Abstract: An indexer adapted to index a test sensor from a test-sensor cartridge. The indexer includes an indexer face having a first aperture formed generally through the center thereof. The indexer further includes a retention pin extending through the first aperture and a flexible pawl positioned near an edge of the indexer face. The indexer is adapted to be rotated in a first direction and a second generally opposite direction about the retention pin. The flexible pawl is configured to bend when the indexer is rotated in the second direction. The flexible pawl is configured to assist in rotating the test-sensor cartridge.

Abstract: Testing of the performance of an electrochemical meter used to measure the presence of an analyte in a biological sample, particularly glucose in whole blood, includes introducing a control solution containing a predetermined amount of the analyte and a predetermined amount of an internal reference compound. The internal reference compound is selected such that it is oxidized at a potential greater than that used to oxidize the analyte, thereby making it possible to distinguish the control solution from a biological sample.

Abstract: Meters, methods, and computer-readable media for determining the concentration of an analyte in a fluid sample are presented herein. One concept is directed to a meter for determining the concentration of an analyte in a fluid sample. The meter includes a housing configured to receive a test sensor carrying the fluid sample, and a processor configured to determine analyte concentration information from the fluid sample. A memory is coupled to the processor and configured to store the analyte concentration information. A display is coupled to the housing and configured to display the analyte concentration information and one or more iconic markers. Each iconic marker represents a respective state of the user. Each user state has a known affect on the analyte concentration information. An input device is coupled to the processor and configured to receive the user's selection from the iconic markers. The user's selection is stored by the memory.

Abstract: A system for measuring health data includes a measurement device. The measurement device includes at least one measurement interface to receive a first fluid sample, a processor to measure one or more first characteristics of the first fluid sample, and at least one memory device to store first data. The processor reads the first data and measures the one or more first characteristics of the first fluid sample according to the first data. The at least one memory device also stores second data. The processor reads the second data instead of the first data to reconfigure the measurement device and measures one or more second characteristics of a second fluid sample according to the second data. An external processing device may be communicatively coupled to the measurement device and may execute a healthcare application that communicates with the measurement device and may be employed to reconfigure the measurement device.

Abstract: A sensor system including devices and methods for determining the concentration of an analyte in a sample is described. Input signals including amperometric and voltammetric duty cycles of excitations and relaxations may provide a shorter analysis time and/or improve the accuracy and/or precision of the analysis. The disclosed system may reduce analysis errors, thus improving measurement performance, by adjusting the potential and/or scan rate in response to output currents obtained from voltammetric scans. The disclosed system also may determine the concentration of more than one ionizable species in the sample by adjusting the potential and/or scan rate in response to output currents obtained from voltammetric scans. The multiple, determined concentrations may be used to determine the concentration of multiple analytes or to correct the concentration determined for an analyte, thus improving the measurement performance of the system.

Abstract: A lancing device and a method for using the lancing device includes a plunger mechanism having a permanent magnet housed therein. The lancing device includes a movable element having at least one attracting object and at least one repelling object. The attracting object attracts the permanent magnet to move the plunger into a retracted position. The repelling object repels the permanent magnet to move the plunger into a lancing position to pierce the skin of a test subject. The use of the permanent magnet in the plunger mechanism reduces or eliminates multiple punctures due to plunger bounce or oscillation that can occur while a body fluid sample is being drawn.

Abstract: Embodiments include determining a reference value on a first device; broadcasting the reference value from the first device; connecting the first device to a second device if the second device requests data from the first device; transmitting any new data if the second device requests data from the first device; generating and broadcasting a new reference value if the first device has new data; broadcasting the reference value from the first device again if the first device does not have new data; receiving a reference value in the second device from the first device; and if the received reference value does not match the stored reference value then transmitting a request from the second device for new data from the first device, receiving new data from the first device into the second device, and storing the received reference value as a new stored reference value. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: In some aspects, an analyte sensor is provided for detecting an analyte concentration level in a bio-fluid sample. The analyte sensor has a base, a first electrode and a second electrode wherein a thermocouple portion is provided integral with the second electrode thereby enabling on-sensor temperature measurement capability. In some embodiments, two and only two electrical contact engagement portions are provided thereby simplifying electrical contact. Manufacturing methods and systems utilizing the analyte sensors are provided, as are numerous other aspects.

Abstract: In some aspects, an analyte sensor is provided for detecting an analyte concentration level in a biological fluid sample. The analyte sensor has a base including a top and bottom side, a lid, and an attachment member including one or more retention tabs coupled proximate the top side so that the analyte sensor can be grasped by the sensor's top side. Manufacturing methods and systems adapted to use and dispense the analyte sensors are provided, as are numerous other aspects.

Abstract: An electrochemical sensor system is adapted to assist in determining an analyte concentration of a fluid. The electrochemical sensor system comprises a substrate, conductive material and a hydrogel or liquid. The substrate having porosity therethrough. The conductive material includes at least one electrode. The at least one electrode is coupled to the substrate. The at least one electrode has a first surface and an opposing second surface. The hydrogel or liquid is adapted to assist in carrying the analyte of the fluid to the first and second surfaces of the at least one electrode.

Abstract: Reverse battery protection circuits for devices powered by batteries coupled in parallel can include both P-channel and N-channel MOSFETs. Each positive battery terminal connector of a battery-powered device can be coupled to a gate of an N-channel MOSFET or to both a gate of an N-channel MOSFET and a gate of a P-channel MOSFET. In some embodiments, each negative battery terminal connector of the device can be connected to a gate of a P-channel MOSFET. In the event of a reverse battery connection, one or more of the protection circuit's P-channel and N-channel MOSFETS can switch to a non-conductive state to isolate the device's load from an incorrectly installed battery and prevent the incorrectly installed battery and/or other parallel-coupled battery from prematurely discharging. Methods of protecting a load from a reverse battery connection are also provided, as are other aspects.

Abstract: A biosensor system for determining the concentration of an analyte in a sample includes a plurality of test sensors, and includes a container including a desiccant and the plurality of test sensors, sealed in the container. When the container is stored for two weeks at a temperature of 50° C., and each test sensor is subsequently removed from the container, connected through the at least two conductors to a measurement device and then contacted with one of a plurality of samples including an analyte, where the plurality of samples has analyte concentrations that span the range of 50 mg/dL-600 mg/dL, and the analyte concentration in each sample is determined by the test sensor and the measuring device, the bias of each determined analyte concentration may be within ±10 mg/dL or ±10%, and the coefficient of variation of the determined analyte concentrations may be at most 2.5%.

Abstract: A test sensor includes a body, a first conductive trace, a second conductive trace, and a third conductive trace. The body includes a first region that has a fluid-receiving area, a second region separate from the first region, and a first temperature sensing interface disposed at or adjacent to the fluid-receiving area. The fluid-receiving area receives a sample. The first trace is disposed on the body, and at least a portion of the first trace is disposed in the first region. The second and third traces are disposed on the body. The third trace extends from the first to the second regions. The third trace is connected to the first trace at the first temperature sensing interface. The third trace includes a different material than the first trace. A first thermocouple is formed at the first temperature sensing interface. The thermocouple provides temperature data to determine an analyte concentration.

Abstract: A system and method is described for rapid charging and power management of a battery for a meter. A charger component is operably associated with the meter and is capable of executing a rapid charge algorithm for a rechargeable battery. The algorithm includes monitoring for a connection to an external power source and implementing a charging routine of a battery at a first charge rate and then at a second charge rate. The second charge rate is lower than the first charge rate. A temperature rise in the rechargeable battery due to the first charge rate has a negligible heat transfer effect on the fluid sample. The meter can also include a power switch for controlling current flow to a battery fuel gauge. The power switch is open when the meter enters into a sleep mode. The state of battery charge is determined after the meter exits the sleep mode.

Abstract: A method of forming a 3-phenylimino-3H-phenothiazine or a 3-phenylimino-3H-phenoxazine mediator includes providing a first reactant including phenothiazine or phenoxazine, providing a first solvent, providing a second reactant and providing a second solvent. The first reactant, first solvent, second reactant and second solvent are combined to form a reactants solution. Sodium persulfate is added to the reactants solution to couple the first and second reactants resulting in a reaction solution including the 3-phenylimino-3H-phenothiazine or the 3-phenylimino-3H-phenoxazine mediator.

Abstract: An electrochemical test sensor includes a lid and a base. The base has a length and a width. The length of the base is greater than the width of the base. The base includes at least a working electrode, a counter electrode and at least three test-sensor contacts for electrically connecting to a meter. The at least three test-sensor contacts are spaced along the length of the base from each other. The base and the lid assist in forming a fluid chamber for receiving the fluid sample. The electrochemical test sensor further includes a reagent to assist in determining the concentration of the analyte in the fluid sample.

Abstract: A biosensor with an underfill recognition system assesses whether to analyze a sample for one or more analytes in response to the volume of the sample. The underfill recognition system applies polling and test excitation signals to the sample. The polling signals generate one or more polling output signals, which maybe used to detect when a sample is present and to determine whether the sample has sufficient volume for analysis. The test excitation signal generates one or more test output signals, which may be used to determine one or more analyte concentrations in the sample.

Abstract: In some aspects, an analyte sensor is provided. The analyte sensor has a plurality of fuse members associated therewith. The fuse members may be burned in sequence and the burn values (related to current, voltage, or time) may be used to extract/decode information. The decoded information may include calibration constant, expiration or manufacture date, counterfeiting codes, warnings, etc. Systems and methods for burning and detecting such burn values of the plurality of fuse members and decoding the coded information related to the sensor are provided, as are numerous other aspects.

Abstract: A lancet-release mechanism is adapted to be incorporated into a lancing device. The lancing device is adapted to receive a lancet assembly therein. The lancing device is adapted to move the lancet assembly between a resting position, a cocking position, and a puncture position. The lancet-release mechanism comprises a lancet holder and a cantilever beam. The lancet holder forms a central aperture. The central aperture is adapted to receive the lancet assembly therein. The lancet holder further forms a plurality of protuberances thereon. The cantilever beam has a projection extending therefrom. The projection is adapted to engage the plurality of protuberances located on the lancet holder. The projection is adapted to separate the plurality of protuberances from each other so as to enlarge the central aperture.

Abstract: A portable data-management system may be easily employed with multiple processing devices by eliminating the need to pre-install additional programs, agents, device drivers, or other software components on the hosts. A portable storage device contains software for a data-management application, which receives and processes test data from a meter that measures an analyte. The portable device may employ an interface protocol that makes the portable device immediately compatible with different operating systems and hardware configurations. Once the portable device is connected to the host, the data-management application can be automatically launched. The convenience and portability of a data-management system may be enhanced by integrating advanced data processing and display features with the portable device. The users may access some advanced presentations of health data without having to launch the data-management application on a separate host.