Abstract: A blood glucose meter integrated with a computing or communication device that includes a test strip receiving device that is coupled to and powered by the communication port or jack of the computing or communication device and utilizes a blood glucose meter application that resides in the memory and is operated by the microprocessor of the computing or communication device. Advantageously, blood glucose meter data can be transmitted by the computing or communication device to a memory storage “cloud” for later review and/or manipulation by a user, a doctor, and/or the like.

Abstract: A blood glucose meter with a simplified programmable voice function, including: a microprocessor; a memory that is both programmable and re-programmable coupled to the microprocessor; and an audio output device coupled to the microprocessor and the memory; wherein a language algorithm and a plurality of language components specific to a language selected by a user are disposed within the memory; and wherein the language algorithm and the plurality of language components are utilized to provide an audio output through the audio output device in the language selected by the user. The language algorithm is operable for determining which language components are utilized to provide the audio output and in what order based on the language selected by the user. Optionally, the audio output is generated by the microprocessor and the memory using a pulse-width modulation scheme and/or the like.

Abstract: The present invention provides a syringe assembly for a medication pump, such as an insulin pump, or the like that includes a pair of protruding structures at one end that mate with the typical pair of opposed recesses or other notch structures of the syringe assembly mating portion of the pump, without the use of a cap structure and needle member, and that may be manufactured primarily from a relatively inexpensive plastic material or the like, while still providing the medication supply back-pressure required to be adequately sensed by the pump electronics, such that the pump accepts the syringe assembly and is “primed” for proper operation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a blood glucose test strip for use in a six-pin blood glucose meter, including: a substrate; a first conductive lead disposed on a surface of the substrate; a second conductive lead disposed on the surface of the substrate; and a third conductive lead disposed on the surface of the substrate; wherein a portion of each of the first conductive lead, the second conductive lead, and the third conductive lead resides within a blood sample chamber disposed on the surface of the substrate; and wherein blood glucose testing is initiated by the blood glucose meter only when blood in the blood sample chamber electrically couples the first conductive lead and the third conductive lead.

Abstract: A bottle assembly that provides an audio message related to its contents, including: a first housing configured to contain the contents; a second housing coupled to the first housing; an audio system selectively attached to the second housing; a printed circuit board disposed within the audio system including a memory configured to receive audio data; and a speaker and battery disposed within the audio system and coupled to the printed circuit board; the audio system has a keyed shape and is configured to mate with a similarly-shaped receptacle of an audio data programming system when the audio system is detached from the second housing. The audio system has a keyed shape such that it may be mated with the audio data programming system in only one orientation for programming. Preferably, the audio data programming system is disposed within a pharmacy and the audio data is generated outside of the pharmacy.

Abstract: An insertion apparatus, including an object for insertion into a patient; an insertion structure including an annular mounting structure having a mounting structure interior, the mounting structure containing a resilient membrane barrier extending across the mounting structure interior with a resiliently closing membrane opening for passing the object; so that the object can be inserted forwardly through the membrane opening and into a patient and subsequently withdrawn from the patient and rearwardly from the membrane opening, the membrane opening resiliently closes as the object exits the membrane opening and thereby preventing patient bodily fluid from flowing rearwardly out of the insertion structure.

Abstract: A lancet includes a proximal mounting platform; a shuttle biasing spring extending distally from the mounting platform; a shuttle having distally protruding needle, the shuttle being mounted on the shuttle biasing spring; a housing first section having a tubular first section side wall engagingly fitted to the mounting platform and fitted in telescopic relation to a tubular second section side wall of a housing second section which has a distal needle passing opening; a shuttle cocking mechanism including a shuttle shoulder having a shoulder distal face, two spaced apart and resilient shuttle engaging arms extending distally from the mounting platform and tilted toward each other and having inwardly protruding grip fingers positioned to fit over the shoulder distal face and thus engage the shuttle shoulder, and having outwardly ramped distal arm tips obstructing and deflecting re-entry of the shuttle between the engaging arms.

Abstract: A flow rate selection valve includes a gate cylinder having a gate cylinder rotational axis and having at least two flow rate determining passageways and passing laterally through the gate cylinder at orientations angularly displaced from each other and having cylinder rotation structure; and a valve housing containing a flow passageway and having a cylinder receiving bore intersecting the flow passageway into which the gate cylinder is rotatably and sealingly mounted, the gate cylinder dividing the flow passageway into a passageway inlet end and a passageway outlet end, the flow passageway containing a passageway registration barrier extending across the flow passageway and sealingly abutting the gate cylinder and having several flow ports with different minimum diameters, each flow port positioned to register with one of the flow rate determining passageway.

Abstract: An insertion apparatus, including an object for insertion into a patient; an insertion structure including an annular mounting structure having a mounting structure interior, the mounting structure containing a resilient membrane barrier extending across the mounting structure interior with a resiliently closing membrane opening for passing the object; so that the object can be inserted forwardly through the membrane opening and into a patient and subsequently withdrawn from the patient and rearwardly from the membrane opening, the membrane opening resiliently closes as the object exits the membrane opening and thereby preventing patient bodily fluid from flowing rearwardly out of the insertion structure.