Button layout for a testing instrument

• US 20040048394A1
• Filed: 09/10/2002
• Published: 03/11/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/13/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ascensia Diabetes Care Holdings AG (PHC Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Bayer Corporation (Bayer AG)
• Inventors: Kirchhevel, G. Lamar
• Granted Patent: US 7,323,141 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 436/183
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/4875 Details of handling test elements, e.g. dispensing or storage, not specific to a particular test method test-elements per se B01L, automatic analysers G01N35/00, in-vivo analysis on the human body for medical diagnosis A61B
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/54 about vertical axes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/11 Automated chemical analysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/112499 with sample on test slide
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/144444 Glucose
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

A sensor dispensing instrument adapted to handle a sensor pack containing a plurality of sensors and to perform a test using one of the sensors. The sensor dispensing instrument includes an outer housing and display disposed on the outer housing for showing items. The sensor dispensing instrument further comprises a power button for turning the sensor dispensing instrument on and off, a scroll button for scroll through the items, and a select button for selecting an item.

Claims

1. A sensor dispensing instrument adapted to handle a sensor pack containing a plurality of sensors, each of said plurality of sensors being disposed in a sensor cavity on said sensor pack and enclosed by a protective covering, said sensor dispensing instrument further adapted to perform a test using one of said plurality of sensors, and comprising:

a display for showing items;

a power button for turning the sensor dispensing instrument on and off;

a scroll button for scrolling through items shown on the display; and

a select button for selecting an item.

2. The sensor dispensing instrument according to claim 1 further comprising an outer housing, wherein the power button, the scroll button, and the select button are mounted through openings in the outer housing.

3. The sensor dispensing instrument according to claim 2, wherein the power button, the scroll button, and the select button each have a contact surface for depressing the button, and wherein the distance from the top surface to the contact surface of the power button is greater than the distance from the top surface to the contact surface of the scroll button.

4. The sensor dispensing instrument according to claim 3, wherein the distance from the top surface to the contact surface of the power button is greater than the distance from the top surface to the contact surface of the select button.

5. The sensor dispensing instrument according to claim 3, wherein the contact surface of the select button is flush with or recessed below the top surface.

6. The sensor dispensing instrument according to claim 2, further comprising a button door pivotally connected to the outer housing, wherein the button door is movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the button door covers the power button, the scroll button, and the select button when in the closed position, and wherein the button door allows access to the power button, the scroll button, and the select button when in the open position.

7. The sensor dispensing instrument according to claim 6, wherein the button door forms an opening and wherein the power button extends into the opening when the button door is in the closed position.

8. The sensor dispensing instrument according to claim 1, wherein the scroll button comprises a scroll up button connected to a scroll down button through a rocker.

9. The sensor dispensing instrument according to claim 1, wherein the power button, the scroll button, and the select button comprise a first color.

10. The sensor dispensing instrument according to claim 9 further comprising:

a memory button; and

a set-up button for entering a set-up mode.

11. The sensor dispensing instrument according to claim 10, wherein the memory button and the set-up button comprise a second color different from the first color.

12. The sensor dispensing instrument according to claim 10, wherein the memory button enters a memory mode when depressed.

13. A glucose meter adapted to perform a test using a sensor, and comprising:

a display for showing items;

a power button for turning the glucose meter on and off;

a scroll button for scroll through the items; and

a select button for selecting an item.

14. The sensor dispensing instrument according to claim 13, wherein the scroll button comprises a scroll up button connected to a scroll down button through a rocker.

15. The sensor dispensing instrument according to claim 13 further comprising:

a memory button; and

a set-up button for entering a set-up mode.

16. A method of operating a testing instrument adapted to perform a test using at least one sensor, said testing instrument comprising an outer housing having a sensor slot through which one of said sensors is disposed to conduct the test, and said testing instrument further comprising a display disposed on the outer housing for showing items, a power button, a scroll button, and a select button, wherein said method comprises:

a) pressing the power button to activate the display and turn the testing instrument on;

b) pressing the scroll button to scroll through the items; and

c) pressing the select button to select an item.

17. The method of operating a sensor dispensing instrument according to claim 16, further comprising:

d) viewing test results generated by the test on the display disposed on the outer housing; and

e) removing the sensor from the sensor slot.

18. The method of operating a testing instrument according to claim 16, wherein the testing instrument further comprises a memory button, further comprising:

f) pressing the memory button to enter a memory mode.

19. The method of operating a testing instrument according to claim 16, wherein the testing instrument further comprises a set-up button, further comprising:

g) pressing the set-up button to enter a set-up mode.

20. The method of operating a sensor dispensing instrument according to claim 19, wherein the set-up mode allows for adjustment of time, date, and program numbers for reagent calibration.