System and method for coding information on a biosensor test strip

Abstract

The present invention provides a test strip for measuring a concentration of an analyte of interest in a biological fluid, wherein the test strip may be encoded with information that can be read by a test meter into which the test strip is inserted.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of using a test meter adapted to measure a concentration of an analyte of interest in a biological fluid placed on a test strip, the method comprising the steps of:
 inserting the test strip into the test meter such that the test meter makes electrical contact with the test strip;   operating the meter to read information encoded onto the test strip;   selecting one of a first and a second set of operating instructions based upon the information read from the test strip, wherein the first and the second set of operating instructions cause an analyte concentration measurement to be performed; and   displaying the selected set of operating instructions to the user.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first set of operating instructions provides more detailed information to be displayed to the user than the second set of operating instructions.