Test sensor cartridges and sensor-dispensing instruments

Abstract

The cartridge comprises a housing, a plurality of test sensors, a mechanical mechanism, and a pusher assembly. The housing forms at least one opening therethrough. The plurality of test sensors is stacked in the housing. The plurality of test sensors is adapted to assist in testing at least one analyte. The mechanical mechanism is adapted to urge the plurality of test sensors in a first direction. One of the plurality of test sensors is positioned for extraction from the cartridge. The pusher assembly is adapted to push one of the plurality of test sensors from the cartridge. The pusher assembly includes a ferromagnetic material or a magnet.

1 - 187 . (canceled) 
     
     
         188 . A cartridge comprising:
 a housing forming exactly one opening therethrough;   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 being adapted to urge the plurality of test sensors in a first direction, one of the plurality of test sensors being positioned for extraction from the cartridge;   a test-sensor extractor being adapted to move between a first position and a second position; and   a lid being mechanically linked to the test-sensor extractor, the lid being moveable between a closed position and an open position such that the lid seals the opening in the closed position,   wherein during the movement of the lid from the closed position to the open position, the test-sensor extractor moves from the first position to the second position and extracts one of the plurality of test sensors at least partially through the opening.   
     
     
         189 . The cartridge of  claim 188 , wherein the lid is manually moveable between the open position and the closed position. 
     
     
         190 . The cartridge of  claim 188 , further including a ramp positioned to assist in extracting one of the plurality of test sensors at least partially through the opening. 
     
     
         191 . The cartridge of  claim 188 , wherein the plurality of test sensors is stacked on a slant. 
     
     
         192 . The cartridge of  claim 188 , wherein the lid further includes a seal. 
     
     
         193 . The cartridge of  claim 188 , wherein the lid forms at least one notch to assist in providing clearance for the mechanical linkage between the lid and the test-sensor extractor. 
     
     
         194 . The cartridge of  claim 188 , wherein the lid is mechanically linked via a flexible linkage. 
     
     
         195 . The cartridge of  claim 194 , wherein the lid is mechanically linked via a linkage that is hinged at the lid. 
     
     
         196 . The cartridge of  claim 194 , wherein the lid is mechanically linked via a linkage that is hinged at the test-sensor extractor. 
     
     
         197 . The cartridge of  claim 188 , wherein the test-sensor extractor is generally parallel with the opening. 
     
     
         198 . The cartridge of  claim 188 , wherein the mechanical mechanism is a spring. 
     
     
         199 . The cartridge of  claim 188 , further including desiccant. 
     
     
         200 . The cartridge of  claim 188 , wherein the plurality of sensors is electrochemical sensors. 
     
     
         201 . The cartridge of  claim 188 , wherein the plurality of sensors is optical sensors. 
     
     
         202 . A cartridge comprising:
 a housing forming exactly one opening therethrough;   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; and   a sealing mechanism for sealing the opening in a first position,   wherein movement of the sealing mechanism from the first position to a second position causes one of the plurality of test sensors to proceed at least partially through the opening.   
     
     
         203 . The cartridge of  claim 202  wherein each of the plurality of test sensors has a length, a width and a height, the length of the plurality of test sensors being greater than the width and the height, and wherein the opening is sized to generally correspond with the width and the height of the test sensors so as to allow one of the test sensors at a time to proceed therethrough. 
     
     
         204 . The cartridge of  claim 202  further including a handle or push tab. 
     
     
         205 . The cartridge of  claim 202  further including a mechanical mechanism being adapted to urge the plurality of test sensors in a first direction so as to assist in positioning one of the plurality of test sensors for extraction from the cartridge. 
     
     
         206 . The cartridge of  claim 202  further including a first mechanical mechanism, a second mechanical mechanism and a test-sensor extraction, the first mechanical mechanism being adapted to urge the plurality of test sensors in a first direction so as to assist in positioning one of the plurality of test sensors for extraction from the cartridge, the second mechanical mechanism being adapted to urge the plurality of test sensors in a second direction, the second direction being located generally perpendicular to the first direction, the test-sensor extractor being moveable between a third position and a fourth position via the second mechanical mechanism. 
     
     
         207 . The cartridge of  claim 202  further including a mechanical mechanism and a pusher assembly, the mechanical mechanism being adapted to urge the plurality of test sensors in a first direction so as to assist in positioning one of the plurality of test sensors for extraction from the cartridge, the pusher assembly being connected to the sealing mechanism, the pusher assembly being moveable between a third position and a fourth position, and wherein during the movement of the sealing mechanism from the first position to the second position, the pusher assembly moves from the third position to the fourth position and extracts one of the plurality of test sensors at least partially through the opening. 
     
     
         208 . The cartridge of  claim 202  wherein the sealing mechanism is a rotatable drum, the rotatable drum including at least one notch formed therein, the drum being coupled to an interior portion of the housing, the at least one notch being adapted to receive exactly one test sensor and assists in causing one of the plurality of test sensors to proceed at least partially through the opening.