Abstract: A method for determining contamination of a biosensor in which the biosensor is loaded into a test meter and a sample is then applied. First and second predetermined test voltages are applied between spaced electrodes of the biosensor for respective first and second predetermined time intervals. First and second current values are measured during the respective first and second predetermined time intervals. Reference values are determined based on the measured first and second current values. Based on one or more of the reference values, a determination of contamination is made. Reporting of the analyte concentration of the sample can be suppressed based on the determination.

Abstract: A method for determining contamination of a biosensor in which the biosensor is loaded into a test meter and a sample is then applied. First and second predetermined test voltages are applied between spaced electrodes of the biosensor for respective first and second predetermined time intervals. First and second current values are measured during the respective first and second predetermined time intervals. Reference values are determined based on the measured first and second current values. Based on one or more of the reference values, a determination of contamination is made. Reporting of the analyte concentration of the sample can be suppressed based on the determination.

Abstract: A plate cooler stave for use in a furnace having a shell wall, comprising: a top portion housing at least one cooling fluid inlet and at least one cooling fluid outlet for the flow of cooling fluid to and from the plate cooler stave from outside the furnace; and a main body disposed at an angle relative to the top portion so that the main body may be inserted into the furnace through an opening defined by the shell wall, wherein upon installation, at least a part of the top portion is disposed in the opening.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods to determine when a new or fresh battery has been replaced in a medical monitoring device and store a record of such battery replacement so that the battery records of the medical monitoring device can be reliably kept over the life of the monitoring device.

Abstract: An analytical test meter includes a meter housing containing a test strip connector that includes at least two terminals. A processor is disposed within the meter housing, as well as a current generator that generates a magnetic field in association with one of the terminals for attracting a contact of an analytical test strip for alignment or retention therewith. Detection of the presence of an analytical test strip relative to an electrical contact can cause an increase in the intensity of the magnetic field.

Abstract: Various methods, devices and systems are described in which certain analyte test strip are identified for use in an analyte test meter or identified as unsuitable for use in the meter.

Abstract: Various embodiments are described and illustrated for mitigating a potential system or screen freeze during an electrostatic discharge.

Abstract: An analytical test meter includes a meter housing containing a test strip connector that includes at least two terminals. A processor is disposed within the meter housing, as well as a current generator that generates a magnetic field in association with one of the terminals for attracting a contact of an analytical test strip for alignment or retention therewith. Detection of the presence of an analytical test strip relative to an electrical contact can cause an increase in the intensity of the magnetic field.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods to determine when a new or fresh battery has been replaced in a medical monitoring device and store a record of such battery replacement so that the battery records of the medical monitoring device can be reliably kept over the life of the monitoring device.

Abstract: A modular analytical test meter includes a meter chassis or body and a plug-in analytical module that is electrically and mechanically attached in a releasable fashion to the meter chassis. When attached, the plug-in analytical module includes resident circuitry configured to measure for an analyte of interest from an analytical test strip, the module further including stored coded information such as firmware updates that can be utilized by the existing test meter without requiring replacement of an entire system.

Abstract: A hand-held test meter for use with an analytical test strip (such as an electrochemical-based analytical test strip) in the determination of an analyte (e.g., glucose) in a bodily fluid sample (such as a whole blood sample) includes a housing, a display block, a micro-controller disposed in the housing, a strip detection circuit block disposed in the housing, and a strip port connector with a test strip insertion detector(s). The test strip insertion detector(s) and strip detection circuit block are configured to detect the insertion of an analytical test strip into the strip port connector and send an insertion signal to the micro-controller upon such detection. In addition, the micro-controller is configured to receive the insertion signal, distinguish an orientation of analytical test strip insertion based on at least the insertion signal and signal the display module to display a predetermined message to a user based on the distinguished orientation of analytical test strip insertion.

Abstract: An elastically interconnected cooler compressed hearth comprises a concave dished bottom lined with a sub-layer and a working layer of hearth bricks. Cylindrical walls that rise up from the rim of the concave dished bottom are constructed with one or more tiers of coolers shaped into arc segment blocks that are joined together by their flanges to form complete rings. The outer perimeter of the hearth brick within the ringed tiers is inwardly compressed toward the center to disallow any leaks from forming between the separate bricks. The coolers are elastically interconnected at their flanges by fasteners and springs. Each spring can be individually adjusted to obtain optimal working pressures on the whole of the core wall and hearth floor bricks.

Abstract: A method for accommodating increasing outward pressures in the tap holes of a hearth furnace includes configuring a tap hole lining and disposing it inside a hollow cylindrical conduit such that the tap hole lining can slide in response to outward pressures and growth in the hearth brick. The tap hole lining is retained inside the hollow cylindrical conduit with a retaining ring and spring assemblies.

Abstract: System and methods are provided to ameliorate a shortcoming identified by applicants for analyte meter in wireless communication to a server.

Abstract: A secondary stave support for a furnace stave with a water pipe having a first portion of the water pipe external to the furnace stave and a second portion of the water pipe also external to a furnace shell wall comprising: a protection pipe having first and second ends, wherein the protection pipe is coaxially disposed about the water pipe with the first end nearest the stave; and a first gas-tight seal, disposed between the first end of the protection pipe and a third portion of the water pipe, prevents gas flow from within the furnace shell wall into an annular space between the protection pipe and the water pipe.

Abstract: An elastically interconnected cooler compressed hearth comprises a concave dished bottom lined with a sub-layer and a working layer of hearth bricks. Cylindrical walls that rise up from the rim of the concave dished bottom are constructed with one or more tiers of coolers shaped into arc segment blocks that are joined together by their flanges to form complete rings. The outer perimeter of the hearth brick within the ringed tiers is inwardly compressed toward the center to disallow any leaks from forming between the separate bricks. The coolers are elastically interconnected at their flanges by fasteners and springs. Each spring can be individually adjusted to obtain optimal working pressures on the whole of the core wall and hearth floor bricks.

Abstract: A method for accommodating increasing outward pressures in the tap holes of a hearth furnace includes configuring a tap hole lining and disposing it inside a hollow cylindrical conduit such that the tap hole lining can slide in response to outward pressures and growth in the hearth brick. The tap hole lining is retained inside the hollow cylindrical conduit with a retaining ring and spring assemblies.

Abstract: Various embodiments are described and illustrated for mitigating a potential system or screen freeze during an electrostatic discharge.

Abstract: Various methods, devices and systems are described in which certain analyte test strip are identified for use in an analyte test meter or identified as unsuitable for use in the meter.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods to utilize factual information based on stored blood glucose data to allow greater insight into the management of diabetes of a user.