Method of defining electrodes using laser-ablation and dielectric material

1. A method of forming an electrochemical test sensor, the method comprising the acts of:

providing a base;

placing electrochemically-active material on the base;

applying dielectric material over the electrochemically-active material;

laser-ablating a first selected area of the dielectric material to expose the electrochemically-active material;

laser-ablating a second selected area of the dielectric material and the electrochemically-active material to expose the base, the first selected area being different from the second selected area; and

applying a second layer to assist in forming a channel in the test sensor, the channel assisting in allowing a fluid sample to contact a reagent located therein,

wherein the dielectric material is located between the base and the second layer.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the laser-ablating of the selected areas further exposes meter contacts on the test sensor.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the second layer is a lid.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the second layer is a spacer and further includes applying a lid to the spacer so as to define the channel, the spacer being located between the lid and the base.

5. The method claim 1 wherein the second layer is a spacer-lid combination.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the electrochemically-active material is a metallic conductive material.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the reagent includes glucose oxidase or glucose dehydrogenase.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the channel is a capillary channel.