Biosensors and methods of using the same

A biosensor to determine the concentration of an analyte in a sample, the biosensor comprising:

• (a) an electrode support having an electrode arrangement thereon;
• (c) a cover;
• (d) a spacer layer providing a sample chamber between the electrode support and the cover, at least a portion of the electrode arrangement present in the sample chamber, the sample chamber having a volume of no more than about 0.3 microliters;
• (e) an incompressible element placed in-between said cover and said spacer layer, the incompressible element providing an opening in at least one of the first side, the second side or in the distal end of the sample chamber to provide at least one vent in the sample chamber;
• and
• (f) the biosensor configured to determine the concentration of the analyte within about 10 seconds.

A method of determining the concentration of an analyte comprising:

• (a) providing a biosensor comprising:
• (i) an electrode support having an electrode arrangement on the electrode support;
• (ii) a cover;
• (iii) a spacer layer providing a sample chamber between the electrode support and the cover, at least a portion of the electrode arrangement present in the sample chamber, the sample chamber having a volume of no more than about 1 microliter;
• and
• (iv) an incompressible element placed in-between said cover and said spacer layer, the incompressible element providing an opening in at least one of the first side, the second side or in the distal end of the sample chamber to provide at least one vent in the sample chamber;
• (b) providing a blood sample into the sample chamber;
• (c) within about 10 seconds of providing the blood sample into the sample chamber, obtaining the analyte concentration.