Electrochemical sensor and method thereof

An electrochemical device for cooperating with an electronic meter capable of measuring the electrochemical properties in a fluid sample resulting from chemical or enzymatic reaction, comprising:

• a body of insulative material with a first end and a second end;
• three electrically conductive electrodes spaced apart in fixed longitudinal relation to each other, housed in the body;
• a plug for connecting a meter to the body;
• means for receiving a fluid sample in the body;
• and
• means for detecting when a sufficient amount of fluid sample has been received for analysis.

An electrochemical device for measuring the concentration of an analyte by cooperating with an electronic meter capable of measuring the electrochemical properties of a fluid sample resulting from chemical or enzymatic reaction, comprising:

• a unitary, single molded plastic body with two opposing ends;
• at least two spaced apart electrically conductive electrodes housed in the molded body;
• a plug formed at one end of the body exposing the electrodes outside the body for connecting the meter to the housing;
• an inlet molded into the other end of the housing defining a capillary for drawing the fluid sample into the body upon contact with the fluid sample;
• a reaction zone in communication with the capillary, the reaction zone having an interior surface and at least a portion of each electrode exposed therein for reacting with the fluid sample, such that sample drawn into the reaction zone contacts the exposed portion of at least one electrode and activates the meter to indicate sufficient fill;
• and
• means for treating at least one of the interior surface of the reaction zone and at least one of the electrodes with one or more substances that react with the fluid sample to produce electrochemical changes measurable by the meter.

A sensor comprising:

• a body having an end for cooperating with a meter and an end for receiving a fluid sample;
• a plurality of electrically conductive leads at least partially embedded within the body and having at least one lead extending into the end for receiving the fluid sample;
• a cavity in the body to detect sufficiency of sample quantity;
• and,
• an enzyme deposited on at least one of the leads.

A sensor comprising:

• an injection molded plastic body having a meter-attachment end and a fluid sample receiving cavity;
• a plurality of electrically conductive leads at least partially embedded within the body with at least one lead extending from the attachment end to the fluid sample receiving cavity;
• a plurality of vents communicating with the fluid sample receiving cavity for detecting the sufficiency of the amount of the fluid sample received;
• and,
• an enzyme disposed within the fluid sample receiving cavity.

A sensor for analyzing a fluid sample comprising:

• an injection molded body having an attachment end and a sample receiving zone,
• a plurality of electrically conductive leads at least partially embedded within the body, the leads extending in substantial alignment between the two ends, at least one of the leads extending into the sample receiving zone,
• a substance deposited within the sample receiving zone for analyzing the fluid sample;
• and,
• a vent communicating with the sample receiving zone for determining adequate sample fill;
• such that the sample contacts a portion of the leads to produce a measurable change in the sample, the change being correlative to the concentration of an analyte in the sample.

A method of making an electrochemical device for cooperating with a meter capable of measuring electrochemical changes occurring in a fluid sample when subjected to an electrical current, comprising the steps of:

• positioning at least two spaced apart electrically conductive electrodes in a mold;
• molding a body of insulative material around the electrodes to produce a body having two ends, one of the ends having means for receiving a fluid sample, the body further including means for activating the meter upon receipt of an adequate amount of the sample;
• and,
• treating at least one of the electrodes with one or more substances for reacting with the fluid sample to produce measurable changes in the electrical properties of the sample.

A method of making an electrochemical device for cooperating with a meter capable of measuring the difference between the electrical properties of at least two electrically conductive electrodes, comprising the steps of:

• positioning at least two spaced apart electrically conductive electrodes in a mold;
• molding a body of insulative material with two ends around the electrodes with one end having therein means for receiving a fluid sample and an aperture in the body in communication with at least one of the electrodes, the body further having means for detecting the presence of an adequate amount of sample;
• and,
• after molding treating at least one of the electrodes with one or more chemicals to change the electrical properties of the treated electrode upon contact with a fluid sample after the molding of the body.