Sensor dispenser device and method of use

• US 8,016,154 B2
• Filed: 05/25/2005
• Issued: 09/13/2011
• 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.
• Primary Examiner(s): COLLINS, MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US11/138,079
• Publication Number:
  US 20060266765A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,302 Days
• Field of Search: 221 1-312 C
• US Class Current: 221/23
• 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 sensor engaging position and a sensor feeding position.

Claims

1. 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 the meter activates the feeding mechanism by lifting a sensor engaging member from a sensor engaging position to a sensor feeding position by force of the meter and a sensor is released from the dispenser.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the feeder mechanism includes an elongate member having a first end and a second end, the second end adapted to pivot between a sensor engaging position and a sensor feeding position.

3. The method of claim 2, 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.