Test strip ejector for medical device

A test strip ejector system for receiving and ejecting a test strip of a fluid testing medical device, the system comprising:

• parallel first and second guide rails defining a rail cavity between the guide rails, the guide rails having first and second ends;
• a sled having a sled post and opposed first and second legs, each of the legs connected externally to and continuously slidably coupled only with one of the first or second guide rails, thereby limiting displacement of the sled to only sliding motion in either a loading direction or an opposite ejection direction between the first and second ends of the guide rails, the test strip being in direct contact with the sled during motion in at least the ejection direction;
• and
• an arm contacting the sled such that sliding motion of the sled in the loading direction and movement of the arm in a first direction positions the sled in a test strip test position, and opposite movement of the arm in a second direction operates to displace the sled in the ejection direction thereby ejecting the test strip.

A test strip ejector system for receiving and ejecting a test strip of a fluid testing medical device, the system comprising:

• parallel first and second guide rails defining a rail cavity between the guide rails;
• a sled having a sled post and opposed first and second side leg sets each having at least two deflectable legs, each of the deflectable legs of the leg sets externally, positively and continuously slidably engaged to one of the first or second guide rails thereby limiting the sled to only sliding motion in either a loading direction or an opposite ejection direction, with the sled in direct contact with the test strip between the guide rails during sliding motion in at least the ejection direction;
• and
• an actuator arm rotatably connected to a mechanism assembly, the sled post received and retained in an elongated slot of the actuator arm such that sliding motion of the sled in the loading direction and rotation of the actuator arm in a loading rotational direction positions the sled in a test strip test position, and opposite rotation of the actuator arm in an ejection rotational direction operates to displace the sled in the ejection direction and to eject the test strip.

A fluid testing medical device adapted for testing and rejection of a test strip, comprising:

• a connector positioned in the device;
• a test strip when positioned in a test position making electrical contact with the connector;
• and
• a test strip ejector system connected to the device, including:
• first and second guide rails;
• a sled having opposed first and second legs, each of the legs externally slidably connected to one of the first or second guide rails for sled motion in each of a loading direction and an ejection direction;
• and
• an arm connected to the sled and movable between first and second positions, the arm when displaced from the first to the second position acting to move the sled in the ejection direction to eject the test strip from the fluid testing medical device.

A method for testing and rejecting a test strip using a fluid testing medical device, the fluid testing medical device having a connector and a test strip ejector system having first and second guide rails, a sled, and an arm connected to the sled, the method comprising:

• locating the connector in the device for contact by the test strip;
• inserting the test strip into the fluid testing medical device to a test position defined as the test strip making electrical contact with the connector;
• slidably connecting opposed first and second legs of the sled externally to individual ones of the first and second guide rails such that the sled is positioned proximate the test strip in the test position;
• moving the arm between a first and a second position thereby engaging the sled with the test strip;
• and
• displacing the sled in an ejection direction thereby ejecting the test strip from the fluid testing medical device.

A method for receiving and ejecting a test strip by a mechanism assembly of a medical fluid testing device, the mechanism assembly including first and second guide rails in parallel alignment device creating a rail cavity between the guide rails, an actuator arm, and a sled having:

• a sled post, at least one contact leg integrally extending from the sled, and opposed first and second sets of legs, the method comprising:
• individually slidably coupling the legs of the first set to the first guide rail, and the legs of the second set to the second guide rail thereby limiting displacement of the sled to only sliding motion in either a loading direction or an opposite ejection direction;
• positioning the sled having the at least one contact leg in the rail cavity such that the test strip is in direct contact with the at least one contact leg during motion in at least the ejection direction;
• axially and rotatably connecting the actuator arm to the mechanism assembly;
• sliding the test strip into the rail cavity;
• and
• following completion of a test by the fluid testing device, rotating the actuator arm in an ejection rotational direction thereby displacing the sled in the ejection direction and ejecting the test strip from the fluid testing device.

A method for receiving and ejecting a test strip by a mechanism assembly of a medical fluid testing device, the mechanism assembly including first and second guide rails in parallel alignment device creating a rail cavity between the guide rails, an actuator arm, and a sled having:

• a sled post, at least one contact leg integrally extending from the sled, and opposed first and second sets of legs, the method comprising:
• individually slidably coupling the legs of the first set to the first guide rail, and the legs of the second set to the second guide rail thereby limiting displacement of the sled to only sliding motion in either a loading direction or an opposite ejection direction;
• positioning the sled having the at least one contact leg in the rail cavity such that the test strip is in direct contact with the at least one contact leg during motion in at least the ejection direction;
• axially and rotatably connecting the actuator arm to the mechanism assembly;
• sliding the test strip into the rail cavity;
• and
• following completion of a test by the fluid testing device, rotating the actuator arm in an ejection rotational direction thereby displacing the sled in the ejection direction and ejecting the test strip from the fluid testing device.

A test strip ejector system for receiving and ejecting a test strip of a fluid testing device, the system comprising:

• parallel first and second guide rails defining a rail cavity between the first and second guide rails;
• a sled having a sled post and opposed first and second sets of legs, each set of legs having multiple S-shaped legs;
• each of the S-shaped legs having a convex leg portion in sliding contact with an upper surface one of the first or second guide rails and an inner concave leg portion in sliding contact with an oppositely facing lower surface of the first or second guide rail to slidably couple the legs to either the first or second guide rail, thereby limiting displacement of the sled to only sliding motion in either a loading direction or an opposite ejection direction;
• and
• an actuator arm rotatably connected to a mechanism assembly, the sled post slidably disposed in an elongated slot of the actuator arm and thereby contacting the actuator arm such that rotation of the actuator arm in a loading rotational direction slides the sled in the loading direction, and subsequent opposite rotation of the actuator arm in an ejection rotational direction displaces the sled in the ejection direction to eject the test strip.

A glucose test meter having a test strip ejector system for receiving and ejecting a test strip, the test meter comprising:

• a meter body having a component board positioned therein;
• parallel first and second guide rails connected to the component board, the first and second guide rails defining a rail cavity between the guide rails;
• a sled having a sled post, first and second contact legs extending into the rail cavity, and opposed first and second legs, each of the legs connected externally to and slidably coupled with respect to one of the first or second guide rails thereby limiting displacement of the sled to only sliding motion in either a loading direction or an opposite ejection direction, a test strip when disposed in the rail cavity directly contacting the contact legs during motion in at least the ejection direction motion;
• and
• an actuator arm rotatably connected to a mechanism assembly, the sled post contacting the actuator arm such that sliding motion of the sled in the loading direction and rotation of the actuator arm in a loading rotational direction positions the sled in a test strip test position, and opposite rotation of the actuator arm in an ejection rotational direction operates to displace the sled in the ejection direction and to eject the test strip.