US Patent 7815855 - Test element with nanofibers

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7815855.html

Diagnostic test strips are typically formed from fabrics which retain large volumes of fluid in the interstitial spaces of the fibers. This can be problematic when only small sample volumes are desired. This patent from Roche Diagnostics Operations teaches a polymeric nanofiber test element more compatible with small fluid volumes. Claim 1 reads:  

1. A test element for detecting an analyte in a liquid sample, comprising a detection reagent for detecting an analyte, the detection reagent and nanofibers applied to a porous or non-porous support material, at least some of the nanofibers containing more than one polymer bead thereon and having a length of at least 2 mm.