Strip holder for use in a test strip meter

Abstract

Test strip holders for use with test strip meters are provided. The subject test strip holders include at least an opening and a lip associated with the opening. The lip element of the subject holders is capable of forming a liquid seal with the upper surface of a test strip upon insertion of the test strip into the opening. In many embodiments, the strip holder is configured to at least partially encompass a sample application region of a test strip upon insertion of the strip into the opening. Also provided are meters on which the subject test holders are present, as well as methods for using the same.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A strip holder for use with a meter, said strip holder comprising: 
 (a) an opening for receiving a test strip; and    (b) a lip associated with said opening, wherein said lip forms a liquid seal with the upper surface of said test strip when inserted into said opening.    
     
     
         2 . The strip holder according to  claim 1 , wherein said strip holder is readily removable from said meter.  
     
     
         3 . The strip holder according to  claim 1 , wherein said strip holder is configured to at least partially encompass a sample application region of said test strip when inserted into said opening.  
     
     
         4 . The strip holder according to  claim 1 , wherein said strip holder further comprises a raised bump that contacts the bottom surface of said test strip when inserted into said opening.  
     
     
         5 . The strip holder according to  claim 4 , wherein the force applied by said lip on said top surface of said strip inserted into said opening is substantially equal, opposite in direction and at the same location as the force applied by said raised bump on said bottom surface of said strip inserted into said opening.  
     
     
         6 . The strip holder according to  claim 5 , wherein said applied forces range in magnitude from about 0.01 lb to 0.05 lb.  
     
     
         7 . A readily removable strip holder for use with a test strip meter, said strip holder comprising: 
 (a) an opening for receiving a test strip;    (b) a lip associated with said opening, wherein said lip forms a liquid seal with the upper surface of a test strip when inserted into said opening; and    (c) a raised bump that contacts the bottom surface of a test strip when inserted into said opening;    wherein said strip holder is configured to at least partially encompass a sample application region of said test strip when inserted into said opening.    
     
     
         8 . The strip holder according to  claim 7 , wherein the force applied by said lip on said top surface of said strip inserted into said opening is substantially equal, opposite in direction and at the same location as the force applied by said bump on said bottom surface of said strip inserted into said opening.  
     
     
         9 . The strip holder according to  claim 8 , wherein said forces range in magnitude from about 0.01 lb to 0.05 lb.  
     
     
         10 . A test strip meter, wherein said meter comprises: 
 a test strip holder, wherein said test strip holder comprises: 
 (a) an opening for receiving a test strip; and  
 (b) a lip associated with said opening, wherein said lip forms a liquid seal with the upper surface of said test strip when inserted into said opening.  
   
     
     
         11 . The meter according to  claim 10 , wherein said strip holder is readily removable from said meter.  
     
     
         12 . The meter according to  claim 10 , wherein said strip holder is configured to at least partially encompass a sample application region of said test strip when inserted into said opening.  
     
     
         13 . The meter according to  claim 10 , wherein said strip holder further comprises a raised bump that contacts the bottom surface of said test strip when inserted into said opening.  
     
     
         14 . The meter according to  claim 13 , wherein the force applied by said lip on said top surface of said strip inserted into said opening is substantially equal, opposite in direction and at the same location as the force applied by said raised bump on said bottom surface of said strip inserted into said opening.  
     
     
         15 . The meter according to  claim 14 , wherein said forces range in magnitude from about 0.01 lb to 0.05 lb.  
     
     
         16 . The meter according to  claim 10 , wherein said meter further comprises said test strip inserted into said opening of said strip holder.  
     
     
         17 . A method of using a test strip meter, said method comprising: 
 (a) providing a meter comprising a test strip holder, wherein said test strip holder comprises: 
 (i) an opening for receiving a test strip; and  
 (ii) a lip associated with said opening, wherein said lip forms a liquid seal with the upper surface of said test strip when inserted into said opening; and  
   (b) inserting said test strip into said opening.    
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein said strip holder is configured to at least partially encompass a sample application region of said test strip following said inserting.  
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein said strip holder further comprises a raised bump that contacts the bottom surface of said test strip upon said inserting.  
     
     
         20 . The strip holder according to  claim 19 , wherein the force applied by said lip on said top surface of said strip inserted into said opening is substantially equal, opposite in direction and at the same location as to the force applied by said bump on said bottom surface of said strip inserted into said opening.