Electrochemical cell

Abstract

A biosensor for use in determining a concentration of a component in an aqueous liquid sample is provided including: an electrochemical cell having a first electrically resistive substrate having a thin layer of electrically conductive material, a second electrically resistive substrate having a thin layer of electrically conductive material, the substrates being disposed with the electrically conductive materials facing each other and being separated by a sheet including an aperture, the wall of which aperture defines a cell wall and a sample introduction aperture whereby the aqueous liquid sample may be introduced into the cell; and a measuring circuit.

1. A biosensor An apparatus for use in determining a concentration of a component in an aqueous liquid sample, the biosensor apparatus comprising:
 (a) an electrochemical cell, the electrochemical cell comprising a first electrically resistive substrate having a first thin layer of a first electrically conductive material on a first face, a second electrically resistive substrate having a second thin layer of a second electrically conductive material on a second face, the substrates being disposed with the first electrically conductive material facing the second electrically conductive material and being separated by a sheet comprising an aperture, the wall of which aperture cooperates with the electrically conductive materials to define a cell wall, and wherein the aperture defines a working electrode area in the cell, the cell further comprising a sample introduction aperture whereby the aqueous liquid sample may be introduced into the cell, 
 (b) a socket region having a first contact area in electrical communication with the first thin layer of the first electrically conductive material on the first electrically resistive substrate and a second contact area in electrical communication with the second thin layer of the second electrically conductive material on the second electrically resistive substrate, wherein the socket region extends the full width of at least one of the first and second electrically resistive substrates, and the first and second electrically resistive substrates have lengths that are different from one another in the socket region; and 
 (c) a measuring circuit, the measuring circuit being electrically connectable with the electrochemical cell by engaging with the socket region. 
 
     
     
       2. The biosensor apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the measuring circuit comprises a tongue plug having conductive surfaces that correspond to a shape of the first and second electrically resistive substrates in the socket region such that the tongue plug can be electrically connected to the socket region. 
     
     
       3. The biosensor apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first electrically conductive material and the second electrically conductive material comprises a metal. 
     
     
       4. The biosensor apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the metal comprises a sputter coated metal. 
     
     
       5. The biosensor apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the aqueous liquid sample comprises blood. 
     
     
       6. The biosensor apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the component comprises glucose. 
     
     
       7. The biosensor apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the measuring circuit comprises an automated instrument for detecting an electrical signal from the electrochemical cell and relating the electrical signal to the concentration of the component in the aqueous liquid sample. 
     
     
       8. A biosensor An apparatus for use in determining a concentration of a component in an aqueous liquid sample, the biosensor apparatus comprising:
 (a) a thin layer electrochemical cell, the cell comprising:
 (i) an electrically resistive sheet comprising an aperture wherein the aperture defines a working electrode area in the cell; 
 (ii) a first electrode layer covering the aperture on a first side of the sheet; 
 (iii) a second electrode layer covering the aperture on a second side of the sheet; 
 (iv) a passage for admission into the aperture of the aqueous liquid sample; and 
 (v) a socket region for receiving a tongue plug, the socket region having a first contact area in electrical communication with the first electrode layer and a second contact area in electrical communication with the second electrode layer, wherein the socket region extends the full width of at least one of the first and second electrode layers and the first and second electrode layers have lengths that are different from one another in the socket region; and 
 
 (b) a measuring circuit. 
 
     
     
       9. The biosensor apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the electrochemical cell is adapted to electrically connect with the measuring circuit. 
     
     
       10. The biosensor apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the measuring circuit comprises a tongue plug having conductive surfaces that correspond to a shape of the first and second electrode layers in the socket region such that the tongue plug can be electrically connected to the socket region. 
     
     
       11. The biosensor apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the aqueous liquid sample comprises blood. 
     
     
       12. The biosensor apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the component comprises glucose. 
     
     
       13. The biosensor apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the measuring circuit comprises an automated instrument for detecting an electrical signal from the electrochemical cell and relating the electrical signal to the concentration of the component in the aqueous liquid sample. 
     
     
       14. The biosensor apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the cell comprises a substantially flat strip having a thickness, the strip having at least two lateral edges, and wherein the passage for admission into the aperture comprises a notch through the entire thickness of the strip in at least one of the lateral edges thereof.