Analyte meter protectors and methods

• US 7,846,388 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:
  US12/495,651
• Publication Number:
  US 20090264726A1
• 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 glucose monitoring system, comprising:

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

an in vivo glucose module coupled to the sensor and having an integrated in vitro test strip port that provides an opening to an interior portion of the module to receive an in vitro glucose test strip; and

a port protector mateable about the test strip port of the module, wherein the port protector includes a slot dimensioned to squeegee across a fluid-containing surface of the received test strip, and wherein the port protector further includes an engagement feature that serves to align and attach the port protector to the test strip port.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the slot is dimensioned so that it does not apply pressure to the received test strip.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the area of the slot is less than the area of the port.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the port is configured to provide a clearance between a surface of the slot and a surface of the received test strip.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one surface of the slot contacts at least one surface of the received test strip.

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

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

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

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the in vivo glucose module is a transmitter module.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the in vivo glucose module is a receiver module.

11. An in vivo glucose monitoring system, comprising:

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

an in vivo glucose 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 dimensioned to squeegee across a fluid-containing surface of a received test strip,

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

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

12. The system of claim 11, further comprising:

a flexible valve disposed at least partially across the slot, wherein the flexible valve includes a self-sealing slit.

13. The system of claim 11, 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.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the port protector is formed of an elastomeric material.

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

16. An in vivo glucose monitoring system, comprising:

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

an in vivo glucose 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 dimensioned to squeegee across a fluid-containing surface of a received test strip,

a ledge extending from the slot to guide the received 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.

17. The system of claim 16, further comprising an adhesive applied to the interface surface of the port protector.

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 around the slot.

20. A glucose monitoring system, comprising:

an in vivo glucose sensor;

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

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

and

a port protector coupled to the test strip port, wherein port protector includes a slot and is dimensioned to squeegee across a fluid-containing surface of a received test strip, and wherein the port protector further includes an engagement feature that serves to align and attach the port protector to the test strip port.

21. The system of claim 20, 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.

22. The system of claim 20, wherein the port protector is formed of an elastomeric material.

23. The system of claim 20, wherein the port protector includes a hard plastic frame with a compliant area for introduction of the received test strip.