Test strip insertion drive mechanism for analyte meter
AssigneeCilag GmbH International
InventorsDavid Elder, Steven Setford, Allan Faulkner, Ryan Walsh
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An analyte meter having a test strip port includes a detector proximate the port for detecting a test strip being inserted therein. A drive mechanism connected to the detector is configured to engage and pull a detected test strip into the test meter and into electrical and mechanical engagement therewith to enable analyte tests to be conducted.
Claims21
A test meter comprising:
- a test strip port configured for receiving an analytical test strip;
- and
- a drive mechanism for automatically pulling a partially inserted test strip fully into the test strip port and into an operative position in which the test strip is mechanically and electrically connected to the test meter.
A test meter comprising:
- a test strip port for receiving an analyte test strip comprising an electrochemical cell;
- a detector at an inlet of the test strip port for detecting the test strip;
- and
- a drive mechanism at the inlet of the test strip port connected to the detector for pulling the test strip into the test strip port in response to the detector detecting the presence of the test strip.
A method of operating an analyte test meter, the method comprising:
- detecting a presence of a test strip proximate a test strip port of the analyte meter;
- activating a drive mechanism in response to the step of detecting for pulling the test strip into the test strip port, the drive mechanism including a drive wheel that engages a portion of the test strip;
- and
- deactivating the drive mechanism when contact pads on the test strip electrically engage contacts in the test strip port.
A hand-held test meter for use with an analytical test strip in the determination of an analyte in a bodily fluid sample, the hand-held test meter comprising:
- a strip port connector configured to receive an analytical test strip, the strip port connector including:
- a test strip proximity sensor;
- and
- a test strip drive mechanism,
- wherein the test strip proximity sensor is configured to sense an analytical test strip approaching the strip port connector and to activate the test strip drive mechanism, and
- wherein the test strip drive mechanism is configured to automatically draw the approaching analytical test strip into the strip port connector once activated by the test strip proximity sensor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.