Analyte meter protectors and methods

• US 7,846,385 B2
• Filed: 06/30/2009
• Issued: 12/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/26/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Abbott Diabetes Care Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Abbott Diabetes Care Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Strasma, Paul, Gary, Kenneth, Arbogast, Frederic, Azzano, Lawrence
• Primary Examiner(s): Alexander; Lyle A
• Assistant Examiner(s): WHITE, DENNIS MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US12/495,637
• Publication Number:
  US 20090264717A1
• Time in Patent Office: 525 Days
• Field of Search: 422/55, 422/58, 422/61, 422/68.1, 422/82.05, 422/103, 422/104
• US Class Current: 422/68.1
• 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 435/817 Enzyme or microbe electrode
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/144444 Glucose

Abstract

Analyte meter protectors, meters that include the same, and methods.

Claims

1. An in vivo ketone monitoring system that comprises an integrated in vitro monitoring system, the system comprising:

an in vivo ketone sensor configured so that at least a portion of the sensor is positioned in a user;

an in vivo ketone module comprising an integrated in vitro test strip port to contact an in vitro ketone test strip; and

a port protector mateable about the test strip port of the module, wherein at least one surface of the protector contacts at least one surface of an in vitro ketone test strip when the test strip is passed therethrough, and wherein the port protector further includes an engagement feature that serves to align and attach the port protector to the test strip port, wherein the port protector comprises a slot to permit passage of an in vitro ketone test strip through the slot and into the port, and wherein the protector slot provides contact across both top and bottom surfaces of an in vitro ketone test strip when the test strip is passed therethrough.

2. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the port protector is removably attachable to the module.

3. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the protector is fixedly attachable to the module.

4. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the engagement feature comprises adhesive.

5. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the in vivo ketone module is a transmitter module.

6. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the in vivo ketone module is a receiver module.

7. An in vivo ketone monitoring system, comprising:

an in vivo ketone sensor at least partially implanted within a patient;

an in vivo ketone module electrically coupled to the sensor, wherein the module includes an integrated electrochemical analyte meter having a port that provides an opening to an interior portion of the module; and

a port protector attachable to the module about the port, wherein the port protector includes,

an interface surface forming a fluid tight seal between the module and the port protector,

a slot configured to receive an analyte test strip and contact a surface of the analyte test strip when the analyte test strip is passed through the slot,

a ledge extending from the slot to guide the analyte test strip into the slot,

a flexible valve disposed at least partially across the slot, and

engagement features that serve to attach the port protector to the module.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the flexible valve includes a self-sealing slit.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the interface surface of the port protector corresponds to a surface of the module about the port so as to form a negative of the surface of the module.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein the port protector is formed of an elastomeric material.

11. The system of claim 7, wherein the port protector includes a hard plastic frame with a compliant area around the slot.

12. An in vivo ketone monitoring system, comprising:

an in vivo ketone sensor at least partially implanted within a patient;

an in vivo ketone module electrically coupled to the sensor, wherein the module includes an integrated analyte meter having a port that provides an opening to an interior portion of the module; and

a port protector attachable to an exterior surface of the module about the port, wherein the port protector includes,

an interface surface forming a fluid tight seal between the exterior surface of the module and the port protector, wherein the interface surface is a negative of the exterior surface of the module about the port,

a slot configured to receive an analyte test strip and contact a surface of the analyte test strip when the analyte test strip is passed through the slot,

a ledge extending from the slot to guide the analyte test strip into the slot,

two guide grooves positioned on opposing sides of the port protector,

a flexible valve disposed at least partially across the slot,

molded features that align the port protector with the port, and

engagement ribs to attach the port protector to the module.

13. The system of claim 12, further comprising an adhesive applied to the interface surface of the port protector.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the port protector is formed of an elastomeric material.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the port protector includes a hard plastic frame with a compliant area around the slot.

16. A ketone monitoring system, comprising:

an in vivo ketone sensor;

an in vivo ketone module in electrical communication with the ketone sensor;

an in vitro analyte meter integrated with the in vivo ketone module, wherein the in vitro analyte meter includes a test strip port that defines an opening to an interior portion of the meter and is configured to receive an in vitro test strip; and

a port protector coupled to the test strip port, wherein the port protector comprises a slot to permit passage of an in vitro ketone test strip through the slot and into the port, and wherein the protector slot provides contact across both top and bottom surfaces of an in vitro ketone test strip when the test strip is passed therethrough, and wherein the port protector includes an engagement feature that serves to align and attach the port protector to the test strip port.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein an interface surface on the port protector corresponds to a surface of the module so as to form a negative of the surface of the module.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the port protector is formed of an elastomeric material.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein the port protector includes a hard plastic frame with a compliant area for introduction of the in vitro test strip.