Device and method for automatic data acquisition and/or detection

Abstract

Methods and system for providing diabetes management including automatic time acquisition protocol and expiration date detection are provided.

1 . A method, comprising:
 detecting a presence of a medical component;   determining a resistance value associated with the medical component;   retrieving a stored resistance value associated with a predetermined time information;   comparing the determined resistance value to the stored resistance value; and   generating an output signal based on the comparison.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the predetermined time information includes expiration information associated with the medical component. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the medical component includes one or more of an analyte sensor, a blood glucose test strip, a medication cartridge, an infusion device infusion set, or a catheter. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the medical component includes a glucose test strip for determining a glucose level using a predetermined volume of blood sample. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the predetermined volume includes 1.0 microliter or less of blood sample. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the predetermined volume includes 0.5 microliter or less of blood sample. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the predetermined volume includes 0.25 microliter or less of blood sample. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the predetermined volume includes 0.1 microliter or less of blood sample. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the resistance value is provided on the medical component. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the resistance value is provided on the medical component using ink formulation. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the medical component includes a glucose test strip having a wake up bar, and further, wherein the resistance value is provided using ink formulation on the wake up bar. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  including outputting the generated output signal. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the generated output signal includes one or more of an audible signal, a visual signal, or a vibratory signal. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the generated output signal includes a notification of the medical component expiration. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a housing;   a test strip port coupled to the housing for receiving a test strip;   a memory unit coupled to the housing; and   a processing unit operatively coupled to the memory unit, the test strip port and the housing, the processing unit configured to detect a resistance value associated with the test strip, to retrieve a predetermined time information associated with the detected resistance value, and to generate an output signal based on the retrieved predetermined time information.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the test strip includes an analyte test strip. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein the analyte test strip includes a sample chamber for receiving a predetermined volume of blood sample to determine a glucose level. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17  wherein the predetermined volume includes 1.0 microliter or less of blood sample. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 17  wherein the predetermined volume includes 0.5 microliter or less of blood sample. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 17  wherein the predetermined volume includes 0.25 microliter or less of blood sample. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 17  wherein the predetermined volume includes 0.1 microliter or less of blood sample. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the memory unit is configured to store a plurality of predetermined resistance values, each associated with a respective predetermined time information. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the predetermined time information is associated with expiration information for the test strip. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the predetermined time information includes time and date information. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 15  including an output unit coupled to the housing, the display unit configured to display the generated output signal. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 25  wherein the output unit includes one or more of an audible output unit, a textual output unit, a vibratory output unit, or a graphical output unit. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the generated output signal includes a notification of the test strip expiration information. 
     
     
         28 . A method, comprising:
 detecting insertion of a glucose test strip;   determining a resistance value associated with the test strip;   retrieving an expiration information associated with the determined resistance value; and   generating an expiration notification based on the expiration information.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the resistance value is provided on the test strip. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29  wherein the resistance value is provided on the test strip using ink formulation. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30  wherein the ink formulation includes one or more of carbon, silver, gold, or one or more combinations thereof.