Method of Screen Printing On a Substrate

Abstract

A test sensor reagent for measuring the concentration of analytes in body fluids includes cellulose polymers for improving the stability of the test sensor and reducing the total assay time. The test sensor reagent also includes an enzyme, an electron transfer mediator and a rheological additive.

1 - 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A method of screen printing on a substrate, the method comprising the acts of:
 providing a screen that includes a pattern defined by a first portion comprising a coating of a photosensitive emulsion, and a second portion lacking the coating of the photosensitive emulsion due to exposing the photosensitive emulsion;   supplying a reagent on the screen, the reagent comprising a solvent, a cellulose polymer and an enzyme to assist in determining an analyte concentration of a fluid sample; and   applying the reagent to the substrate via the second portion of the screen.   
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 27 , wherein the reagent further comprises a rheological additive. 
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 28 , wherein the rheological additive is a smectite clay. 
     
     
         30 . The method according to  claim 29 , wherein the smectite clay includes hectorite, bentonite, montmorillonite, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         31 . The method according to  claim 28 , wherein the rheological additive is a thixotropic material. 
     
     
         32 . The method according to  claim 27 , wherein the reagent further comprises an electron transfer mediator. 
     
     
         33 . The method according to  claim 27 , wherein the cellulose polymer is hydroxyethyl cellulose polymer. 
     
     
         34 . The method according to  claim 27 , wherein the cellulose polymer has a molecular weight of from about 25,000 to about 2,000,000. 
     
     
         35 . The method according to  claim 34 , wherein the cellulose polymer has a molecular weight from about 300,000 to about 1,000,000. 
     
     
         36 . The method according to  claim 27 , wherein the cellulose polymer is carboxymethyl cellulose, cellulose acetate, ethylcellulose, or hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         37 . A method of screen printing on a substrate, the method comprising the acts of:
 providing a screen that includes a pattern defined by a first portion comprising a coating of a photosensitive emulsion, and a second portion lacking the coating of the photosensitive emulsion due to exposing the photosensitive emulsion;   supplying a reagent on the screen, the reagent comprising a solvent, a cellulose polymer, an electron transfer mediator, smectite clay and an enzyme to assist in determining an analyte concentration of a fluid sample; and   contacting the reagent onto the substrate via the second portion of the screen,   wherein the cellulose polymer, smectite clay, electron transfer mediator and enzyme are applied in a single layer onto the substrate.   
     
     
         38 . The method according to  claim 37 , wherein the reagent further comprises a citrate buffer. 
     
     
         39 . The method according to  claim 37 , wherein the cellulose polymer is hydroxyethyl cellulose polymer. 
     
     
         40 . The method according to  claim 37 , wherein the cellulose polymer has a molecular weight from about 25,000 to about 2,000,000. 
     
     
         41 . The method according to  claim 40 , wherein the cellulose polymer has a molecular weight from about 300,000 to about 1,000,000. 
     
     
         42 . The method according to  claim 37 , wherein the cellulose polymer is carboxymethyl cellulose, cellulose acetate, ethylcellulose, or hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol, or combinations thereof.