Test element, system, and method of controlling the wetting of same

A test element analysis system for the testing of a liquid sample, comprising:

• a test element including a sample application area having an exposed surface on which a liquid sample can be applied, a test field at which a measuring parameter that is characteristic of the test is measured and comprising a reagent which reacts with a medically significant analyte present in the liquid sample to produce the measuring parameter, wherein the measuring parameter that is characteristic of the analysis can be measured with a measuring facility and can be analyzed by an analytical device to achieve a result of a test performed with the test element, a sample transport path extending between the sample application area and the test field, and an actuator field assigned to the test field and including an electrically-conductive layer, the actuator field being switchable between a first state attracting the sample and a second state attracting the sample less than in the first state, the actuator field being switchable by applying an electric voltage that is different from an earth potential to the conductive layer, and wherein the actuator field comprises a section that is disposed along the sample transport path intermediate the sample application area and the test field, the section being arranged at about the same distance from the sample application area as the test field, measured along the sample transport path such that a wetting of the test field which includes a spreading of the sample over the test field can be controlled by applying a voltage to the actuator field;
• and
• an analytical device with a measuring facility, by which a measuring parameter that is characteristic of a test can be measured at the test element.

A method for controlling the wetting of a test element, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing the test element, wherein the test element includes a sample application area having an exposed surface, a test field, a sample transport path extending between the sample application area and the test field, and an actuator field assigned to the test field and including an electrically-conductive layer, the actuator field being switchable between a first state attracting the sample and a second state attracting the sample less than in the first state, the actuator field being switchable by applying an electric voltage that is different from an earth potential to the conductive layer, and wherein the actuator field comprises a section that is disposed along the sample transport path intermediate the sample application area and the test field, the section being arranged at about the same distance from the sample application area as the test field, measured along the sample transport path;
• applying a liquid sample to the exposed surface of the sample application area;
• switching the actuator field from the first state to the second state, thereby controlling the wetting of the test field, which wetting includes a spreading of the sample over the test field;
• and
• reacting a reagent of the test field with an analyte present in the liquid sample and measuring a measuring parameter at the test field that is characteristic of the test, wherein the measuring parameter that is characteristic of the analysis can be measured with a measuring facility and can be analyzed by an analytical device to achieve a result of a test performed with the test element.