Orientation independent meter
An analyte meter with a test strip port that detects an orientation of a test strip inserted therein. A control circuit of the test meter is configured to apply a first predetermined analyte measurement signal to a test strip electrode in response to detecting a first orientation of the test strip, and a second predetermined analyte measurement signal to the same, or a different, electrode in response to detecting a second orientation of the test strip.
1. A test strip and strip port connector (SPC) system comprising:
a test strip with a lug disposed on a longitudinal edge thereof; the test strip having electrical contact pads at least at one end of the test strip; and
a strip port connector (SPC) including:
a first set of electrical contacts configured to make operable contact with electrical contact pads of the test strip inserted into the SPC in a first orientation;
a second set of electrical contacts configured to make operable contact with the electrical contact pads of the test strip inserted into the SPC in a second orientation; and
a test strip orientation detection mechanism configured to distinguish the first and second orientations based on positioning of the lug in the SPC.
2. A method for employing a hand-held test meter with a test strip comprising:
inserting the test strip into an strip port connector (SPC) of a hand-held meter, the test strip having a lug disposed on a longitudinal edge thereof and electrical contact pads at least at one end thereof;
making electrical contact to electrical contact pads of the test strip using one of:
a first set of electrical contacts configured to make operable contact with electrical contact pads of the test strip inserted into the SPC in a first orientation; and
a second set of electrical contacts configured to make operable contact with the electrical contact pads of the test strip inserted into the SPC in a second orientation; and
distinguishing the first and second orientations based on positioning of the lug in the SPC using a test strip orientation mechanism of the SPC.