A device for accessing biological fluid, sampling biological fluid
constituents and determining the concentration of at least one target
constituent within the accessed biological fluid is provided. The device
has at least one micro-piercing member used to penetrate the skin to a
selected depth and to access biological fluid, a constituent sampling
means and a constituent measuring means. The constituent sampling means
comprises a constituent transfer medium, such as a hydrophilic gel
material, by which sampled constituents are transferred from the
micro-piercing member to the measuring means. The measuring means
includes an electrochemical cell having at least one porous electrode
through which at least one sampled constituent is caused to enter into
the electrochemical cell. Methods of sampling constituents within the
skin and measuring the sampled constituents, as well as kits for
practicing the invention are provided.