Patent ID: 8679309
Filing Date: 2014-03-25
Classification: C12Q,G01N,G06Q

Abstract:
1. A method of determining an analyte concentration of a fluid sample, the method comprising the acts of: providing an electrochemical test sensor, the test sensor including a lid, a base and a reagent that assists in determining the concentration of the analyte in the fluid sample, the base having a length and a width, the length of the base being greater than the width of the base, the base including at least a working electrode, a counter electrode and at least three test-sensor contacts, the test sensor contacts being electrically connected to the electrodes, the at least three test-sensor contacts being spaced along the length of the base from each other, the base and the lid assisting in forming a fluid chamber for receiving the fluid sample, the at least three test-sensor contacts being staggered along both the width and the length of the base with each other, the at least three test-sensor contacts not overlapping along the length of the base with each other; providing a meter including a test-sensor opening, the test-sensor opening having a length and a width, the test-sensor opening being formed between a bottom surface, a top surface and corresponding side surfaces, the side surfaces bridging the bottom and top surfaces, at least one of the side surfaces including a plurality of side-mounted meter contacts, the width of the test-sensor opening generally corresponding to the width of the base; placing the test sensor into the test-sensor opening in a direction generally parallel with the length of the test sensor such that the plurality of side-mounted meter contacts electrically contact a respective one of the test-sensor contacts of the electrochemical test sensor, the plurality of side-mounted meter contacts being generally perpendicular to the direction of the test sensor being placed into the test-sensor opening; and determining the analyte concentration using electrical signals from the side-mounted meter contacts.