Sensor release mechanism for a meter
First Claim
1. A sensor-release system for removing a test sensor from a sensor slot in a sensor-dispensing instrument, the sensor-release system comprising:
- a sensor actuator disposed adjacent to the sensor slot in the sensor-dispensing instrument, the sensor actuator being configured to engage with a sensor disposed in the sensor slot;
a sensor-release mechanism having a sensor-release aid arm, a mounting block, and a pivot pin connecting the sensor-release aid arm to the mounting block; and
a sensor release including at least one portion configured to engage the sensor-release aid arm to cause the sensor-release aid arm to rotate about the pivot pin and to contact the sensor disposed in the sensor slot thereby causing the sensor to be removed from the sensor slot.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A sensor-dispensing instrument adapted to handle a sensor pack contains sensors and performs a test using one of the sensors. The instrument includes an outer housing and a mechanical mechanism for rotating the sensor pack and ejecting one of the sensors from the sensor pack and through a sensor slot on the housing. The instrument also includes a sensor actuator to engage with a sensor disposed in the sensor slot, and a sensor release that is movable to disengage the sensor actuator from the sensor disposed in the sensor slot and permit the discharge of the sensor. The sensor release activates a sensor release mechanism that has a sensor release aid arm, a mounting block, and a pivot pin. The sensor release aid arm contacts the sensor disposed in the sensor slot to assist removal of the sensor from the sensor slot.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A sensor-release system for removing a test sensor from a sensor slot in a sensor-dispensing instrument, the sensor-release system comprising:
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a sensor actuator disposed adjacent to the sensor slot in the sensor-dispensing instrument, the sensor actuator being configured to engage with a sensor disposed in the sensor slot; a sensor-release mechanism having a sensor-release aid arm, a mounting block, and a pivot pin connecting the sensor-release aid arm to the mounting block; and a sensor release including at least one portion configured to engage the sensor-release aid arm to cause the sensor-release aid arm to rotate about the pivot pin and to contact the sensor disposed in the sensor slot thereby causing the sensor to be removed from the sensor slot. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of removing a test sensor from a sensor slot in a sensor-dispensing instrument, the method comprising:
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providing a sensor-dispensing instrument including an outer housing, a sensor release, and a sensor-release mechanism, the outer housing having a sensor slot through which the test sensor is disposed to conduct the test, the sensor-release mechanism including a sensor-release aid arm, a mounting block, and a pivot pin connecting the sensor-release aid arm to the mounting block; activating the sensor-release; in response to the activating, contacting the sensor-release aid arm with at least one portion of the sensor release; in response to the contacting, causing the sensor-release aid arm to rotate about the pivot in and to engage the test sensor disposed in the sensor slot; and causing the sensor to be removed from the sensor slot. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A sensor-dispensing instrument for dispensing a plurality of sensors, the sensor-dispensing instrument comprising:
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an outer housing having a sensor slot through which one of the sensors is disposed to conduct a test; an electronics assembly generally disposed in the outer housing, the electronic assembly being configured to perform the test; a sensor actuator disposed adjacent to the sensor slot in the outer housing, the sensor actuator being configured to engage with the sensor disposed in the sensor slot; a sensor-release mechanism having a sensor-release aid arm, a mounting block, and a pivot pin connecting the sensor-release aid arm to the mounting block; and a sensor release including at least one portion configured to engage the sensor-release aid arm to cause the sensor-release aid arm to rotate about the pivot in and to contact the sensor disposed in the sensor slot thereby causing the sensor to be removed from the sensor slot. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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Specification