STRIP CONNECTORS FOR MEASUREMENT DEVICES

• US 20100015860A1
• Filed: 07/17/2008
• Published: 01/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Abbott Diabetes Care Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Abbott Diabetes Care Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Ries, Richard G., Stafford, Gary A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,896,703 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/682
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 9/527 for microfluidic devices, e.g. used for lab-on-a-chip
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/3273 Devices therefor, e.g. test element readers, circuitry details not specific to biochemical electrodes G01N33/4875
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/48785 Electrical and electronic details of measuring devices for physical analysis of liquid biological material not specific to a particular test method, e.g. user interface or power supply
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/727 Coupling devices presenting arrays of contacts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5224 for medical use
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/06 Intermediate parts for linking two coupling parts, e.g. adapter with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/94
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 43/24 Assembling by moulding on contact members
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/909 Medical use or attached to human body
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 Electrical device making

Abstract

Devices including strip connectors in measurement devices are provided. Also provided are systems, kits and methods.

Claims

1. A measurement device comprising:

a case having a first end; and

a strip port disposed in the first end, the strip port having contacts extending out from the first end, wherein the case forms an interface between the case and the contacts that separates circuitry inside the case from contamination.

2. The device recited in claim 1, wherein the case comprises plastic that is molded around the contacts to form the interface.

3. The device recited in claim 1, wherein the case is injection molded.

4. The device recited in claim 1, wherein the contacts comprise pin contacts.

5. The device recited in claim 1, wherein the contacts comprise spring arms.

6. The device recited in claim 1, wherein the contacts comprise clips.

7. The device recited in claim 1, wherein the interface surrounds the contacts to form a barrier that is substantially impervious to contamination.

8. The device recited in claim 7, wherein the barrier is substantially at least one of substantially water proof, dust proof, and washable.

9. The device recited in claim 1, wherein the contacts comprise gold-plated high strength steel.

10. A port for use in a measurement device, the port comprising:

a first portion having a first electrical interface configured to electrically connect with the measurement device and a second electrical interface; and

a second portion having a third electrical interface configured to electrically connect with the second interface and a strip port configured to receive a test strip.

11. The port as recited in claim 10, wherein the first electrical interface comprises spring arm contacts that extend out from a surface of the first portion and are configured to electrically connect with the device.

12. The port as recited in claim 10, wherein the second electrical interface is disposed inside the first portion and comprises sockets.

13. The port as recited in claim 12, wherein the third electrical interface extends out from a surface of the second portion and comprise pins that electrically connect with the sockets.

14. The port as recited in claim 13, wherein the strip port is configured to receive a test strip and electrically connect with the test strip.

15. The port as recited in claim 14, wherein the first, second, and third electrical interface electrically connect the device with the test strip.

16. The port as recited in claim 10, wherein the second portion is detachably connected with the second portion.

17. The port as recited in claim 10, wherein the first portion comprises a retention tab on a surface of the first portion, the retention tab engages with corresponding structure on the device to secure the first portion to the device.

18. The port as recited in claim 10, further comprising a guiding member formed in at least one side of the port, the guiding member interacting with a rail formed in a side of a receptacle on the device that receives the port, wherein the guiding member facilitates insertion of the first and second portion into the receptacle.

19. The port as recited in claim 10, wherein the first electrical interface comprises spring arms and the second electrical interface comprises sockets.

20. The port as recited in claim 10, wherein the third electrical interface comprises pins and the port comprises spring arms that electrically engage contacts on the test strip.

21. The port as recited in claim 10, wherein at least the second portion is replaceable and disposable.