Sensor dispensing device
First Claim
1. A sensor dispensing device for dispensing sensors for testing of analyte concentration in a fluid to be applied thereto, the device comprising:
- a cartridge having an outer casing and a plurality of sensors arranged one upon another in a stack therein;
the cartridge having a first dispensing end and a second opposing end spaced a fixed distance apart, and the cartridge including a first aperture for the ejection of a sensor closest to the first end and a second aperture opposed to the first aperture, for access by a pushing member;
wherein the first aperture and the second aperture are each provided with compliant sealing means which are carried by the cartridge and which are at least partly disposed outside the outer casing, the sealing means having first and second sealing surfaces which are capable of co-operating to releasably form a substantially moisture-tight seal when acted upon by suitable clamping forces;
the device further comprising;
a housing for receiving the cartridge;
for each of the said compliant sealing means, a pair of clamping members for releasably clamping the sealing means to form a substantially moisture-tight seal; and
a pushing member for reversible insertion through the second aperture when the sealing means are not clamped, for pushing the sensor closest to the first end through the first aperture to a dispensed position.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A sensor dispensing device (1) comprises a cartridge (2) having an outer casing (11) and a plurality of sensors (6) arranged one upon another in a stack. The cartridge has a first dispensing end (13) and a second opposing end (14) spaced a fixed distance apart, and the cartridge includes a first aperture (15) for the ejection of a sensor closest to the first end and a second aperture (16) opposed to the first aperture, for access by a pushing member (25). The first aperture and the second aperture are each provided with compliant sealing means (17) which are at least partly disposed outside the outer casing. The sealing means have first and second sealing surfaces which are capable of co-operating to releasably form a substantially moisture-tight seal when acted upon by suitable clamping forces. The device has a housing (34) for receiving the cartridge. For each of the compliant sealing means (17) there is a pair of clamping members (4, 33) for releasably clamping the sealing means to form a substantially moisture-tight seal. The device has a pushing member (25) for reversible insertion through the second aperture when the sealing means are not clamped, for pushing the sensor closest to the first end through the first aperture to a dispensed position.
303 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A sensor dispensing device for dispensing sensors for testing of analyte concentration in a fluid to be applied thereto, the device comprising:
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a cartridge having an outer casing and a plurality of sensors arranged one upon another in a stack therein;
the cartridge having a first dispensing end and a second opposing end spaced a fixed distance apart, and the cartridge including a first aperture for the ejection of a sensor closest to the first end and a second aperture opposed to the first aperture, for access by a pushing member;
wherein the first aperture and the second aperture are each provided with compliant sealing means which are carried by the cartridge and which are at least partly disposed outside the outer casing, the sealing means having first and second sealing surfaces which are capable of co-operating to releasably form a substantially moisture-tight seal when acted upon by suitable clamping forces;
the device further comprising;
a housing for receiving the cartridge;
for each of the said compliant sealing means, a pair of clamping members for releasably clamping the sealing means to form a substantially moisture-tight seal; and
a pushing member for reversible insertion through the second aperture when the sealing means are not clamped, for pushing the sensor closest to the first end through the first aperture to a dispensed position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A sensor dispensing device for dispensing sensors for testing of analyte concentration in a fluid to be applied thereto, the device comprising:
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a cartridge having an outer casing and a plurality of sensors arranged one upon another in a stack therein;
the cartridge having a first dispensing end and a second opposing end spaced a fixed distance apart, and the cartridge including a first aperture for the ejection of a sensor adjacent to the first end and a second aperture opposed to the first aperture, for access by a pushing member;
wherein the first aperture and the second aperture each have disposed within them a tubular sealing member which is a close fit therefor and which extends outside the outer casing, the tubular sealing members being capable of releasably forming a substantially moisture-tight seal when acted upon by suitable clamping forces;
the device further comprising;
a housing for receiving the cartridge;
for each of the said tubular sealing members, a pair of clamping members for releasably clamping the sealing means to form a substantially moisture-tight seal; and
a pushing member for reversible insertion through the second aperture when the tubular sealing members are not clamped, for pushing the sensor closest to the first end through the first aperture to a dispensed position.
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18. A device for measuring analyte concentration in a fluid, comprising:
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a cartridge having an outer casing and a plurality of biosensors arranged one upon another in a stack therein, each biosensor having reagent means thereon for producing an electrical signal in response to the concentration of analyte in an applied fluid, and electrode tracks in contact with the reagent means;
the cartridge having a first dispensing end and a second opposing end spaced a fixed distance apart, and the cartridge including a first aperture for the ejection of a sensor closest to the first end and a second aperture opposed to the first aperture, for access by a pushing member;
wherein the first aperture and the second aperture are each provided with compliant sealing means which are carried by the cartridge and which are at least partly disposed outside the outer casing, the sealing means having first and second sealing surfaces which are capable of co-operating to releasably form a substantially moisture-tight seal when acted upon by suitable clamping forces;
the device further comprising;
a housing for receiving the cartridge;
for each of the said compliant sealing means, a pair of clamping members for releasably clamping the sealing means to form a substantially moisture-tight seal;
a pushing member for reversible insertion through the second aperture when the sealing means are not clamped, for pushing the sensor closest to the first end through the first aperture to a dispensed position; and
electrical contacts mounted in relation to the housing for engaging with the said electrode tracks at the said dispensed position, and a meter connected to the contacts having electronics means for producing a signal output which is dependent on the signal from a sensor when the sensor is engaged with the contacts.
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19. A cartridge having an outer casing and a plurality of sensors arranged one upon another in a stack therein, each sensor being for testing of analyte concentration in a fluid;
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the cartridge having a first dispensing end and a second opposing end spaced a fixed distance apart, and the cartridge including a first aperture for the ejection of a sensor closest to the first end and a second aperture opposed to the first aperture, for access by a pushing member;
wherein the first aperture and the second aperture are each provided with compliant sealing means which are at least partly disposed outside the outer casing, the sealing means having first and second sealing surfaces which are capable of co-operating to releasably form a substantially moisture-tight seal when acted upon by suitable clamping forces. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A cartridge comprising a casing and a plurality of sensors arranged one upon another in a stack therein, each sensor being for testing of analyte concentration in a fluid;
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the casing having a first dispensing end and a second opposing end and including a first aperture for the ejection of a sensor adjacent to the first end and a second aperture opposed to the first aperture, for access by a pushing member;
wherein the first aperture and the second aperture each have disposed within them a tubular sealing member which is a close fit therefor and which extends outside the casing, the tubular sealing members being capable of releasably forming a substantially moisture-tight seal when acted upon by suitable clamping forces;
the cartridge further including at least one spring which urges the stack of sensors towards the dispensing end.
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Specification