Electrochemical test sensor with reduced sample volume

A method for determining the concentration of an analyte in a fluid test sample with a test sensor, the method comprising the acts of:

• providing an electrochemical test sensor including a base, a dielectric layer, a reagent layer and a lid, the base providing a flow path for the fluid test sample having on its surface a counter electrode and a working electrode adapted to electrically communicate with a detector of electrical current, the dielectric layer forming a dielectric window therethrough, the reagent layer including an enzyme that is adapted to react with the analyte, the lid being adapted to mate with the base and to assist in forming a capillary space with an opening for the introduction of the fluid test sample thereto, the dielectric layer and the reagent layer being located between the base and the lid, an exposed portion of the working electrode for being exposed to the fluid test sample being defined in a width-wise dimension by the dielectric window, an exposed portion of the counter electrode for being exposed to the fluid test sample being defined in a width-wise dimension by at least a portion of the dielectric window and at least a portion of the capillary space, the at least a portion of the dielectric window being different from the at least a portion of the capillary space, and a width of the exposed portion of the counter electrode defined by the dielectric window being different than a width of the exposed portion of the counter electrode defined by the capillary space;
• contacting the reagent layer with the fluid sample via the capillary space;
• generating an electrical signal in the test sensor in response to the presence of the analyte;
• and
• determining a level of the analyte from the electrical signal.