WO2006072034A1

WO2006072034A1 - Analyte test meter incorporating an improved display

Info

Publication number: WO2006072034A1
Application number: PCT/US2005/047551
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marc Daniel Stern; Wayne Kvenvold
Original assignee: Lifescan Scotland Limited
Priority date: 2004-12-29
Filing date: 2005-12-29
Publication date: 2006-07-06

Abstract

In one aspect of the invention there is provided a meter or system having a housing, a display viewing portion having at least one edge; at least one edge of the display viewing portion having a sloping wall arranged to allow a line of sight into the display viewing portion over a range of angles greater than 900. Optionally, there is provided at least two opposing edge portions in the display viewing portion.

Description

ANALYTE TEST METER INCORPORATING AN IMPROVED DISPLAY

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a meter or system and a method of using a meter or system for measuring an analyte or indicator in a body fluid, for example the concentration of glucose in body fluid, such as blood, urine, plasma or interstitial fluid, and more specifically to a meter or system incorporating an improved display.

2. Background to the Invention Meters or devices for measuring an analyte or indicator, e.g. glucose, HbAIc, lactate, cholesterol, in a fluid such as a body fluid, e.g. blood, plasma, interstitial fluid (ISF), urine, typically make use of disposable test sensors. A test sensor that is specific for the analyte or indicator of interest may be inserted within a connector in the meter or system, or be delivered to a test location from within the meter or system. The test sensor becomes physically and electrically connected with a measuring circuit. A sample, for example blood, plasma, interstitial fluid (ISF) or urine, will typically contain numerous soluble or solubilized components, one of which will be the analyte or indicator of interest. An example user group that might benefit from the use of such a meter or system are those affected with diabetes and their health care providers.

3. Summary of the Invention

In one aspect of the invention there is provided a meter or system having a housing, a display viewing portion having at least one edge; at least one edge of the display viewing portion having a sloping wall arranged to allow a line of sight into the display viewing portion over a range of angles greater than 90^α Optionally, there is provided at least two opposing edge portions in the display viewing portion.

4. Brief Description of the Drawings A better understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments, by way of example only, in which the principles of the invention are utilized, and in the accompanying drawings of which:

Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a system incorporating for example a meter and strip according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 shows a plan view from above of a printed circuit board for use, for example, in the meter or system of Figures 1 to 5;

Figure 3 shows an elevation view of a printed circuit board from one end for use, for example, in the meter or system of Figures 1 to 5;

Figure 4 shows a perspective exploded view from above of a meter or system for use, for example, as a blood glucose meter or system;

Figure 5 shows a perspective exploded view from below of a meter or system for use, for example, as a blood glucose meter or system;

Figure 6 shows an external perspective view of the upper housing for use in the meter or system of Figures 4 and 5;

Figure 7 shows an internal perspective view of the upper housing for use in the meter or system of Figures 4 and 5; Figure 8 shows a side elevation view of the upper housing for use in the meter or system of Figures 4 and 5;

Figure 9 shows an external plan view of an alternative upper housing for use in the meter or system of Figures 4 and 5;

Figure 10 shows an external perspective view of an alternative upper housing for use in the meter or system of Figures 4 and 5;

Detailed Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 shows a meter 100, a housing 102, buttons 104, a serial port 106, a display 108, test sensor e.g. a strip 110, a strip reaction zone 112, a sample droplet e.g. interstitial fluid, plasma, blood or control solution 114, a personal or network computer 116.

A system comprising a meter 100 plus strips 110 is used for the quantitative determination of an analyte e.g. glucose in a body fluid e.g. capillary blood by health care professionals or lay persons in the home e.g. for the self monitoring of blood glucose. Results are expressed in mg/dl or mmol/1 on display 108. Here, the system comprises at least one disposable reagent strip

110 and the hand-held meter 100, 102, optionally including a computer 116. The user inserts one end of a strip 110 into meter 100, 102 and places a small

(circa, lμl) blood sample on the other end. By applying a small voltage across the blood sample and measuring the resulting electric current versus time, the meter is able to determine the glucose concentration. The result is displayed on the meter's liquid crystal display 108. The meter logs each glucose measurement typically along with a date and time stamp in a memory (not shown). The user is able to recall these measurements and using suitable internal or external software, the user may view glucose measurements on the display 108 or download glucose measurements to a PC or networked computer 116 for further analysis.

Figure 2 shows a top plan view, and Figure 3 shows an end plan view of a printed circuit board (PCB) with components 212. Printed circuit board with components 212 includes a printed circuit board (PCB) 211, a strip port connector (SPC) module 216, a liquid crystal display (LCD) module 214, an LCD module mounting clip 215, an LCD module locating pin 227, an LCD module clip 224, a serial port connector 228, an LCD module mounting notch

222, a PCB locating hole 218, button contact pads 226, PCB locating notches

223, and a PCB strip delivery notch 220.

Printed circuit board 211 is approximately oval. Strip port connector module 216 is mounted at one end opposite PCB strip delivery notch 220. Located either side of strip port connector module 216 are PCB locating holes 218. LCD module 214 optionally comprises a substantially planar LCD behind which is located a substantially planar light guide of translucent plastic. Optionally, the light guide can be used to provide a backlight to the LCD within LCD module 214. LCD display module 214 is mounted to PCB 211 by four LCD module mounting clips 215 and 224 and a number of locating pins 227. LCD module mounting clips 215 and 224 clip onto PCB 211 at LCD module mounting notches 222. Two PCB mounting notches 223 are located towards the other end of PCB 211. Three button contact pads 226 are also located on PCB 211. A serial port connector in the form of a data jack 228 is at one end of PCB 211. A 6-way ribbon cable may optionally be used to power LCD module 214. Strip port connector module 216 is seen mounted on upper layer of PCB 211. Figures 4 and 5 show exploded views of meter 200, including a housing cover 202 with a notch 235 and a clear viewing portion 204, an opaque portion 205, an upper housing 206 with a recess 208, button mounting holes 221, a strip guide and viewing notch 207, a strip delivery land 209, a button module 210 with button contact pads 213, a PCB with components 212, a PCB 211, an LCD module 214, an LCD module mounting clip 224, an LCD module mounting notch 222, a serial jack 228, battery identification and removal ribbons 230, a lower housing 232, batteries 234, a battery door 240, a battery door clip 236, battery door hinges 238 and a battery door sticker 242.

Figure 4 shows an exploded view of meter 200 seen from above, and Figure 5 shows the same exploded view seen from below. Housing cover 202 is typically made from polycarbonate and curved to match substantially the curve of upper housing 206, fitting within correspondingly shaped and curved recess 208. Housing cover is primarily to cover and optionally protect the housing and the LCD module 214 when in place. Housing cover 202 has a clear viewing area 204, typically sized and shaped to allow viewing access of LCD module 214 when LCD module 214 is mounted on PCB 211 within upper housing 206.

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of an example embodiment of an upper housing 206, seen from the front. Figure 7 shows the underside of upper housing 206 of Figure 6, and Figure 8 shows the same upper housing 206 of Figures 6 and 7, viewed from the side.

In this example embodiment, Figures 6, 7 and 8 show upper housing 206, strip port area 203, button holes 221, LCD module viewing hole 219 and PCB mounting features 225. In this arrangement LCD module 214 is opposite LCD module viewing hole 219 and clear viewing area 204 of housing cover 202. Similarly, button module 210 (seen in Figures 4 and 5) is mounted within upper housing 206 so that OK, down and up buttons 104 (shown in Figure 1) fit within button mounting holes 221. In this position button contact pads 213 are opposite the three button contact pads 226 on PCB 211.

Figure 9 shows a plan view of an example embodiment of an upper housing 206 including a first sloping wall 250, a second sloping wall 252, an LCD module viewing hole 219, an opaque portion of housing lens cover 205, a clear portion 204 of housing lens cover 202, holes 221 for receiving buttons 104, a strip guide and viewing notch 207, a strip delivery land 209, a height Ll of clear portion 204 in housing cover 202, a height L2 of the separation between the base of first sloping wall 250 and second sloping wall 252, and a height L3 of the separation between the top of first sloping wall 250 and second sloping wall 252.

Figure 10 shows a perspective view of the alternative upper housing 206 of Figure 9 comprising button holes 221, an LCD module viewing hole 219, a strip port area 203, a first sloping wall 250, a second sloping wall 252, an angle 254 of first sloping wall 250 and an angle 256 of second sloping wall 252, a recess 208 of housing cover 206 and a lowermost surface 217 of recess 208.

Referring now to Figures 9 and 10. In one example embodiment of a meter incorporating an upper housing 206 as seen in Figure 9, first and second sloping walls 250 and 252 are provided towards the top and bottom of LCD module viewing hole 219 in upper housing 206. The separation of the uppermost edges of first and second sloping walls 250 and 252 is L3 and the separation of the lower edges of first and second sloping walls 250 and 252 is L2. Optionally, height L2 of the bottom of the LCD module viewing hole 219 is approximately the same as that of the LCD module 214. Optionally, height Ll of the clear portion 204 of housing cover 202 is equal to or greater than height L3 i.e. the separation of the first and second sloping walls 250 and 252 at their widest point.

First sloping wall 250 is at an angle 254 with the lower-most surface 217 of housing cover recess 208. Second sloping wall 252 is at an angle 256 with respect to the lowermost surface 217 of housing cover recess 208. Typically angles 254 and 256 are less than 90 degrees and, optionally between around 20 to 70 degrees, optionally around 40 to 60 degrees.

Separately or in combination, the provision of first and second sloping walls 250, 252 and a clear viewing portion 204 of height Ll approximately equal to or greater than L3 increases the range of angles over which light can fall on LCD module 214 when in place within upper housing 206. This can help the user when viewing LCD module 214 by increasing the range of angles over which a line of sight is available. The range of angles over which a line of sight into the display viewing portion is available is substantially greater than 90° and closer to 120° or greater. Such an angle enables a user to more easily view information or instructions presented to them on the display 108.

Claims

1. A meter or system having a housing: a display viewing portion having at least one edge; at least one edge of the display viewing portion having a sloping wall arranged to allow a line of sight into the display viewing portion over a range of angles greater than 90°'

2. A meter or system according to any preceding claim in which at least two opposing edge portions in the display viewing portion are provided.

3. A meter or system according to any preceding claim in which, the display viewing portion is a hole and/or a recess.

4. A meter or system according to any preceding claim in which the display viewing portion is substantially rectangular, round, triangular, polygonal, oval or the like.

5. A meter or system according to any preceding claim in which the range of angles over which a line of sight into the display viewing portion is available is substantially equal to 120° or greater.

6. A meter or system according to any preceding claim in which the display viewing portion is situated within a recess within the housing.

7. A meter or system according to any preceding claim in which the recess is for receiving a housing cover.

8. A meter or system according to any preceding claim in which the housing cover has a clear portion and an opaque portion and the clear portion is sized and shaped to correspond to the size and/or shape of the display viewing portion and, optionally, the greatest dimension of the display viewing portion.

9. A meter or system according to any preceding claim in which at least one sloping wall is at an angle of less than around 90 degrees to a portion of the surrounding housing or the angle is between around 20 to 70 degrees or the angle is around 40 to 60 degrees.

10. A meter or system according to any preceding claim in which the height of the display viewing portion is equal to L3 at its greatest portion and the height of the clear portion of the housing cover is Ll and further wherein Ll is substantially equal to or greater than L3.