Method and apparatus for detecting proper strip insertion into an optical reflectance meter

• US 6,274,326 B1
• Filed: 02/17/1998
• Issued: 08/14/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: UMM Electronics, Inc. (Nortech Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: UMM Electronics, Inc. (Nortech Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Stoughton, John W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Christopher L.
• Application Number:
  US09/025,053
• Time in Patent Office: 1,274 Days
• Field of Search: 422/55, 422/56, 422/58, 435/7.1, 435/287.1, 435/287.2, 435/805, 435/970, 436/514, 436/518, 436/164, 436/169, 436/805, 436/810
• US Class Current: 435/7.1
• 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: Y10S 435/805 Test papers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 435/97 Test strip or test slide
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 436/805 Optical property
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 436/81 Tube, bottle, or dipstick

Abstract

A method and apparatus for detecting proper strip insertion into an optical reflectance meter. An electrical or electromagnetic device within the optical reflectance meter launches a signal when a test strip is inserted therein. The test strip which is designed for use in such a meter contains a material which enhances the coupling of the signal to a receiver within the meter. The meter then receives the signal and will not produce reading until a signal of a proper level is received. Use of the meter and special test strip of the present invention comprises a more cost effective system for detection of proper test strip insertion which is not dependent upon clean optics as in prior art devices. The present invention therefore ensures reliable protection of strip insertion with the ability to distinguish not only whether the test strip has been inserted incorrectly by the user, but also whether the test strip was designed for use with the meter into which it has been inserted.

Claims

1. A method for enabling a meter, comprising the steps of:

(a) impressing a first signal upon a first conductive member;

(b) inducing a second signal upon a second conductive member;

(c) monitoring the induced second signal; and

(d) activating the meter when the induced second signal exceeds a predetermined threshold;

wherein the first conductive member is positioned sufficiently proximate the second conductive member such that a first signal impressed upon the first conductive member can induce a second signal upon the second conductive member.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second conductive members are electromagnetic coils.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the induced second signal will exceed the predetermined threshold only when the test strip has been inserted into the meter with a proper orientation.

4. The method of claim 1, further including the step of:

(e) after (c) and before (d), presenting a strip to the first and second conductive members;

wherein the first conductive member and the second conductive members are electromagnetically coupled; and

wherein presenting a strip to the first and second conductive members disturbs the electromagnetic coupling thereof.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the first conducting member is energetically coupled to the second conducting member.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the first conducting member is electromagnetically coupled to the second conducting member.

7. The method of claim 1 further including the step of:

(f) after (c) and before (d), presenting an incompatible strip to the first and second conductive members;

wherein the first conductive member and the second conductive member are electromagnetically coupled; and

wherein presenting an incompatible strip to the first and second conductive members disturbs the electromagnetic coupling thereof insufficiently to result in an induced second signal in excess of the predetermined threshold.

8. The method of claim 1 further including the step of:

(g) after (c) and before (d), presenting a compatible strip to the first and second conductive members;

wherein the first conductive member and the second conductive member are electromagnetically coupled; and

wherein presenting a compatible strip to the first and second conductive members disturbs the electromagnetic coupling thereof sufficiently to result in an induced second signal in excess of the predetermined threshold.

9. A method for determining proper test strip insertion into a meter which analyzes a quantity of bodily fluid placed upon the test strip, comprising the steps of:

(a) inserting the test strip into the meter;

(b) determining if the test strip is valid for use with the meter;

(c) determining if the test strip has been inserted into the meter with the proper orientation; and

(d) activating the meter only if the test strip is valid and has been inserted with the proper orientation.

10. A method for enabling a meter when a compatible test strip is properly inserted, comprising the steps of:

a) providing an electromagnetically coupled first and second conductive members;

b) generating the first electromagnetic signal in the first conductive member;

c) inducing a second electromagnetic signal in the second conductive member;

d) measuring the strength of the second electromagnetic signal; and

e) enabling the meter when the induced second electromagnetic signal strength exceeds a predetermined value;

wherein the induced second electromagnetic signal strength exceeds a predetermined value only when the compatible test strip is inserted between the first and second conductive members.