Abstract: A health-monitoring device assesses the health of a user based on levels of two analytes in a biological fluid. A first analyte that is utilized to assess a user's health is a fat metabolism analyte, such as ketones, free fatty acids and glycerol, which is indicative of fat metabolism. A second analyte that is utilized is a glucose metabolism analyte, such as glucose. The levels of the two analytes may be used to assess insulin sensitivity, to detect both recent hypoglycemia and the cause of high glucose levels, and/or to guide therapeutic intervention. The dual analyte model may calculate a discrepancy between an actual insulin activity level and a theoretical insulin activity level. The dual analyte model of the present invention may be used to identify individuals at risk for metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance and non-insulin dependent diabetes, and allows monitoring of the progression of those disease states, as well as progress made by therapeutic interventions.

Abstract: A cap for a lancing device for lancing dermal tissue is provided. The cap includes a cap body having a proximal end for connecting to the distal end of the housing of the lancing device and a contact ring attached to the distal end of the cap body. The contact ring includes an opening for <; i portion of the lancet of the lancing device to pass therethrough. The contact ring has a multi-contoured surface oriented generally about an axis distinct from the axis of motion of the lancet. The multicontoured surface is designed to pressure the dermal tissue to facilitate expression of a fluid sample after lancing the dermal tissue. The fluid sample can include blood, interstitial fluid, or both.

Abstract: A health-monitoring device assesses the health of a user based on levels of two analytes in a biological fluid. A first analyte that is utilized to assess a user's health is a fat metabolism analyte, such as ketones, free fatty acids and glycerol, which is indicative of fat metabolism. A second analyte that is utilized is a glucose metabolism analyte, such as glucose. The levels of the two analytes may be used to assess insulin sensitivity, to detect both recent hypoglycemia and the cause of high glucose levels, and/or to guide therapeutic intervention. The dual analyte model may calculate a discrepancy between an actual insulin activity level and a theoretical insulin activity level. The dual analyte model of the present invention may be used to identify individuals at risk for metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance and non-insulin dependent diabetes, and allows monitoring of the progression of those disease states, as well as progress made by therapeutic interventions.

Abstract: An apparatus for detection and quantitation of an electrochemically-detectable analyte, such as glucose, in blood or interstitial fluid includes a meter unit, a lancet and an electrochemical sensor. Of these components, the meter is preferably reusable, while the lancet and the electrochemical sensor are preferably incorporated in assemblies intended for single-use. The meter unit has a housing, within which a lancet is engaged with a mechanism for moving then lancet; a connector disposed within the housing for engaging an electrochemical sensor specific for the analyte and transmitting a signal indicative of the amount of analyte, and a display operatively-associated with a connector for displaying the amount of the analyte to user. The electrochemical sensor is adapted for detection of a particular analyte. In addition, the electrochemical sensor has an absorptive member for uptake of a sample of blood or interstitial fluid.

Abstract: An adapter for a standard glucose meter to convert the glucose meter into an integrated testing device is provided. The adapter comprises lancing device, a test strip port for holding a test strip in close proximity to a puncture site, a strip connector for providing an electrical connection between the test strip and the electronics in the glucose meter and a connector for connecting the adapter to the glucose meter. The adapter further includes an adapter cap, including a pressure ring for facilitating the expression of blood from a puncture site. The adapter includes a cocking mechanism for cocking the lancing device, a depth control mechanism for varying the penetration depth of the lancet and a trigger for actuating the lancet.

Abstract: A health-monitoring device assesses the health of a user based on levels of two analytes in a biological fluid. A first analyte that is utilized to assess a user's health is a fat metabolism analyte, such as ketones, free fatty acids and glycerol, which is indicative of fat metabolism. A first analyte that is utilized is a glucose metabolism analyte, such as glucose. The levels of the two analytes may be used to assess insulin sensitivity, to detect both recent hypoglycemia and the cause of high glucose levels, and/or to guide therapeutic intervention. The dual analyte model of the present invention may be used to identify individuals at risk for metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance and non-insulin dependent diabetes, and allows monitoring of the progression of those disease states, as well as progress made by therapeutic interventions.

Abstract: Advanced disease state management for diabetics through a wireless phone. A remote counselling service is accessible through the wireless communication feature of a wireless phone that interfaces to the diabetics' glucometer. A patient can send his glucose data directly to a counselling centre and receive a message back on how to proceed with treatment. Wireless technology can additionally be utilised to alert a caretaker that a hypoglycaemic value has been measured. The caretaker can then intervene to secure help. The telemetry can also be used to measure compliance with a prescribed disease management regime. The disease management system is also suitable for targeted marketing of supplies to diabetic patients.

Abstract: A cap for a lancing device for lancing dermal tissue is provided. The cap includes a cap body having a proximal end for connecting to the distal end of the housing of the lancing device and a contact ring attached to the distal end of the cap body. The contact ring includes an opening for a portion of the lancet of the lancing device to pass therethrough. The contact ring has a multi-contoured surface oriented generally about an axis distinct from the axis of motion of the lancet. The multi-contoured surface is designed to pressure the dermal tissue to facilitate expression of a fluid sample after lancing the dermal tissue. The fluid sample can include blood, interstitial fluid, or both.

Abstract: A personal condition management system comprising an input device, an advisory facility and an output device, wherein: said input device is adapted to communicate historical, current and/or prospective condition-relevant data to said advisory facility; said advisory facility is adapted to receive and store historical, current and/or prospective condition-relevant data from said input device and process said condition-relevant data to generate a treatment recommendation; and said output device is adapted to receive the treatment recommendation from the advisory facility and communicate receipt of said treatment recommendation to a

Abstract: A test strip vial for storing and dispensing test strips for measuring a analyte value in a sample of bodily fluid is provided. The test strip vial comprises a hermetically sealed container configured to store a stack of test strips and dispense the test strips from the container one at a time. The test strip vial provides simplified loading of a test strip into a testing device for measuring the analyte level of a sample of bodily fluid. The test strip vial comprises an outer housing comprised of a base container and a partially attached lid for closing the base container. The vial further includes a cassette inserted in the base container for holding a supply of test strips and dispensing the test strips one-by-one from the vial using a dispensing mechanism. Biasing means is also provided for biasing the stack of test strips towards the dispensing mechanism to facilitate one-by-one dispensing.

Abstract: A weight loss system and method measures one or more metabolic parameters in a body fluid sample and correlates the level of the metabolic parameter to a change in body fat or a metabolic state. The weight loss system includes a weight loss monitor including a sampling device for yielding a sample of the body fluid sample and a test element for analyzing the body fluid sample to determine the level of the metabolic parameter. An algorithm correlates the level of the metabolic parameter to a change in body fat, the metabolic state of the user or other parameter indicative of the success of the dieting process. The weight loss monitor may also track and display a user's weight versus an objective and provide feedback and assistance with the dieting process.

Abstract: A cap for a lancing device for lancing dermal tissue is provided. The cap includes a cap body having a proximal end for connecting to the distal end of the housing of the lancing device and a contact ring attached to the distal end of the cap body. The contact ring includes an opening for a portion of the lancet of the lancing device to pass therethrough. The contact ring has a multi-contoured surface oriented generally about an axis distinct from the axis of motion of the lancet. The multi-contoured surface is designed to pressure the dermal tissue to facilitate expression of a fluid sample after lancing the dermal tissue. The fluid sample can include blood, interstitial fluid, or both.

Abstract: An integrated sample testing meter, for instance for measuring blood, comprising a lancing device, an electrochemical sensor and a test strip cartridge disposed in a single modular housing. The test strip cartridge includes a stack of test strips suitable for performing an electrochemical or photometric analysis of a blood sample. The integrated test system automatically dispenses and positions a test strip in proximity to a lancet puncture site, automatically transfer, a blood sample to the test strip from the lancet puncture site and automatically analyzes the blood sample after the test strip collects the sample from the puncture site.

Abstract: A cap for a lancing device for lancing dermal tissue is provided. The cap includes a cap body having a proximal end for connecting to the distal end of the housing of the lancing device and a contact ring attached to the distal end of the cap body. The contact ring includes an opening for a portion of the lancet of the lancing device to pass therethrough. The contact ring has a multi-contoured surface oriented generally about an axis distinct from the axis of motion of the lancet. The multi-contoured surface is designed to pressure the dermal tissue to facilitate expression of a fluid sample after lancing the dermal tissue. The fluid sample can include blood, interstitial fluid, or both.