Test strip connector contact protection
AssigneeCilag GmbH International
InventorsDavid Elder, Steven Setford, Allan Faulkner, Ryan Walsh
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A test strip port connector of a test meter receives an analytical test strip comprising a sample chamber for receiving a fluid sample. The fluid sample is prevented from contaminating an interior region of the test strip port connector by a sealing mechanism having a seal configured to be moved into a sealing position across the test strip.
Claims20
An analyte test meter comprising:
- a test strip port connector configured for receiving an analytical test strip, said port connector comprising at least one electrical contact for engaging at least one electrical contact pad of the received analytical test strip, the received analytical test strip further comprising a sample chamber for receiving a fluid sample;
- and
- said port connector defining an interior and having a movable portion that permits a test strip to be inserted into the connector when the movable portion is moved to an open position, said connector further including at least one seal element configured for sealing the test strip port connector against ingress therein by the fluid sample, wherein the sealing mechanism is configured to be moved into a sealing position across the inserted test strip when the movable portion is moved to a closed position about the inserted test strip.
A test meter comprising:
- a test strip port connector comprising an electrical contact for engaging a contact pad of a first analytical test strip, the first analytical test strip comprising the contact pad at a first end thereof and a sample chamber at an opposite end thereof;
- said port connector having a portion that is movable between an open position and a closed position for allowing access to an enclosure defined by the port connector wherein moving the movable portion to the closed position secures the test strip in engagement with the electrical contact and creates a fluidic seal to prevent ingress of fluid into the test meter.
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:
- at least one electrical contact;
- and
- a seal configured to clamp around an analytical test strip inserted into the strip port connector, thereby preventing a bodily fluid sample applied to the analytical test strip from contacting the at least one electrical contact.
A method for determining an analyte in a bodily fluid sample comprising:
- inserting an analytical test strip into a strip port connector of a hand-held test meter;
- clamping a seal of the strip port connector around the inserted analytical test strip;
- applying a bodily fluid sample to the analytical test strip;
- and
- determining an analyte in the bodily fluid sample using the hand-held test meter.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.