Method and apparatus for encoding test strips

摘要

A test meter for receiving a test strip comprises:
(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. The strip port connector contains a pair of top and bottom contacts, 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 distal ends of the top and bottom contacts are separated or separable from one another by insertion of a test strip between the opposed contacts. The contacts and the meter are adapted to permit detection of faulty contacts and/or coding associated with an inserted test strip.

主权项

1. A method for determining the concentration of an analyte in a sample comprising the steps of:
inserting an electrochemical test strip for detecting the analyte into a test meter,
said test strip being generally planar and comprising a sample cell for receiving a test sample for analysis and electrodes disposed within the sample cells for performing an electrochemical assay, said test strip having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the test strip comprises a connection region and wherein the test strip further comprises:
(a) electrical connectors for connecting the electrodes to a test meter, said electrical connectors being disposed within the connection region and exposed for connection on the top surface, and(b) a plurality of encoding pads disposed within the connection region on the bottom surface of the test strip, wherein at least two of the encoding pads are in electrical connection with each other; andwherein said test meter comprises:
(a) a housing;(b) electronic circuitry disposed within the housing and 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, 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 the received test strip, whereinthe 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; andthe 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, andthe distal ends of the top and bottom contacts are separable from one another by insertion of the test strip between the opposed contacts; introducing a sample into the test strip, measuring an initial value for concentration of analyte; and adjusting the initial concentration of analyte as needed based upon information conveyed by encoding pads on the test strip to determine the concentration of analyte in the sample.