Test strip containers and methods of using the same

• US 20030186446A1
• Filed: 04/02/2002
• Published: 10/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lifescan Incorporated (Duv Holding Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lifescan Incorporated (Duv Holding Corporation)
• Inventors: Pugh, Jerry
• Application Number:
  US10/115,834
• Publication Number:
  US 20030186446A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 436/46
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/48778 Containers specially adapted therefor, e.g. for dry storage
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/112499 with sample on test slide
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/114165 with step of insertion or removal from test line

Abstract

Devices for containing at least one test strip and dispensing a single test strip at a time and methods of using the same are provided. The subject devices are characterized by having a housing that includes a slit configured to be permissive of a single test strip at a time and at least one planar surface to align a test strip with the slit when the device is appropriately agitated. In the subject methods, a subject device with at least one test strip therein is provided and agitated in a manner that causes the at least one test strip to be positioned in an appropriate orientation relative to the slit, wherein a single test strip is caused to exit the housing through the slit as a result of the agitation. Also provided are kits that include at least one subject device.

Claims

1. A device for containing at least one test strip and dispensing a single test strip at a time, said device comprising:

a housing comprising;

(i) a slit configured to be permissive of a single test strip at a time; and

(ii) at least one planar surface within said housing configured to align a single test strip with said slit when said device is appropriately agitated.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said slit is in a wall of said housing.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein said wall is a bottom wall of said housing.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein said slit has a width greater than the thickness of a single test strip and less than the thickness of two test strips and a length greater than the width of a single test strip and less than the width of two test strips.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein said slit has a width that ranges from about 125% to about 195% the thickness of a single test strip and a length that ranges from about 125% to about 195% the width of a single test strip.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the longitudinal axis of said slit is substantially parallel to said at least one planar surface.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein said slit and said at least one planar surface are coplanar.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one planar surface provides a wall of said housing.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one planar surface is a slideable member.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the length of said at least one planar surface is at least about 50% the length of the at least one contained test strip.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein the width of said at least one planar surface is at least as wide as the at least one contained test strip.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein said device further comprises a test strip stop configured for holding a single test strip positioned in said slit.

13. The device according to claim 12, wherein said test strip stop is moveable from a first position that unseals said device and a second position that seals said device.

14. The device according to claim 13, wherein said test strip stop is configured to slide between said first and second positions.

15. The device according to claim 13, wherein said test strip stop is configured to toggle between said first and second positions.

16. The device according to claim 12, wherein said test strip stop is externally coupled to a wall of said housing.

17. The device according to claim 16, wherein said test strip stop is slideable.

18. The device according to claim 12, wherein said seal is substantially moisture tight.

19. The device according to claim 12, wherein said test strip stop includes a torsion spring.

20. The device according to claim 12, wherein said test strip stop includes a central leaf.

21. The device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one sloped surface adjacent said slit for directing said at least one test strip towards said slit.

22. The device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one test strip is a colorimetric test strip.

23. The device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one test strip is an electrochemical test strip.

24. The device according to claim 1, wherein said device comprises at least one cap for sealing said housing.

25. The device according to claim 1, wherein said device is substantially moisture tight.

26. The device according to claim 1, wherein said device further includes moisture absorbing material.

44. A kit for containing at least one test strip and dispensing a single test strip at a time, said kit comprising:

(a) at least one device according to claim 1;

and

(b) a substrate comprising instruction for using said at least one device.

45. The kit according to claim 44, further comprising at least one test strip.

46. The kit according to claim 45, wherein said at least one test strip is an electrochemical test strip.

47. The kit according to claim 45, wherein said at least one test strip is a calorimetric test strip.

48. The kit according to claim 44, further comprising a plurality of test strips.

49. The kit according to claim 44, further comprising a meter.

50. The kit according to claim 44, further comprising an element for obtaining a physiological sample.

51. The kit according to claim 44, further comprising a control solution.

27. A method for containing at least one test strip and dispensing a single test strip at a time, said method comprising:

(a) providing a device comprising a housing comprising;

(i) a slit configured to be permissive of a single test strip at one time,

(ii) at least one planar surface to align a single test strip with said slit when said device is appropriately shaken;

wherein said at least one test strip is provided in said housing; and

(b) agitating said device in a manner that causes said at least one test strip to be positioned in an appropriate orientation relative to said slit, wherein a single test strip is caused to exit said housing through said slit as a result of said agitation.

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein said step of agitating comprises moving said device in a rotational manner.

29. The method according to claim 27, wherein said step of agitating comprises moving said device in a lateral manner.

30. The method according to claim 27, wherein said step of agitating comprises moving said device in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said slit.

31. The method according to claim 27, wherein said exited test strip is held such that a portion of said exited test strip protrudes from said device and a portion of said test strip remains inside said device.

32. The method according to claim 31, wherein said portion that protrudes from said device is a substantial portion of the length of said test strip.

33. The method according to claim 27, further comprising sealing said device.

34. The method according to claim 33, wherein said sealing is substantially moisture tight.

35. The method according to claim 33, wherein said device comprises a test strip stop and said sealing is accomplished by said test strip stop.

36. The method according to claim 35, further comprising moving said test strip stop from a position that seals said device to a position that unseals said device.

37. The method according to claim 36, wherein said moving comprises sliding said test strip stop.

38. The method according to claim 37, wherein said moving comprises toggling said test strip stop.

39. The method according to claim 27, further comprising applying a sample to said exited test strip.

40. The method according to claim 39, wherein said sample is applied while said exited test strip is partially protruding from said device.

41. The method according to claim 39, further comprising determining the concentration of at least one analyte in said sample.

42. The method according to claim 41, further comprising inserting said exited test strip in a meter for automatically determining the concentration of said at least one analyte.

43. The method according to claim 27, wherein said at least one test strip is preloaded in said device.