Sensor dispenser device and method of use

• US 20060266765A1
• Filed: 05/25/2005
• Published: 11/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Lifescan Incorporated (Duv Holding Corporation)
• Inventors: Pugh, Jerry T.
• Granted Patent: US 8,016,154 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 222/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/48757 Test elements dispensed from a stack

Abstract

Disclosed herein are electrochemical sensor dispensing methods and apparatus. The sensors dispensers can include an elongate body having a proximal end and a distal, the elongate body including a proximally positioned dispensing surface with an opening for dispensing a sensor. A storage chamber having a series of connected sensors is positioned distally and can feed a proximally positioned sensor feeder mechanism. The feeder mechanism includes an elongate member having a first end and second end, the second end adapted to pivot between a senor engaging position and a sensor feeding position.

Claims

1. An electrochemical sensor dispenser device, comprising:

an elongate body having a proximal and distal end, the elongate body including a proximally positioned dispensing surface with an opening for dispensing a sensor;

a distally positioned chamber adapted for the storage of a series of electrochemical sensors; and

a proximally positioned sensor feeder mechanism, the feeder mechanism including an elongate member having a first end and second end, the second end adapted to move between a senor engaging position and a sensor feeding position, the elongate member biased in the sensor engaging position.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the elongate member is pivotally secured at the first end.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the elongate member is fixedly secured at the first end and is flexible.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the second end of the elongate member is adapted to mate with a sensor.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the second end of the elongate member has a shape that is complementary to an open region on a sensor.

6. The device of claim 1, further comprising stops positioned proximate to the opening and adapted to resist movement of a sensor in a distal direction.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the body includes alignment features to facilitate alignment of the device with a meter.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein a portion of the proximally positioned dispensing surface extends beyond the sensor feeding mechanism to provide an alignment surface.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the body includes a window for visually inspecting the storage chamber.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the body provides a generally air-tight enclosure of the storage chamber.

11. The device of claim 1, further comprising a resealable opening at the proximal end.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein opening the resealable opening provides access to the proximally positioned dispensing surface.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein a series of connected sensors are positioned within the storage chamber.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein at least a portion of the sensors are stored in the sensor storage area in a folded configuration.

15. The device of claim 13, wherein the storage chamber includes guide features adapted to restrain a stack of folded sensors.

16. A system for delivering an electrochemical sensor to a meter, comprising:

a sensor dispenser having a sensor storage area and a sensor dispensing mechanism, the sensor dispenser mechanism adapted to move between a sensing dispensing position and a sensor engaging position; and

a meter adapted to receive a sensor, the meter including a surface adapted to engage the sensor dispensing mechanism and move the sensor dispensing mechanism from a sensor dispensing position to a sensor engaging position, the meter further including a sensor mating mechanism that can mate with a sensor.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the sensor mating mechanism is adapted to lock a dispensed sensor in the meter.

18. The system of claim 16, further including a series of connected sensors.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein at least a portion of the sensors are stored in the sensor storage area in a folded configuration.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the sensors each have a longitudinal reaction chamber and laterally spaced electrical contact areas.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the meter includes laterally spaced electrical contactors adapted to electrically communicate with the laterally spaced contact areas on the sensor.

22. The system of claim 16, wherein the sensor dispenser includes a dispensing surface that is complementary to a surface on the meter.

23. The system of claim 16, wherein the sensor dispenser includes alignment features that are complementary to a surface on the meter.

24. An electrochemical sensor dispenser device, comprising:

a distal sensor storage chamber including at least one electrochemical sensor, the at least one sensor including a longitudinal reaction chamber, two electrical contact areas, and a sensor dispenser mating area; and

a proximal sensor feeder mechanism adapted to mate with a sensor, the feeder mechanism including an elongate member having a first end and second end, the second end of the elongate member adapted to pivot between a senor engaging position and a sensor feeding position, the elongate member biased in the sensor engaging position.

25. The device of claim 24, wherein second end of the elongate member has a shape that is complementary to the sensor dispensing mating area on the sensor.

26. The device of claim 24, wherein the at least one sensor includes a series of connected sensors adapted for storage in a folded configuration.

27. A method of dispensing electrochemical sensors, comprising:

providing a sensor dispenser having a sensor storage chamber containing a series of connected sensors positioned in a folded configuration and a feeder mechanism adapted to mate with a meter;

providing a meter adapted to receive a sensor from the sensor dispenser; and

engaging the feeder mechanism with a surface of the meter whereby a sensor is released from the dispenser.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the feeder mechanism including an elongate member having a first end and a second end, the second end adapted to pivot between a senor engaging position and a sensor feeding position.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the step of engaging the feeder mechanism includes contacting the elongate member with the meter to move the elongate member into a sensor feeding position.