Test element, system, and method of controlling the wetting of same

Abstract

The invention relates to a test element for the testing of a liquid sample. The test element includes a sample application area, a test field, a sample transport path extending between the sample application area and the test field and an actuator field including a electrically-conductive layer. The actuator field is switchable between a first state attracting the sample and a second state attracting the sample less by applying to the conductive layer an electric voltage that is different from an earth potential. The actuator field has a section that is arranged at about the same distance from the sample application area as the test field, measured along the sample transport path, such that a wetting of the test field by the sample can be controlled by applying a voltage to the actuator field.

1 - 42 . (canceled) 
     
     
         43 . A test element for the testing of a liquid sample, comprising:
 a sample application area having an exposed surface on which a liquid sample can be applied;   a test field configured to measure a parameter that is characteristic of a medically significant analyte present in the liquid sample and that can be measured by an analytical device;   a sample transport path extending between the sample application area and the test field; and   an actuator field assigned to the test field and including an electrically conductive layer, the actuator field being switchable by applying an electric voltage to the conductive layer to thereby cause a wetting of the test field.   
     
     
         44 . The test element of  claim 43 , wherein a section of the actuator field is permeable by the sample. 
     
     
         45 . The test element of  claim 44 , wherein the permeable section of the actuator field comprises orifices. 
     
     
         46 . The test element of  claim 45 , wherein the permeable section of the actuator field comprises pores. 
     
     
         47 . The test element of  claim 43 , wherein the actuator field extends from the test field to the sample application area. 
     
     
         48 . The test element of  claim 43 , wherein the actuator field comprises a plurality of actuator fields. 
     
     
         49 . The test element of  claim 48 , wherein at least one of the actuator fields facilitates movement of the sample to the test field. 
     
     
         50 . The test element of  claim 48 , wherein the plurality of actuator fields extend next to each other in the longitudinal direction along the transport path. 
     
     
         51 . The test element of  claim 43 , wherein the actuator field switches between a hydrophobic and hydrophilic surface by applying the electric voltage to the conductive layer. 
     
     
         52 . The test element of  claim 43 , wherein the sample transport path comprises a channel. 
     
     
         53 . The test element of  claim 52 , wherein the actuator field comprises a plurality of actuator fields and at least one of the actuator fields is arranged at an upper wall and another of the actuator fields is arranged at a lower wall of the channel. 
     
     
         54 . The test element of  claim 43 , wherein the actuator field is arranged on a cover film. 
     
     
         55 . The test element of  claim 54 , wherein the cover film is a hydrophobic material. 
     
     
         56 . The test element of  claim 43 , wherein the actuator field comprises a cover layer covering the electrically conductive layer. 
     
     
         57 . The test element of  claim 56 , wherein the cover layer is a hydrophobic material. 
     
     
         58 . The test element of  claim 43 , further comprising a second actuator field configured to facilitate movement of the sample to the test field. 
     
     
         59 . The test element of  claim 43 , further comprising a sample removal area formed to receive the sample after completion of a test. 
     
     
         60 . A method of controlling the wetting of a test element having a sample application area, a test field, a sample transport path extending between the sample application area and the test field, and an actuator field including an electrically conductive layer, said method comprising:
 applying a liquid sample to a surface of the test field; and   switching the actuator field by applying an electric voltage to the conductive layer and thereby causing a wetting of the test field.   
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 60 , further comprising measuring the liquid sample for a parameter that is characteristic of a medically significant analyte present in the liquid sample. 
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 60 , further comprising using the actuator field or a second actuator field to assist in transporting the liquid sample. 
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 60 , wherein the step of switching the actuator field comprises switching between a hydrophobic and hydrophilic surface of the conductive layer. 
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 63 , wherein the liquid sample is an aqueous sample which is distributed on the test field as a result of the switching. 
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 60 , further comprising arranging a plurality of actuator fields adjacent one another and controlling the movement of the sample to the test field and controlling spreading of the liquid sample on the test field. 
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 65 , further comprising controlling the rate at which the sample migrates from the sample application area to the test field. 
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein the controlling comprises adjusting the electrical voltage applied to one or more of the actuators. 
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 60 , further comprising de-wetting the sample application area by switching an actuator field positioned at the sample application area.