Gimbaled bladder actuator for use with test strips
First Claim
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1. A meter adapted to receive a test strip including a bladder, wherein said meter comprises a gimbaled bladder actuator, said gimbaled bladder actuator comprising:
- a gimbaled compression pad comprising a holder and a compression member including a substantially planar compression element wherein said holder is attached to said meter at a gimbaled interface; and
an actuator in contact with said holder for contacting said gimbaled compression pad with said bladder in a manner sufficient to compress said bladder by movement of said actuator when said test strip is positioned in said meter.
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Abstract
Gimbaled bladder actuators and methods for their use in compressing bladders present on test strips are provided. The subject actuators are characterized by the presence of a gimbaled compression pad under movement control of an actuating means, preferably an automated actuating means. Also provided are meters for reading test strips that include bladders, where the meters include the subject gimbaled bladder actuators.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A meter adapted to receive a test strip including a bladder, wherein said meter comprises a gimbaled bladder actuator, said gimbaled bladder actuator comprising:
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a gimbaled compression pad comprising a holder and a compression member including a substantially planar compression element wherein said holder is attached to said meter at a gimbaled interface; and
an actuator in contact with said holder for contacting said gimbaled compression pad with said bladder in a manner sufficient to compress said bladder by movement of said actuator when said test strip is positioned in said meter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A meter adapted to receive a test ship including a bladder, wherein said meter comprises a gimbaled bladder actuator, said gimbaled bladder actuator comprising:
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(a) a gimbaled compression pad comprising a holder and a compression member including a substantially planar compression element wherein said holder is attached to said meter at a gimbaled surface; and
(b) actuator in contact with said holder for contacting said gimbaled compression pad with said bladder in a manner sufficient to compress said bladder by movement of said actuator when said test strip is positioned in said meter, wherein said actuating means comprises;
(i) a lever arm;
(ii) a chassis; and
(iii) a solenoid. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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9. An automatic meter for reading a test strip including a bladder, said meter comprising:
a gimbaled bladder actuator, wherein said gimbaled bladder actuator comprises;
(a) a gimbaled compression pad comprising a holder and a compression member including a substantially planar compression element wherein said holder is attached to said meter at a gimbaled interface; and
(b) an actuator in contact with said holder for contacting said gimbaled compression pad with said bladder in a manner sufficient to compress said bladder by movement of said actuator when said test strip is positioned in said meter. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
Specification