Strip connectors for measurement devices

• US 7,914,335 B2
• Filed: 08/23/2010
• Issued: 03/29/2011
• 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: Stafford, Gary Ashley, Ries, Richard G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ta; Tho D
• Application Number:
  US12/861,691
• Publication Number:
  US 20100315106A1
• Time in Patent Office: 218 Days
• Field of Search: 439/604, 439/606, 439/638, 439/722, 439/723, 439/724, 439/874, 439/909
• US Class Current: 439/638
• 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. An analyte measurement system for accommodating multiple strip form factors, comprising:

an analyte measurement device having a receptacle formed therein;

a port interface within the receptacle;

dedicated circuitry within the analyte measurement device, wherein the dedicated circuitry is coupled to the port interface, and wherein the dedicated circuitry receives an electrical signal from the port interface and performs an analyte measurement based on the received electrical signal;

a first replaceable port sized to fit within the receptacle, wherein the first replaceable port includes a first analyte test strip port for receiving a first analyte test strip having a first form factor; and

a second replaceable port sized to fit within the receptacle, wherein the second replaceable port includes a second analyte test strip port for receiving a second analyte test strip having a second form factor, the second form factor being different from the first form factor.

2. The analyte measurement system of claim 1, wherein the port interface is insert molded to provide an interface that is impervious to contaminants.

3. The analyte measurement system of claim 1, wherein the first replaceable port forms an electrical connection with the port interface and delivers an electrical signal from the first analyte test strip to the port interface.

4. The analyte measurement system of claim 1, wherein the second replaceable port forms an electrical connection with the port interface and delivers an electrical signal from the second analyte test strip to the port interface.

5. The analyte measurement system of claim 1, wherein when the first replaceable port is inserted into the receptacle, a surface of the first replaceable port is flush with a surface of the analyte measurement device.

6. The analyte measurement system of claim 1, wherein when the second replaceable port is inserted into the receptacle, a surface of the second replaceable port is flush with a surface of the analyte measurement device.

7. The analyte measurement system of claim 1, wherein when the first replaceable port is inserted into the receptacle, the first replaceable port is connected both physically and electrically with the analyte measurement device through the port interface.

8. The analyte measurement system of claim 1, wherein when the second replaceable port is inserted into the receptacle, the second replaceable port is connected both physically and electrically with the analyte measurement device through the port interface.

9. The analyte measurement system of claim 1, wherein the analyte measurement device includes connectors to interact with retention tabs on the first or second replaceable ports.

10. A method of manufacturing an analyte measurement system for accommodating multiple strip form factors, comprising:

forming a receptacle in an analyte measurement device;

inserting a port interface within the receptacle;

providing dedicated circuitry within the analyte measurement device;

coupling the dedicated circuitry to the port interface;

configuring the dedicated circuitry to receive an electrical signal from the port interface and perform an analyte measurement based on the received electrical signal;

sizing a first replaceable port to removably attach to the port interface within the receptacle, wherein the first replaceable port includes a first analyte test strip port for receiving a first analyte test strip having a first form factor; and

sizing a second replaceable port to removably attach to the port interface within the receptacle, wherein the second replaceable port includes a second analyte test strip port for receiving a second analyte test strip having a second form factor, the second form factor being different from the first form factor.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

insert molding the port interface to provide an interface that is impervious to contaminants.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

configuring the first replaceable port to form an electrical connection with the port interface so as to deliver an electrical signal from the first analyte test strip to the port interface.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

configuring the second replaceable port to form an electrical connection with the port interface so as to deliver an electrical signal from the second analyte test strip to the port interface.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein when the first replaceable port is inserted into the receptacle, a surface of the first replaceable port is flush with a surface of the analyte measurement device.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein when the second replaceable port is inserted into the receptacle, a surface of the second replaceable port is flush with a surface of the analyte measurement device.

16. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

configuring the first replaceable port into the receptacle such that the first replaceable port is connects both physically and electrically with the analyte measurement device through the port interface.

17. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

configuring the second replaceable port into the receptacle such that the second replaceable port connects both physically and electrically with the analyte measurement device through the port interface.

18. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

forming connectors in the analyte measurement device includes to interact with retention tabs on the first or second replaceable ports.