Method and apparatus for coding diagnostic meters

#The present invention relates to the field of diagnostic testing and, more particularly, to diagnostic testing systems using electronic meters.

#Diagnostic testing systems are commonly used to perform various types of diagnostic tests on various types of samples. The diagnostic test may be a qualitative or quantitative test to determine the presence, concentration or amount of one or more analytes in a sample. The analyte may be a medically significant analyte—e.g., glucose, ketones, cholesterol, triglycerides, human choriogonadotropin (HCG), hemoglobin A1C, fructosamine, carbohydrates, tumor markers, lead, anti-epilepsy drugs, bilirubin, liver function markers, toxins or their metabolites, controlled substances, blood coagulation factors (PT, ATPP), etc.—contained in a biological sample—e.g., blood, urine, tissue, saliva, etc. But the diagnostic test is not limited to the medical field. In addition, diagnostic test meters can be used to monitor analytes or chemical parameters in non-medical samples such as water, soil, sewage, sand, air, or any other suitable sample.

#Such diagnostic testing systems may include a test media (e.g., a test strip, tab, disc, etc.) configured to react to the presence of the analyte in a sample, and a separate electronic meter configured to interface with the test media in order to conduct the diagnostic test and indicate the results of the diagnostic test to the user.

#The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

#FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an integrated system consistent with the embodiments disclosed herein.

#FIG. 1B is another view of the integrated system depicted in FIG. 1A.

#Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

#FIGS. 1A and 1B depict an integrated system 200 for conducting a diagnostic test in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Exemplary integrated system 200 includes a container 210 for containing test media, such as test strips, and a meter 230 for performing a diagnostic test using the test strips contained in container 210. The plurality of test strips may be contained in an interior volume 213 of container 210. Such an interior volume may be open, as shown in FIG. 9, permitting contact between test strips contained therein.

#Meter 230 may be contained within a meter housing 231. Meter housing 231 is attached to or otherwise includes a top mount attachment 270 that engages container 210 in order to selectively close an opening 211 of the container. As would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, and as discussed herein, attached may be used to signify affiliated with, associated with, affixed with/to, connected with/to, coupled with/to, fastened with/to, fixed with/to, secured with/to, etc.