Patent ID: 8066649
Filing Date: 2011-11-29
Classification: A61B,C12Q,G01N

Abstract:
1. A method of providing a sample of body fluid to a test strip for measuring an analyte level within the fluid, comprising: providing an integrated lancing and testing strip including a lancet needle and a test strip that are coupled at opposite ends of a lancet body of the integrated lancing and testing strip, the test strip having a flat substrate including first and second major surfaces and edge surfaces, wherein the first and second major surfaces are larger than the edge surfaces, and wherein the first major surface faces a first orthogonal direction; loading the integrated lancing and testing strip within an analyte meter including arming the lancet needle by removing a lancet cap; piercing a lancing site with the lancet needle at a predetermined location relative to the meter; and automatically reorienting the integrated lancing and testing strip within the analyte meter such that the first major surface faces a second orthogonal direction; and automatically advancing and contacting a sample receiving portion of the test strip at the lancing site, such that body fluid from the lancing site is automatically applied to the sample receiving portion of the test strip for measuring an analyte level.