Electrochemical-sensor design

1. An electrochemical test sensor adapted to assist in determining the concentration of an analyte in a fluid test sample, the sensor comprising:

a base that assists in forming an opening for introducing the fluid test sample;

a working electrode being coupled to the base;

a counter electrode being coupled to the base, the counter electrode and the working electrode being adapted to be in electrical communication with a detector of electrical current; and

a sub-element being coupled to the base, a major portion of the counter electrode being located downstream relative to the opening and at least a portion of the working electrode, the sub-element being located upstream relative to the working electrode such that when electrical communication occurs between only the sub-element and the working electrode there is insufficient flow of electrical current through the detector to determine the concentration of the analyte in the fluid test sample.

2. The sensor of claim 1 further comprising a cover adapted to be coupled to the base to form a capillary space, the capillary space having an opening for introducing the fluid test sample therein, the capillary space forming a flow path for the fluid test sample, the working electrode and the counter electrode being situated in the flow path.

3. The sensor of claim 2 , wherein the cover includes an air vent.

4. The sensor of claim 1 further comprising a reaction layer located on the surface of at least the working electrode, the reaction layer comprising an enzyme adapted to react with the analyte to produce electrons, the electrons being adapted to be transferred to the working electrode.

5. The sensor of claim 1 , wherein the area of the sub-element is less than 10% of the area of the working electrode.

6. The sensor of claim 1 , wherein the sub-element and the counter electrode are physically connected.

7. A method of determining whether a sufficient quantity of a fluid test sample has been introduced to an electrochemical test sensor, the method comprising the acts of:

providing the electrochemical test sensor adapted to assist in determining the concentration of an analyte in a fluid test sample, the sensor comprising a base that assists in forming an opening for introducing the fluid test sample, a working electrode being coupled to the base, a counter electrode being coupled to the base, and a sub-element being coupled to the base, a major portion of the counter electrode being located downstream relative to the opening and at least a portion of the working electrode, the sub-element being located upstream relative to the working electrode;

introducing the fluid test sample to the test sensor; and

determining whether a sufficient quantity of the fluid test sample has been introduced to the electrochemical test sensor and, if not, notifying a user that an insufficient quantity of the fluid test sample has been introduced.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising, prior to the act of determining whether a sufficient quantity of the fluid test sample has been introduced to the electrochemical test sensor, measuring current at a plurality of time periods to obtain a plurality of current measurements.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising providing a current to initiate a test sequence prior to the act of measuring current at a plurality of time periods.

10. The method of claim 8 further comprising, prior to the act of measuring current at a plurality of time periods, the acts of:

converting the plurality of current measurements into a plurality of error checking parameters; and

comparing the plurality of error checking parameters with their corresponding tolerance ranges.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the act of notifying a user that an insufficient quantity of the fluid test sample has been introduced occurs when one or more of the plurality of error checking parameters are outside of their corresponding tolerance ranges.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein one or more of the plurality of error checking parameters is outside of its corresponding tolerance range when the fluid test sample fails to contact a major portion of the counter electrode.

13. The method of claim 10 , wherein the plurality of error checking parameters is derived from the plurality of current measurements.

14. The method of claim 7 , wherein the act of applying the fluid test sample to the sensor electrically connects the sub-element to the working electrode.

15. The method of claim 7 , wherein the act of notifying a user that an insufficient quantity of the fluid test sample has been introduced includes providing an error signal.

16. The method of claim 7 , wherein the test sensor further comprises a cover adapted to be coupled to the base to form a capillary space, the capillary space having an opening for introducing the fluid test sample therein, the capillary space forming a flow path for the fluid test sample, the working electrode and the counter electrode being situated in the flow path.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the cover includes an air vent.

18. The method of claim 7 , wherein the test sensor further comprises a reaction layer located on the surface of at least the working electrode, the reaction layer comprising an enzyme adapted to react with the analyte to produce electrons, the electrons being adapted to be transferred to the working electrode.

19. The method of claim 7 , wherein the area of the sub-element is less than 10% of the area of the working electrode.

20. The method of claim 7 , wherein the sub-element and the counter electrode are physically connected.