Analyte Measurement Devices and Systems, and Components and Methods Related Thereto

Abstract

A modular analyte measurement system having a replaceable strip port module is provided to permit contaminated modules to be replaced. Some aspects of the present disclosure related to barriers for strip ports or the sealing of strip ports and/or analyte measurement devices to maintain a clean strip port and/or enable the strip port to be cleaned for reuse. Cleaning tools are also provided. Also provided are strip port interfaces that guide fluid away from the strip port opening, as well as absorptive elements that prevent fluid from entering a strip port. Analyte measurement devices with gravity sensors or accelerometers are also provided, along with methods related thereto. Also provided are docking station that serve as an information server and provides storage and recharging capabilities.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of using an analyte measurement system, the method comprising:
 electrically coupling and positioning a first replaceable strip port module into a receptacle of a meter housing of an analyte meter,
 wherein disposed within the receptacle of the meter housing of the analyte meter are electrical connections and the first replaceable strip port module comprises: 
 a module housing having a test strip aperture and an interface aperture; 
 an analyte test strip port; and 
 an electrical interface having a plurality of electrical contacts coupled to the analyte test strip port that electrically mate to the analyte meter through the interface aperture of the module housing,
 wherein the electrically coupling results when the electrical contacts of the first replaceable strip port module electrically mate with the electrical connections of the analyte meter; 
 
   receiving an analyte test strip having an analyte sample into the test strip aperture;   analyzing the analyte; and   electrically de-coupling and removing the first replaceable strip port module from the receptacle of the meter housing of the analyte meter.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein electrically coupling and positioning the first replaceable strip port module into the receptacle of the meter housing of the analyte meter comprises inserting an attachment feature into the meter housing and the first replaceable strip port module. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein electrically de-coupling and removing the first replaceable strip port module from the receptacle of the meter housing of the analyte meter comprises first removing the attachment feature from the meter housing and the first replaceable strip port module. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 electrically mating a second replaceable strip port module into the receptacle of the meter housing of the analyte meter after electrically de-coupling and removing the first replaceable strip port module from the receptacle of the meter housing of the analyte meter.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein electrically de-coupling and removing the first replaceable strip port module from the receptacle of the meter housing of the analyte meter frees the receptacle of the analyte meter to electrically mate with the second replaceable strip port module. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the module housing comprises alignment features to align the module housing into the receptacle of the meter housing. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the alignment features are internal alignment features. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the internal alignment features are one or more of internal alignment baffles and/or internal alignment grooves. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the alignment features are external alignment features. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the external alignment features are one or more of external alignment guides and/or external alignment beveled surfaces. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein electrically de-coupling and removing the first replaceable strip port module from the receptacle of the meter housing of the analyte meter comprises disengaging the module housing from the alignment features of the meter housing. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the analyte test strip port comprises electrical contacts that couple to the analyte test strip received into the test strip aperture. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the interface aperture is on a top side of the housing module, and the housing module further comprises an opening for receiving an attachment feature on a bottom side of the module housing,
 wherein the bottom side of the module housing is opposite from the top side.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the meter housing comprises an outer surface and the first replaceable strip port module comprises a cap having an outer surface, and wherein electrically coupling and positioning the first replaceable strip port module into the receptacle of the meter housing of then analyte meter comprises aligning the outer surface of the meter housing with the outer surface of the cap so that the outer surfaces are flush. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle of the analyte meter comprises a flow through path. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the flow through path is sealed from the electrical connections of the analyte meter. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising flowing fluid through the flow through path before electrically coupling and positioning the first replaceable strip port module into the receptacle of the meter housing of the analyte meter. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising flowing fluid through the flow through path after electrically de-coupling and removing the first replaceable strip port module from the receptacle of the meter housing of the analyte meter. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the analyte is at least one of acetyl choline, amylase, bilirubin, cholesterol, chorionic gonadotropin, creatine kinase, creatine, DNA, fructosamine, glucose, glutamine, growth hormones, hormones, ketones, lactate, oxygen, peroxide, prostate-specific antigen, prothrombin, RNA, thyroid stimulating hormone, troponin, or a drug. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the analyte is glucose.