Method of Dispensing A Test Strip

Abstract

In one aspect, a method of dispensing a test strip is provided in which the dispensed test strip remains stationary while the inner housing moves within an outer housing. In another embodiment, a test strip dispenser is provided that dispenses one test strip at a time. The test strip dispenser includes a movable inner housing nested inside an outer housing. A test strip dispensing system is also described.

1 . A method of dispensing a test strip, the method comprising:
 providing a plurality of test strips disposed in a test strip dispenser having a housing and a meter having a strip port;   coupling the strip port of the meter with the housing of the test strip dispenser;   moving the housing along a guide member from a first position to a second position while holding a first test strip stationary; and   removing the first test strip from the housing.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises an inner housing located inside an outer housing. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the coupling comprises engaging the strip port connector to the inner housing. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the moving the inner housing step comprises biasing the inner housing along a linear path. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 2 , further including biasing the inner housing toward the opening in the outer housing to move a second test strip into a dispensing position. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the inner housing is biased along a linear path. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the providing comprises:
 stacking the plurality of test strip face to face from an upper surface to a bottom surface in the inner housing; and   biasing the plurality of test strips towards the bottom surface.   
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the moving comprises preventing the inner housing from moving towards the first position when the strip port connector fails to engage with the first test strip. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the providing comprises forming a window in the inner housing to allow for visual determination of the number of strips disposed in the inner housing. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the providing comprises forming the inner and outer housing of a generally transparent material. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the test strip dispenser comprises:
 an inner housing having an interior volume to store a plurality of test strips, the inner housing having an aperture through which a test strip is dispensed, the inner housing including a groove,   a spring that biases the inner housing in a first direction; and   an outer housing having an opening in substantial alignment with the aperture of the inner housing to allow for passage of the test strip, the outer housing having a guide member that mates with the groove of the inner housing.