Abstract: An improved disposable glucose test strip for use in a test meter of the type which receives a disposable test strip and a sample of blood from a patient and performs an electrochemical analysis is made using a non-conductive integrated reagent/blood separation layer containing a filler, an enzyme effective to oxidize glucose, e.g., glucose oxidase, and a mediator effective to transfer electrons from the enzyme. The integrated layer formulation is printed over a conductive carbon element to form a working electrode. The filler, for example a silica filler, is selected to have a balance of hydrophobicity and hydrophilicity such that one drying it forms a two-dimensional network on the surface of the conductive element. The response of this test strip is essentially temperature independent over relevant temperature ranges and is substantially insensitive to the hematocrit of the patient.

Abstract: A medical device package for receiving, and securely and removably retaining, a medical device includes main and minor cap members. The main cap member has a proximal end, a distal end and a cavity with a cavity opening at the proximal end. The cavity is configured to receive, and to securely and removably retain, the medical device at least partially therein. The minor cap member is configured to seal the cavity opening once the medical device has been received in the cavity. Kits further include a connector adapted for engaging the medical device member and breaching the minor cap member. A method for extracting a medical device from a medical device package includes first providing a medical device package as described above, with a medical device therein, and a connector. The method also includes breaching the minor cap member with the connector such that at least a portion of the connector enters the cavity of the medical device package.

Abstract: An apparatus for detection and quantitation of an electrochemically-detectable analyte, such as glucose, in blood or interstitial fluid includes a meter unit, a lancet and an electrochemical sensor. Of these components, the meter is preferably reusable, while the lancet and the electrochemical sensor are preferably incorporated in assemblies intended for single-use. The meter unit has a housing, within which a lancet is engaged with a mechanism for moving then lancet; a connector disposed within the housing for engaging an electrochemical sensor specific for the analyte and transmitting a signal indicative of the amount of analyte, and a display operatively-associated with a connector for displaying the amount of the analyte to user. The electrochemical sensor is adapted for detection of a particular analyte. In addition, the electrochemical sensor has an absorptive member for uptake of a sample of blood or interstitial fluid.

Abstract: The present invention is a testing device for testing analyte levels in bodily fluids. The testing device comprises memory (202) for storing data, said data being analyte data related to analyte measurements carried out by the meter and lifestyle data; initiation means (102) for initiating immediate entry of data related to a specific category of lifestyle data; navigation means (104) for entry and navigation of said data; and transfer means (258) for transferring said data to said memory. Preferably, the testing device is a glucose meter and one of the analytes being tested is glucose.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the absorption of a liquid sample through an absorbent layer (2) and reducing the effect of hematocrit by applying the sample on one side of the layer (2a) and providing an air gap (4c) on the opposite side, so that absorption is controlled by preventing the release of air from the air gap.