Electrochemical-based analytical test strip with a soluble electrochemically-active coating opposite a bare electrode

Electrochemical-based analytical test strip with a soluble electrochemically-active coating opposite a bare electrode An electrochemical-based analytical test strip (EBATS) for the determination of an analyte in a bodily fluid sample includes an electrically insulating base layer, a patterned electrically conductive layer disposed on the electrically insulating base layer and including a plurality of electrodes, and an enzymatic reagent layer disposed on a portion of the patterned conductor layer and defining a bare electrode(s) and a plurality of enzymatic reagent covered electrodes from the plurality of electrodes. The EBATS also includes a patterned spacer layer, a top layer having an underside surface (USS), and a soluble electrochemically-active coating (SEAC) disposed on the USS of the top layer. In addition, at least the patterned spacer layer and top layer define a sample-receiving chamber within the EBATS. Furthermore, the SEAC is disposed on the USS of the top layer within at least a portion the sample-receiving chamber and in an opposing relationship to the bare electrodes.