BIOSENSOR FOR DETERMINATION OF HEMOGLOBIN

1 . A test strip comprising:

a conductive pattern formed on a substrate, the conductive pattern being formed from a thin film material, the conductive pattern comprising:

a plurality of electrodes configured to perform a reagent-free measurement of hematocrit levels in a blood sample;

a plurality of conductive contacts configured to communicate with a test meter; and

a plurality of conductive traces configured to electrically connect the plurality of electrodes to the plurality of conductive contacts;

an inert layer positioned on at least a portion of the conductive pattern; and

a capillary chamber exposing at least a portion of the plurality of electrodes, the capillary chamber being defined by the inert layer for receiving a blood sample and delivering the blood sample to the plurality of electrodes.

2 . The test strip of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of electrodes are uniform thin film electrodes.

3 . The test strip of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of electrodes has a thickness in a range of 10 nm (100 Å) to 3,000 nm (3 μm).

4 . The test strip of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of electrodes has a thickness in a range of 20 nm (200 Å) to 1,000 nm (1 μm).

5 . The test strip of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of electrodes has a thickness in a range of 30 nm (300 Å) to 60 nm (600 Å).

6 . The test strip of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of electrodes are formed from a thin film of a non-noble metal.

7 . The test strip of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of electrodes includes a proximal electrode and a distal electrode, wherein a distance between proximal electrode and the distal electrode is in a range from 0.5 mm-5.5 mm.

8 . The test strip of claim 1 , wherein the inert layer fully coats the plurality of electrodes.

9 . A system for measuring hematocrit in a blood sample, the system comprising:

a test strip comprising: a conductive pattern formed on a substrate, the conductive pattern being formed from a thin film material, the conductive pattern comprising a plurality of electrodes configured to perform a reagent-free measurement of hematocrit levels in a blood sample; a plurality of conductive contacts; and a plurality of conductive traces configured to electrically connect the plurality of electrodes to the plurality of conductive contacts; an inert layer positioned on at least a portion of the conductive pattern; a capillary chamber exposing at least a portion of the plurality of electrodes, the capillary chamber being defined by the inert layer for receiving a blood sample and delivering the blood sample to the plurality of electrodes; and

a test meter configured to accept the test strip and to connect to the plurality of conductive contacts to determine a level of hematocrit in the blood sample received on the test strip.

10 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the test meter is configured to apply an AC impedance at a plurality of frequencies across the plurality of electrodes.

11 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the test meter is configured to apply a low voltage less than 100 mv signal across the plurality of electrodes.

12 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the test meter is further configured to determine a hemoglobin value from the level of hematocrit in the blood sample.

13 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of electrodes are uniform thin film electrodes.

14 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of electrodes has a thickness in a range of 10 nm (100 Å) to 3,000 nm (3 μm).

15 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of electrodes has a thickness in a range of 20 nm (200 Å) to 1,000 nm (1 μm).

16 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of electrodes has a thickness in a range of 30 nm (300 Å) to 60 nm (600 Å).

17 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of electrodes are formed from a thin film of a non-noble metal.

18 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of electrodes includes a proximal electrode and a distal electrode, wherein a distance between proximal electrode and the distal electrode is in a range from 0.5 mm-5.5 mm.

19 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the inert layer fully coats the plurality of electrodes.

20 . A method for determining a hematocrit value in a blood sample, the method comprising:

applying, by a test meter, an electrical current across a plurality of electrodes on a test strip, wherein the test strip comprises a conductive pattern formed on a substrate, the conductive pattern being formed from a thin film material, the conductive pattern comprising the plurality of electrodes configured to perform a reagent-free measurement of hematocrit levels in a blood sample; a plurality of conductive contacts; and a plurality of conductive traces configured to electrically connect the plurality of electrodes to the plurality of conductive contacts; an inert layer positioned on at least a portion of the conductive pattern; a capillary chamber exposing at least a portion of the plurality of electrodes, the capillary chamber being defined by the inert layer for receiving a blood sample and delivering the blood sample to the plurality of electrodes;

measuring, by the test meter, conductivity of the blood sample; and

calculating, by the test meter, a hematocrit value of the blood sample based on the conductivity of the blood sample.

21 . The method of claim 20 further comprising determining, by the test meter, a hemoglobin value of the blood sample from the hematocrit value.