Method and apparatus for encoding test strips
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A combination ofa test meter for receiving a test strip, comprising:
- a housing;
electronic circuitry disposed within the housing; and
a strip port connector connected to the electronic circuitry and extending to an opening in the housing, said strip port connector connecting the electronic circuitry with a received test strip,wherein the strip port connector contains a pair of opposed contacts, each contact having a proximal end, a distal end, and a central contact portion, andwherein the electronic circuitry is configured to test for electrical contact between the pair of opposed contacts one or more times when no test strip is received in the meter; and
an electrochemical test strip, said test strip being generally planar and comprising a sample cell for receiving a test sample for analysis and electrodes disposed within the sample cells for performing an electrochemical assay, said test strip having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the test strip compromises a connection region and wherein the test strip further comprises;
(a) electrical connectors for connecting the electrodes to a test meter, said electrical connectors being disposed within the connection region and exposed for connection on the top surface, and(b) a plurality of encoding pads disposed within the connection region on the bottom surface of the test strip, wherein at least two of the encoding pads are in electrical connection with each other.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A test meter for receiving a test strip comprises:
- (a) a housing;
- (b) electronic circuitry disposed within the housing and
- (c) a strip port connector connected to the electronic circuitry and extending to an opening in the housing, said strip port connector connecting the electronic circuitry with a received test strip. The strip port connector contains a pair of top and bottom contacts, said top and bottom contacts having a proximal end and a distal end and a central contact portion, the top and bottom contacts of the pair are transversely aligned with one another; and the distal ends of the top and bottom contacts are separated or separable from one another by insertion of a test strip between the opposed contacts. The contacts and the meter are adapted to permit detection of faulty contacts and/or coding associated with an inserted test strip.
31 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A combination of
a test meter for receiving a test strip, comprising: -
a housing; electronic circuitry disposed within the housing; and a strip port connector connected to the electronic circuitry and extending to an opening in the housing, said strip port connector connecting the electronic circuitry with a received test strip, wherein the strip port connector contains a pair of opposed contacts, each contact having a proximal end, a distal end, and a central contact portion, and wherein the electronic circuitry is configured to test for electrical contact between the pair of opposed contacts one or more times when no test strip is received in the meter; and an electrochemical test strip, said test strip being generally planar and comprising a sample cell for receiving a test sample for analysis and electrodes disposed within the sample cells for performing an electrochemical assay, said test strip having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the test strip compromises a connection region and wherein the test strip further comprises; (a) electrical connectors for connecting the electrodes to a test meter, said electrical connectors being disposed within the connection region and exposed for connection on the top surface, and (b) a plurality of encoding pads disposed within the connection region on the bottom surface of the test strip, wherein at least two of the encoding pads are in electrical connection with each other. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification