Patent Publication Number: US-2012029830-A1

Title: Blood glucose measurement devices and methods of using the same

Description:
PRIORITY 
     The present application is related to, and claims the priority benefit of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/291,646, filed Dec. 31, 2009, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety into this disclosure. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     There are a myriad of blood glucose test meters for use in performing blood glucose testing. Such meters are operable by providing a blood glucose test strip having a reagent thereon, whereby the reagent reacts with a sample of blood (blood plasma or blood serum) deposited thereon that is then read by the blood glucose meter to ascertain a blood glucose level. Test blood is collected by pricking the body (usually a finger) with a lancet and depositing the resultant drop of blood onto the blood glucose test strip. The blood glucose test strip is then inserted into the blood glucose test meter for analysis. 
     While such blood glucose test meters are used over and over again, a new blood glucose test strip is required for each test. Thus, the user needs a ready supply of blood glucose test strips. Typically, the supply of blood glucose test strips are sold and stored in a container that is separate from the blood glucose test meter. A desiccant is also typically included in the blood glucose test strip container in order to keep the blood glucose test strips moisture free. Moreover, the lancet is typically also provided separately from the blood glucose testing meter. Thus, in addition to the blood glucose testing meter and the blood glucose test strips, the user must additionally carry a lancet. 
     It is therefore apparent from the foregoing that the process of blood glucose testing requires the use of several components which the user must carry with them in order to perform the blood glucose testing. It would therefore be desirable to have a compact and simple blood glucose test meter that incorporates a replaceable supply of blood glucose test strips and a replaceable, adjustable depth lancing device that can easily and comfortably fit into a user&#39;s pocket, purse or tote. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure provides various meters and kits for testing blood including, but not limited to, testing blood glucose levels. 
     In an exemplary embodiment of a device of the present disclosure, the device comprises a main housing sized and shaped to receive a lancet assembly and a test strip holder, a circuit board positioned within the main housing, the circuit board capable of producing data indicative of a test strip fluid, and a processor operably coupled to the circuit board, the processor capable of receiving and processing the data from the circuit board and displaying a processed result on a screen. In another embodiment, the device further comprises a lancet assembly positioned at least partially within the main housing, the lancet assembly comprising a lancet and a lancet mechanism. In yet another embodiment, the lancet assembly is removable from the main housing. In an additional embodiment, the lancet assembly comprises a lancet holder sized and shaped to removably engage a lancet. In yet an additional embodiment, the lancet mechanism is operable to cause the lancet to at least partially protrude from the main housing. 
     In an exemplary embodiment of a device of the present disclosure, the lancet mechanism comprises a button, whereby depression of the button causes the lancet to at least partially protrude from the main housing. In an additional embodiment, when the button is released, the lancet retracts back into the main housing. In yet an additional embodiment, the lancet assembly further comprises a depth mechanism to adjust a penetration depth of the lancet. In another embodiment, the depth mechanism comprises a dial so that the penetration depth of the lancet is a variable penetration depth. In yet another embodiment, the depth mechanism comprises a body having a defined width, wherein when the body is positioned relative to the lancet assembly, the lancet is capable of protruding only a known distance beyond the body. In an additional embodiment, the body comprises a plurality of interchangeable bodies, each of the plurality of interchangeable bodies having various defined widths. 
     In an exemplary embodiment of a device of the present disclosure, the device further comprises a removable lancet assembly cap, the removable lancet assembly cap sized and shaped to removably enclose the lancet within the lancet assembly. In another embodiment, the device further comprises a test strip holder positioned within the main housing, the test strip holder sized and shaped to receive a plurality of test strips. In yet another embodiment, the test strip holder is removable from the main housing. In an additional embodiment, the main housing further comprises a housing coupling arrangement capable of receiving, retaining, and dispensing the test strip holder. In another embodiment, the housing coupling arrangement comprises a slot sized and shaped to receive a flange of the test strip holder. In yet another embodiment, the housing coupling arrangement comprises a protrusion sized and shaped to engage an indention of the test strip holder. 
     In an exemplary embodiment of a device of the present disclosure, the device further comprises a first removable test strip holder cap, the first removable test strip holder cap sized and shaped to removably close a cavity defined within the test strip holder to enclose one or more optional test strips within the test strip holder. In another embodiment, the device further comprises a second removable test strip holder cap, the second removable test strip holder cap sized and shaped to removably close a cavity defined within the test strip holder to enclose one or more optional test strips within the test strip holder. In an additional embodiment, the device further comprises a desiccant positioned within the test strip holder, the desiccant capable of reducing a local humidity level within the test strip holder. In an additional embodiment, the device further comprises a used test strip slot defined within the main housing, the used test strip slot sized and shaped to received one or more used test strips for retention within the main housing. In another embodiment, the device further comprises an absorbent pad removably coupled to the main housing, the absorbent pad capable of absorbing blood from a user. 
     In an exemplary embodiment of a device of the present disclosure, the circuit board comprises a test strip acceptance and reading area, the test strip acceptance and reading area capable of receiving at least part of a test strip and producing the data indicative of a test strip fluid from the test strip. In another embodiment, the device further comprises a display operably coupled to the processor, the display capable of displaying the processed result from the processor. In yet another embodiment, the display comprises a liquid crystal display. In an additional embodiment, the device further comprises a user controller operably coupled to the processor, the user controller capable of selecting between two or more processor operations. In yet an additional embodiment, the user controller comprises one or more buttons. 
     In an exemplary embodiment of a device of the present disclosure, the device further comprises a memory device operably coupled to the processor, the memory device capable of receiving and storing data from the circuit board. In an additional embodiment, the memory is further capable of receiving and storing software accessible by the processor for operating the device. In yet an additional embodiment, the device further comprises a power source operably coupled to the processor, the power source capable of supplying power to operate the device. In another embodiment, the power source comprises a battery. In yet another embodiment, the battery is rechargeable. In even another embodiment, the battery is removable from the device. 
     In an exemplary embodiment of a device of the present disclosure, the device further comprises a data transfer mechanism operably coupled to the processor or a memory coupled thereto, the data transfer mechanism capable of transferring the data from the device to an external computer. In another embodiment, the data transfer mechanism is further capable of transferring software to or from the device. In yet another embodiment, the data transfer mechanism comprises a USB port. In an additional embodiment, the data transfer mechanism comprises a wireless communications apparatus. In yet an additional embodiment, the main housing is sized and shaped to fit within a garment pocket. 
     In an exemplary embodiment of a device of the present disclosure, the device comprises a main housing, a test strip holder removably positioned at least partially within the main housing, the test strip holder capable of receiving at least one test strip, a lancet assembly removably positioned at least partially within the main housing, the lancet assembly capable of receiving a lancet, a circuit board positioned within the main housing, the circuit board comprising a test strip acceptance and reading area capable of receiving at least part of a test strip and producing the data indicative of a test strip fluid from the test strip, a processor operably coupled to the circuit board, the processor capable of receiving and processing the data from the circuit board, and a display operably coupled to the processor, the display capable of displaying the processed result from the processor. 
     In an exemplary embodiment of a device of the present disclosure, the device comprises a main housing sized and shaped to receive a lancet assembly and a test strip holder, a lancet assembly positioned at least partially within the main housing, the lancet assembly comprising a lancet, a lancet mechanism operable to cause the lancet to at least partially protrude from the main housing, and a depth mechanism to adjust a penetration depth of the lancet, a test strip holder positioned within the main housing, the test strip holder sized and shaped to receive a plurality of test strips, a used test strip slot defined within the main housing, the used test strip slot sized and shaped to received one or more used test strips for retention within the main housing, an absorbent pad removably coupled to the main housing, the absorbent pad capable of absorbing blood from a user, a circuit board positioned within the main housing, the circuit board comprising a test strip acceptance and reading area capable of receiving at least part of a test strip and producing the data indicative of a test strip fluid from the test strip, a processor operably coupled to the circuit board, the processor capable of receiving and processing the data from the circuit board, a memory device operably coupled to the processor, the memory device capable of receiving and storing data from the circuit board, a display operably coupled to the processor, the display capable of displaying the processed result from the processor, and a power source operably coupled to the processor, the power source capable of supplying power to operate the device. 
     In an exemplary embodiment of a device for testing blood glucose levels of the present disclosure, the device comprises a main housing, a test strip holder removably positioned at least partially within the main housing, the test strip holder capable of receiving at least one glucose test strip, a lancet assembly removably positioned at least partially within the main housing, the lancet assembly capable of receiving a lancet, a circuit board positioned within the main housing, the circuit board capable of producing data indicative of blood from a used test strip, a processor operably coupled to the circuit board, the processor capable of receiving and processing the data from the circuit board, and a display operably coupled to the processor, the display capable of displaying a processed blood glucose level result indicative of the data on a screen. 
     In an exemplary embodiment of a method for testing a blood glucose level of the present disclosure, the method comprising the steps of removing a test strip from a test strip holder of a glucose testing device, inserting at least part of the test strip into a test strip acceptance and reading area of the glucose testing device, positioning the glucose testing device on or near a user&#39;s skin, operating a lancet of the glucose testing device to penetrate the user&#39;s skin so that a quantity of blood exits a skin puncture caused by the lancet, transferring at least part of the quantity of blood to the test strip, and operating the glucose testing device to obtain data indicative of a blood glucose level from the quantity of blood. In another embodiment, the method further comprises the step of wiping excess blood from the quantity of blood onto an absorbent pad coupled to the glucose testing device. In yet another embodiment, the method further comprises the steps of removing the test strip from the test strip acceptance and reading area, and inserting the test strip into a used test strip slot defined within the glucose testing device to store the test strip within the glucose testing device. 
     In an exemplary embodiment of a kit of the present disclosure, the kit comprises a device for testing a blood glucose level, a blood glucose test strip assembly sized and shaped to be received within the device, and a lancet sized and shaped to be received within a lancet assembly within the device. In another embodiment, the kit further comprises a tablet comprising a sugar, the tablet sized and shaped to fit within the device. 
     In an exemplary embodiment of a kit of the present disclosure, the kit comprises a device for testing a blood glucose level, a blood glucose test strip assembly sized and shaped to be received within the device, a test strip packet comprising one or more test strips, the one or more test strips sized and shaped to fit within the blood glucose test strip assembly, and a lancet packet comprising one or more lancets, the one or more lancets sized and shaped to be received within a lancet assembly within the device. In an additional embodiment, the test strip packet comprises a desiccant. In another embodiment, the kit further comprises a tablet packet comprising one or more tablets comprising a sugar, the one or more tablets sized and shaped to fit within the device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above mentioned meters and other features, advantages and disclosures contained herein, and the manner of attaining them, will become apparent and the present disclosure will be better understood by reference to the following description of various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1A  shows a front view of an exemplary meter, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 1B  shows a back view of an exemplary meter, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  show a front perspective view and a back perspective view, respectively, of an exemplary meter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  show perspective views of the inside back and inside front, respectively, of an exemplary meter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4A  shows a perspective exploded view of an exemplary blood glucose test strip assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4B  shows a perspective exploded view of an exemplary lancet assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  shows an exploded view of various components of an exemplary meter, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6A  shows an exemplary kit, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIGS. 6B through 6D  show various packets for use in connection with an exemplary kit, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     Like reference numerals indicate the same or similar parts throughout the several figures. 
     An overview of the features, functions and/or configuration of the components depicted in the various figures will now be presented. It should be appreciated that not all of the features of the components of the figures are necessarily described. Some of these non discussed features, such as various fasteners, etc., as well as discussed features are inherent from the figures. Other non discussed features may be inherent in component geometry and/or configuration. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of this disclosure is thereby intended. 
     The present invention is a blood glucose test/testing meter or monitor for ascertaining blood glucose level from a sample of blood that is the size of a standard credit card and which incorporates a replaceable blood glucose test strip cartridge that holds a plurality of blood glucose test strips and a desiccant, and a replaceable, adjustable depth lancet/lancing assembly. The slim profile of the present blood glucose meter allows easy and discreet storage and carrying thereof. Additionally, since both the blood glucose test strips and the lancing device are on-board with the blood glucose meter, there is no need to carry any other testing supplies. 
     Referring to the figures, there is depicted and exemplary embodiment of a monitor, meter, unit or device, generally designated as reference  10  (collectively and hereinafter, “meter  10 ”), with various embodiments fashioned in accordance with the present disclosure. In at least one embodiment of a meter  10  of the present disclosure, meter  10  is a blood glucose meter  10  capable of testing a blood glucose level from a sample of blood. 
     A front view of an exemplary embodiment of a meter  10  of the present disclosure is shown in  FIG. 1A . As shown in  FIG. 1A , meter  10  is characterized by a housing  12  having in at least one embodiment a rectangular configuration/shape. In an exemplary embodiment, housing  12  has the approximately length and width of a typical credit card with a thickness greater than a typical credit card. In such an embodiment, for example, housing  12  is generally rectangular and has a slim depth. Various embodiments of meters  10  of the present disclosure may have a size and shape allowing meter  10  to easily fit into a pocket, purse, handbag or the like. Moreover, a meter  10  having a rectangular shape, for example, may permit easy holding and manipulation of meter  10 . 
     A rear view of an exemplary embodiment of a meter  10  of the present disclosure is shown in  FIG. 1B . As shown in  FIG. 1B , and similar to meter  10  shown in  FIG. 1A , meter  10  is characterized by a housing  12  having in at least one embodiment a rectangular configuration/shape, and further comprising a number of additional features/components as provided in further detail herein. 
     Perspective views of an exemplary embodiment of a meter  10  of the present disclosure are shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B . As shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , meter  10  comprises an exemplary housing  12  may be formed from a first housing half  13  and a second housing half  15 , whereby first and second housing halves  13  and  15  define front and rear sides of meter  10 . The first and second housing halves  13 ,  15  may be formed of plastic and/or any number of other suitable materials. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1A , an exemplary meter  10  of the present disclosure comprises a display or screen  20  that is viewable through a cutout  17  in the second housing half  15  (as shown in  FIG. 2A , for example). In at least one embodiment, and as shown in  FIG. 5 , display  20  may be covered using a window  67 . Display  20  may be viewable through any number of components of housing  12 , including, but not limited to, first and second housing halves  13 ,  15  of various meter  10  embodiments. Display  20 , in at least one embodiment, is lighted and is operable to show various data and/or information obtained and/or processed by various components of meter  10 . In at least one embodiment, display  20  may display blood glucose information in connection with tested blood. For instance, and without being exhaustive, various displays  20  of the present disclosure are capable of showing date, time, blood glucose level(s) in either mg/dL or mmol/L, and/or blood glucose level averages in either mg/dL or mmol/L. Various types of displays  20  may be used with exemplary meters  10  of the present disclosure, such as liquid crystal displays (LCDs) or the like. 
     In order to control what is shown on the display  20 , and in at least one embodiment, meter  10  comprises a user controller  22  comprising an first button  24  and a second button  26  as shown in  FIG. 1A . In other embodiments, for example, meter  10  may comprise a user controller  22  comprising only a first button  24 , or may comprise more buttons than first and second buttons  24 ,  26 . Various information and/or data, as well as operating modes of exemplary meters  10 , are selectable by a user via the first and/or lower buttons  24 ,  26  of user controller  22 . 
     Display  20 , in various embodiments, is also part of a circuit board  50  as shown in  FIG. 3A . User controller  22  may interface with circuit board  50 , or a component of meter  10  in communication with circuit board  50 , by way of a PCT tact switch  82  positioned near user controller  22 . In such an embodiment, and as shown in  FIG. 5 , depressing user controller  22  would cause user controller  22  to depress PCT tact switch  82  (and optionally additional tact switches  83 ,  84  coupled thereto) so that depressing user controller  22  activates meter  10  in some fashion. 
     An exemplary meter  10  operating as a blood glucose meter  10  of the present disclosure is configured, operable and/or adapted to accept a sample of blood for testing blood glucose level via a test strip  80  as shown in  FIG. 2B . As such, the housing  12  (first housing half  13  as shown in  FIG. 2B ) has a test opening, slot or area (collectively a “test opening”  18 ) that accepts a test strip  80 . Test opening  18  is configured to allow the insertion of at least part of a test strip  80  therein and the retrieval or removal of the used test strip  80  after testing is completed, for example. As such, the test opening  18  is shaped to allow a user&#39;s finger to easily grasp the inserted test strip  80 . 
     In order to test a blood sample that has been deposited or received on the inserted test strip  80 , meter  10  comprises a blood glucose test strip acceptance and reading area (or test strip processing portion)  54  as shown in  FIG. 3A . In at least one embodiment, test strip acceptance and reading area  54  is part of circuit board  50 , and in other embodiments, such as the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3A , test strip acceptance and reading area  54  is separate from, but operably connected to, of circuit board  50 . Test strip acceptance and reading area  54  utilizes known blood glucose testing and reading hardware, processes and methods to obtain a blood glucose level (reading) from the blood sample on test strip  80 . 
     An exemplary blood glucose meter  10  of the present disclosure further comprises an on-board blood glucose test strip holder or assembly  14  that is configured to hold and dispense one or more blood glucose test strips  80 . Blood glucose test strip assembly  14 , as shown in  FIG. 4A  and in various other embodiments, may be characterized as a cartridge, magazine or container  32  (collectively a “cartridge”  32 ) having an elongated body  34  that, in at least one embodiment, is formed of plastic. Cartridge  32 , in at least one embodiment, has a cartridge coupling arrangement  42  that allows the cartridge  32  (assembly  14 ) to be removably and/or permanently coupled to the housing  12  by way of a housing coupling arrangement  48 . In at least one exemplary embodiment, cartridge coupling arrangement  42  comprises an indention sized and shaped to be received by a housing coupling arrangement  48 . In another exemplary embodiment, cartridge coupling arrangement  42  comprises an elongated flange sized and shaped to be received by a housing coupling arrangement  48  comprising an indention. In this manner, the blood glucose test strip assembly  14  is captured by and between the first and second housing halves  13 ,  15  of meter  10 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, and as shown in  FIG. 4A , cartridge body  34  has a cavity  36  that extends from a top end  38  to a bottom end  40 . Top end  38 , in such an embodiment, has an end opening  39  to the cavity  36  and is configured to accept a blood glucose test strip assembly  14 . Blood glucose test strip assembly  14 , in an exemplary embodiment, includes an end cap  29  that is configured to be accepted by, coupled to, and/or retained on top end  38  to seal/enclose cavity  36 . Blood glucose test strip assembly  14  holds one or more blood glucose test strips  80  therein, whereby blood glucose test strips  80  are retained within blood glucose test strip assembly  14  when end cap  29  is positioned thereon. 
     In at least one embodiment, an internal desiccant  33  may be provided within blood glucose test strip assembly  14 . Desiccant  33 , which may be within its own packaging or provided separately within blood glucose test strip assembly  14 , helps keep the test strips dry and usable during storage thereof by absorbing local moisture. In at least one embodiment, desiccant  33  may be coupled to or part of blood glucose test strip assembly  14 . 
     In various embodiments, bottom end  40  of blood glucose test strip assembly  14  has an end opening  41  to cavity  36  such that one or more blood glucose test strips  80  may be accessed from the cartridge  32 . A bottom end cap  46  is provided that is configured to be accepted by, coupled to, and/or retained on the bottom end  40  of cartridge  32  and to seal/enclose cavity  36  when installed. Bottom end cap  46  is removable to allow the user to access and remove a test strip  80  for blood testing. In various embodiments, but not required by any particular embodiment, blood glucose test strip assembly  14  either does not have a bottom end cap  46 , or bottom end cap  46  is permanently secured to blood glucose test strip assembly. 
     In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, blood glucose test strip assembly  14  is a replaceable assembly such that a user need only remove the spent assembly  14  and replace it with a new assembly  14 . In such an embodiment, for example, the new assembly  14  would have one or more new blood glucose test strips  80  and optionally a new desiccant  33 . In another embodiment, housing  12  may be configured to allow removal and replacement of the entire blood glucose test strip assembly  14  with a new blood glucose test strip assembly  14  that has a new plurality of blood glucose test strips  30  and a new desiccant  33 . 
     In various embodiments of meter  10  of the present disclosure, meter  10  has an on-board lancet assembly  16 . Lancet assembly  16  is retained by housing  12 , and in at least one embodiment, by the first housing half  13  the second housing half  15  (the latter as shown in  FIG. 3B ). Lancet assembly  16 , as shown in  FIG. 4B  and in various other embodiments, includes a spring-loaded holder  60  which provides a support for a replaceable lancet cartridge  64 . Lancet cartridge  64  includes a lancet, lancing device, needle or the like (collectively a “lancet”  68 ) that is retained in a lancet holder  66 . As referenced herein, a “lancet mechanism” may comprise one or more of a spring-loaded holder, a button  62 , a lancet cartridge  64 , a spring  65 , a lancet holder  66 , and a dial  69 , as provided in further detail below. 
     In at least one embodiment, and as shown in  FIG. 4B , an optional depth mechanism  70  is provided that is coupled to and adjusts or sets the depth that the lancet  68  protrudes from housing  12  (for example, protrusion from the first and second end portions  35  and  21 , forming a lancet end  37 , of the first and second housing halves  13 ,  15  respectively) such that depth mechanism  70  provides a variable penetration depth for the lancet  68 . In at least one embodiment, depth mechanism  70  comprises a dial  70  that when adjusted by a user causes a penetration depth of lancet  68  to vary. In at least another embodiment, depth mechanism  70  comprises a body having a defined width, wherein when the body is positioned relative to lancet  68  (or lancet assembly  16 ), lancet  68  is capable of protruding only a known distance beyond the body. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, a button  62  is retained by holder  60  and is configured to extend from housing  12  such that depressing button  62  against a spring  65  provides tension bias of holder  60  extends lancet  68  from lancet end  37  of the housing to a depth as set by dial  70 . An actuator  72 , as shown in  FIG. 4B , may also be used to protract, retract, and/or otherwise move lancet  68  within housing  12 . Releasing button  62 , in such an embodiment, causes the spring bias of holder  60  to retract lancet  68  back into housing  12 . In this fashion, a momentary pricking of a user&#39;s finger or other body part is performed to obtain a blood sample that is then deposited onto a test strip  14 . In an exemplary embodiment, a removable cap  69  is provided that fits over the lancet end  37  of housing  12 , thus protecting lancet  68  and preventing contaminates away from lancet  68 . In various embodiments of the present disclosure, lancet holder  66  is removable from housing  12  such that lancet holder  66  may be changed out or replaced as desired. Similarly, lancet  68  may be removed from lancet holder  66  and replaced as desired. 
     In order to test a sample of blood, and in at least one embodiment of a method of using a meter  10  of the present disclosure, the user obtains a test strip  80  from blood glucose test strip assembly  14  by removing end cap  46  therefrom to expose the test strip(s)  80  positioned therein. In at least one embodiment, cap  69  is then removed from the lancet end  37  of housing  12  and depth mechanism  70 , such as a dial, is turned appropriately to adjust a desired depth of penetration for the lancet  68 . If the penetration depth has already been adjusted, a user would not need to again perform the aforementioned step. 
     Lancet end  37  of housing  12  is then situated over the desired body part from which a blood sample will be taken. In an exemplary embodiment, button  62  is then pushed and released so that lancet  68  pierces the skin and causes a drop of blood to be expelled. Test strip  80  is inserted into test opening  18  of meter  10  either before or after lancet  68  pierces the skin, and the drop of blood is then deposited onto test strip  80 . A drop of blood could also be obtained prior to insertion of test strip  80  into test opening  18  of meter  10 . The test strip acceptance and reading area  54  of circuit board  50  then reads/processes the test strip  80  to obtain strip data and provides same to the processor  52 . Memory  53  is provided within meter  10  and is operably coupled to processor  52  so that strip data from processor  52  may be stored within memory  53  as needed/desired. Memory  53  may also store programming (software) as necessary for use by processor  52  for the various functions and/or operating modes of various embodiments of meter  10 . Data may be transmitted using data transfer mechanism  75  as shown in  FIG. 5A , for example, which is operably coupled to circuit board  50 , processor  52 , memory  53 , and/or blood glucose test strip acceptance and reading area  54 . In at least one embodiment, data transfer mechanism  75  comprises a USB port, and in at least another embodiment, data transfer mechanism  75  comprises a wireless transfer device. 
     After the samples has been read, test strip  80  may be removed from test strip acceptance and reading area  54  and discarded. In at least one embodiment of meter  10 , and to allow a user of meter  10  to safely discard test strips  80  that have come in contact with the user&#39;s blood, meter  10  comprises a slot  76 , as shown in  FIG. 4B , sized and shaped to receive used test strips  80 . A user may then remove used test strips  80  from meter  10  in several ways, including inverting meter  10  to allow used test strips  80  to be removed, and/or opening one or more components of meter  10  (such as, for example, housing  12 ) to facilitate removal of used test strips  80 . 
     Furthermore, and in at least one embodiment of a meter  10  of the present disclosure such as the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2B , an absorbent pad  78  may be positioned upon housing  12 , whereby a user can remove excess blood from his or her finger, for example, by wiping the finger on absorbent pad  78 . In an exemplary embodiment, absorbent pad  78  may be positioned upon housing area  77  of housing  12 , as shown in  FIG. 2B . A user may the remove and replace absorbent pad  78  with a new absorbent pad  78  as desired. 
     Meter  10  may be operable using a portable power/energy source, such as a battery  73  as shown in  FIG. 5 , and may be held within housing  12  by way of a battery cover  74 . Battery  10  may be removable and/or rechargeable in various embodiments of meters  10  of the present disclosure. 
     An exemplary kit  90  of the present disclosure is shown in  FIG. 6A . As shown in  FIG. 6A , kit  90  comprises an exemplary meter  10 , a blood glucose test strip assembly  14 , and a lancet  68 . In at least one embodiment, kit  90  further comprises a tablet  92 , which may be a glucose tablet or other tablet comprising a sugar, which itself may be housed within meter  10  and consumed as needed/desired. 
     In various embodiments of kits  90 , said kits  90  may have their consumable portions replenished by way of various packages containing said components. For example, and as shown in  FIG. 6B , a lancet packet  94  comprising lancets  68  may be used with an exemplary kit  90 , whereby one or more packaged lancets  68  may be removed by way of, for example, perforations within lancet packet  94 . Similarly, and as shown in  FIG. 6C , a test strip packet  96  may comprises one or more test strips  80 , and optionally one or more desiccants  33 , and as shown in  FIG. 6D , a tablet packet  98  may comprise one or more tablets  92 . 
     In various embodiments of meters  10  of the present disclosure, meters  10  are capable of storing test data within memory  53 , whereby said data is retrievable from memory  53  and displayed (or further processed and displayed) on display  20 . For example, and in an exemplary embodiment of a meter  10  of the present disclosure, meter  10  is operable to store up to ninety-nine (99) tests in memory  53  to provide seven (7), fourteen (14) or thirty (30) day blood glucose level averages. In other embodiments, more or less data may be stored, and more or less calculations may be performed by components within meter  10 . In various embodiments, time and date information may be provided by the meter  10 , and meter  10  may automatically turn itself off after a predetermined period of nonuse. For example, buttons  24 ,  26 , and/or or the insertion of test strip  80  may be used to turn meter  10  on, and buttons  24 ,  26  may be used to cycle through the various features/functions, and select the various meter options. 
     In various embodiments, and as referenced above, processor  52  (and/or another component of meter  10 ) may incorporate a wireless communications protocol that allows the wireless transmission of data to and/or from meter  10 . The wireless communications protocol may also allow the reception of incoming wireless signals. In addition, one or more ports (such as data transfer mechanism  75 ), may be provided to allow meter  10  to be connected to an external device for the downloading and/or uploading of meter data, and/or to allow the uploading of meter programming if desired. 
     As referenced herein, various embodiments of meters  10  are provided and described. The scope of the present disclosure includes, for examples, meters  10  for use with testing blood glucose levels, but said meters  10  may be used to test various other chemical levels within a bodily fluid, and may be used with one or more other types of test strips to that a user may check for the presence and/or levels of a particular chemical within a bodily fluid. 
     While various embodiments of blood glucose meters and kits and methods for using the same have been described in considerable detail herein, the embodiments are merely offered by way of non-limiting examples of the disclosure described herein. It will therefore be understood that various changes and modifications may be made, and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Indeed, this disclosure is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of the disclosure. 
     Further, in describing representative embodiments, the disclosure may have presented a method and/or process as a particular sequence of steps. However, to the extent that the method or process does not rely on the particular order of steps set forth herein, the method or process should not be limited to the particular sequence of steps described. Other sequences of steps may be possible. Therefore, the particular order of the steps disclosed herein should not be construed as limitations of the present disclosure. In addition, disclosure directed to a method and/or process should not be limited to the performance of their steps in the order written. Such sequences may be varied and still remain within the scope of the present disclosure.