Abstract: Interchangeable inserts are provided for a storage container configured to receive a plurality of vertically oriented items, where the inserts include a body having a base, an upper surface having an upper opening, and an upstanding tubular sidewall extending between the base and the upper surface. The base and the tubular sidewall together define an interior space of the insert. The tubular sidewall has an inner surface and an outer surface, where a pair of resilient securing tabs extend laterally from the outer surface of the tubular sidewall. The securing tabs frictionally engage the storage container for releasably coupling the insert to the storage container. Further, the insert has a first vent opening extending through the tubular sidewall through which air can enter the interior space of the body.

Abstract: Interchangeable inserts are provided for a storage container configured to receive a plurality of vertically oriented items, where the inserts include a body having a base, an upper surface having an upper opening, and an upstanding tubular sidewall extending between the base and the upper surface. The base and the tubular sidewall together define an interior space of the insert. The tubular sidewall has an inner surface and an outer surface, where a pair of resilient securing tabs extend laterally from the outer surface of the tubular sidewall. The securing tabs frictionally engage the storage container for releasably coupling the insert to the storage container. Further, the insert has a first vent opening extending through the tubular sidewall through which air can enter the interior space of the body.

Abstract: Interchangeable inserts are provided for a storage container configured to receive a plurality of vertically oriented items, where the inserts include a body having a base, an upper surface having an upper opening, and an upstanding tubular sidewall extending between the base and the upper surface. The base and the tubular sidewall together define an interior space of the insert. The tubular sidewall has an inner surface and an outer surface, where a pair of resilient securing tabs extend laterally from the outer surface of the tubular sidewall. The securing tabs frictionally engage the storage container for releasably coupling the insert to the storage container. Further, the insert has a first vent opening extending through the tubular sidewall through which air can enter the interior space of the body.

Abstract: Interchangeable inserts are provided for a storage container configured to receive a plurality of vertically oriented items, where the inserts include a body having a base, an upper surface having an upper opening, and an upstanding tubular sidewall extending between the base and the upper surface. The base and the tubular sidewall together define an interior space of the insert. The tubular sidewall has an inner surface and an outer surface, where a pair of resilient securing tabs extend laterally from the outer surface of the tubular sidewall. The securing tabs frictionally engage the storage container for releasably coupling the insert to the storage container. Further, the insert has a first vent opening extending through the tubular sidewall through which air can enter the interior space of the body.

Abstract: A biosensor container comprising a housing defining an internal glucose test strip compartment. The housing has an engagement portion for retaining a detachable means for storing data, and the means for storing data has data stored thereon specific to a batch of glucose test strips. At least one of the housing and the means for storing data includes at least one data reading element that is externally accessible when the means for storing data is retained by the engagement portion of the housing. The container includes various fail safe features to prevent mishandling and insure the user obtains the correct results. The housing includes means for connecting to the bG meter only when the means for storing data is retained by the housing. The housing further includes means for dispensing glucose test strips only when the housing is in either of an attached-to meter mode or a stand-alone mode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a biosensor. The biosensor includes a support substrate, electrodes positioned on the support substrate, a spacer substrate positioned on the support substrate, and a cover positioned on the spacer substrate. The cover cooperates with the support substrate to define a capillary channel. The electrodes include at least one working electrode defining a working electrode area in the capillary channel. The working electrode is configured to minimize variation in the working electrode area in the capillary channel due to variations in the spacer substrate placement relative to the working electrode.

Abstract: A biosensor container comprising a housing defining an internal glucose test strip compartment. The housing has an engagement portion for retaining a detachable means for storing data, and the means for storing data has data stored thereon specific to a batch of glucose test strips. At least one of the housing and the means for storing data includes at least one data reading element that is externally accessible when the means for storing data is retained by the engagement portion of the housing. The container includes various fail safe features to prevent mishandling and insure the user obtains the correct results. The housing includes means for connecting to the bG meter only when the means for storing data is retained by the housing. The housing further includes means for dispensing glucose test strips only when the housing is in either of an attached-to meter mode or a stand-alone mode.

Abstract: A printed circuit board (PCB) is provided that maximizes compensation capacitance per unit area of the PCB while minimizing signal transmission delays in the PCB. The PCB includes a first section having a first dielectric constant (DK), a second section having a second DK lower than the first DK and provided above or below the first section, a plurality of crosstalk compensation elements provided in the first section, and a plurality of circuit elements provided in the second section.

Abstract: Substantially moisture-proof, airtight dispensers for both storing and dispensing several flattened articles such as diagnostic test strips is disclosed. The dispensers fits comfortably in a user's hand and can be configured to provide a test strip either by a squeezing motion or by flipping a trigger at the top of the dispenser, for example with the user's thumb. The dispensers are easy to manually operate and are thus well suited for diabetics suffering from nerve damage in their extremities and other complications resulting from the disease. When used with a separate meter, an integrated RFID tag can provide automated coding of the test strip information into the meter.

Abstract: A connector for establishing electrical connection between a testing device and a test strip with a biological fluid thereon includes a contact pad on the test strip, and one or more contact wires in the testing device. When the strip is inserted into the testing device, the end of the strip engages with a bight in the contact wire, pushing the contact wire in a direction normal to the direction of insertion. The movement of the contact wire forces a second portion of the wire against a part of the housing, thereby deforming the wire and moving another portion of the wire toward the contact pad. Some embodiments of the invention include 4, 6, 8, 15, or more contacts, which may be situated so as to receive the end of the test strip substantially simultaneously, or may be staggered in 2, 3, or more rows to spread out the resistance to movement presented.

Abstract: A test strip for measuring a signal of interest in a biological fluid when the test strip is mated to an appropriate test meter, wherein the test strip and the test meter include structures to verify the integrity of the test strip traces, to measure the parasitic resistance of the test strip traces, and to provide compensation in the voltage applied to the test strip to account for parasitic resistive losses in the test strip traces. In addition, conductive traces are positioned to ensure structural interrogation of all electrodes and traces present upon the test strip.

Abstract: A substantially moisture-proof, airtight dispenser for both storing and dispensing several flattened articles such as diagnostic test strips. The inventive dispenser includes a novel pivotable housing that a user need merely grab and squeeze to eject a test strip. Independent movement of the user's fingers to push a button or turn a knob is unnecessary to dispense a strip, which makes the present invention well suited for diabetics suffering from nerve damage in their extremities and other complications resulting from the disease. The invention includes a novel flexible arm member and pusher head that engage and push an article from the dispenser as the two parts of the housing are pivoted together. The articles are dispensed through an exit that is configured with a novel flexible seal that maintains the dispenser substantially airtight. Several inventive seal embodiments and methods of making the same are disclosed.

Abstract: A printed circuit board (PCB) is provided that maximizes compensation capacitance per unit area of the PCB while minimizing signal transmission delays in the PCB. The PCB includes a first section having a first dielectric constant (DK), a second section having a second DK lower than the first DK and provided above or below the first section, a plurality of crosstalk compensation elements provided in the first section, and a plurality of circuit elements provided in the second section.