Method and apparatus for encoding test strips

A method for monitoring a test meter that receives an electrochemical test strip to confirm integrity of the contacts that make electrical connection to the electrochemical test strip, wherein

• the meter comprises a strip port connector comprising a pair of opposed contacts, the pair of contacts having a top contact and a bottom contact, said top and bottom contacts having a proximal end and a distal end and a central contact portion,
• the top and bottom contacts of the pair are transversely aligned with one another;
• the top and bottom contacts are biased such that the central contact portions of the contacts are in electrical contact with one another when no test strip is received in the test meter, and
• the distal ends of the top and bottom contacts are separable from one another by insertion of the test strip between the opposed contacts, said method comprising the step of testing for electrical contact between the pair of top and bottom contacts at one or more times when no test strip is received in the test meter.

A test meter for receiving a test strip comprising:

• (a) a housing;
• (b) electronic circuitry disposed within the housing and
• (c) a strip port connector connected to the electronic circuitry and extending to an opening in the housing, said strip port connector connecting the electronic circuitry with a received test strip, wherein
• the strip port connector contains a pair of opposed contacts, the pair having a top contact and a bottom contact, said top and bottom contacts having a proximal end and a distal end and a central contact portion,
• the top and bottom contacts of the pair are transversely aligned with one another;
• and
• the top and bottom contacts are biased such that the central contact portions of the contacts are in electrical contact with one another when no test strip is received in the test meter, and
• the distal ends of the top and bottom contacts are separable from one another by insertion of the test strip between the opposed contacts,
• wherein the electronic circuitry is configured to test for electrical contact between the pair of top and bottom contacts one or more times when no test strip is received in the meter.

A test meter for receiving a test strip comprising:

• (a) a housing;
• (b) electronic circuitry disposed within the housing and
• (c) a strip port connector connected to the electronic circuitry and extending to an opening in the housing, said strip port connector connecting the electronic circuitry with a received test strip, wherein
• the strip port connector contains a pair of opposed contacts, the pair having a top contact and a bottom contact, said top and bottom contacts having a proximal end and a distal end and a central contact portion,
• the top and bottom contacts of the pair are transversely aligned with one another;
• the top and bottom contacts are biased towards each other such that the central contact portions of the contacts are close to but not in electrical contact with one another when no test strip is received in the test meter, and
• the distal ends of the top and bottom contacts are separable from one another by insertion of the test strip between opposed contacts such that the central contact portions contact the received test strip, wherein one of the top or bottom contacts is connected to the electronic circuitry to read encoding marks disposed on one surface of the test strip, and the other of the top or bottom contacts is connected to the electronic circuitry to obtain information about measurements made by the test strip on a sample introduced into the test strip, and
• wherein the electronic circuitry is configured to test for electrical contact between the pair of top and bottom contacts one or more times when no test strip is received in the meter.

A test meter for receiving a test strip comprising:

• (a) a housing;
• (b) electronic circuitry disposed within the housing and
• (c) a strip port connector connected to the electronic circuitry and extending to an opening in the housing, said strip port connector connecting the electronic circuitry with a received test strip, wherein
• the strip port connector comprises a pair of contacts, the pair of contacts having a top contact and a bottom plate, said top contact having a proximal end and a distal end and a central contact portion and said bottom plate being disposed in alignment with the central contact portion;
• the top contact is biased such that the central contact portions of the contacts are in electrical contact with one another when no test strip is received in the test meter,
• the distal ends of the top contact and the plate are separable from one another by insertion of the test strip therebetween, and
• the electronic circuitry is configured to test for electrical contact between the top contact and the bottom plate at one or more times when no test strip is received in the test meter.

A test meter for receiving a test strip comprising:

• (a) a housing;
• (b) electronic circuitry disposed within the housing and
• (c) a strip port connector connected to the electronic circuitry and extending to an opening in the housing, said strip port connector connecting the electronic circuitry with a received test strip, wherein
• the strip port connector receives the test strip through one longitudinal end of the strip port connector,
• the strip port connector contains a pair of opposed contacts, the pair having a top contact and a bottom contact, said top and bottom contacts having a proximal end and a distal end and a central contact portion,
• the top and bottom contacts of the pair are transversely aligned with one another;
• and
• one of the top and bottom contacts extends longitudinally within the strip port connector to a greater extent than the other,
• the top and bottom contacts are biased such that the central portions of the top and bottom contacts are in electrical contact with one another when no test strip is received in the test meter, and
• the distal ends of the top and bottom contacts being separable from one another by insertion of the test strip between the opposed contacts,
• wherein the electronic circuitry is configured to test for electrical contact between the pair of top and bottom contacts one or more times when no test strip is received in the meter.

A test meter for receiving a test strip comprising:

• (a) a housing;
• (b) electronic circuitry disposed within the housing and
• (c) a strip port connector connected to the electronic circuitry and extending to an opening in the housing, said strip port connector connecting the electronic circuitry with a received test strip, wherein
• the strip port connector contains a pair of opposed contacts, the pair having a top contact and a bottom contact, said top and bottom contacts having a proximal end and a distal end and a central contact portion,
• the top and bottom contacts of the pair are transversely aligned with one another;
• the top and bottom contacts are biased such that the central contact portions of the contacts are in electrical contact with one another when no test strip is received in the test meter, and
• the distal ends of the top and bottom contacts are separable from one another by insertion of the test strip between the opposed contacts, wherein one of the top or bottom contacts is connected to the electronic circuitry to read encoding marks disposed on one surface of a test strip, and the other of the top or bottom contacts is connected to the electronic circuitry to obtain information about measurements made by the test strip on a sample introduced into the test strip,
• wherein the electronic circuitry is configured to test for electrical contact between the pair of top and bottom contacts one or more times when no test strip is received in the meter.