Abstract: A method for operating a medical device includes activating a processor in the medical device in a low-power operating mode, measuring a first voltage level of the battery, applying at least one discharge pulse to the battery in response to the first voltage level of the battery being greater than a predetermined passivation minimum voltage threshold and less than a predetermined passivation maximum voltage threshold, measuring a second voltage level of the battery after the at least one discharge pulse, and operating the processor in the medical device in an increased-power operating mode to continue operation of the medical device only in response to the second voltage level being greater than or equal to a predetermined operating voltage threshold, the predetermined operating voltage threshold being greater than the predetermined passivation minimum voltage threshold and less than or equal to the predetermined passivation maximum voltage threshold.

Abstract: A method for operating a medical device includes activating a processor in the medical device in a low-power operating mode, measuring a first voltage level of the battery, applying at least one discharge pulse to the battery in response to the first voltage level of the battery being greater than a predetermined passivation minimum voltage threshold and less than a predetermined passivation maximum voltage threshold, measuring a second voltage level of the battery after the at least one discharge pulse, and operating the processor in the medical device in an increased-power operating mode to continue operation of the medical device only in response to the second voltage level being greater than or equal to a predetermined operating voltage threshold, the predetermined operating voltage threshold being greater than the predetermined passivation minimum voltage threshold and less than or equal to the predetermined passivation maximum voltage threshold.

Abstract: A method of configuring a hand-held instrument (10) for determining the concentration of a medically significant component of a body fluid or a control comprises providing a configuring computer (14) having a first port (18) for transmitting instructions and data for configuring the instrument (10), providing on the instrument (10) a second port (17) for receiving the instructions and data from the configuring computer (14), coupling the first port (18) to the second port (17), transmitting instructions and data to configure the instrument (10) from the first port (18), receiving the instructions and data at the second port (17), and configuring the instrument (10) according to the instructions and data transmitted from the first port (10) and received at the second port (17).

Abstract: An instrument (20) has a well (28a-b) for receiving a dry cell (75), an opening (78) through which a first connector (74) is exposed to the well (28a-b), and a boss (76) adjacent the opening (78). The boss (76) precludes the wrong terminal of the dry cell (75) from engaging the first connector (74) when the dry cell (75) is inserted into the well (28a-b) in incorrect orientation. A second connector (80) includes a base (81), a first leg (82) resiliently connected to and extending away from the base portion, a second leg (84) resiliently connected to and extending away from the first leg (82), and a third leg (86) resiliently connected to and extending away from the second leg (84) and toward the first leg (82). A display (42) for the instrument (20) has a lens (90) having a substantially transparent substrate with a polyurethane coating. The instrument housing has first and second portions.