Method For Constructing A Blood Glucose Sampling Device

Abstract

A method for constructing a blood glucose sampling device is provided. A housing sized to accommodate a lancet and a removable sensor cartridge is formed. The sensor cartridge includes test strips and cleaning elements. A movable outer grip is defined along a circumference of the housing and is shaped to conformably fit within a hand of a user. A test passage is formed in the outer grip in which one of the test strips and the lancet are aligned.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for constructing a blood glucose sampling device, comprising:
 forming a housing sized to accommodate a lancet and a removable sensor cartridge comprising test strips and cleaning elements;   defining a movable outer grip along a circumference of the housing that is shaped to conformably fit within a hand of a user; and   forming a test passage in the outer grip in which one of the test strips and the lancet are aligned.   
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 orienting the test strips in a common direction of rotation about a central point of the sensor cartridge, wherein each test strip comprises a test region defined radially from the mount opening at a proximal end and a capillary aligned with a distal end of the test region and extending away from the mount opening;   alternately interposing the cleaning elements between the test strips in the common direction of rotation; and   aligning the lancet with at least one of the test strips.   
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 forming a cartridge mount on an inside surface of the housing.   
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the outer grip comprises at least one of nitinol wire and foam. 
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 affixing a pivoting cover to a substantially open side of the housing.   
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 5 , further comprising:
 providing a display on the cover.   
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 6 , wherein the display provides at least one of blood glucose measurements, time, and date. 
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 installing one or more actuators around the outer grip of the housing.   
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 8 , wherein the actuators each comprise one of a pushable button, toggle, and switch. 
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 affixing a mounting band to the housing.   
     
     
         11 . A method for constructing a blood glucose sampling device, comprising:
 building a sensor cartridge comprising a plurality of blades oriented in a common direction of rotation about a central point, wherein each blade comprises a test strip and a cleaning element positioned adjacent to the test strip; and   forming a housing sized to accommodate a lancet and the sensor cartridge, and comprising a cartridge mount defined on an inner surface of the housing; and   affixing a pivoting cover to a substantially open side of the housing.   
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein the lancet is affixed to at least one of the sensor cartridge, housing, and a lancet cartridge. 
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 12 , further comprising:
 affixing one or more further lancets to at least one of the sensor cartridge, the lancet cartridge, and the housing.   
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 12 , further comprising:
 forming a mount opening in each of the sensor cartridge and the lancet cartridge.   
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 14 , wherein the mount openings are formed at least one of centrally and off-center in the sensor cartridge and the lancet cartridge. 
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 14 , further comprising:
 placing the lancet cartridge over the cartridge mount; and   placing the sensor cartridge over the cartridge mount.   
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 11 , further comprising:
 installing an actuator on an outer surface of the housing.   
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 11 , further comprising:
 forming a test passage in an outer surface of the housing.   
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 18 , wherein the test passage is shaped to receive a user's finger. 
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein the housing comprises at least one of plastic and metal.