CARTRIDGE WITH A WHEEL FOR SEALING THE OPENING
First Claim
1. A cartridge comprising:
- a plurality of walls forming at least one cavity therein, the cavity being adapted to contain a plurality of test sensors, the plurality of test sensors being adapted to assist in the determination of a concentration of an analyte in a fluid sample, at least one of the plurality of walls forming an opening adapted to allow a test sensor to be dispensed therefrom; and
a dispensing mechanism adapted to dispense a test sensor through the opening, the dispensing mechanism including a wheel, the wheel sealing the opening in a first position, the wheel being adapted to rotate from the first position to a second position to unseal the opening, the wheel being adapted to rotate from the second position to the first position to seal the opening, an axis of symmetry of the wheel being modified when the wheel is moved between the first position and the second position to assist in unsealing the opening and dispensing the test sensor.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A dispensing mechanism is adapted to eject a test sensor from a cartridge opening formed in a cartridge containing test sensors. The dispensing mechanism comprises a gear rack, a gear, and a wheel. The gear rack includes a first portion and a second portion located generally parallel to one another. The second portion of the gear rack includes a first plurality of teeth. The gear includes a second plurality of teeth that are adapted to be engaged by the first plurality of teeth upon movement of the gear rack. The wheel is operatively engaged by the gear and is adapted to dispense the test sensor from the cartridge opening and to seal the cartridge opening. The movement of the gear rack in a first direction causes the gear to rotate causing the wheel to rotate. The rotation of the wheel dispenses the test sensor through the cartridge opening.
26 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A cartridge comprising:
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a plurality of walls forming at least one cavity therein, the cavity being adapted to contain a plurality of test sensors, the plurality of test sensors being adapted to assist in the determination of a concentration of an analyte in a fluid sample, at least one of the plurality of walls forming an opening adapted to allow a test sensor to be dispensed therefrom; and a dispensing mechanism adapted to dispense a test sensor through the opening, the dispensing mechanism including a wheel, the wheel sealing the opening in a first position, the wheel being adapted to rotate from the first position to a second position to unseal the opening, the wheel being adapted to rotate from the second position to the first position to seal the opening, an axis of symmetry of the wheel being modified when the wheel is moved between the first position and the second position to assist in unsealing the opening and dispensing the test sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A cartridge comprising:
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a plurality of walls forming at least one cavity therein, the cavity being adapted to contain a plurality of test sensors, the plurality of test sensors being adapted to assist in the determination of a concentration of an analyte in a fluid sample, at least one of the plurality of walls forming an opening adapted to allow a test sensor to be dispensed therefrom; and a dispensing mechanism adapted to dispense a test sensor through the opening, the dispensing mechanism including a wheel having an outer surface, the wheel sealing the opening in a first position, the wheel being adapted to rotate from the first position to a second position to unseal the opening, the wheel being adapted to rotate from the second position to the first position to seal the opening, the wheel being adapted to dispense one of the plurality of the test sensors by having the outer surface thereof contact the test sensor and assist in moving the test sensor in a generally horizontal direction toward the opening for dispensing. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of dispensing a test sensor, the method comprising the acts of:
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providing a cartridge, the cartridge including a plurality of walls forming at least one cavity therein, the cavity containing a plurality of test sensors, the plurality of test sensors being adapted to assist in the determination of a concentration of an analyte in a fluid sample, at least one of the plurality of walls forming an opening adapted to allow a test sensor to be dispensed therefrom; providing a dispensing mechanism including a wheel, moving the wheel from a position of sealing the opening, an axis of symmetry of the wheel being modified when the wheel is moved from the position of sealing the opening; dispensing a test sensor from the container through the opening after the wheel has been moved from the position of sealing the opening. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification