An electrochemical biosensor test strip with four new features. The test
strip includes an indentation for tactile feel as to the location of the
strips sample application port. The sample application port leads to a
capillary test chamber, which includes a test reagent. The wet reagent
includes from about 0.2% by weight to about 2% by weight polyethylene
oxide from about 100 kilodaltons to about 900 kilodaltons mean molecular
weight, which makes the dried reagent more hydrophilic and sturdier to
strip processing steps, such as mechanical punching, and to mechanical
manipulation by the test strip user. The roof of the capillary test
chamber includes a transparent or translucent window which operates as a
"fill to here" line, thereby identifying when enough test sample (a
liquid sample, such as blood) has been added to the test chamber to
accurately perform a test. The test strip may further include a notch
located at the sample application port. The notch reduces a phenomenon
called "dose hesitation".