Biosensor test member and method for making the same
View Patent ↗A biological test member, and method of making the same, is disclosed with the member including a substrate. The test member has usefulness, for example, in testing a person's blood glucose level. A first layer and a second layer of conductive metal are printed or otherwise applied on the substrate in an electrode pattern. The metal or metals are cured or sintered at a low, non-damaging temperature, such as by applying one or more pulses of a high-energy broad spectrum light. A layer of reagent may be provided on said second metal layer.
1. A method of producing a biosensor test member, the method comprising the acts of:
printing onto a substrate having a substrate damage temperature a first electrically conductive layer that forms at least a part of an electrode pattern for the test member such that said printing said first layer leaves at least two electrode layer portions that are spaced from each other on said substrate;
printing onto said first layer a second layer of an electrically conductive second layer on and substantially coinciding with said first layer such that said printing said second layer leaves at least two second layer electrodes portions that are spaced from each other on said substrate,
drying or curing at least one of said layers by applying one or more pulses of high-energy broad spectrum light wherein the temperature of the substrate remains below the substrate damage temperature during the act of applying.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said applying one or more pulses of high-energy broad spectrum light comprises pulse forging that at least partially sinters said two metals.
3. The method of claim 1 , and further comprising
a reagent in contact with said second layer; wherein the first layer is substantially incompatible with said reagent and wherein the second metal is substantially compatible with said reagent.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein said first layer comprises copper and wherein said second layer comprises gold.
5. The method of claim 3 , wherein said first layer and said second layer abut one another along a trace and are sintered together by said pulse forging.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein said substrate comprises a polymer, and wherein said drying or curing occurs at a temperature sufficiently low to not damage the polymer substrate.