Disposable Test Sensor Cartridge

• US 20080181818A1
• Filed: 12/16/2005
• Published: 07/31/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ascensia Diabetes Care Holdings AG (PHC Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Bayer Healthcare LLC (Bayer AG)
• Inventors: Ruan, Tieming
• Granted Patent: US 8,097,210 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/68.1
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/48757 Test elements dispensed from a stack

Abstract

This invention relates to a test sensor cartridge assembly that dispenses test sensors individually while shortening the distance of the lateral movement required to eject the sensor. A stationary gear rack is affixed to a surface with a moveable gear rack positioned parallel to the stationary gear rack. The moveable gear rack is adapted to engage the test sensor. A gear is positioned between and contacts the stationary gear rack and the moveable gear rack. The lateral movement of the gear in a first direction generates rotational movement by the gear. Both the lateral and rotational movement move the moveable gear rack laterally in the first direction. The lateral movement of the gear rack in the first direction ejects a test sensor from a test sensor cartridge.

Claims

1. A test sensor ejection mechanism for ejecting a test sensor from a test sensor cartridge, the ejection mechanism comprising:

a stationary gear rack affixed to a surface;

a moveable gear rack situated generally parallel to the stationary gear rack, the moveable gear rack being adapted to engage the test sensor; and

a gear positioned between and contacting the stationary gear rack and the moveable gear rack,

wherein lateral movement of the gear in a first direction generates rotational movement by the gear, both the lateral and rotational movement moving the moveable gear rack laterally in the first direction, the lateral movement of the moveable gear rack in the first direction ejecting the test sensor from the test sensor cartridge.

2. The test sensor ejection mechanism of claim 1, wherein the lateral distance the moveable gear rack moves is twice the distance the gear moves.

3. The test sensor ejection mechanism of claim 1, further comprising a slider mechanically attached to the gear, wherein movement of the slider in the first direction moves the gear in the first direction.

4. The test sensor ejection mechanism of claim 1, wherein the ejection mechanism is at least partially enclosed by a casing.

5. The test sensor ejection mechanism of claim 4, wherein the casing is adapted to be removably attached to a meter.

6. The test sensor ejection mechanism of claim 4, wherein the casing is adapted to removably attach to the test sensor cartridge.

7. The test sensor ejection mechanism of claim 1, wherein the test sensor is adapted to assist in the determination of an analyte concentration in a fluid sample.

8. The test sensor ejection mechanism of claim 7, wherein the analyte is glucose and the fluid sample is whole blood.

9. A test sensor ejection mechanism, for ejecting a test sensor from a test sensor cartridge, the ejection mechanism comprising:

a stationary gear rack affixed to a face of the cartridge;

a moveable gear rack situated parallel to the stationary gear rack, the moveable gear rack having a foot protruding therefrom;

a slot formed on the face of the cartridge, the slot being adapted to allow the foot to extend therethrough and contact the test sensor;

a gear positioned between and contacting the stationary gear rack and the moveable gear rack, the gear having a central aperture formed therein;

a gear core piece running through the central aperture of the gear; and

a slider attached to the gear core piece,

wherein lateral movement of the slider in a first direction moves the gear in the first direction, which generates rotational movement by the gear, both the lateral and rotational movement moving the moveable gear rack laterally in the first direction, the lateral movement of the moveable gear rack in the first direction ejecting the test sensor from the test sensor cartridge.

10. The test sensor ejection mechanism of claim 9, wherein the cartridge includes a plurality of test sensors located therein.

11. The test sensor ejection mechanism of claim 10, wherein the cartridge includes a test sensor retention mechanism for putting one of the plurality of test sensors flush with the face of the cartridge.

12. The test sensor ejection mechanism of claim 11, wherein the ejection mechanism and the cartridge are adapted to insert into a meter.

13. The test sensor ejection mechanism of claim 11, wherein the ejection mechanism and the cartridge are adapted to removably attach to a meter.

14. A test sensor dispensing device, comprising:

a test sensor cartridge forming a central compartment, the cartridge including

(i) a face and an end wall extending from a base to a top cover,

(ii) a plurality of stacked test sensors located within the central compartment of the cartridge,

(iii) a test sensor retention mechanism located within the central compartment of the cartridge, the retention mechanism having a retention plate and at least one spring, the at least one spring being attached to the retention plate on one end and to the end wall of the cartridge on the other end, and

(iv) a test sensor ejection slit generally parallel to the face of the cartridge, the ejection slit being adapted to allow one of the plurality of test sensors to be ejected from the cartridge; and

an ejection mechanism including

(i) a stationary gear rack affixed to the face of the test sensor cartridge,

(ii) a moveable gear rack located generally parallel to the stationary gear rack, the moveable gear rack having a foot extending therefrom,

(iii) a slot opening on the face of the test sensor cartridge, the slot opening being adapted to allow the foot to extend therethrough and engage one of the plurality of test sensors,

(iv) a gear positioned between and contacting the stationary gear rack and the moveable gear rack, the gear having a central aperture formed therein,

(v) a gear core piece running through the central aperture of the gear, the gear core piece allowing the gear to rotate thereon, and

(vi) a slider attached to the gear core piece,

wherein lateral movement of the slider in a first direction moves the gear in the first direction, which generates rotational movement by the gear, both the lateral and rotational movement moving the moveable gear rack laterally in the first direction, the lateral movement of the moveable gear rack in the first direction partially ejecting the test sensor from the test sensor cartridge through the ejection slit.

15. The test sensor dispensing device of claim 14, wherein the test sensor dispensing device is attached to a meter.

16. The test sensor dispensing device of claim 14, wherein the ejection mechanism is enclosed in a casing, the casing including an opening through which the gear core piece and slider project.

17. The test sensor dispensing device of claim 16, wherein the face of the test sensor cartridge functions as a rear wall for the casing.

18. The test sensor dispensing device of claim 14, wherein the slot opening is initially sealed with foil.

19. The test sensor dispensing device of claim 14, wherein the ejection slit is initially sealed with foil.

20. A meter adapted to dispense test sensors, the meter comprising:

a read-head adapted to determine an analyte concentration from a fluid sample located on a dispensed test sensor;

a display for displaying information to a user of the meter;

a button set for allowing a user to interact with the meter; and

an ejection mechanism including

(i) a stationary gear rack affixed to a surface,

(ii) a moveable gear rack situated generally parallel to the stationary gear rack, the moveable gear rack adapted to engage the test sensor, and

(iii) a gear positioned between and contacting the stationary gear rack and the moveable gear rack,

wherein lateral movement of the gear in a first direction generates rotational movement by the gear, both the lateral and rotational movement moving the moveable gear rack laterally in the first direction, the lateral movement of the moveable gear rack in the first direction ejecting the test sensor from the test sensor cartridge.

21. The meter of claim 20, wherein the analyte is glucose and the fluid sample is whole blood.

22. The meter of claim 20, wherein the ejection mechanism is attached to an exterior surface of the meter.

23. The meter of claim 20, the meter further comprising an internal cavity adapted to allow a test sensor cartridge to be inserted into the meter, the ejection mechanism being attached within the internal cavity so as to allow the gear to be laterally moved in the first direction from outside the meter.