# US 8,771,486 B2 · Smart sensor ports and methods of using same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,771,486 B2 - Document ID: US8771486B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/644,487 - Filed: 2009-12-22 - Published: 2010-10-28 - Granted: 2014-07-08 - Earliest claimed: 2009-04-28 - Assignees: Abbott Diabetes Care Inc. - Applicants: Yi Wang; Benjamin J. Feldman; Benjamin Rush; Charlene Haley - Inventors: Yi Wang; Benjamin J. Feldman; Benjamin Rush; Charlene Haley - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8771486B2 ## CPC - A61M 5/1723: {using feedback of body parameters, e.g. blood sugar or pressure} - G01N 27/3273: {Devices therefor, e.g. test element readers, circuitry (details not specific to biochemical electrodes G01N33/4875)} - G01N 27/48: using polarography, i.e. measuring changes in current under a slowly-varying voltage - G01N 33/48707: {by electrical means (G01N33/49, G01N33/493 take precedence)} - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract The present disclosure provides an orientation-nonspecific sensor port for use in analyte meters designed to detect and quantify analyte levels in a fluid sample along with methods of using the same. The present disclosure also provides compositions and methods for facilitating the correct insertion of a sensor into a corresponding analyte meter. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An analyte meter, comprising: a housing comprising a display; a sensor port coupled to the housing, wherein the sensor port is configured to receive a sensor to determine the concentration of an analyte in a fluid sample, and wherein the sensor port comprises a first set of electrode contacts and a second set of electrode contacts, wherein the first set and the second set are configured in opposing orientation in the sensor port; and a controller unit coupled to the housing, the controller unit configured to process a signal received from the sensor and determine a concentration of the analyte based on the signal; wherein the analyte meter is configured to detect first and second different insertion orientations of the sensor upon first or second insertion of the sensor into the sensor port, and based on the insertion orientation, the analyte meter configures an electrode contact from the first set of electrode contacts or an electrode contact from the second set of electrode contacts as a working electrode contact for use in determining the concentration of the analyte in the fluid sample. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The analyte meter of claim 1, wherein the first set of electrode contacts comprises two electrode contacts, three electrode contacts, or four electrode contacts. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The analyte meter of claim 1, wherein the second set of electrode contacts comprises two electrode contacts, three electrode contacts or four electrode contacts. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The analyte meter of claim 1, wherein the sensor port is configured to receive a sensor comprising two electrodes. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The analyte meter of claim 1, wherein the sensor port is configured to receive a sensor comprising three electrodes. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The analyte meter of claim 1, wherein the sensor port is configured to receive a sensor comprising four electrodes. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The analyte meter of claim 1, wherein the sensor port is configured to receive a sensor comprising opposing working and reference and/or counter electrodes. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The analyte meter of claim 1, wherein the sensor port is configured to receive a sensor comprising coplanar working and reference and/or counter electrodes. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The analyte meter of claim 1, wherein the analyte is glucose or ketone bodies. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The analyte meter of claim 1, wherein the analyte meter is activated upon insertion of the sensor into the sensor port. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The analyte meter of claim 10, wherein the sensor comprises a turn-on/selection monitor, the sensor port comprises a turn-on/selection contact, and the turn-on/selection monitor contacts the turn-on/selection contact upon insertion of the sensor into the sensor port, thereby activating the analyte meter. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The analyte meter of claim 11, wherein contact of the turn-on/selection contact with the turn-on/selection monitor opens or closes an electrical circuit, wherein opening or closing of the electrical circuit indicates the insertion orientation of the sensor. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The analyte meter of claim 1, wherein the sensor port comprises a first turn-on/selection contact and a second turn-on/selection contact, wherein the first turn-on/selection contact and the second turn-on/selection contact are positioned in an opposing configuration in the sensor port. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The analyte meter of claim 1, wherein the analyte meter detects the insertion orientation of the sensor by physical, mechanical, optical, or electrical means. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The analyte meter of claim 1, wherein the analyte meter detects the insertion orientation of the sensor by electrical means. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The analyte meter of claim 15, wherein the analyte meter detects the insertion orientation of the sensor by detecting the opening of an electrical circuit upon insertion of the sensor into the sensor port. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The analyte meter of claim 15, wherein the analyte meter detects the insertion orientation of the sensor by detecting the closing of an electrical circuit upon insertion of the sensor into the sensor port. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The analyte meter of claim 1, wherein the controller unit is configured to perform an algorithm to determine a medication dose based on a determined concentration of analyte. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The analyte meter of claim 18, wherein the analyte meter further comprises a medication delivery device for administering a medication dose to a subject, wherein the medication dose is determined by the controller unit using the algorithm. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The analyte meter of claim 19, wherein the analyte is glucose and the medication is insulin. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The analyte meter of claim 19, wherein the medication delivery device comprises a needle, syringe, pump, catheter, inhaler, transdermal patch or combination thereof to deliver the medication. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) The analyte meter of claim 1, wherein the controller unit is configured to determine the concentration of the analyte by amperometry, coulometry, potentiometry, and/or voltametry using the signal received from the sensor. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1) The analyte meter of claim 1, wherein the controller unit is further configured to determine a bolus dosage based on the signal received from the sensor. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The analyte meter of claim 23, further comprising an input unit coupled to the housing, wherein the controller unit is configured to determine the bolus dosage in response to a command received from the input unit. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The analyte meter of claim 24, wherein the input unit comprises one or more of an input button, a touch sensitive screen, a jog wheel, or combinations thereof. ### Claim 26 (depends on 1) The analyte meter of claim 1, wherein the display is a touch sensitive display. ### Claim 27 (depends on 1) The analyte meter of claim 1, wherein the display is configured to provide one or more of an alphanumeric display, a graphical display, a video display, or combinations thereof. ### Claim 28 (depends on 1) The analyte meter of claim 1, wherein the controller unit is further configured to determine a bolus dosage based on the signal received from the sensor. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The analyte meter of claim 28, wherein the controller unit is further configured to display the determined bolus dosage on the display unit. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) The analyte meter of claim 29, wherein the displayed bolus dosage is one or more of an alphanumeric display, a graphical display, a video display, an audio display, a vibratory output, or combinations thereof. ### Claim 31 (depends on 9) The analyte meter of claim 9, wherein the analyte meter comprises a receiver and/or transmitter for communicating with a continuous glucose monitor. ### Claim 32 (depends on 9) The analyte meter of claim 9, wherein the analyte meter comprises a receiver and/or transmitter for communicating with a medication delivery device. ### Claim 33 (depends on 1) The analyte meter of claim 1, wherein the analyte meter comprises a communication unit coupled to the housing. ### Claim 34 (depends on 33) The analyte meter of claim 33, wherein the communication unit is a wireless communication unit. ### Claim 35 (depends on 34) The analyte meter of claim 34, wherein the wireless communication unit comprises radio frequency (RF) communication, Zigbee communication, WiFi, Bluetooth communication protocol, or cellular communication. ### Claim 36 (depends on 33) The analyte meter of claim 33, wherein the communication unit comprises a universal serial bus (USB) port. ### Claim 37 (depends on 33) The analyte meter of claim 33, wherein the communication unit is configured to provide communication with a remote server. ### Claim 38 A glucose meter, comprising: a housing comprising a touch sensitive display; a sensor port coupled to the housing, wherein the sensor port is configured to receive a sensor to determine the concentration of glucose in a fluid sample, and wherein the sensor port comprises a first set of electrode contacts and a second set of electrode contacts, wherein the first set and the second set are configured in opposing orientation in the sensor port; a controller unit coupled to the housing, the controller unit configured to process a signal received from the sensor and determine a concentration of the glucose based on the signal; and a communication unit coupled to the housing, wherein the communication unit comprises a universal serial bus (USB) port, wherein the glucose meter is configured to detect first and second different insertion orientations of the sensor upon first or second insertion of the sensor into the sensor port, and based on the insertion orientation, the glucose meter configures an electrode contact from the first set of electrode contacts or an electrode contact from the second set of electrode contacts as a working electrode contact for use in determining the concentration of glucose in the fluid sample.