Analyte monitoring

Analytical sensors are commonly used to monitor the level of an analyte in a body fluid. For example, diabetics use analyte sensors to monitor body glucose levels.

Analyte testing may involve testing once per day, but typically should be carried out periodically throughout the day using multiple analyte sensors—one sensor for each test. To “read” a sensor, i.e., to analyze the body fluid applied to a sensor and determine one or more analyte levels, a sensor reader, oftentimes referred to as a “meter”, is used. Either before or after a sample of body fluid is applied to a sensor, the sensor is received by a meter. The meter performs various functions and analyzes the sensor-applied sample to provide an analyte level to the user.

The sensor receiving area of a meter, commonly referred to as a sensor “port”, is the opening in a meter that receives a sensor for testing. The sensor port is therefore an opening from the outside meter environment to the interior of the meter. Because the interior is exposed to the outside environment via the sensor port, the potential for contaminating materials to enter the meter\'s interior through the port exists. Such contamination may interfere with the readings and foul the analyte results. Given the importance of obtaining accurate analyte level readings, it is imperative that the meter does not become contaminated.

Accordingly, as analyte monitoring devices continue to be used for analyte monitoring, there continues to be an interest in methods for minimizing contamination of analyte monitoring devices, e.g., when a sensor is absent from the sensor receiving area of the device.

Analyte testing methods are provided. Embodiments include methods of minimizing contamination of a sensor port of an analyte monitoring device.

Various embodiments include covering a sensor receiving port of an analyte meter. The meter may be integrated with a continuous analyte monitoring system or not. A cover may be positioned about the meter port to provide closure thereof, and capable of being moved to a testing potion in which the port is opened so that a sensor may be received by the meter. In certain embodiments, a cover is fixedly secured at a first end to the meter, and cooperates with the meter at a second end to close the meter\'s port, but thereby permit rotation of the cover relative to the meter about the fixedly secured end (e.g., about a pivot point), but to substantially prevent movement of the cover relative to the meter other than to open the port for sensor access, e.g., to substantially prevent movement of the cover relative to the meter other than rotation about a pivot point at the fixed end. Accordingly, various embodiments are spring biased covers that self-close against a meter port. Embodiments of the self-closing covers may open and lock in an open position by way of a locking mechanism.

The subject invention includes methods of monitoring an analyte using the port cover. Embodiments include exposing a sensor port of a meter by moving a cover from its closed position to its open position, e.g., by moving the cover about a pivot point. Certain embodiments include moving a cover to expose a port by the action of contacting a sensor with the cover, e.g., by the action of inserting a sensor into the port of the meter.

These and various other features which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the attached claims. For a better understanding of the sensors of the invention, their advantages, their use and objectives obtained by their use, reference should be made to the drawings and to the accompanying description, in which there is illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention.

As summarized above, methods for protecting a sensor opening or port of an analyte monitoring device are provided. The methods are particularly useful in providing openable doors to the interiors of meters to protect the interiors from contaminants that may enter the meters through the sensor ports. Accordingly, the meter doors are configured to substantially seal a sensor opening of a meter so that contaminants are excluded from the port. In certain embodiments, the port may be included in, e.g., integrated, with a continuous analyte monitoring system.