximal sidewall of the device to a distal sidewall of the device.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein one of the first and second electrically conductive layers includes a vent hole that defines a portion of a vent.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the vent hole is covered by the sealing layer.

7. The device of claim 1, further comprising a sample passageway between the electrochemical cell and the immunological cell.

8. The device of claim 1, further comprising a sample ingress opening through which a sample can be delivered to the immunological cell.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the electrochemical cell is adapted to draw sample into the electrochemical via capillary action.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the electrochemical cell and the immunological cell extend parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the device.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the electrochemical cell and the immunological cell extend along a central longitudinal axis of the device.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the first electrical contact area is positioned adjacent to a first lateral edge of the device and the second electrical contact area is positioned adjacent to a second lateral edge the device.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the first electrical contact area is positioned on a top surface of the device and the second electrical contact area is positioned on a bottom surface of the device.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein a connective flap extends beyond the first and second electrically conductive layers for connecting with another electrochemical sensor device.

15. The sensors of claim 14, wherein the connective flap is defined by a layer selected from the group consisting of the spacer layer, the sealing layer, and combinations thereof.

16. The sensor of claim 1, further comprising a third electrical contact area.

17. The sensor of claim 16, wherein an electrical circuit between the third electrical contact area and at least one of the first and second electrical contact areas is closed when the immunological cell is filled with sample.

18. An electrochemical device, comprising:

a first electrically conductive layer including a first electrode area and an opposing second electrically conductive layer including a second electrode area;

a spacing layer positioned between the first and second electrically conductive layers and a sealing layer positioned adjacent to one of the first and second electrically conductive layers;

an electrochemical cell defined by the first and second electrically conductive layers, and an opening in the spacing layer;

an immunological cell defined by the first and second electrically conductive layers, and an opening in the spacing layer;

a pre-chamber defined by one of the first and second electrically conductive layers and the sealing layer; and

first and second electrical contact areas spaced laterally from the electrochemical cell.

19. An electrochemical device, comprising:

a first electrically conductive layer including a first electrode area and an opposing second electrically conductive layer including a second electrode area;

a spacing layer positioned between the first and second electrically conductive layers and a sealing layer positioned adjacent to one of the first and second electrically conductive layers;

a cell defined by defined by the first and second electrically conductive layers, and an opening in the spacing layer; and

first and third electrical contact areas in electrical communication with the first electrically conductive layer and a second electrical contact area in electrical communication with the second electrically conductive layer.

20. The sensor of claim 19, wherein the first and second electrical contact areas are spaced laterally from the at least one cell.

21. The sensor of claim 20, further comprising a second cell defined by one of the first and second electrically conductive layers and the sealing layer.