Abstract:
A portable handheld medical diagnostic device includes a front housing and a rear housing opposite the front housing. The front housing and the rear housing form a protective enclosure. A main circuit board is located in the protective enclosure. The main circuit board includes a controller facilitating a physiologic measurement. A display device is connected to the main circuit board that displays information related to the physiologic measurement. A frame is located in the protective enclosure that carries the display device and locates the display device adjacent the front housing such that the display device can be viewed from outside the protective enclosure. The frame includes a strip port formed integrally therewith that is accessible from outside the protective enclosure.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to portable, handheld medical devices, and in particular a portable, handheld medical diagnostic device having a number of improved features. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Portable handheld medical diagnostic devices are often employed to measure concentrations of biologically significant components of bodily fluids, such as, for example, glucose concentration in blood. The portable handheld medical diagnostic devices and their accessories may work together to measure the amount of glucose in blood and be used to monitor blood glucose in one&#39;s home, healthcare facility or other location, for example, by persons having diabetes or by a healthcare professional. 
     For people with diabetes, regular testing of blood glucose level can be an important part of diabetes management. Thus, it is desirable to provide medical diagnostic devices that are portable and easy to use. Various medical diagnostic devices have been introduced for testing blood sugar that are portable. However, there continues to be a need for improved portability and ease of use for medical diagnostic devices. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one embodiment, a portable handheld medical diagnostic device includes a front housing and a rear housing opposite the front housing. The front housing and the rear housing form a protective enclosure. A main circuit board is located in the protective enclosure. The main circuit board includes a controller facilitating a physiologic measurement. A display device is connected to the main circuit board that displays information related to the physiologic measurement. A frame is located in the protective enclosure that carries the display device and locates the display device adjacent the front housing such that the display device can be viewed from outside the protective enclosure. The frame includes a strip port formed integrally therewith that is accessible from outside the protective enclosure. 
     In another embodiment, a portable handheld medical diagnostic device includes a front housing and a rear housing connected to the front housing forming a protective enclosure. A main circuit board is located in the protective enclosure. The main circuit board includes a controller facilitating a physiologic measurement. A display device is connected to the main circuit board that displays information related to the physiologic measurement. A strip port is accessible from outside the protective enclosure for inserting a test strip. At least part of the strip port is formed of a material selected for distribution of light to illuminate the at least part of the strip port. 
     In still yet another embodiment, a method of forming a medical diagnostic device is provided. The method includes providing a frame including a strip port formed with the frame. A display device is mounted on the frame and the frame is positioned adjacent a main circuit board. A protective enclosure is formed with at least a portion of the frame, display and main circuit board located within the protective enclosure by connecting a front housing and a rear housing together. The frame carries the display device adjacent the front housing such that the display device can be viewed from outside the protective enclosure. The strip port is accessible from outside the protective enclosure. 
     These and other advantages and features of the invention disclosed herein, will be made more apparent from the description, drawings and claims that follow. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention can be best understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, where like structure is indicated with like reference numerals, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of an embodiment of a medical diagnostic device; 
         FIG. 2  is a diagrammatic section view of the medical diagnostic device along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a diagrammatic section view of an embodiment of a frame for supporting components of the medical diagnostic device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a diagrammatic perspective front view of an embodiment of a frame for supporting components of the medical diagnostic device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a diagrammatic perspective rear view of the frame of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a diagrammatic perspective front view of another embodiment of a frame for supporting components of the medical diagnostic device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a diagrammatic perspective rear view of the frame of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a diagrammatic perspective top view of the frame of  FIG. 6  with components removed; 
         FIGS. 9-11  illustrate an embodiment of a process for assembling the medical diagnostic device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a front view of another embodiment of a medical diagnostic device; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective rear view of the medical diagnostic device of  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a diagrammatic section view of the medical diagnostic device along lines  14 - 14  of  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a diagrammatic top view of an embodiment of a button actuation assembly for use in the medical diagnostic device of  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a diagrammatic top view of an embodiment of a main circuit board for use in the medical diagnostic device of  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a diagrammatic side view of the main circuit board of  FIG. 16 ; 
         FIG. 18  is a diagrammatic detail view of an embodiment of a power supply compartment for use with the diagnostic medical device of  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 19  is a diagrammatic side view of an embodiment of a power supply insertion procedure of the power supply compartment of  FIG. 18 ; 
         FIG. 20  is a diagrammatic perspective top view of an embodiment of a frame for use in the medical diagnostic device of  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 21  is a diagrammatic perspective rear view of the frame of  FIG. 20 ; 
         FIGS. 22-26  illustrate an embodiment of a process for assembling the medical diagnostic device of  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 27  is a diagrammatic detail view of an embodiment of an illuminated strip port; 
         FIG. 28  is a front view of another embodiment of a medical diagnostic device; 
         FIG. 29  is a perspective rear view of the medical diagnostic device of  FIG. 28 ; 
         FIG. 30  is a perspective rear view of an embodiment of a diagnostic medical device; 
         FIG. 31  is a perspective rear view of the diagnostic medical device of  FIG. 30  with a compartment panel removed; 
         FIGS. 32 and 33  illustrate an embodiment of a process for inserting a power supply into a compartment having a locking feature; 
         FIG. 34  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a positive contact having spring arms; and 
         FIGS. 35-38  illustrate another embodiment of a medical diagnostic device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following description of the preferred embodiment is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention or its application or uses. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a portable, handheld medical diagnostic device  10  with a display device  12  behind a transparent, protective lens  13  includes a protective enclosure, generally indicated by symbol  14  that protects electronics therein. The protective enclosure  14  is somewhat oval in shape with an outer frame portion  11  and an inner, hourglass-shaped portion  19  bounded by the frame portion. Any other suitable shapes may be used for the protective enclosure, frame portion  11  and inner portion  19 , such as rectangular shapes, circular shapes, etc. The display device  12  may be any suitable display device used in a portable, handheld electronic device, such as, for example, but not limited to LCD display devices, LED display devices, OLED display devices, and other types of display devices which may be heretofore developed. Further, display device  12  may be any other variety of indicators, including, but not limited to a series of lights and/or other types of light devices as opposed to a single integrated display screen. In the illustrated embodiment, the display device  12  includes an electronic paper component such as an electrophoretic display, which may be an information display that forms visible images by rearranging charged pigment particles using an electric field. The display device  12  is used for electronically displaying graphics  15 , text, and other elements to a user. In some embodiments, the display device  12  may be a touch-screen user interface that is used with the tip of a finger of the user and/or a stylus or other touching device to select elements from the screen, to draw figures, and to enter text with a character recognition program running on the device  10 . In some embodiments, the medical diagnostic device  10  may also include other types of output devices such as for example, sound devices, vibration devices, etc. 
     The medical diagnostic device  10  further includes a user interface (generally referred to as element  17 ), which may include buttons  16  and  18 . The buttons  16  and  18  are illustrated as right and left arrow buttons, but may be of any other suitable configuration. The buttons  16  and  18  may be used by an operator, for example, to view memory of the medical diagnostic device  10 , adjust settings of the device and scroll through test results. The buttons  16  and  18  may be manually actuated, such as by pressing the buttons. In the illustrated embodiment, the buttons  16  and  18  comprise touch sensors (e.g., capacitive touch sensors) that can be actuated by placing a tip of the finger within the button areas. In this embodiment, the buttons  16  and  18  may not move. Instead, the buttons  16  and  18  may be indicated visually to identify where to place the finger. In other embodiments utilizing touch sensors, the buttons  16  and  18  may move, for example, to bring the finger or touching device into close proximity to the touch sensor. In some embodiments, the medical diagnostic device  10  may provide other button or input types such as an OK button and/or joy stick/track ball, which a user may utilize to navigate through a software drive menu provided on the display device  12 . Additional buttons may be used as shortcut buttons, for example, to call up a certain program on the medical diagnostic device  10 , as a method of scrolling, to select items from a list, or to provide any function that the software designer of the device may assign to the button or set of buttons. Each button size, layout, location, and function may vary for each manufacturer and model of the medical diagnostic device  10 . 
     A test strip port  20  is located at a bottom  22  of the medical diagnostic device  10 . The test strip port  20  is sized to receive a test strip for testing a blood sample. In one embodiment, the device  10  is an in vitro diagnostic device that is used to test blood and other body fluids and tissues to obtain information for the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of a disease. The medical diagnostic device  10  may be a self-testing blood glucose meter for people with diabetes. In one embodiment, the medical diagnostic device  10  is a handheld reagent-based blood glucose meter, which measures glucose concentration by observing some aspect of a chemical reaction between a reagent and the glucose in a fluid sample. The reagent may be a chemical compound that is known to react with glucose in a predictable manner, enabling the monitor to determine the concentration of glucose in the sample. For example, the medical diagnostic device  10  may be configured to measure a voltage or a current generated by the reaction between the glucose and the reagent. 
     A small test strip may be employed to hold the reagent and to host the reaction between the glucose and the reagent mentioned above. Accordingly, in one embodiment of the medical diagnostic device  10  as a blood glucose meter, the test strip port  20  is sized for inserting a test strip into the electronic device  10 . The test strip port  20  is used such that the reaction between the glucose and the reagent may be read electronically in order for the medical diagnostic device  10  to determine the concentration of glucose in the sample and display the results to a user. These embodiments enable both health care professionals and patients to perform reliable decentralized testing in hospitals, clinics, offices or patients&#39; homes. In other embodiments, the medical diagnostic device  10  may form part of or include coagulation monitoring systems, professional blood glucose testing and monitoring systems, cardiac marker testing devices, blood gas/electrolyte testing, and urinalysis screening products. In some embodiments, environmental conditions may also be evaluated, for example, using a small AC signal. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the protective enclosure  14  includes a front housing  24  and rear housing  26 . As shown, the front and rear housings  24  and  26  mate to form a protective shell for internal components contained therein, such as for example, the display device  12 , a main circuit board  28 , and a touch sensor circuit board  30 . The front housing  24  and the rear housing  26  may be formed from any of a variety of materials, including but not limited to polymeric materials, metals and metal alloys, combinations of metal and plastic materials, etc. In some embodiments, the front housing  24  and/or rear housing  26  may be formed using an in-mold decoration (IMD) process where a carrier foil that carries indicia is placed in the mold and transfers the indicia onto plastic forming the front and/or rear housing. In another embodiment, the front housing  24  and/or rear housing  26  may be formed by any other suitable process, such as a dual shot molding process. The internal components of the medical diagnostic device  10  may be mounted in the protective enclosure  14  using any number of different mounting techniques. For example, in one embodiment, the internal components of the medical diagnostic device  10  may be mounted via open or closed cell foam inserts provided in the protective enclosure  14 , or in another embodiment, they may be mounted via attaching the main circuit board  28  to an interior side of one of the front and rear housings  24  and  26  with a fastener. In another embodiment, the main circuit board may be mounted by a snap fit with an interior side of one of the front and rear housings  24  and  26 . 
     In the embodiment illustrated by  FIG. 2 , the display device  12  and the touch sensor board  30  are mounted within the protective enclosure  14  by a frame  32 . The frame  32  may be formed from any of a variety of materials, including but not limited to polymeric materials, metals and metal alloys, combinations of plastic and metal materials, etc. The frame  32  includes a first board mounting section  34  and a second board mounting section  36 . The first board mounting section  34  is shown as being elevated relative to the second board mounting section  36  with a step portion  38  located between the first and second board mounting sections. The first board mounting section  34  may be elevated to place the touch sensor circuit board  30  in close proximity to the front housing  24  and the buttons  16  and  18 . Other configurations are possible, however, such as the first and second board mounting sections  34  and  36  being at about the same elevation or the second board mounting section being elevated relative to the first board mounting section. Additionally, there may be more or less than two board mounting portions. The frame  32  includes an opening  40  through which a board-to-board connector  42  extends, such as a 16 or 18 pin connector to connect the display device  12  to the main circuit board  28 . The board-to-board connector  42  electrically connects the display device  12  to the main circuit board  28  in a stacked fashion, which situates the major surfaces of both the main circuit board  28  and the display device  12  in somewhat parallel planes within the protective enclosure  14 . The frame  32  also includes a fastener opening  44  that receives a fastener  43  for connecting (e.g., threadably connecting) the front housing  24  and the rear housing  26 . The fastener  43  can be accessed (e.g., for servicing of the medical diagnostic device  10 ) through a compartment  47 . Other fastener openings and fastener locations may be provided. While the fastener  43  is shown, any suitable connection may be used to connect the front housing and the rear housing such as adhesives, welding, etc. In some embodiments, interlocking features between the front housing  24  and the rear housing  26  may be used to releasably connect the front and rear housings together. In certain embodiments, spring fingers  39  or other biasing mechanism may be used to bias the various components (e.g., touch sensors) toward the front housing  24 . 
     In some embodiments, the main circuit board  28 , the frame  32  and the display device  12  may all be different sizes. In other words, a length and width of the main circuit board  28 , the frame  32  and the display device  12  may all be different from each other. In some embodiments, two or more of the main circuit board  28 , the frame  32  and the display device  12  may have lengths and/or widths that are different from the other(s). 
     The touch sensor board  30  is connected to the display device  12  using any suitable connector. In the illustrated embodiment, the touch sensor board  30  is connected to the display device  12  using a flex cable connector  49 . The flex cable connector  49  may be operatively attached to the touch sensor board  30  and the display device  12  using, for example, a suitable hot bar soldering technique. The connection between the touch sensor board  30  and the display device  12  allows for communication between the touch sensor board  30  and the display device, for example, for control of the display device using information from the user interface  17  ( FIG. 1 ). In some embodiments, the touch sensor board  30  and display device  12  may be part of a single board, thus eliminating the flex cable connector  49 . 
     Referring still to  FIG. 2 , a power supply  51  is provided within the compartment  47  of the protective enclosure  14  to provide power to the electrical/electronic components of the medical diagnostic device  10 , for example, to allow use of the medical diagnostic device without a corded connection to an external power source. In some embodiments and as shown, the power supply  51  is a battery that is received through an opening  53  in the main circuit board  28  such that the battery is located at opposite sides of the main circuit board. Providing such an opening  53  allows the battery to nest with the main circuit board  28 , which can reduce the thickness of the medical diagnostic device  10 , for example, compared to a device which places the entire battery to only one side of a circuit board. Contacts (only negative contacts  45  are shown by  FIG. 2 ) are provided to connect the power supply  51  to the electrical/electronic components of the medical diagnostic device  10 . The power supply  51  is accessed and may be replaceable via a panel  46  provided in the rear housing  26 , which provides and prevents access through opening  55  in the rear housing. The panel  46  may include any suitable attachment structure (e.g., a latch, fasteners, etc.) for releasably attaching the panel to the rear housing  26 . In some embodiments, the panel  46  may be moveably connected to the rear housing  26  such as by a hinge or a sliding connection. In a rechargeable battery embodiment, the medical diagnostic device  10  may be sealed permanently with the original batteries installed by the manufacturer. In other words, the power supply  51  may not be replaceable. Additional power, such as for recharging the power supply  51 , may be provided from a remote source of electricity that is transmitted to the medical diagnostic device  10  through a wire cable or through other methods of electrical transmission. For example, and in one embodiment, the medical diagnostic device  10  is rechargeable via a connected (wired) external device. It is to be appreciated that the medical diagnostic device  10  may provide a universal connection interface, which, in one embodiment, operates is a universal serial bus (USB) interface, and in another embodiment is a Firewire interface, and either of which provides a wired connector which connects to a charger for charging the device  10  via the connected external device. 
     The main circuit board  28 , in one embodiment, provides a wireless connectivity component (generally referred to as element  48 ) which is used for calibration, configuration, and/or communicate with other devices such as, for example, another meter, an insulin pump, a printer, a router/modem, and/or a PC. In one embodiment, the wireless connectivity component  48  provides infrared communications. In such an embodiment, the medical diagnostic device  10  communicates with a PC running a compatible software package such as, for example, Roche Diagnostic&#39;s Accu-Chek Compass diabetes care software via an IrDA-serial port adapter. Such an embodiment permits a user to download data from the medical diagnostic device  10  via the IR based wireless connectivity component  48  and stores results to the PC. In other embodiments, the wireless connectivity component (or module)  48  may be a Bluetooth system, a ZigBee system, a Certified Wireless USB system, a Near Field Communication (NFC) system, an Active RFID system, a Wi-Fi system, and combinations thereof. 
     A code key interface  50  may also be provided which is used to provide calibration data to a controller (represented by dashed lines  52 ) via a code key chip and which is used in the measurement of a test strip and in the calculation used to compute the glucose level. A clocking element, such as for example, a 32 kHz crystal, may also be provided on the main circuit board  28  for sampling timing performed by the strip reader and by an integrated digitally controlled oscillator to generate a high-speed clock required for the controller  52  and the other provided peripherals requiring a clock. 
     A strip reader  57  is located at the test strip port  20 . Any suitable strip reader  57  may be used to sample and read a disposable test strip provided to the strip port  20 . The strip port  20  guides the test strip into the strip reader  57 , which reads the test strip in any suitable manner and provides such input to the controller  52  for analysis. 
     The front housing  24  and the rear housing  26  provide the protective enclosure  14 , which is shaped to accommodate therein the touch sensor board  30 , the main circuit board  28 , the frame  32  and the power supply  51 . However, the shape and dimensions of front and rear housings  24  and  26  of the protective enclosure  14  may vary for each manufacturer and model of the medical diagnostic device  10 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the frame  32 , display device  12  and touch sensor board  30  are shown in isolation. In one embodiment, the frame  32  is a single piece member (e.g., formed by molding and/or any other suitable method such as machining, extrusion, pressing, etc.) where the test strip port  20  is formed integrally as part of the frame, for example, as opposed to being formed with one or both of the front and rear housings  24  and  26 . In one embodiment, the test strip port  20  may be molded of the same material as the frame  32 . In another embodiment, the test strip port  20  may be overmolded onto the frame  32 , e.g., using the same or a different material as that forming the frame  32 . The test strip port  20  includes a vertical portion  59  and a horizontal portion  61 . The vertical portion  59  is spaced from the horizontal portion  61  to provide a gap  63  located below the frame  32  through which a test strip can be inserted. The vertical portion  59  is connected integrally to the first board mounting portion  34  at interface  65 . In an alternative embodiment, the test strip port  20  may be a separate component and then affixed or connected (e.g., using adhesives, welding, etc.) to the frame  32  or formed with one or both of the front and rear housings  24  and  26 . Forming the test strip port  20  with the frame  32  and not the front and rear housings  24  and  26  can facilitate the IMD process used in forming the front and/or rear housings  24  and  26  by reducing the complexity of the mold for forming the front and rear housings. This can improve the reliability of indicia transfer to surfaces of the medical diagnostic device  10  during an IMD process. Additionally, the strip port  20  can be removable from the front and rear housings  24  and  26  when the frame  32  is removed. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , one exemplary frame assembly embodiment  56  suitable for use with the medical diagnostic device  10  is illustrated in a simplified form and includes an electronic paper component  58  carried by the frame  56 . The electronic paper component  58  may be affixed to the frame  56  using any suitable method such as by adhering the electronic paper component to the frame using, as one example, double-sided tape (e.g., formed of foam).  FIG. 5  shows a connector  60  for connecting the electronic paper component  58 , for example to the main circuit board  28  and an area  62  for a processor for the electronic paper component. 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate another frame assembly embodiment  64  in a simplified form suitable for use with the medical diagnostic device  10 . The frame assembly  64  includes an integrated electronic paper component  66  and touch sensor component  68 . The integrated electronic paper component  66  and touch sensor component  68  is in contrast to the separate electronic paper component and touch sensor component of  FIG. 2 . The touch sensor component  68  includes touch sensor pads  70  indicated by circular areas on the touch sensor component, which are aligned with the buttons  16  and  18 . Other shapes for the touch sensor pads  70  may be used. Mixed Signal Arrays with On-Chip Controller devices (not shown) may be provided that may provide a low cost single chip programmable component that may include configurable analog and digital blocks and programmable interconnects. Such a device architecture may be used, in some embodiments, to create customized peripheral configurations, for example, to match the requirements of each individual application. Additionally, a CPU, flash program memory, SRAM data memory, and configurable  10  may be included in a range of convenient pinouts. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , in some exemplary embodiments, a wireless communication board  72  (e.g., a Bluetooth board) is provided on the frame assembly  64 . The wireless communication board  72  may include a micro USB, which can be used, for example, to connect the medical diagnostic device  10  with a host computer. An electronic paper display driver  74  may be used to integrate functions needed for functioning of an electronic paper segmented display. Data may be clocked into the device using an interface, such as a SPI serial interface before integrated charge pumps generate the voltages required to drive the display. Once the display has been updated, the driver can be switched into standby or power down mode while still retaining the image on the display. Using advanced packaging techniques, a high level of functionality can fit into a single package, enabling a high density, low footprint design with minimal external components. A connector  76  may be used to connect the electronic paper component  66  to the main circuit board  28 . 
     It should be noted that while touch sensor component  68  is discussed above, a number of other technologies may be used. In some embodiments, the display device  12  itself may be touch sensitive through use of touch screen technology. For example, the display device  12  may include a resistive overlay or a capacitive overlay for detecting the touch of a finger. A resistive touch sensor may employ a flexible membrane positioned over a substrate. Opposing surfaces of the membrane and substrate may be coated with a transparent conductive film. Insulating dot spacers may be interposed between the membrane and the substrate. When the flexible membrane is pressed by a user, the conductive film of the membrane contacts the conductive film of the substrate. This contact causes current to flow between the membrane and substrate. A controller (e.g., controller  52  of  FIG. 2 ) may be used to identify the point of contact by comparing the current flowing from various electrodes or busbars printed on the conductive surfaces. In a capacitive touch sensor, a resistive coating is deposited directly upon a solid, insulating substrate. This substrate may be made of glass, as an example. Electrodes may be positioned at corners of the substrate to establish an electrical field on the coating. A controller (e.g., controller  52  of  FIG. 2 ) connected to these electrodes may be used to monitor the amount of current flowing through each of these electrodes. A user&#39;s finger, or a conductive stylus, touching, or coming within close proximity to, the resistive coating causes capacitive coupling between the finger or stylus and the coating. This coupling may cause a small amount of current to flow through the coating and each of the electrodes. Capacitive coupling through the user&#39;s body and ground complete the current path back to the controller. The controller may calculate the Cartesian coordinates, i.e., the X and Y coordinates, of the point of touching from the amount of current flowing through each of these electrodes. In some embodiments, capacitive touch sensing is preferred. It is also contemplated that acoustic wave technology or infrared technology may be used. Shutter technology may be used to provide various indications to the user, for example, by selectively illuminating buttons to prompt a user. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , the frame assembly  64  is shown with the electronic paper component  66  and touch sensor component  68  removed. An audio component  78 , such as a buzzer, is carried by the frame assembly  64 , beneath the electronic paper component  66 . Areas  80  and  82 , which are formed by openings through the frame assembly, are provided for the wireless communication board  72  components. Insets  84  and  86  are provided to allow mounting of the controller devices and other components for the touch sensor component  68 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 9-11 , a process is illustrated for assembling the medical diagnostic device  10 . Referring to  FIG. 9 , in one embodiment of the exemplary process of assembly, the frame  32  with the display device  12  and touch sensor board  30  affixed thereto is placed onto the front housing  24  to align the display device  12  with the protective lens  13  ( FIG. 1 ) of the front housing  24  and the sensor pads (e.g., see the sensor pads  70  of  FIG. 6 ) with the buttons  16  and  18  (see  FIG. 1 ). The test strip port  20  is aligned with a bottom edge  90  of the front housing  24 . Referring to  FIG. 10 , the main circuit board  28  is connected to the display device  12  using the connector  42  and the test strip reader  57  is aligned with the test strip port  20 . Referring to  FIG. 11 , the rear housing  26  is then connected to the front housing the fastener  43 , which can be secured through the compartment  47 . The power supply  51  may be inserted into the compartment  47  through opening  92  in the rear housing  26 . The panel  46  may be used to close the opening  55  and secure the power supply  51  within the compartment  47 . Any labels may be affixed to the rear housing (represented by arrow  96 ). 
     Referring to  FIGS. 12 and 13 , in another embodiment, a medical diagnostic device  100  has many of the features described above with regard to medical diagnostic device  10  including a protective enclosure  102  formed by a front housing  104  and a rear housing  106 , a display device  108  visible through the front housing, a key card interface  110  and a strip port  112 . In this embodiment, the display device  108  may be an LCD display device, however, the display device may be LED display devices, OLED display devices, display devices utilizing e-paper and other types of display devices which may be heretofore developed. The display device  108  is used for electronically displaying graphics, text, and other elements to a user. In some embodiments, the display device  108  may also be a touch-screen user interface that is used with the tip of a finger of the user and/or a stylus or other touching device to select elements from the screen, to draw figures, and to enter text with a character recognition program running on the device  100 . In some embodiments, the medical diagnostic device  100  may also include other types of output devices such as for example, sound devices, vibration devices, etc. 
     As above, the medical diagnostic device  100  is provided with a user interface  114  to operate and interact with the features of the medical diagnostic device  100 . The user interface  114  of this embodiment includes buttons  116  and  118  (e.g., formed by a single deflectable component  146 ), for controlling features such as power, program navigation, selection, and data entry. As shown, the user interface  114  is provided on the front housing  104  of the medical diagnostic device  100  adjacent the display device  108 . In one embodiment, the medical diagnostic device  100  provides a right button  118 , a left button  116 , and/or joy stick/track ball (not shown), which a user uses to navigate through a software drive menu provided on the display device  108 . In other embodiments, additional buttons may be used as shortcut buttons to call up a certain program on the medical diagnostic device  100 , may comprise a method of scrolling, may be used to select items from a list, or may have any function that the software designer of the device may assign to the button or set of buttons. Each button size, layout, location, and function may vary for each manufacturer and model of the device  100 . 
     In contrast to the touch sensor buttons  16  and  18  described above with reference to diagnostic medical device  10 , the buttons  116  and  118  are actuated by pressing the deflectable component  146  inwardly using manually applied pressure. The buttons  116  and  118  are outlined by a groove  125  formed in the front housing  104 , which allows the deflectable component  146  to be actuated relative to the front housing  104 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 14 , the protective enclosure  102  includes the front housing  104  and the rear housing  106 . The front and rear housings  104  and  106  mate to form a protective shell for internal components contained therein, such as for example, the display device  108  and a main circuit board  124  connected to the display device by any suitable connector, such as flex cable  127 . Unlike the medical diagnostic device  10 , the medical diagnostic device  100  may not include a touch sensor circuit board as the buttons  116  and  118  may be manually actuated. In alternative embodiments, the medical diagnostic device  100  may include a touch sensor circuit board and touch sensor buttons. The internal components of the medical diagnostic device  100  may be mounted in the protective enclosure  102  using any number of different mounting techniques. For example, in one embodiment, the internal components of the medical diagnostic device  100  may be mounted via open or closed cell foam inserts provided in the protective enclosure  102 , or in another embodiment, they may be mounted via attaching the main circuit board  124  to an interior side of one of the front and rear housings  104  and  106  with a fastener. In another embodiment, the main circuit board  124  may be mounted by a snap fit with an interior side of one of the front and rear housings  104  and  106 . 
     In the embodiment illustrated by  FIG. 14 , the display device  108  is mounted within the protective enclosure  102  by a frame  126 . The frame  126  may be formed from any of a variety of materials, including but not limited to polymeric materials, metals and metal alloys, combinations of plastic and metal materials, etc. The frame  126  includes a board mounting section  128  and a user interface mounting section  130 . The frame  126  includes an opening  132  through which a fastening boss  134  extends. The fastening boss  134  receives fastener  136  to connect the front housing  104  to the rear housing  106  and also may be used to align the internal components of the medical diagnostic device  100 . The fastener  136  may be accessed from the rear housing  106 . While the fastener  136  is shown, any suitable connection may be used to connect the front housing and the rear housing such as adhesives, welding, etc. A guide pin  137  may extend downwardly from the frame  126  toward the rear housing  106 . The guide pin  137  may be received within an alignment opening  139  ( FIG. 16 ) extending through the main circuit board  124 . The guide pin  137  may be used to align the internal components and also to maintain spacing of the frame  126  from the rear housing  106 . 
     A power supply  138  is provided within the protective enclosure  102  to provide power to the electrical/electronic components of the medical diagnostic device  100 . The power supply  138  may be, for example, a battery that is received through an opening  140  in the main circuit board  124 . Contacts (only negative contacts  141  are shown by  FIG. 14 ) are provided to connect the power supply  138  to the electrical/electronic components of the medical diagnostic device  100 . The power supply  138  is accessed and may be replaceable via a panel  142  provided in the rear housing  106  (see  FIG. 13 ). In a rechargeable battery embodiment, the medical diagnostic device  100  may be sealed permanently with the original batteries installed by the manufacturer. As indicated above, additional power may be provided to the power supply  138  using any suitable methods. 
     The frame  126  is used to mount a button actuation assembly (indicated generally as element  144 ) at the interface mounting section  130 . The buttons  116  and  118  (only button  116  can be seen in  FIG. 14 ) are formed by the deflectable component  146  (e.g., formed of any suitable material such as rubber, plastic, metal, etc.) movably mounted to the front housing  104  by any suitable method such that the deflectable component can be deflected by manually applied pressure. In some embodiments, the deflectable component  146  may be biased outwardly toward an undeflected (i.e., unactuated) position using springs, elastic material, etc. The deflectable component  146  includes a lip  148  that engages an inner surface  150  of the front housing  104  with the inner surface  150  overhanging the lip. The lip  148  prevents removal of the deflectable component  146  from the front housing  104  and may be used to position the deflectable component in its undeflected position. 
     The button actuation assembly  144  includes a post  152  that extends vertically within the protective enclosure  102  between a contact dome  154  and the deflectable component  146 . The post  152  may be formed of any suitable material such as rubber, plastic, etc. In one embodiment, the deflectable component  146  may be formed of a relatively hard material, such as a hard plastic material while the post  152  may be formed of a different, relatively soft material. The post  152  may be used to bias the deflectable component  146  toward its undeflected position. The post  152  is slidably received within a guide slot  156  that is formed by a post guide  158  provided by the frame  126 . The post guide  160 , in some embodiments, is formed as part of the frame  126  and extends vertically along a length of the post  152 . Alternatively, the post guide  160  may be formed as a separate component and be formed using a low friction material to facilitate sliding movement of the post  152  within the guide slot  156 . 
     A membrane  162  is captured between the frame  126  and the front housing  104 . The membrane  162  may be formed of a flexible, elastic material such as rubber or plastic. In some embodiments, the membrane  162  may be formed with the post  152 , extending integrally outwardly from the post. In other embodiments, the membrane  162  may be formed separately from the post  152  and attached thereto by any suitable method, such as by welding, adhesives, etc. As indicated above, the groove  125  is provided between the deflectable component  146  and the front housing  104  to allow the deflectable component to deflect relative to the front housing. The groove  125 , however, may provide a potential leak path that might allow fluids and other particles to enter the protective enclosure  102 . Such fluids and contaminants may damage the main circuit board  124  should they come into contact therewith. Thus, the membrane  162  serves as a barrier between the deflectable component  146  and the main circuit board  124 . 
     The membrane  162  may be located within the protective enclosure  102  using any suitable connection. In the illustrated embodiment, the membrane  162  includes a first end  164  that is captured or pinched between a projection  166  extending inwardly from the front housing  104  and a ledge  169  of the frame  126 . The membrane  162  includes an opposite end  168  including an opening  170  extending therethrough that is sized to receive the fastening boss  134 . In some embodiments, the membrane  162  has a length L measured between the ends that is longer than an opening  172  that receives the buttons  116  and  118  and a width W measured between sides  177  and  179  ( FIG. 15 ) that is wider than a width of the opening  172 .  FIG. 15  shows one illustrative embodiment where the post  152  associated with the button  118  and a second post  174  associated with the button  116  are both connected to the same membrane  162 , which extends beyond the opening  172  that receives the buttons. As represented by the dotted lines, the projection  166  can engage the membrane  162  at area  176  and the fastening boss  134  can pass through the opening  170 . In some embodiments, the opening  170  may be sized slightly smaller than the cross-sectional dimensions of the fastening boss  134  to frictionally engage the fastening pin when inserted through the opening  170 . 
       FIGS. 16 and 17  illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the main circuit board  124 . The main circuit board  124  includes an upper region  178  including the opening  140  that is sized to receive the power supply  138 , negative contacts  141  and positive contacts  180 . Negative contacts  141  include an outer frame member  182  that connects to the main circuit board  124 . The contact arms  184  and  186  span at least part of the opening  140  so that the power supply  138  can seat against the contact arms of the negative contacts (see also  FIG. 14 ). As shown most clearly by  FIG. 17 , the frame member  182  extends outwardly from the main circuit board  124  forming a pocket that receives the power supply  138 . The positive contacts  180  are also mounted to the main circuit board  124  and include a pair of spring arms  187  and  188  located to a side of the opening  140 . In some embodiments, the spring arms  187  and  188  provide a sufficient bias force to move the power supply  138  in the direction of arrow  190  (e.g., with the power supply in the opening  140 ) to an opposite side of the opening  140  once the power supply is inserted through the opening  140 . 
     Referring briefly to  FIG. 18 , compartment  192  has a locking feature (generally designated as element  194 ) that inhibits unintended removal of the power supply  138  from the compartment  192 , even when the panel  142  is removed. The rear housing  106  includes an insertion aperture  196  that is sized and arranged to guide the power supply  138  against the spring arms  187  and  188  thereby deflecting the spring arms. To insert the power supply  138 , an edge of the power supply is inserted through the insertion aperture  196  and placed beneath a ledge  198  to locate the power supply in an insertion position, which deflects the spring arms  187  and  188 . The spring arms  187  and  188 , when deflected, provide a sufficient spring force to push the power supply  138  in the direction of the arrow  190 , against a stop  200  and beneath overhanging portions  202  and  204  to a lock position without touching the power supply.  FIG. 19  illustrates the power supply  138  in the lock position where a first side  206  of the power supply in contact with the positive contacts  180  is beneath the ledge  198  and an opposite side  208  of the power supply is against the stop  200  and beneath the overhanging portions  202  and  204 . Thus, to remove the power supply  138  from the compartment  192 , a user applies a force to the power supply opposite arrow  190  sufficient for deflecting the spring arms  187  and  188  to place the power supply in the insertion position. Then, side  208  of the power supply  138  can be lifted through the insertion aperture  196  and the power supply can be removed from the compartment  192 . 
     Referring back to  FIGS. 16 and 17 , as above, a wireless connectivity component (generally referred to as element  210 ) may be provided at the upper region  178  which may be used for calibration, configuration, and/or communicate with other devices such as, for example, another meter, an insulin pump, a printer, a router/modem, and/or a PC. In one embodiment, the wireless connectivity component  210  provides infrared communications. A code key interface  209  may also be provided which is used to provide calibration data to a controller via a code key chip and which is used in the measurement of a test strip and in the calculation used to compute the glucose level. A sound device  211 , such as a beeper (e.g., a piezo beeper) may be mounted on the main circuit board  124 . Alternatively, the sound device may be mounted on the display device  108 . A strip reader  212  is located at a bottom region  214  of the main circuit board  124  at the test strip port  112 . In one embodiment, the strip reader  212  is configured to sample and read a disposable test strip provided to the strip port  112 . The strip port  112  is used to connect the test strip electrically to the strip reader  212 , which reads the test strip electronically in any suitable manner and provides such input to a controller for analysis. Area  215 , in some embodiments, may be reserved for the controller or meter engine. Area  216  may be reserved for the flex cable  127  (e.g., hot bar), an e-link (X pin connector), or any other suitable connector, for example, that connects the display device  108  to the main circuit board  124 . Regions  218  and  220  may be landing areas for the metal domes  154 . In an alternative embodiment, the regions  218  and  220  may be replaced with touch sensors, as described above. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 20 and 21 , an exemplary frame  126  and the display device  108  are shown in isolation. In one embodiment, the frame  126  is a single piece member (e.g., formed by molding) where the test strip port  112  is formed integrally as part of the frame as opposed to being formed with one or both of the front and rear housings  104  and  106 . In one embodiment, the test strip port  112  may be overmolded onto the frame  126 . In an alternative embodiment, the test strip port  112  may be a separate component or formed with one or both of the front and rear housings  104  and  106 . Forming the test strip port  112  with the frame  126  and not the front and rear housings  104  and  106  can facilitate the IMD process used in forming the front and/or rear housings by reducing the complexity of the mold for forming the front and rear housings. This can improve the reliability of indicia transfer to surfaces of the medical diagnostic device  100  during an IMD process. In some embodiments, a double shot molding process may be used in forming the front housing  104  and/or the rear housing  106 . Additionally, the strip port  112  can be removable from the front and rear housings  104  and  106  when the frame  126  is removed. 
     The frame  126  includes a bracket assembly, generally referred to as element  228 , that mounts the display device  108  to the frame. The bracket assembly  228  includes front bracket members  230  and  232  and rear bracket members  234  and  236 . The front and rear bracket members  230 ,  234  and  232 ,  236  cooperate to hold the display device  108  in place within the compartment  192 , preventing lifting movement off of the frame by overhanging at least a portion of the display device and preventing side-to side movement of the display device by engaging sides  238  and  240  of the display device. A connector  242  (e.g., snap, hook, etc.) is located at a rear of the frame  126  and is used to releasably engage a lower edge  244  of the display device  108 , preventing top-to-bottom sliding movement of the display device  108  from the bracket assembly  228 . The connector  238  holds the display device  108  against stop members  245 , which engage an upper edge  244  of the display device. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 22-25 , a process is illustrated for assembling the medical diagnostic device  100 . At  FIG. 22 , the display device  108  is inserted into the bracket assembly  228  until the lower edge  244  of the display device clears the connector  242  such that the connector  242  hooks or engages the lower edge of the display device. The flex cable  127  is connected to the main circuit board  124  at area  216 . With the display device  108  carried by the frame  126  and the flex cable  127  connected to the main circuit board  124 , the frame is rotated in the direction of arrow  246  to insert the guide pin  137  into the alignment opening  139  ( FIG. 16 ) extending through the main circuit board.  FIG. 23  illustrates the frame  126  with the display device  108  connected to the main circuit board  124 . As can be seen, the flex cable  127  runs from the main circuit board  124 , along a length of the assembly between the frame  126  and the main circuit board  124  and over an edge of the frame to the display device  108 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 24 , the deflectable component  146  which forms the buttons  116  and  118  is seated within the opening in the front housing  104 . The button actuation assembly  144  including the post  152 , dome  154  and membrane  162  are assembled onto the deflectable component  146 . The fastening boss  134  is inserted through the opening  170  in the membrane  162  at the end  168  and the opposite end  164  is located adjacent the projection  166 . The contact dome  154  is placed on the post  152 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 25 , the frame  126 , display device  108  and main circuit board  124  assembly ( FIG. 23 ) are placed or dropped onto the front housing  104  with button actuation assembly  144  ( FIG. 24 ) such that the fastening boss  134  is inserted through the opening  132  in the frame  126 . The end  164  of the membrane  162  is pinched between the projection  166  and the ledge  169  of the frame  126 . Referring to  FIG. 26 , the rear housing  106  is placed or dropped onto the front housing  104  and frame  126  assembly and the fastener  136  is used to releasably secure the front and rear housings together by engaging the fastener  136  with the fastening boss  134  (e.g., through a threaded connection). The power supply  138  may then be installed as described above with reference to  FIGS. 18 and 19  and the panel  142  secured to the rear housing  106 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 27 , the above described diagnostic medical devices  10  and  100 , in some embodiments, may include an illuminated strip port assembly  260 . The illuminated strip port assembly  260  includes a strip port  262 , a light pipe  264  and a light source  266  (e.g., an LED). A light pipe  264  is a tube or pipe for transport of light from one location to another location while minimizing the loss of light. The light pipe  264  may be formed of any suitable material, such as glass, plastic or a pipe with a highly reflective lining. The light pipe  264  transmits light from the light source  266  to the strip port  262  (or a portion thereof). The strip port  262  may be formed of a material selected for distribution of light over its length, either for equidistribution along the entire length or for controlled light leakage. The strip port  262  may be formed of any suitable material such as glass, plastic, etc. In the illustrated embodiment, the light pipe  264  may be formed of molded plastic with one or more prismatic turns  268  so that light reflects off the turns and does not travel straight into the strip port  262 . In one embodiment, only a bottom shelf  270  of the strip port  262  may illuminate (e.g., the bottom shelf may be formed separately and/or of a different material than the rest of the strip port such as vertical wall  272 ). In another embodiment, the entire strip port  262  may illuminate. In some embodiments, the LED may be capable of providing a number of different colors for illuminating the strip port  262  using different color lighting. The different colors may provide different indications to a user. In some embodiments, the lighting is selected to illuminate the strip port  262  to allow a user to use the medical diagnostic devices  10  and  100  in the dark. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 28 and 29 , in another embodiment, a medical diagnostic device  274  has many of the features described above with regard to medical diagnostic devices  10  and  100  including a protective enclosure  276  formed by a front housing  278  and a rear housing  280 , a display device  282  visible through the front housing, a key card interface  284  and a strip port  286 . In this embodiment, the display device  282  may be an LCD display device, however, the display device may be LED display devices, OLED display devices, display devices utilizing e-paper and other types of display devices which may be heretofore developed. 
       FIGS. 30 and 31  illustrate another embodiment of a compartment  300  with a locking feature (generally designated as element  302 ) that inhibits unintended removal of the power supply  138  from the compartment  300 , even when a panel  304  is removed.  FIG. 31  illustrates the compartment  300  with the panel  304  removed. A rear housing  306  includes an insertion aperture  308  that is sized and arranged to guide the power supply  138  against spring arms (not shown in  FIG. 31 ) thereby deflecting the spring arms. As above, the spring arms may be part of a positive contact for forming an electrical connection with the power supply  138 .  FIG. 31  illustrates the power supply  138  in a locked position with a first edge  310  of the power supply located under a ledge portion  312  that includes two, spaced apart ledge members  314  and  316  and a second, opposite edge  318  of the power supply located under overhang portions  320  and  322 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 32 and 33 , to insert the power supply  138  into the compartment  300 , the edge  310  of the power supply is inserted through the insertion aperture  308  and placed beneath the ledge portion  312  to locate the power supply in an insertion position, which deflects the spring arms (only spring arm  324  is illustrated in  FIG. 32  and only spring arm  326  is illustrated in  FIG. 33 ). The spring arms  324  and  326 , when deflected, provide a sufficient spring force to push the power supply  138  in the direction of the arrow  328 , against a stop  330  and beneath overhanging portions  320  and  322  to the lock position without touching the power supply. To remove the power supply  138  from the compartment  300 , a user applies a force to the power supply opposite arrow  328  that is sufficient for deflecting the spring arms  324  and  326  to place the power supply in the insertion position. Then, side  318  of the power supply  138  can be lifted through the insertion aperture  308  and the power supply can be removed from the compartment  300 . The positive and negative contact configurations may be similar or even the same as those shown and described with reference to  FIGS. 16 and 17  above. 
     Referring to  FIG. 34 , a positive contact embodiment  332  is illustrated in isolation. The positive contact  332  includes a bracket portion  334  that can be connected to the main circuit board (e.g., any of the main circuit boards shown and described above) and spring arms  324  and  326  that are connected to the bracket portion by a connector  336 . In one embodiment, the bracket portion  334 , spring arms  324  and  326  and connector  336  are all formed of the same material (e.g., such as steel or a stainless steel alloy, such as 302 stainless steel) using any suitable process, such as stamping, bending, machining, or any combination of suitable processes. In some embodiments, the material forming the spring arms  324  and  326  may have a modulus of elasticity of about 190 GPa or more, such as about 193 GPa and a yield strength of at least about 1000 MPa, such as about 1103 MPa. In some embodiments, the spring force applied by the spring arms  324  and  326  (e.g., at their maximum deflection) may be about 1.5 N or more, such as about 2 N or more, such as about 2.35 N. In some embodiments, the maximum deflection of the spring arms  324  and  326  occurs when the power source  138  seats against an inner portion  338  of the positive contact  332  adjacent the connector  336 . The degree of deflection of the spring arms  324  and  326  may depend on, among other things, the shape of the spring arms, the size of the power supply  138  and the amount of manual force F applied to the power supply during the insertion process. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 35 , in another embodiment, a medical diagnostic device  340  has many of the features described above with regard to medical diagnostic devices  10 ,  100  and  274  including a protective enclosure  342  formed by a front housing  344  and a rear housing  346 , a display device  348  visible through the front housing, a key card interface  350  and a strip port  352 . In this embodiment, the display device  348  may be an e-paper display where the e-paper board and a touch sensor board are combined in a single display board  354 .  FIGS. 36 and 37  illustrate the display board  354 , which includes a connector  356  that can be used to connect to a main circuit board  358 , an e-paper driver controller  360  for use in controlling operation of the display device  348 , a touch sensor processor  362  and an audible output device  364 . As shown by  FIG. 37 , the e-paper display device  348  may be laminated on the display board  354  that includes touch sensor pads  366 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 38 , an exploded view of the medical diagnostic device  340  is shown. The medical diagnostic device  340  includes the front housing  344 , display board  354 , frame  368 , a mezzanine board  370 , the main circuit board  358 , rear housing  346 , power supply  372 , a compartment door  374 , a label  376  and a fastener  378  for securing the components together. 
     The above-described diagnostic medical devices  10 ,  100 ,  274  and  340  may have a relatively low profile (i.e., they may be thinner) compared to other medical devices. Referring to  FIG. 2 , for example, the diagnostic medical device  10  may have a thickness of less than about 21 mm, such as about 15.5 mm or less. Such a reduction in thickness of the medical devices can improve their portability for a user. 
     The above description and drawings are only to be considered illustrative of exemplary embodiments, which achieve the features and advantages of the present invention. Modification and substitutions to specific process steps, system, and setup can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be considered as being limited by the foregoing description and drawings, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.