Analyte measurement devices and systems, and components and methods related thereto

• US 8,632,731 B2
• Filed: 05/23/2013
• Issued: 01/21/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Abbott Diabetes Care Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Abbott Diabetes Care Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Simmons, Matthew, Bulala, Cherie, Myles, Christopher, Song, Bonita Park
• Primary Examiner(s): Warden, Jill
• Assistant Examiner(s): FISHER, BRITTANY I
• Application Number:
  US13/901,267
• Publication Number:
  US 20130334065A1
• Time in Patent Office: 243 Days
• Field of Search: 422/404
• US Class Current: 422/404
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0406 specially shaped apparatus housings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0425 Ergonomically shaped housings A61B2560/0418 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0443 Modular apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/245 Means for cleaning the sensor in-situ or during use, e.g. hygienic wipes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/247 Hygienic covers, i.e. for covering the sensor or apparatus during use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14507 specially adapted for measuring characteristics of body fluids other than blood devices for taking samples of body liquids A61B10/0045
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/307 Disposable laminated or multilayered electrodes G01N27/3272 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/3272 Test elements therefor, i.e. disposable laminated substrates with electrodes, reagent and channels optical biosensors G01N33/52
• 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 27/416 Systems G01N27/27 takes precedence
• 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

Abstract

In some aspects, a modular analyte measurement system having a replaceable strip port module is provided to permit contaminated modules to be replaced. Some aspects of the present disclosure related to barriers for strip ports or the sealing of strip ports and/or analyte measurement devices to maintain a clean strip port and/or enable the strip port to be cleaned for reuse. Cleaning tools are also provided. Also provided are strip port interfaces that guide fluid away from the strip port opening, as well as absorptive elements that prevent fluid from entering a strip port. Analyte measurement devices with gravity sensors or accelerometers are also provided, along with methods related thereto. Also provided are docking station that serve as an information server and provides storage and recharging capabilities.

Claims

1. A method of using an analyte measurement system, the method comprising:

removing a first replaceable strip port module from a strip port cavity of a housing of an analyte meter, wherein the analyte meter comprises the housing and electrical connections disposed with the strip port cavity within the housing, and the first replaceable strip port module comprises;

a module housing comprising an interface aperture,

an analyte test strip port, and

an electrical interface comprising a plurality of electrical contacts coupled to the analyte test strip port within the module housing and extending from the test strip port to the interface aperture; and

positioning a second replaceable strip port module in the analyte meter housing, wherein the positioning results in a plurality of electrical contacts of the second replaceable strip port module coming into electrical contact with electrical connections within the meter housing.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein removing the first replaceable strip port module from the housing of the analyte meter comprises first removing an attachment feature from the meter housing and the first replaceable strip port module.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein positioning a second replaceable strip port module in the analyte meter housing comprises inserting the attachment feature into the meter housing and the second replaceable strip port module.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein inserting the attachment feature into the meter housing and the second replaceable strip port module comprises:

aligning an attachment aperture in the meter housing with an attachment aperture in the second replaceable strip port module, and

positioning the attachment feature within the attachment aperture of the meter housing and the attachment aperture of the second replaceable strip port.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the module housing fits within an aperture in the meter housing and removing the first replaceable strip port module from the meter housing comprises withdrawing the module housing from the aperture in the meter housing.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the module housing comprises external alignment features to align the module housing within the aperture in the meter housing.

7. The method according to claim 5, wherein the meter housing comprises alignment features to align the module housing within the aperture in the meter housing.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein removing the first replaceable strip port module from the housing of the analyte meter comprises disengaging the module housing from the alignment features of the meter housing.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the module housing comprises a first aperture that receives an analyte test strip.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the analyte test strip port is disposed within the module housing.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the electrical interface electrically couples to the analyte meter through the interface aperture of the module housing.

12. The method according to claim 9, wherein the analyte test strip port comprises electrical contacts that couple to an analyte test strip positioned in the first aperture of the module housing.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the electrical contacts of the electrical interface electrically couple to the analyte test strip port and the analyte meter.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein positioning a second replaceable strip port module in the analyte meter housing comprises electrically coupling the second replaceable strip port module to electrical connections within the meter housing.

15. The method according to claim 1, wherein positioning a second replaceable strip port module in the analyte meter housing comprises:

inserting the second replaceable strip port module into the meter housing, and

attaching the second replaceable strip port module to the analyte meter by inserting an attachment feature into an opening in the meter housing.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein inserting the second replaceable strip port module into the meter aligns the opening in the meter housing with an opening in the second replaceable strip port module, and

attaching the second replaceable strip port module to the analyte meter further comprises inserting the attachment feature into the opening in the second replaceable strip port module.

17. The method according to claim 1, wherein the interface aperture is on a top side of the module housing, and

the module housing further comprises an opening for receiving an attachment feature on a bottom side of the module housing, wherein the bottom side of the module housing is opposite from the top side.

18. The method according to claim 1, wherein the meter housing comprises an outer surface and the second replaceable strip port module comprises a cap having an outer surface, and

wherein positioning the second replaceable strip port module in the analyte meter housing comprises aligning the outer surface of the meter housing with the outer surface of the cap so that the outer surfaces are flush.