Systems and methods for dispensing sterile items

A cartridge assembly for storing items to be dispensed, the cartridge assembly comprising:

• a cartridge plate,
• a cartridge housing that engages the cartridge plate to define a cartridge chamber,
• a carrier reel supported by the cartridge plate within the cartridge chamber, the carrier reel defining a carrier reel projection adapted to engage the first bearing assembly;
• distal and proximal take-up reels supported by the cartridge plate within the cartridge chamber, where
• the distal take-up reel defines a distal take-up reel projection adapted to engage the second bearing assembly, and
• the proximal take-up reel defines a proximal take-up reel projection adapted to engage the third bearing assembly;
• a main guide post;
• a first strip guide post;
• and
• a second strip guide post;
• and
• a packaging strip supported by the carrier reel, the packaging strip comprising first and second strip portions detachably secured to define a plurality of item chambers, where at least one item is enclosed within each of the item chambers;
• wherein
• the carrier reel is adapted to store the packaging strip;
• the distal take-up reel is operatively connected to the first strip portion;
• the proximal take-up reel is operatively connected to the second strip portion;
• and
• rotation of the distal and proximal take-up reels causes
• the packaging strip to be unwound from the carrier reel,
• the first strip portion to be wound onto the distal take-up reel,
• the second strip portion to be wound onto the proximal take-up reel, and
• the items to be dispensed.