Patent Publication Number: US-2017354380-A1

Title: Portable electronic devices and systems for analyzing an analyte

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/618,963, filed on Jun. 9, 2017, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/348,501 filed on Jun. 10, 2016, the entire content of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to systems for analyzing an analyte. Specifically, the present invention relates to a portable electronic device for analyzing an analyte. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Due to changing lifestyles, medical issues pertaining to diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol are increasing. Various health monitoring devices or analyte sensing devices are typically utilized to monitor parameters related to such medical issues. 
     Among prevalent medical issues, diabetes has become a major health concern worldwide. Patients are required to regularly monitor and manage their blood glucose levels for managing and controlling the disease. Various glucose meters are well known in the medical industry to measure and monitor one&#39;s blood glucose levels. Typically, a pricking needle or a lancet is used to prick the skin of a patient. A droplet of blood is placed onto a sensor strip that is placed in an analyte sensing device. A chemical reaction occurs in the sensor strip and data, i.e., blood glucose level, is generated, which is then displayed on the measuring device indicating the blood glucose level of the user. Moreover, in some glucose measuring devices, the data can also be sent to other devices such as a computer or a cell phone. 
     However, conventional glucose measuring devices and/or analyte sensing devices are bulky and difficult to carry everywhere. Further, conventional devices for analyte measurement include test insertion ports for only a specific type of sensor strip, making the device incompatible for other types of sensor strips. 
     Therefore, there is a need to develop an analyte sensing device, such as a portable glucose measuring device, that is compatible with multiple types of sensor strips. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a portable electronic device for analyzing an analyte. The portable electronic device includes a sensor for reading a signal from a test strip including drops of a sample and a processor for determining a parameter of the analyte based on the read signal. 
     Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a portable electronic device for analyzing an analyte, such as measuring glucose levels of blood. The portable electronic device may include adaptor ports of various sizes or a universal adapter port to accommodate multiple test strips from different manufacturers. 
     Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a portable electronic device that transmits data, obtained by measuring blood glucose level, to other devices including, but not restricted to, a computer, tablet or a cell phone via short range wireless communication, such as Bluetooth™. 
     Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a portable electronic device that provides notifications and alerts related to, but not restricted to, high and low blood glucose levels, A1C, parental, endocrinologist and diabetic educators. 
     Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a portable electronic device having one or more compartments for storing multiple test strips, multiple lancets and multiple lancet needles. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, the portable electronic device comprises a compartment to accept a separate lancet device containing multiple test strips, multiple lancets and multiple lancet needles. 
     Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a portable electronic device that is wearable. The wearable device can be detachably associated with a band or a strap to be tied on a user&#39;s body. 
     Some embodiments are directed to a portable electronic device for analyzing an analyte. The portable electronic device includes a housing, an adapter detachably coupled to the housing and a processor disposed in the housing. The adapter includes a body defining an opening for receiving a test strip and an interface port disposed within the body. The interface port is configured to read a signal from the test strip. The processor is communicably coupled to the interface port. The processor is configured to determine at least one parameter of the analyte based on the signal received from the interface port. 
     Some other embodiments are directed to a system for analyzing an analyte. The system includes a portable electronic device and a mobile device communicably coupled to the portable electronic device. The portable electronic device includes a housing, an adapter detachably coupled to the housing and a processor disposed in the housing. The adapter includes a body defining an opening for receiving a test strip and an interface port disposed within the body. The interface port is configured to read a signal from the test strip. The processor is communicably coupled to the interface port. The processor is configured to determine at least one parameter of the analyte based on the signal received from the interface port. The mobile device displays indicia indicative of the at least one parameter of the analyte on a user interface. 
     Yet other embodiments are directed to a system for analyzing an analyte. The system comprises a portable electronic device and a plurality of adapters. The portable electronic device includes a housing including an adapter port and a processor disposed in the housing and communicably coupled to the adapter port, the processor configured to determine at least one parameter of the analyte based on a signal received from the adapter port. Each of the plurality of adapters is selectively coupled to the adapter port of the housing, each of the plurality of adapters including a body defining an opening for receiving a test strip, an interface port disposed within the body, wherein the interface port is configured to read the signal from the test strip, and an electronic circuit configured to transmit the signal to the adapter port. Further, each of the plurality of adapters has different physical dimensions of the interface port. 
     These and other advantages will be apparent from the present application of the embodiments described herein. 
     The preceding is a simplified summary to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present invention. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the present invention and its various embodiments. The summary presents selected concepts of the embodiments of the present invention in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the present invention are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The related drawings illustrate all the preferred embodiments of the invention wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an exploded view of a portable electronic device, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a front view of a portable electronic device, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an exploded view of an adapter for use with a portable electronic device, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a schematic of an adapter, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a schematic of an adapter, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6A  illustrates a front perspective view of a portable electronic device coupled to a mobile device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6B  illustrates a rear perspective view of a portable electronic device coupled to a mobile device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6C  illustrates a left side view of a portable electronic device coupled to a mobile device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6D  illustrates a right side view of a portable electronic device coupled to a mobile device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6E  illustrates a bottom view of a portable electronic device coupled to a mobile device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an adapter being inserted in a slot disposed on a portable electronic device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8A  illustrates a lock ring in a locked state, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8B  illustrates a lock ring in an unlocked state, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a portable electronic device with a storage cover removed, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10A-10H  illustrate screenshots of a user interface, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a perspective view of a portable electronic device, in accordance with embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12A  illustrates a front perspective view of a portable electronic device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12B  illustrates a rear perspective view of a portable electronic device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13A  illustrates a front view of a portable electronic device coupled to a case for a mobile device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13B  illustrates a rear view of a portable electronic device coupled to a case for a mobile device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 14  illustrates a side view of a portable electronic device coupled to a mobile device having a case, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 15  illustrates a hardware block diagram of a portable electronic device, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 16A  illustrates an isometric view of a portable electronic device, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 16B  illustrates a front view of a portable electronic device, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 16C  illustrates a side view of a portable electronic device, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 17A  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portable electronic device, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 17B  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portable electronic device, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 18A  illustrates a hardware block diagram of a portable electronic device, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 18B  illustrates a hardware block diagram of a portable electronic device, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 19  illustrates a block diagram of a circuit board of a portable glucose monitoring device, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 20  illustrates a functional block diagram of a portable electronic device, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 21  illustrates a flowchart schematically outlining a method for analyzing an analyte using a portable electronic device, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 22  illustrates a chipset upon which an embodiment of the present invention may be implemented. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention will be illustrated below in conjunction with exemplary configurations of portable electronic devices and systems for analyzing an analyte. 
     The phrases “at least one”, “one or more”, and “and/or” are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions “at least one of A, B and C”, “at least one of A, B, or C”, “one or more of A, B, and C”, “one or more of A, B, or C” and “A, B, and/or C” means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B and C together. 
     The term “a” or “an” entity refers to one or more of that entity. As such, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein. It is also to be noted that the terms “comprising”, “including”, and “having” can be used interchangeably. 
     The terms “first end,” “second end,” used herein do not denote any order, but rather are used to distinguish one end from another. However, in some embodiments, the first end and the second end can refer to one end. 
     The term “A1C” used herein, refers to A1C test (also known as HbA1C or glycated hemoglobin) that provides a good general indication of diabetes control. The test is used to indicate a person&#39;s average blood glucose level over the past few months. 
     Embodiments of the present invention include a portable electronic device for analyzing an analyte. The analyte may include glucose, lactate, blood gases (e.g., carbon dioxide or oxygen), blood PH, hemoglobin, or any other biological species present in a biological fluid or sample, such as blood, sweat, urine, plasma, serum and the like. 
     The portable electronic device includes a housing, an adapter detachably coupled to the housing, and a processor disposed in housing. The adapter includes an opening to receive a test strip. The portable electronic device determines a parameter of the analyte, for example, glucose levels. If glucose is used as the analyte, a lancet is used to prick skin of a patient and one or more drops of the blood are placed on the test strip. The presence of the analyte on the test strip causes an electro-chemical reaction in the test strip. The test strip generates a signal based on the electro-chemical reaction. The test strip is inserted into the portable electronic device. The adapter includes an interface port that reads the signal from the test strip. The processor, being communicably coupled to the interface port, determines glucose levels based on the read signal and transmits them to a mobile device with a display. 
     In an embodiment, the portable electronic device includes a universal adapter port that can interface with different types of adapters. Each type of adapter is compatible with a specific type of test strip. Dimensions of the interface port of each type of adapter may vary based on the corresponding test strip. 
     Various embodiments of the present inventions are presented by way of examples illustrated in the  FIGS. 1-22 . 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an exploded view of a portable electronic device  100 . In an embodiment, the portable electronic device  100  is utilized for monitoring glucose levels in a blood sample. The portable electronic device  100  includes a storage cover  102  covering a housing  104  with multiple compartments. The storage cover  102  is detachably coupled to the housing  104  using a lock ring  106 , a lock pin  112  and a lock bracket  114 . The multiple compartments of the housing  104  stores at least one lancet  108 , one or more lancet needles  110  and at least one test strip  118 . The housing  104  further includes a slot  105  to position an adapter  116 . The adapter  116  is positioned in the slot  105 , such that the adapter  116  is connected to a printed circuit board (PCB)  120  through an adapter port. The PCB  120  includes a processor (not shown) that may be, but not restricted to, a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a microprocessor, or a microcontroller for calculating and transmitting data obtained by measuring blood glucose levels. 
     The lancet  108  is used to prick the skin of a patient to obtain droplets of blood. The droplets of blood are placed on the test strip  118 . The test strip  118  is inserted into the adapter  116 . When the blood is placed onto the test strip  118 , a signal is generated by a chemical reaction caused by an interface of glucose present in the patient&#39;s blood, and a chemically treated metal (not shown) on the test strip  118 . 
     The adapter  116  includes a body with an opening  117 . The adapter  116  receives the test strip  118  through the opening  117 . The adapter  116  further includes an interface port (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) that is disposed within the body. The interface port reads a signal generated by the test strip  118 . The signal may be an electric signal or a magnetic signal. In an embodiment, the signal may be an electric current or a voltage. 
     In some embodiments, the test strip  118  is a composite film that is a combination of adhesive materials and an electronic circuit. The test strip  118  includes a sample chamber (not shown) that induces rapid blood absorption. In some embodiments, the test strip may include visual cues, such as a change in color, to indicate that sufficient blood to generate a signal is placed on the test strip  118 . The test strip  118  further includes an enzyme, such as glucose oxidase that electrochemically reacts with the blood, so that a signal is generated. Electrons from glucose travel through a network of wires in the test strip  118 , thereby generating current. When the test strip  118  is inserted into the adapter  116  through the opening  117 , and the adapter  116  is inserted into the slot  105 , the interface port of the adapter  116  reads the current. The PCB  120  counts the electrons as current and determines the amount of glucose needed to generate the current. 
     In some embodiments, the adapter  116  is selected from multiple adapters. Each of the multiple adapters includes an interface port. Each of the multiple adapters is configured to interface with a corresponding type of test strip. The housing  104  may store different types of test strips. Test strips may differ on the basis of materials used, shape, dimensions and the like. Further, different test strips may correspond to different manufacturers. Each of the multiple adapters can be inserted into the slot, such that each adapter is connected to the PCB  120  through the adapter port. 
     The adapter  116  and the PCB  120  are powered by a battery  122  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) placed in a battery holder  127 . The battery holder  127  is disposed on a case body  124 . Further, the housing  104  is attached to the case body  124 . The case body  124  is further attached to a frame  128 . In an embodiment, the frame  128  may be a rectangular frame that provides support to the housing  104  and the case body  124 . The frame  128  is further attached to a mobile device, such as, but not limited to a phone, a tablet computer and the like. In some embodiments, the frame  128  may be detachably coupled to a mobile device using a clip (not shown). 
     In some embodiments, the case body  124  and the housing  104  may include openings to position external buttons and/or external devices of the mobile device to which the case body  124  and the housing  104  are attached using the frame  128 . For example, the case body  124 , the housing  104  and the frame  128  may be attached to a smartphone that includes a camera. Accordingly, the case body  124  is provided with an opening  126  that is positioned above the camera of the phone. Further the housing  104  may also include an opening aligned with the opening  126  of the case body  124 . Other openings on the housing  104  may include openings for protruding volume buttons and power buttons of the attached smartphone. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a front view of the portable electronic device  100 . The case body  124  is fixed to the frame  128  is shown. A mobile device of similar dimensions as the case body  124  may be attached, such that any camera or protruding buttons may coincide with the opening  126 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an exploded view of the adapter  116 , in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. The adapter  116  includes a body  136  with an opening  117 . The adapter  116  further includes a PCB  137  with an interface port  138  and connection terminals  140 . The PCB  137  includes an electronic circuit. In some embodiments, the connection terminals  140  may be strips of a conducting material. The interface port  138  reads a signal generated by a test strip  142 . The signal may be an electric signal or a magnetic signal. In  FIG. 2 , the PCB  137  may be attached to the body  136 . The interface port  138  receives the test strip  142  through the opening  117 . The adapter  116  further includes an adapter bottom  144  with a clip  146 . The adapter body  136  and the PCB  137  are connected to the adapter bottom  144  using the clip  146 . In some embodiments, the clip  146  may be part of a latching mechanism. The adapter  116  is detachably coupled to the slot  105  of the housing  104  (shown in  FIG. 1 ), such that the connection terminals  140  contact an adapter port that is communicably coupled to the PCB  120  disposed in the housing  104 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a schematic  300  of an adapter  316  with an inserted test strip  342 . The test strip has a width ‘W 1 ’. The adapter  316  is connected to a PCB  304  through an adapter port  308  of length ‘L 1 ’. The PCB  304  includes a processor  302  that may be, but not restricted to, a Central Processing Unit (CPU), microprocessor, or a microcontroller. The PCB  304  may also include a memory, input/output ports, a clock, and the like. The test strip  342  is inserted through an opening of the adapter  316 . The test strip  342  is positioned such that the test strip  342  contacts contact terminals  317  of an interface port  309 . In some embodiments, the contact terminals  317  may be strips of a conducting material. The interface port  309  has a width ‘X 1 ’. In an embodiment, the width ‘X 1 ’ of the interface port  309  may be substantially equal to the width ‘W 1 ’ of the test strip  342 . The contact terminals  317  are electrically coupled to connection terminals  310 . The connection terminals  310  extend over the length ‘L 1 ’ of the adapter port  308 . The adapter port  308  includes adapter terminals  306  that contact the connection terminals  310  when the adapter  316  is coupled to the adapter port  308 . The test strip  342  generates a signal that is transmitted to the connection terminals  310  when the test strip  342  is inserted into the adapter  316  and the adapter  316  is coupled to the adapter port  308 . The adapter  316  may include an electronic circuit (not shown) that transmits the signal to the PCB  304  through the adapter port  308 . The PCB  304  determines one or more parameters, for example, glucose levels, from the transmitted signal. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a schematic  400  of an adapter  350  with an inserted test strip  352 . The test strip  352  has a width ‘W 2 ’. In an embodiment, the width ‘W 2 ’ of the test strip  352  is lesser than the width ‘W 1 ’ of the test strip  342  illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The adapter  350  is connected to a PCB  304  through an adapter port  308  of length ‘L 1 ’. The test strip  342  is inserted through an opening of the adapter  350 . The test strip  342  is positioned within the opening, such that the test strip  342  contacts contact terminals  351  of an interface port  345 . The interface port  345  has a width ‘X 2 ’. In some embodiments, the contact terminals  351  may be strips of a conducting material. The contact terminals  351  are electrically coupled to connection terminals  344 . The connection terminals  344  extend over a length ‘L 2 ’ of the adapter port  308 . The length ‘L 1 ’ is greater than the length ‘L 2 ’. In an embodiment, the width ‘X 2 ’ of the interface port  345  may be substantially equal to the width ‘W 2 ’ of the test strip  352 . Further, the width ‘X 2 ’ of interface port  345  is lesser than the width ‘X 1 ’ of the interface port  309  illustrated in  FIG. 4 . Therefore, interface ports of adapters have varying dimensions based on the corresponding type of test strip. Differences in dimensions may further include differences in lengths, thicknesses and shapes in addition to difference in widths. 
     Further, the adapter port  308  includes adapter terminals  306  that contact the connection terminals  344  when the adapter  350  is coupled to the adapter port  308 . The test strip  352  generates a signal that is transmitted to the connection terminals  344  when the test strip  352  is inserted into the adapter  350  and the adapter  350  is coupled to the adapter port  308 . The adapter  350  may include an electronic circuit (not shown) that transmits the signal to the PCB  304  through the adapter port  308 . The PCB  304  determines one or more parameters, such as glucose levels, from the transmitted signal. 
     The adapter port  308  is compatible with adapter ports  316  and  350 , in spite of varying dimensions. One of the adapters  316  and  350  may be selected to measure glucose levels based on the type of test strip. The adapter  316  is used if the test strip  342  is utilized for collecting blood or an analyte. Further, the adapter  350  is used if the test strip  352  is utilized for collecting blood or an analyte. 
       FIG. 6A  illustrates a perspective view of the portable electronic device  100  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) with a mobile device  132  attached to the frame  128 . The mobile device  132  may be, but not limited to a mobile phone, a tablet computer, an external display and the like. The mobile device  132  is attached to the frame  128  such that one or more buttons on the mobile phone may coincide with an opening  134  on the frame  128 . In some embodiments, the phone grip may include external button covers which coincide with corresponding buttons of the mobile device  132 . 
       FIG. 6B  illustrates a rear view of the portable electronic device  100  coupled to the mobile device  132  (shown in  FIG. 6A ). The mobile device  132  is detachably coupled to the portable electronic device  100  such that one or more buttons on the mobile device  132  coincide with an opening  130  on the frame  128 , and a camera lens protruding from the mobile device  132  coincides with the opening  126 . The storage cover  102  is shown detachably coupled to the housing  104  using the lock ring  106 .  FIG. 6B  further illustrates the adapter  116  coupled to the portable electronic device  100 . The adapter  116  includes the opening  117  for a test strip to be inserted. 
       FIGS. 6C and 6D  illustrate side views of the portable electronic device  100  coupled to the mobile device  132 , such that buttons of the mobile device  132  coincide with the openings  130  and  134 . The portable electronic device  100  includes the storage cover  102 , the adapter  116  and the frame  128 .  FIG. 6E  is a bottom view of the portable electronic device  100 . The portable electronic device  100  includes a charging port  103  to which an external power source may be coupled. In some embodiments, the mobile device  132  may be electrically coupled to the portable electronic device  100  through the charging port  103 . The charging port  103  may include interfaces, such as, but not limiting to, Universal Serial Bus (USB), USB-C, lightening connector, micro-USB and the like. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates the adapter  116  being inserted in the slot  105  of the portable electronic device  100 . The portable electronic device  100  includes the storage cover  102  and the housing  104 . The lock ring  106  detachably couples the storage cover  102  to the housing  104 . The portable electronic device  100  may be coupled to the mobile device  132 , such that a camera lens of the mobile device  132  may coincide with the opening  126 . The adapter  116  with the opening  117  is inserted in the slot  105  such that the adapter  116  is latched to an opening  608 . Once latched, the adapter  116  is in contact with an adapter port  602 . In another embodiment, the adapter  116  may be detachably coupled to the slot  105  by a snap-fit mechanism. The adapter  116  is connected to the PCB  120  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) through the adapter port  602 . The adapter  116  is selected from multiple adapters, each adapter being compatible with a corresponding test strip. A compatible test strip placed with droplets of blood is inserted in the opening  117 . 
       FIGS. 8A and 8B  illustrate the lock ring  106 . A user may use the lock ring  106  to couple the storage cover  102  to the housing  104  or remove the storage cover  102  from the housing  104 . The lock ring  106  is a knob that locks the storage cover  102 . In  FIG. 8A , the lock ring  106  is in a locking position and couples the storage cover  102  to the housing  104 . In  FIG. 8B , the lock ring  106  may be rotated to an unlocking position, such that the storage cover  102  may be removed. In an embodiment, the storage cover  102  may include indicia to indicate the locking and unlocking positions of the storage cover  102 . Upon releasing the storage cover  102 , the user may utilize the lancet  108  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) and one of the lancet needles  110  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) stored in multiple compartments of the housing  104  to extract a few drops of blood. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates the portable electronic device  100  with the storage cover  102  removed from the housing  104 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , the housing  104  includes compartments  111 ,  119  and  109 . The user fixes one of the lancet needles  110  to the lancet  108  to prick his/her skin to extract a one or more drops of blood. The lancet needles are stored in the compartment  111  and the lancet  108  is stored in the compartment  109 . In some embodiments, the housing  104  may include a lancet slider (not shown), a lancet port (not shown) and a lancet trigger/release button (not shown). In another embodiment of the present invention, the housing  104  may include a compartment to accept a separate lancet device containing a lancet slider (not shown), a lancet port (not shown) and a lancet trigger/release button (not shown). The lancet slider slides the lancet through the lancet port. The lancet slider may be used to adjust lancing tension. The lancet trigger/release button is pressed to trigger the lancet for piercing the skin and release the lancet after piercing the skin of the user. One or more drops of blood are extracted and placed on the test strip  142 . The test strip  142  may be the at least one test strip  118  stored in the compartment  119 . The test strip  142  is inserted in the adapter  116  through the opening  117 . The test strip  142  generates a signal based on an electrochemical reaction between the drops of blood and the test strip. The interface port  138  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) of the adapter  116  reads the signal. The adapter  116  transmits the signal to the PCB  120  through the adapter port  308 , when the adapter  116  is electrically coupled to the PCB  120  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) disposed in the housing  104 . The processor  302  on the PCB  304  calculates one or more parameters pertaining to glucose levels in the drops of blood placed on the test strip  142 . 
     In some embodiments, the portable electronic device  100  may be communicably coupled to the mobile device  132  through a communication port. The communication port may include interfaces, but not limiting to, Universal Serial Bus (USB), USB-C, lightening connector, micro-USB and the like. In other embodiments, the portable electronic device  100  may be communicably coupled to the mobile device  132  through communication interfaces, such as Bluetooth™, near field communication, ISM, Bluetooth™ Low Energy (BLE), ZigBee, WLAN standard or over the Internet. The processor  302  is configured to generate a user interface on a display of the mobile device  132  coupled to the portable electronic device  100 . The processor  302  may execute instructions to generate the user interface and display indicia indicative of the one or more parameters pertaining to glucose levels. The mobile device  132  may also execute a software application for displaying the user interface. In an alternative, the portable electronic device  100  may include an onboard display (not shown) for displaying the user interface. 
     In some embodiments, the processor  302  may generate indicia indicative of the one or more parameters and transmit the indicia to a server (not shown) via a communication network. The communication network may be, but not limited to, a local area network (LAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN) or any wireless network. The server may then transmit the one or more parameters to the mobile device  132 . The mobile device  132  may display the one or parameters through a user interface on the mobile device  132 . 
       FIGS. 10A to 10H  illustrate a user interface  800  that displays indicia generated by the processor  302 . The user interface  800  may be displayed on the mobile device  132 . In  FIG. 10A , the user interface  800  shows the glucose level  802  and metrics pertaining to A 1 c levels and future goals of the user. The user may also be directed to register an account with a health management system. Further, as shown in  FIG. 10B , a user may be directed to authenticate registration details by providing an email address  806  and a password  808  on the user interface  800 . Upon clicking a login button  810 , the user is allowed to access his/her account.  FIG. 10C  illustrates the user interface  900  displaying settings pertaining to the registered account of the user. The settings include a box  812  to set health goals. Further the settings include options  814  to send notifications to a parent or a guardian, an endocrinologist, and a diabetes educator by enabling slide buttons  816 ,  818  and  820 . 
       FIG. 10D  illustrates the user interface  800  displaying further details pertaining to the authenticated account. The settings include a name field  824  and an email address field  822 . Password to the account may be change by clicking a button  826 . The user interface  800  provides options to pair the mobile device  132  with an external device such as an insulin pump through Bluetooth™ or any shortwave communication. In an example, the mobile device  132  may be paired with an insulin pump. The data obtained from the processor  302  is used to control settings and distribution of insulin from the insulin pump either manually or transmitted via shortwave communication directly to the insulin pump. The mobile device  132  is paired with an external device upon clicking a button  830 . In some embodiments, the user may be directed a list of devices that may be paired with the mobile device  132 . Any notifications to be transmitted to parents, an endocrinologist or a diabetes educator are enabled at a field box  834 . 
     In  FIG. 10E , historical medical data such as basal metabolic rates and insulin to carbohydrate ratios are displayed at a field box  836 . In  FIG. 10F , a graph  846 , pertaining to average insulin dosages and average insulin to carbohydrate ratios, is represented on the user interface  800 . Graphical data with respect to a week, a fortnight, a month and three months may be displayed upon clicking the buttons  838 ,  840 ,  842  and  844  respectively. 
     In  FIG. 10G , a graph  848  displays insulin dosages and insulin to carbohydrate ratios for specific dates. The graph  848  represents data tabulated on 2 Jan. 2016 and the graph  850  represents data tabulated on 1 Jan. 2016. In  FIG. 10H , a medical history of the user is displayed. Field boxes  852 ,  854 ,  856  and  858  display insulin to carbohydrate details at different times during a day. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a portable electronic device  900  for analyzing an analyte. The portable electronic device  900  includes a housing  902  with compartments  904 ,  906  and  908  storing a lancet (not shown), lancet needles (not shown) and test strips (not shown), respectively. The portable electronic device  900  further includes an adapter  916  that is inserted through a slot  910 . The adapter  916  is positioned in the slot  910  such that it is in contact with an adapter port  912 . The housing  902  is detachably coupled to a mobile device such that any external buttons on the mobile device may coincide with an opening  928 . Further, the mobile device is detachably coupled to the housing  900 , such that any camera lens on the mobile device may coincide with an opening  926 . A user extracts drops of blood by pricking his/her skin using a lancet and a lancet needle (not shown). The lancet and lancet needle may be stored in the compartments  904  and  906 , respectively. The drops of blood are placed on a test strip (not shown). The test strip may be stored in the compartment  908 . The test strip is inserted in the adapter  916 . When the adapter  916  is inserted through the slot  912  and is in contact with the adapter port  912 , the test strip, the adapter  916  and the adapter port  912  are electrically coupled. The adapter port reads a signal generated by the test strip. The signal is generated through an electrochemical reaction between the blood and the test strip. The signal is transmitted to a PCB (not shown) disposed within the housing  902 . The PCB includes a processor that calculates parameters indicative of a glucose level of the blood. The processor may transmit the parameters to the mobile device. A user may access the parameters and any derived information from through a user interface displayed on the mobile device. 
       FIG. 12A  illustrates a front view of a portable electronic device  1000  for analyzing an analyte. The portable electronic device  1000  includes a housing  1004  with a clip  1010  and a communication port  1008 . 
       FIG. 12B  illustrates a rear view of the portable electronic device  1000 . The portable electronic device  1000  includes a storage cover  1002  detachably coupled to the housing using a lock ring  1006 . The portable electronic device  1000  further includes an adapter  1016  that is detachably inserted through a slot disposed on the housing  1004 . The adapter  1016  is positioned in the slot such that the adapter  1016  is in contact with an adapter port (not shown) disposed in the slot. A PCB (not shown), disposed in the housing  1004 , is coupled to the adapter  1016  via the adapter port. 
     A case for a mobile device is detachably coupled to the portable electronic device  1000  using the clip  1010 . A mobile device with a case is further communicably coupled to the portable electronic device  1000  by connecting the communication port  1008  to a communication port disposed on the mobile device. The communication port  1008  may include interfaces, such as, but not limiting to, Universal Serial Bus (USB), USB-C, lightening connector, micro-USB and the like. 
     A user extracts drops of blood by pricking his/her skin using a lancet and a lancet needle (not shown). The drops of blood are placed on a test strip (not shown). The adapter  1016  has an opening  1017  through which a test strip is inserted. The adapter port reads a signal generated by the test strip. The signal is generated through an electrochemical reaction between the blood and the test strip. The signal is transmitted to the PCB. The PCB includes a processor that calculates parameters indicative of a glucose level of the blood. The processor may transmit the parameters to the mobile device through the communication port  1008 . A user may access the parameters and any derived information through a user interface displayed on the mobile device. 
       FIG. 13A  illustrates a front view of a system  1100  for analyzing an analyte. The system  1100  includes a portable electronic device  1136  coupled to a case  1138  for a mobile device. In some embodiments, the portable electronic device  1136  may be coupled to the case  1138  using a clip. The case  1138  includes external button covers  1130  and  1134 . The case  1138  further includes an opening  1126 . A mobile device may be coupled to the system  100  by positioning external buttons of the mobile device with the external button covers  1130  and  1134 . The mobile device is also positioned, such that a camera lens disposed on the mobile device coincides with the opening  1126 . A communication port of the mobile may be coupled to a communication port  1108  of the portable electronic device  1136 . 
     A user extracts drops of blood by pricking his/her skin using a lancet and a lancet needle (not shown). The drops of blood are placed on a test strip (not shown). The adapter  1116  has an opening through which a test strip is inserted. The adapter port reads a signal generated by the test strip. The signal is generated through an electrochemical reaction between the blood and the test strip. The signal is transmitted to the PCB. The PCB includes a processor that calculates parameters indicative of a glucose level of the blood. The processor may transmit the parameters to the mobile device through the communication port  1008 . A user may access the parameters and any derived information through a user interface displayed on the mobile device. 
       FIG. 13B  illustrates a rear view of the system  1100 . The portable electronic device  1136  includes a housing  1140  and a storage cover  1102 . A lock ring  1106  detachably couples the storage cover  1102  to the housing  1140 . In some embodiments, the housing  1140  includes one or more compartments underneath the storage cover  1102 . Lancets, lancet needles and test strips may be stored in the one or more compartments. The housing  1140  further includes an adapter  1016  that is detachably inserted into a slot. The slot is disposed on the housing  1140 . The adapter  1116  is positioned in the slot such that it is in contact with an adapter port (not shown) disposed in the slot. A PCB (not shown) disposed in the housing  1004  is coupled to the adapter  1016  via the adapter port. 
       FIG. 14  illustrates a side view of a system  1200  for analyzing an analyte. The system  1200  includes a portable electronic device  1204  coupled to a case  1202  for a mobile device  1206 . In some embodiments, the portable electronic device  1204  may be detachably coupled to the case  1202  using a clip. The mobile device  1206  is further coupled to the case  1202 . The mobile device is communicably coupled to the portable electronic device  1204  through a communication port  1208 . 
       FIG. 15  illustrates a hardware block diagram of a portable electronic device  1300  for analyzing an analyte, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Analyzing an analyte includes measuring an amount of glucose in blood. The portable electronic device  1300  includes a lancet slider  1318  mechanically engaged with a lancet mechanism (not shown) of a lancet port  1316  to slide a lancet through a sliding motion of the lancet slider  1318 . The portable electronic device  1300  further includes a lancet trigger/release button  1320  to discharge the lancet. In some embodiments, there can be multiple settings associated with the lancet slider  1318 . The lancet pierces the skin of the user based on the pressure applied by the user as per the setting of the lancet slider  1318 . The user would then press the lancet trigger/release button  1320  to discharge the lancet. A small amount of blood, released due to piercing, is obtained and put onto a test strip. The test strip is inserted through an interface port  1306 . 
     The interface port  1306  may be of variable sizes having varying widths and depths to accommodate multiple test strips from different manufacturers. The test strip can be any test or sensor strip that analyzes an analyte to determine one or more parameters, such as glucose levels. 
     When the blood is placed onto the test strip, a signal is generated by a chemical reaction caused between glucose in the blood, and a chemically treated metal on the test strip. A processor  1308  then reads the signal and calculates the amount of glucose in the blood. The processor  1308  may include, but is not restricted to, a Central Processing Unit (CPU), microprocessor, or a microcontroller for calculating and transmitting data obtained by measuring the amount of glucose. 
     The data obtained by measuring the blood glucose levels is then displayed on a display  1310 . The display  1310  may include, but not restricted to, a LCD display, a LED display or any other electronic display capable of displaying measurement results of blood glucose levels. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, the data obtained by measuring the amount of glucose is transmitted to other electronic devices including, but not restricted to, a computer, tablet or a cell phone via short range wireless communication. In some embodiments, the electronic devices may be, but not restricted to, cellular phones, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), tablet mobile device version, and so forth. In an exemplary scenario, the data obtained by measuring the blood glucose level is transmitted to a mobile phone via Bluetooth™ or any short wave communication signal. In some embodiments of the present invention, the data transferred to the electronic device may be presented in an application installed in the electronic device. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, the portable electronic device  1300  is associated with an insulin pump. The data obtained by measuring the blood glucose level is used to control settings and distribution of insulin from the insulin pump either manually or transmitted via shortwave communication directly to the insulin pump. 
     The portable electronic device  1300  includes a power source  1312 . The power source  1312  may include, but is not restricted to, a battery for supplying power to other components such as, but not limited to, the processor  1308  and the display  1310 . The battery may be rechargeable or disposable. The power source  1312  may further include, but is not restricted to, a lithium ion battery, or a lithium ion polymer battery. 
     Further, in some embodiments, the portable electronic device  1300  may include a test strip container  1302  for storing multiple test strips. The test strip container  1302  may be of variable dimensions to store multiple glucose test strips of variable sizes and shapes provided by different manufacturers. In some embodiments, the test strip container  1302  may be detachably attached to the portable electronic device  1300 . 
     The portable electronic device  1300  further includes a lancet container  1304  for storing multiple lancets. The lancet container  1304  can be of variable dimensions to store multiple lancets of variable sizes and shapes. In some embodiments, the lancet container  1304  can be detachably attached to the portable electronic device  1300 . 
     In some embodiments, the portable electronic device  1300  can be detachably associated with an electronic device including, but not limited to, a cell phone, or a tablet. 
     In some embodiments, the portable electronic device  1300  may be a wearable device. The portable electronic device  1300  includes a band  1322  for detachably coupling the housing to a user. 
       FIGS. 16A, 16B and 16C  illustrate isometric, front and side views of the portable electronic device  1300 , respectively.  FIGS. 17A and 17B  illustrate cross-sectional views of the portable electronic device  1300  for analyzing an analyte. The portable electronic device  1300  includes a housing having the interface port  1306  disposed at a first end of the housing for positioning a blood glucose measuring test strip within the housing. Further, the portable electronic device  1300  includes the lancet port  1316  disposed at a second end of the housing for positioning a lancet within the housing. 
     The portable electronic device  1300  also includes a processor  1308  for calculating and transmitting data obtained by analyzing an analyte. The portable electronic device  1300  includes a display  1310  disposed at the housing for displaying the data, a power source  1312 , and a charging port  1314  for charging the power source  1312 . 
       FIG. 18A  illustrates a hardware block diagram of a portable electronic device  1400  for analyzing an analyte, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The portable electronic device  1400  includes a housing with a lancet holder  1402 , a test strip holder  1404  and a circuit board  1406 . 
       FIG. 18B  illustrates another view of the portable electronic device  1400 . The portable electronic device  1400  includes a test strip holder  1404  and a strip insertion hole or opening  1408 . The lancet holder  1402  stores one or more lancets. The test strip holder stores one or more test strips. A user may prick his/her skin to extract drops blood using a lancet. The extracted drops of blood are placed on a test strip. The test strip is inserted in the strip insertion hole  1408 . 
       FIG. 19  illustrates a block diagram of the circuit board  1406  of the portable electronic device  1400 . The circuit board  1406  includes a microprocessor  1410  for calculating and transmitting data obtained by analyzing an analyte. The circuit board further includes a strip interface  1416  and a battery holder  1420 . The battery holder  1420  has a battery that supplies Direct Current (DC) for the microprocessor  1410  via a signal trace  1412  between the microprocessor  1410  and the strip interface  1416 . Further, the direct current may be transferred via a DC common trace  1414  between the microprocessor  1410  and the strip interface  1416 . Moreover, the signal trace  1412  can be carried out by segregating a first DC trace  1418  from the strip interface  1416  to the battery holder  1420  and a second DC trace  1422  from the battery in the battery holder  1420  to the circuit board  1408 . 
       FIG. 20  illustrates a functional block diagram  1500  of the portable electronic device  1300 , shown in  FIG. 15 . The block diagram  1800  illustrates functioning of major components of the portable electronic device  100  with their inter-linkage. The block diagram  1800  includes an input  1501 , a processor  1508 , such as the processor  1308  (shown in  FIG. 15 ), and an output  1509 . 
     The input  1501  includes a step  1502  for ejecting a lancet through the lancet port  1316  by using the lancet slider  1318 . The lancet slider  1318  is used to lance skin of a user. At step  1504 , the lancet is released by tapping the lancet trigger/release button  1320 , to obtain blood. At step  1506 , the blood is then placed onto a test strip that is further placed in the interface port  1306 . At step  1507 , a signal is generated based on an electrochemical reaction between the blood and the test strip. The signal is transmitted to the processor  1508  through the interface port  1306 . The signal may be an electrical signal or a magnetic signal. 
     The signal from the input  1501  is further fed into the processor  1508  that calculates blood glucose level based on the signal and generates output data, i.e., the blood glucose level. 
     The output data is further transmitted to the output  1509 , where the output data is displayed on the display  1310  (step  1510 ). In some embodiments of the present invention, the output data is transmitted to other electronic devices via Bluetooth™ (step  1512 ). 
       FIG. 21  illustrates a flowchart schematically outlining a method  1600  for analyzing an analyte by using the portable electronic device  1300 , according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     At step  1602 , a user removes a lancet from a lancet container and inserts the lancet into the lancet port  1316  of the portable electronic device  1300 . 
     At step  1604 , the user lances the skin to obtain blood sample and then releases the lancet by pressing a lancet trigger/release button after obtaining blood. At step  1606 , the user places the blood on a test strip. 
     At step  1608 , the blood sample is placed on the glucose test strip and an electrochemical reaction occurs on the test strip. Based on the reaction, a signal is generated and transmitted to the processor  1308 . 
     Thereafter, at step  1610 , the processor  1308  receives the signal that is further used to calculate a blood glucose level. The calculated blood glucose level is transmitted to an output unit. 
     Next, at step  1612 , the calculated blood glucose level is shown on a display of the portable electronic device  1300 . Further, at step  1314 , the user&#39;s calculated blood glucose level can also be transmitted to other electronic devices (e.g., a smartphone) via short wave communication signals such as, but not restricted to, Bluetooth™. 
     In an exemplary scenario, the working of the portable electronic device is explained. A user removes a test strip and a lancet from either the respective containers or the lancet device and inserts the lancet into a lancet port and the glucose test strip into the glucose test strip interface port. The user slides back the lancet slider on the glucose monitoring device face. There are multiple settings associated with the lancet slider. The multiple settings allow varying tensions applied to the lancet. For example, the more the user slides the slider, more tension is applied to the lancet, and harder the lancet pierces the skin. The user then taps the lancet release/trigger button to discharge the lancet. The user then places a small amount of blood onto the test strip. A voltage is generated by a chemical reaction caused by an interface of glucose levels in the user&#39;s blood, and a chemically treated metal on the glucose test strip. The processor then reads the voltage and calculates the user&#39;s blood glucose level that is displayed onto a display of the glucose monitoring device. This information is also transmitted to the user&#39;s cell phone, tablet or computer. 
       FIG. 22  illustrates a chipset  1700  upon which an embodiment of the invention may be implemented. The chipset  1700  is programmed to process and transmit glucose level data in a bandwidth efficient manner as described herein and includes, for instance, the processor and memory components incorporated in one or more physical packages. By way of example, a physical package of the chip set  1700  includes an arrangement of one or more materials, components, and/or wires on a structural assembly (e.g., a baseboard) to provide characteristics, such as physical strength, conservation of size, and/or limitation of electrical interaction. It is contemplated that in certain embodiments the chipset  1700  can be implemented in a single chip. The chip set  1700 , or a portion thereof, constitutes a means for determining blood glucose level of a user. 
     In one embodiment, the chipset  1700  includes a communication mechanism, such as a bus  1702 , for passing the data among the components of the chip set  1700 . A processor  1704  is coupled to the bus  1702 . The processor  1704  executes instructions and processes the data stored in a memory  1706 . The processor  1704  may include one or more processing cores with each core configured to perform independently. A multi-core processor enables multiprocessing within a single physical package. Examples of a multi-core processor include two, four, eight, or greater numbers of processing cores. Alternatively, the processor  1704  may include microprocessors configured in tandem via the bus  1702  to enable independent execution of instructions, pipelining, and multithreading. The processor  1704  may also be accompanied with specialized components to perform certain processing functions and tasks such as a Digital Signal Processor (DSP)  1708 , or an Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC)  1710 . The DSP  1708  processes real-world signals independently of the processor  1704 . Similarly, the ASIC  1710  can be configured to perform specialized functions not easily performed by a more general purpose processor. Other specialized components to aid in performing the inventive functions described herein may include, but not restricted to, Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA), controllers, or other special-purpose computer chips. 
     The processor  1704  and accompanying components are connected to the memory  1706  via the bus  1702 . The memory  1706  includes both dynamic memory (e.g., Random Access Memory (RAM), magnetic disk, writable optical disk, etc.) and static memory (e.g., Read Only Memory (ROM), a compact disc (CD) etc.) for storing executable instructions that when executed perform the inventive steps described herein to process and transmit sensor data in a bandwidth efficient manner. The memory  1706  also stores the data associated with or generated by the execution of the inventive steps. 
     The present invention, in various embodiments, configurations, and aspects, includes components, methods, processes, systems and/or apparatus substantially as depicted and described herein, including various embodiments, sub-combinations, and subsets thereof. Those of skill in the art will understand how to make and use the present invention after understanding the present disclosure. The present invention, in various embodiments, configurations, and aspects, includes providing devices and processes in the absence of items not depicted and/or described herein or in various embodiments, configurations, or aspects hereof, including in the absence of such items as may have been used in previous devices or processes, e.g., for improving performance, achieving ease and/or reducing cost of implementation. 
     The foregoing discussion of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to limit the present invention to the form or forms disclosed herein. In the foregoing Detailed Description, for example, various features of the present invention are grouped together in one or more embodiments, configurations, or aspects for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. The features of the embodiments, configurations, or aspects may be combined in alternate embodiments, configurations, or aspects other than those discussed above. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention the present invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. 
     Moreover, though the description of the present invention has included description of one or more embodiments, configurations, or aspects and certain variations and modifications, other variations, combinations, and modifications are within the scope of the present invention, e.g., as may be within the skill and knowledge of those in the art, after understanding the present disclosure. It is intended to obtain rights which include alternative embodiments, configurations, or aspects to the extent permitted, including alternate, interchangeable and/ or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps to those claimed, whether or not such alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publicly dedicate any patentable subject matter.