Determining usability of analytical test strip

A hand-held test meter for use with an analytical test strip, the test meter comprising:

• a) a housing;
• b) a strip port connector configured to receive the analytical test strip and to electrically connect to two spaced-apart detection electrodes of the received analytical test strip;
• c) an impedance-measurement circuit arranged in the housing and configured to apply an alternating-current waveform across a reagent in a sample chamber of the received analytical test strip via the strip port connector, and to concurrently measure an impedance of the reagent;
• and
• d) a processor configured to automatically determine whether the measured impedance of the reagent meets a selected dryness criterion.

An electrochemical-based analytical test strip comprising:

• a) an electrically-insulating bottom layer;
• b) a patterned electrically-conductive layer disposed on the electrically insulating bottom layer that includes a first patterned portion and a second patterned portion;
• c) an enzymatic reagent layer disposed on the first patterned portion, the second patterned portion and the electrically-insulating bottom layer such that the enzymatic reagent layer bridges the first patterned portion and the second patterned portion;
• d) a patterned spacer layer;
• e) a top electrically conductive layer;
• and
• f) an electrically-insulating top layer.

A method for the determination of an analyte in a bodily-fluid sample, the method comprising:

• ascertaining whether an enzymatic reagent layer of an electrochemical-based analytical test strip has been exposed to a predetermined humidity level by measuring an electrical characteristic of the enzymatic reagent layer, the electrochemical-based analytical test strip having:
• an electrically-insulating bottom layer;
• a patterned electrically-conductive layer disposed on the electrically insulating bottom layer and including a first patterned portion and a second patterned portion;
• an enzymatic reagent layer disposed on the first patterned portion, the second patterned portion and the electrically-insulating bottom layer such that the enzymatic reagent layer bridges the first patterned portion and the second patterned portion;
• a patterned spacer layer;
• a top electrically conductive layer;
• and
• an electrically-insulating top layer;
• applying the bodily-fluid sample to the electrochemical-based analytical test strip;
• and
• determining the analyte based on an electrochemical response of the electrochemical-based analytical test strip.