Multistrip cartridge
First Claim
1. A method of dispensing a test strip for testing a body fluid sample applied thereto, the method comprising:
- biasing a first test strip of a plurality of stacked test strips toward a dispensing member, the plurality of stacked test strips received through an opening in an outer housing of a cartridge in a direction parallel to a height of the plurality of stacked test strips, the cartridge configured to be placed into a housing of a test meter, the dispensing member received within the outer housing and having a first end and a second end, the first end hingedly connected inside the outer housing and the second end being a free end;
moving the dispensing member such that the second end pushes the first test strip across a top of the remaining plurality of stacked test strips and through a strip opening in the cartridge such that at least one edge and a portion of the first test strip is exposed outside the strip opening and an opposite edge of the first test strip remains within the cartridge; and
biasing a second test strip of the plurality of stacked test strips toward the dispensing member once the first test strip has been removed from the cartridge.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A test meter for analyzing a body fluid sample applied to a test strip includes an outer housing having an opening, an actuator, and a cartridge positioned adjacent the outer housing. The cartridge further includes a dispensing member connected to the actuator, a plurality of stacked test strips biased toward the dispensing member, and a cartridge outer housing that is adjacent at least a portion of the dispensing member. Each time the actuator is actuated, the dispensing member is rotated to cause movement of one test strip from the plurality of stacked test strips through the opening, and another test strip is biased toward the dispensing member.
82 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of dispensing a test strip for testing a body fluid sample applied thereto, the method comprising:
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biasing a first test strip of a plurality of stacked test strips toward a dispensing member, the plurality of stacked test strips received through an opening in an outer housing of a cartridge in a direction parallel to a height of the plurality of stacked test strips, the cartridge configured to be placed into a housing of a test meter, the dispensing member received within the outer housing and having a first end and a second end, the first end hingedly connected inside the outer housing and the second end being a free end; moving the dispensing member such that the second end pushes the first test strip across a top of the remaining plurality of stacked test strips and through a strip opening in the cartridge such that at least one edge and a portion of the first test strip is exposed outside the strip opening and an opposite edge of the first test strip remains within the cartridge; and biasing a second test strip of the plurality of stacked test strips toward the dispensing member once the first test strip has been removed from the cartridge. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of dispensing a test strip for testing a body fluid sample applied thereto, the method comprising:
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moving linearly a cover portion of a cartridge for storing a plurality of stacked test strips, the plurality of stacked test strips received through an opening in the cartridge in a direction parallel to a height of the plurality of stacked test strips; and in response to linear movement of the cover portion, moving a dispensing member received within the cartridge such that a second end of the dispensing member pushes a first test strip of the plurality of stacked test strips through a strip opening in the cartridge such that at least one edge and a portion of the first test strip is exposed outside the strip opening and an opposite edge of the first test strip remains within the cartridge, the dispensing member having a first end hingedly connected inside the cartridge. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of dispensing a test strip for testing a body fluid sample applied thereto, the method comprising:
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storing a plurality of stacked test strips in an outer housing of a cartridge through an opening in the cartridge in a direction parallel to a height of the plurality of stacked test strips; moving linearly a cover portion of the cartridge, the cover portion having at least one connection member extending linearly into the outer housing; and in response to linear movement of the cover portion, moving a dispensing member received within the outer housing such that the dispensing member pushes a first test strip of the plurality of stacked test strips through a strip opening in the outer housing such that at least one edge and a portion of the first test strip is exposed outside the strip opening and an opposite edge of the first test strip remains within the cartridge, the dispensing member movably connected to the at least one connection member of the cover portion. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification