Abstract: Disclosed herein are electrochemical sensor dispensing methods and apparatus. The sensors dispensers can include an elongate body having a proximal end and a distal, the elongate body including a proximally positioned dispensing surface with an opening for dispensing a sensor. A storage chamber having a series of connected sensors is positioned distally and can feed a proximally positioned sensor feeder mechanism. The feeder mechanism includes an elongate member having a first end and second end, the second end adapted to pivot between a sensor engaging position and a sensor feeding position.

Abstract: Described and illustrated herein are exemplary methods of operating an analyte measurement system having a meter and a test strip. Such methods may be exemplarily achieved by determining a first glucose concentration by measuring a first reflectance at about a first wavelength at a testing surface of the pad; measuring a second reflectance at about a second wavelength; formulating at least one equation to correct the first glucose concentration for temperature or hematocrit effects using the second reflectance at about the second wavelength; determining a second glucose concentration using the first glucose concentration, the second reflectance at about a second wavelength; and displaying the second glucose concentration that is corrected for temperature and hematocrit effects.

Abstract: Electrochemical sensors for investigating a physiological sample and methods of manufacture are disclosed. The sensor includes a longitudinally extending reaction cell, having electrodes and a reagent, and laterally spaced electrical contact points for electrically communication with a meter. An array of such sensors is further disclosed including connective flaps for joining adjacent sensors. In use, the array of sensors can be stored in a folded configuration and dispensed individually.

Abstract: Electrochemical sensors for investigating a physiological sample and methods of manufacture are disclosed. The sensor includes an electrochemical reaction cell, having electrodes and a reagent, and laterally spaced electrical contact points for electrically communication with a meter. Further described herein is a multi-chambered sensor having an electrochemical reaction cell and an immunological cell. The multi-chambered cell can also include a pre-chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are electrochemical sensor dispensing methods and apparatus. The sensors dispensers can include an elongate body having a proximal end and a distal, the elongate body including a proximally positioned dispensing surface with an opening for dispensing a sensor. A storage chamber having a series of connected sensors is positioned distally and can feed a proximally positioned sensor feeder mechanism. The feeder mechanism includes an elongate member having a first end and second end, the second end adapted to pivot between a sensor engaging position and a sensor feeding position.

Abstract: Methods of auto-calibrating a meter are disclosed. In one aspect, the method can include determining a set of calibration information applicable to a sensor and storing the calibration information onto a tag element associated with a sensor dispenser. The tag element can be placed into communication with a reader element that is associated with a meter and which is configured to receive the calibration information so as to allow the meter to use the calibration information in a calibration procedure. Various aspects of a system for auto-calibrating a meter are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are electrochemical sensor dispensing methods and apparatus. The sensors dispensers can include an elongate body having a proximal end and a distal, the elongate body including a proximally positioned dispensing surface with an opening for dispensing a sensor. A storage chamber having a series of connected sensors is positioned distally and can feed a proximally positioned sensor feeder mechanism. The feeder mechanism includes an elongate member having a first end and second end, the second end adapted to pivot between a sensor engaging position and a sensor feeding position.

Abstract: Described and illustrated herein are exemplary methods of operating an analyte measurement system having a meter and a test strip. Such methods may be exemplarily achieved by determining a first glucose concentration by measuring a first reflectance at about a first wavelength at a testing surface of the pad; measuring a second reflectance at about a second wavelength; formulating at least one equation to correct the first glucose concentration for temperature or hematocrit effects using the second reflectance at about the second wavelength; determining a second glucose concentration using the first glucose concentration, the second reflectance at about a second wavelength; and displaying the second glucose concentration that is corrected for temperature and hematocrit effects.

Abstract: A method of auto-calibrating a meter is provided herein. The method can include disposing a sensor within a sensor dispenser associated with a tag element wherein the tag element is configured to store a plurality of sensor-specific information as well as communicate the information to a meter. Next, the method can include placing the sensor dispenser into communication with a meter which is configured to receive and retain a sensor from the sensor dispenser, and also configured to receive the sensor-specific information from the tag element thereby allowing the meter to perform an auto-calibration procedure which is at least partially dependent upon the sensor-specific information. Similarly, a system for auto-calibrating a meter is also provided herein. Additionally, various embodiments of a meter and various embodiments a sensor dispenser are also provided herein.

Abstract: Devices and methods for analyte concentration determination are provided. The subject devices have a housing having an aperture, a lancing element having a lancet held therein disposed within the housing, a manner for activating the lancing element to displace the lancet to provide an incision in an area of skin to provide physiological sample, and a manner for determining whether a sufficient amount of the physiological sample is present at the surface of the skin. The subject methods include lancing an area of skin to provide physiological sample at the surface of the area of skin, illuminating the physiological sample present at the surface of skin, detecting light reflected from the physiological sample, and determining whether the physiological sample is present in an amount sufficient for analyte concentration determination based upon the detected light. The subject invention also includes kits for use in practicing the subject methods.

Abstract: A lancing device with automatic stick and lance return features is disclosed. A drive mechanism within the unit comprises a slider-crank linkage combination. It is biased by a spring member to cause automatic firing once a crank member advanced by a user causes movement of an internal linkage member beyond its fully-cocked position. After firing, the lance is withdrawn so as not to pose a threat of secondary injury to the user. In use, the device is substantially silent though its course of operation. Yet, its configuration lends itself to producing a very quick, virtually painless stick with minimal recoil or shock to the device.

Abstract: The invention provides a substantially moisture-proof, air-tight apparatus for both dispensing a plurality of diagnostic test strips and testing a biological fluid dispensed onto the strip. One strip may be advanced for use in testing using a single, translational movement.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for determining the concentration of an analyte in a physiological sample are provided. The subject apparatuses include at least one light source, a detector array, means for determining whether a sufficient amount of sample is present on each of the plurality of different areas, and means for determining the concentration of the analyte based on the reflected light detected from those areas determined to have sufficient sample, where areas having insufficient sample are not used in analyte concentration determination. The subject methods include illuminating each area of a test strip, obtaining reflectance from each of the different areas, determining which areas have sufficient sample based on detected light therefrom and deriving analyte concentration from the areas determined to have sufficient sample, where areas determined not to have sufficient sample are not used in the derivation. Also provided are kits for use in practicing the subject methods.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are provided for cutting the skin, accessing and collecting physiological sample therein, and measuring a characteristic (e.g., an analyte concentration, of the sampled physiological sample). The subject devices are in the form of a tester or test element which includes a biosensor and preferably only one blade member that is removed in location from the biosensor. The placement of the blade or micro-blade element may vary, but is most preferably located to provide clearance from a user's finger during biological sample collection in connection with the biosensor. The testers are preferably configured to be stacked in a magazine for successive firing by a meter configured to automatically actuate sample acquisition and reading. Systems and methods in connection with the subject testers are also provided.

Abstract: Devices and methods for analyte concentration determination are provided. The subject devices have a housing having an aperture, a lancing element having a lancet held therein disposed within the housing, means for activating the lancing element to displace the lancet to provide an incision in an area of skin to provide physiological sample, and means for determining whether a sufficient amount of the physiological sample is present at the surface of the skin. The subject methods include lancing an area of skin to provide physiological sample at the surface of the area of skin, illuminating the physiological sample present at the surface of skin, detecting light reflected from the physiological sample, and determining whether the physiological sample is present in an amount sufficient for analyte concentration determination based upon the detected light. The subject invention also includes kits for use in practicing the subject methods.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for determining the concentration of an analyte in a physiological sample are provided. The subject apparatuses include at least one light source, a detector array, means for determining whether a sufficient amount of sample is present on each of the plurality of different areas, and means for determining the concentration of the analyte based on the reflected light detected from those areas determined to have sufficient sample, where areas having insufficient sample are not used in analyte concentration determination. The subject methods include illuminating each area of a test strip, obtaining reflectance from each of the different areas, determining which areas have sufficient sample based on detected light therefrom and deriving analyte concentration from the areas determined to have sufficient sample, where areas determined not to have sufficient sample are not used in the derivation. Also provided are kits for use in practicing the subject methods.

Abstract: A lancing device with automatic stick and lance return features is disclosed. A drive mechanism within the unit comprises a slider-crank linkage combination. It is biased by a spring member to cause automatic firing once a crank member advanced by a user causes movement of an internal linkage member beyond its fully-cocked position. After firing, the lance is withdrawn so as not to pose a threat of secondary injury to the user. In use, the device is substantially silent though its course of operation. Yet, its configuration lends itself to producing a very quick, virtually painless stick with minimal recoil or shock to the device.

Abstract: The invention provides a substantially moisture-proof, air-tight apparatus for both dispensing a plurality of diagnostic test strips and testing a biological fluid dispensed onto the strip. One strip may be advanced for use in testing using a single, translational movement.

Abstract: The invention provides testing devices useful in colorimeteric measurements of analytes in which at least a portion of the device's support is of a reflectivity that will not interfere with the meter's error detecting means

Abstract: A light emitting diode with reduced stray light includes a base with an active light emitting element mounted in the base. An epoxy envelope is mounted on the base. The envelope includes a conical side portion and a spherical dome portion. The envelope is encapsulated with optically absorbing material of low reflectivity. The optically absorbing material is in direct contact with the side portion of the envelope and part of the spherical dome portion leaving an exposed portion through which rays of light pass.