Cartridge and sensor-dispensing instrument
First Claim
1. A cartridge for storing test sensors, the cartridge comprising:
- a one-piece housing having a first opening and a second opening, the one-piece housing being formed by a main-housing portion fixedly joined to a lid-housing portion, the test sensors being stored in the one-piece housing such that at least one of the edges of at least one of the test sensors abuts an internal surface of the main housing portion during storage, the first opening having a first seal and the second opening having a second seal, the first seal and the second seal each having an open position and a closed position, the first seal being separate and distinct from the second seal, the first and the second seals being substantially enclosed within the one-piece housing in response to the first and the second seals being in the open position and in the closed position; and
a mechanical mechanism positioned within the one-piece housing and being configured to urge the test sensors in a first direction,wherein the first and second seals in the closed position provide a substantially moisture-proof and a substantially air-tight cartridge during the storage of the test sensors and during the dispensing of one of the test sensors, and wherein one of the first seal or the second seal in the open position allows one of the test sensors to be moved therethrough.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A disposable cartridge adapted to be used with a sensor-dispensing instrument comprises a housing, test sensors, a mechanical mechanism and moveable seals. The housing forms at least one opening therethrough. The test sensors are stacked in the housing. The test sensors are adapted to assist in testing at least one analyte. The mechanical mechanism is adapted to urge the test sensors in a first direction. One of the test sensors is positioned for ejection from the cartridge. The moveable seals is adapted to be in a closed position that seals the at least one opening so as to provide a substantially moisture-proof and a substantially air-tight cartridge, and one of the moveable seals is adapted to be in an open position that allows one of the test sensors to be moved therethrough.
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Citations
39 Claims
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1. A cartridge for storing test sensors, the cartridge comprising:
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a one-piece housing having a first opening and a second opening, the one-piece housing being formed by a main-housing portion fixedly joined to a lid-housing portion, the test sensors being stored in the one-piece housing such that at least one of the edges of at least one of the test sensors abuts an internal surface of the main housing portion during storage, the first opening having a first seal and the second opening having a second seal, the first seal and the second seal each having an open position and a closed position, the first seal being separate and distinct from the second seal, the first and the second seals being substantially enclosed within the one-piece housing in response to the first and the second seals being in the open position and in the closed position; and a mechanical mechanism positioned within the one-piece housing and being configured to urge the test sensors in a first direction, wherein the first and second seals in the closed position provide a substantially moisture-proof and a substantially air-tight cartridge during the storage of the test sensors and during the dispensing of one of the test sensors, and wherein one of the first seal or the second seal in the open position allows one of the test sensors to be moved therethrough. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 31, 36, 37)
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14. A sensor-dispensing instrument comprising:
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a cartridge comprising a housing having a first opening and a second opening, the first opening being surrounded by a first seal and the second opening being surrounded by a second seal, the first seal being separate and distinct from the second seal, the first seal and the second seal each having an open position and a closed position, the first and the second seals being substantially enclosed within the housing in response to the first and the second seals being in the open position and in the closed position, the first seal being configured to open inward towards an interior of the housing and the second seal being configured to open outward towards an exterior of the housing, a mechanical mechanism configured to urge test sensors in a first direction;
wherein the first seal and the second seal are biased in the closed position during the storage of the test sensors and during the dispensing of one of the test sensors, and wherein one of the first seal or the second seal is moveable to the open position to allow one of the test sensors to be moved therethrough; andan outer housing forming a dispensing outlet and being adapted to receive the cartridge. - View Dependent Claims (15, 27, 28)
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16. A cartridge adapted to be used with a sensor-dispensing instrument, the cartridge comprising:
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a housing forming at least two openings therethrough; a plurality of test sensors being stacked in the housing; a mechanical mechanism configured to urge the plurality of test sensors in a first direction; and a plurality of moveable seals, each of the moveable seals being separate and distinct, each of the moveable seals being biased in a closed position to seal the at least two openings so as to provide a substantially moisture-proof and a substantially air-tight cartridge, each of the moveable seals being substantially enclosed within the housing, the first seal being configured to open inward towards an interior of the housing and the second seal being configured to open outward towards an exterior of the housing, and one of the plurality of moveable seals being moveable to be in an open position to allow one of the plurality of test sensors to be moved therethrough. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 35)
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24. A cartridge comprising:
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a housing having a first opening and a second opening, the first opening having a first seal and the second opening having a second seal, the first seal and the second seal both being adjacent to an exterior of the cartridge, the first and the second seals each including a first outwardly extending portion and a second outwardly extending portion, the first and the second outwardly extending portions of the first seal having an open position and a closed position and the first and the second outwardly extending portions of the second seal having an open position and a closed position, the first seal being separate and distinct from the second seal, the first and the second seals being enclosed within the housing; a plurality of test sensors being stacked in the housing, the plurality of test sensors being adapted to assist in testing at least one analyte; a mechanical mechanism configured to urge the plurality of test sensors in a first direction such that one of the plurality of test sensors is positioned for ejection from the cartridge; and wherein the first and the second outwardly extending portions of the first seal and the first and the second outwardly extending portions of the second seal in the closed position provide a substantially moisture-proof and a substantially air-tight cartridge during the storage of the plurality of test sensors and during the dispensing of one of the plurality of test sensors, one of the first and the second outwardly extending portions of the first seal and the first and the second outwardly extending portions of the second seal in the open position allows one of the plurality of test sensors to be moved therethrough.
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25. A sensor-dispensing instrument comprising:
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a cartridge comprising a one-piece housing having a first opening and a second opening, the one-piece housing being formed by a main-housing portion fixedly joined to a lid-housing portion, the first opening having a first seal and the second opening having a second seal, the first seal and the second seal each having an open position and a closed position, the first seal being separate and distinct from the second seal, the first and the second seals being substantially enclosed within the one-piece housing, the first seal being configured to open inward towards an interior of the housing and the second seal being configured to open outward towards an exterior of the housing, the first seal and the second seal both being proximate an exterior of the housing, a plurality of test sensors being stored in the housing, the test sensors being stored in the one-piece housing such that at least one of the edges of at least one of the test sensors abuts an internal surface of the main housing portion during storage, the plurality of test sensors adapted to assist in testing at least one analyte, a mechanical mechanism configured to urge the plurality of test sensors in a first direction such that one of the plurality of test sensors is positioned for ejection from the cartridge, the mechanical mechanism including a torsion spring;
the first and second seals biased in the closed position so as to provide a substantially moisture-proof and a substantially air-tight cartridge during the storage of the plurality of test sensors and during the dispensing of one of the plurality of test sensors, one of the first seal and the second seal in the open position allows one of the plurality of test sensors to be moved therethrough;an outer housing forming a dispensing outlet that receives the cartridge; and a pusher assembly that includes a slider and a thin flat bar coupled to the pusher assembly, the flat bar slides from a first position to a second position on movement of the pusher assembly, wherein during the movement of the flat bar from the first position to the second position, the flat bar is configured to contact one of the plurality of test sensors and push it at least partially through at least one of the first and the second seals. - View Dependent Claims (26, 38, 39)
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29. A cartridge for storing items, the cartridge comprising:
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a housing having a first opening and a second opening, the first opening having a first seal and the second opening having a second seal, the first seal and the second seal each having an open position and a closed position, the first seal being separate and distinct from the second seal, the first and the second seals being enclosed within the housing, the first seal and the second seal both being adjacent to an exterior of the housing; and a mechanical mechanism configured to urge the items in a first direction, wherein the items are stacked in the housing, and the first and the second seals are configured to be in the closed position so as to provide a substantially moisture-proof and a substantially air-tight cartridge during the storage of the items and during the dispensing of one of the items, and one of the first seal or the second seal being configured to be in the open position to allow one of the items to be moved therethrough. - View Dependent Claims (30, 32, 33, 34)
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Specification