Blood glucose meter having integral lancet device and test strip storage vial for single handed use and methods for using same

Abstract

A blood glucose meter having a test strip port and an adjustable lancet device disposed at the same end of the device body is disclosed. The device body further includes an enclosure at the proximal end of the device body which houses a test strip storage vial and which facilitates one-handed opening and closing of the vial to simplify access to test strips contained therein. The enclosure is further provided with a window which allows the reading of the lot numbers on the label of the test strip vial therein without necessitating removal of the vial. A data connector is also provided on the device body for communication access, such as to upload data from other devices or to download data to other devices. By combining these multiple components into a single device body, the blood glucose meter requires fewer steps for sampling and testing, and makes device use easier and more convenient.

1 . A blood glucose meter device for single handed use, comprising: 
 a body having first and second ends;    a lancet device disposed at said first end of said body;    a test strip port disposed at said first end of said body for positioning a test strip adjacent to said lancet device; and    an enclosure for housing a test strip vial disposed at said second end of said body.    
     
     
         2 . A blood glucose meter device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said body further comprises a test strip lead-in area extending between said test strip port and said lancet device.  
     
     
         3 . A blood glucose meter as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said enclosure for housing said test strip vial comprises an opening at said second end of said body for receiving said test strip vial.  
     
     
         4 . A blood glucose meter as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said enclosure for housing said test strip vial further comprises a window for allowing visual access to said test strip vial contained therein.  
     
     
         5 . A blood glucose meter as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said enclosure for housing said test strip vial further comprises at least one of a frictional-type retention feature or a positive mechanical lock to secure said test strip vial.  
     
     
         6 . A blood glucose meter device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said body further comprises: 
 a display; and    at least one operator control for data entry and review through said display.    
     
     
         7 . A blood glucose meter device as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a data connector disposed on said body for communication access.  
     
     
         8 . A blood glucose meter as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein said communication access comprises at least one of a data upload operation and a data download operation.  
     
     
         9 . A blood glucose meter device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said lancet device comprises: 
 a trigger button disposed on said body for activating said lancet device;    an arming slide disposed on said body for arming said lancet device; and    a cylindrical depth control mechanism for setting a lancet skin penetration depth and for engaging a skin surface.    
     
     
         10 . A blood glucose meter device as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said lancet device further comprises a surface for supporting a skin surface when rolled toward said adjacent test strip.  
     
     
         11 . A blood glucose meter device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said body further comprises a detachable cover at said first end of said body for providing access to said lancet device for loading and unloading of lancets.  
     
     
         12 . A method of facilitating one-handed use of a blood glucose meter device, comprising: 
 providing a test strip port adjacent to a lancet mechanism;    transferring a test strip from a test strip vial contained in said device to said test strip port such that said test strip is located adjacent to said lancet mechanism;    activating said lancet mechanism against a skin surface to provide a blood drop; and    transferring said blood drop from said skin surface to said adjacent test strip.    
     
     
         13 . A method as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the step of transferring said blood drop to said adjacent test strip comprises: 
 resting said skin surface upon said lancet mechanism; and    rolling said skin surface toward said test strip in a substantially continuous motion to move said blood drop to said adjacent test strip.    
     
     
         14 . A method as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the steps of activating said lancet mechanism against a skin surface to provide a blood drop and transferring said blood drop to said adjacent test strip comprises: 
 rotating said skin surface over said lancet mechanism and toward said adjacent test strip in a substantially continuous motion to move said blood drop to said adjacent test strip.    
     
     
         15 . A method of using a blood glucose meter device with one hand, comprising: 
 opening a test strip vial in a first end of a blood glucose meter device and removing a test strip;    positioning said test strip in a test strip port at a second end of said device and adjacent to a lancet mechanism;    engaging said lancet mechanism at said second end of said device with a skin surface to provide a blood drop;    applying said blood drop from said skin surface onto said adjacent test strip.    
     
     
         16 . A method as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the step of engaging said lancet mechanism with said skin surface comprises: 
 positioning said skin surface over said lancet mechanism; and    withdrawing said lancet mechanism from said skin surface to allow formation of said blood drop on said skin surface.    
     
     
         17 . A method as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the step of applying said blood drop from said skin surface onto said test strip comprises: 
 placing a part of said skin surface in close proximity to said blood drop on said lancet mechanism as a support surface; and    rotating said skin surface toward said adjacent test strip in a substantially continuous motion to apply said blood drop from said skin surface onto said adjacent test strip.    
     
     
         18 . A method as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the steps of engaging said lancet mechanism at said second end of said device with a skin surface to provide a blood drop and applying said blood drop from the skin surface onto said adjacent test strip comprise: 
 rotating said skin surface over said lancet mechanism and toward said adjacent test strip in a substantially continuous motion to apply said blood drop from said skin surface onto said adjacent test strip.