Patent ID: 7638095

Claim:
A portable meter system, comprising: a cartridge housing a test strip tape that includes a plurality of test elements, the cartridge defining a meter opening; a meter configured to analyze a body fluid via the test strip tape, at least a portion of the meter being received in the meter opening of the cartridge, wherein the portion of the meter includes a projection received in the meter opening, wherein a stop flange extends from one end of the projection; wherein the portion of the meter received in the meter opening of the cartridge includes a display that is visible; wherein the cartridge encircles the display; the cartridge having a sampling portion where the test elements are configured to receive the body fluid; the test elements including electrochemical test strips with one or more contacts; the meter including one or more contacts coupled to the portion of the meter received inside the meter opening; the contacts of the meter being configured to contact the contacts of the electrochemical test strips when at the sampling portion of the cartridge; the meter including an alignment key member to which the contacts of the meter are coupled, wherein the alignment key member extends from the projection; and the cartridge including an alignment key opening in which the alignment key member is received for aligning the contacts of the meter with the contacts of the electrochemical test strips when positioned within the sampling portion.