Stack magazine system
First Claim
1. A meter system, comprising:
- a supply magazine storing a plurality of lancet integrated test elements in a stacked manner;
the lancet integrated test elements each includinga test strip for testing a body fluid sample, the test strip being generally flat, the test strip having a sample opening at one end and side edges, anda lancet coupled to the test strip for forming an incision where the body fluid sample is drawn, the lancet being configured to extend proximal the sample opening;
a meter having a connector portion configured to operatively couple to the lancet integrated test element, the meter being configured to fire the lancets on the lancet integrated test elements;
a transport mechanism to transfer the lancet integrated test elements to the connector portion of the meter, wherein the transport mechanism being configured to engage at least one of the side edges to minimize risk of damaging the test strip and the lancet proximal the sample opening of the lancet integrated test element;
the transport mechanism including a drum that rotates to transport the lancet integrated test elements;
the drum including one or more rails that engage at least one of the side edges of the lancet integrated test elements, wherein the rails each have a retention channel in which the test strip is received, wherein the retention channel is configured to retain the test strip with the drum as the drum rotates; and
wherein the rails have an overall shape that is L-shaped to overlap with the edges of the test strip.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
A meter system for analyzing body fluids includes a supply magazine for storing a stack of test elements, a meter for analyzing fluid samples, and a transport system for transporting test elements from the supply magazine to the meter. The test element in one embodiment includes a lancet integrated test element that has a lancet coupled to a test strip. The transport system is configured to minimize damage to the test element. In one form, the transport system includes a shuttle that slides the top-most test element from the stack onto a connection portion of the meter. In another form, the transport system includes a drum that rotates to transport test elements from the supply magazine to a testing position and, once used, to a waste magazine for disposal. In a further form, the transport system includes a disc that rotates to transport the test elements.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A meter system, comprising:
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a supply magazine storing a plurality of lancet integrated test elements in a stacked manner; the lancet integrated test elements each including a test strip for testing a body fluid sample, the test strip being generally flat, the test strip having a sample opening at one end and side edges, and a lancet coupled to the test strip for forming an incision where the body fluid sample is drawn, the lancet being configured to extend proximal the sample opening; a meter having a connector portion configured to operatively couple to the lancet integrated test element, the meter being configured to fire the lancets on the lancet integrated test elements; a transport mechanism to transfer the lancet integrated test elements to the connector portion of the meter, wherein the transport mechanism being configured to engage at least one of the side edges to minimize risk of damaging the test strip and the lancet proximal the sample opening of the lancet integrated test element; the transport mechanism including a drum that rotates to transport the lancet integrated test elements; the drum including one or more rails that engage at least one of the side edges of the lancet integrated test elements, wherein the rails each have a retention channel in which the test strip is received, wherein the retention channel is configured to retain the test strip with the drum as the drum rotates; and wherein the rails have an overall shape that is L-shaped to overlap with the edges of the test strip. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A system, comprising:
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a supply magazine configured to store test elements in a stacked manner prior to use, wherein the test elements are configured to analyze body fluid, wherein the test elements are lancet integrated test elements that each includes a lancet coupled to a test strip; a waste magazine configured to store the test elements in a stacked manner after use; a transport drum disposed between the supply magazine and the waste magazine to transport the test elements from the supply magazine to the waste magazine; a lancet actuator mechanism to actuate lancets of the lancet integrated test elements, wherein the lancet actuator is disposed inside the drum, wherein the lancet actuator includes a lancet engagement arm configured to actuate the lancet; and the drum having a guide slot through which the actuator arm extends to engage the lancet. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method, comprising:
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loading a test element from a supply magazine into a relief notch of a drum orienting the test element to a sampling position by rotating the drum; collecting body fluid with the test element while at the sampling position; unloading the test element from the drum and into a waste magazine by rotating the drum after said collecting the body fluid; wherein the drum includes one or more drum rails with one or more drum channels; wherein said loading the test element from the supply magazine includes sliding the test element into the drum channels; wherein the waste magazine includes one or more magazine rails and a catch; and wherein said unloading the test element from the drum and into the waste magazine includes rotating the drum in a first direction so that the test element slides into the magazine rails of the waste magazine, and rotating the drum in a second direction that is opposite the first direction so that the catch of the waste magazine retains the test element. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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Specification