Disposable, refillable glucometer with cell phone interface for transmission of results

Abstract

A disposable glucometer is disclosed which includes a testing region for receiving a test strip and electronic components to perform blood glucose monitoring, a cell phone interface for relaying test results to a monitoring station or server (which can be through a Bluetooth radio), and a multi-strip test strip holder. The glucometer includes a mechanism to automatically load test strips, one at a time, from the multi-strip test strip holder into the testing region, and a mechanism to eject the strip from the testing region after the test is complete. The test strip holder is preferably encased in a transparent material or otherwise includes a visual indicator so that the number of strips remaining strips and available for testing can be determined. In one embodiment, the entire unit is disposable, and is discarded when all of the strips have been used. In another embodiment, the test strip holder portion of the unit is removed and replaced with a new test strip holder which is loaded with test strips.