Patent ID: 8112138

Claim:
A glucose monitoring system including a rechargeable battery, the glucose monitoring system comprising: a sensor configured to detect one or more glucose levels within a patient; a transmitter unit configured to receive from the sensor the one or more detected glucose levels via a plurality of transmitter unit contacts, each configured for coupling to a respective one of a working electrode, a reference electrode, or a counter electrode of the sensor, and where each of the plurality of transmitter unit contacts are further configured to couple to a voltage contact and a ground contact of a charging system positioned externally to the glucose monitoring system; a battery recharging circuit positioned within the transmitter unit and comprising electrostatic discharge protection circuitry, and configured to operatively couple the plurality of transmitter unit contacts to the rechargeable battery; and a processor positioned within the transmitter unit, operatively coupled to the battery recharging circuit, and configured to generate one or more signals indicative of the rechargeable battery being recharged; wherein the rechargeable battery is configured to provide power to the glucose monitoring system when the plurality of transmitter unit contacts are coupled to respective contacts of the sensor; and wherein the plurality of transmitter unit contacts are disconnected from the sensor when the battery is being recharged by coupling the plurality of transmitter unit contacts to the charging system.