Sensor dispensing device

A sensor dispensing device for dispensing sensors for testing of analyte concentration in a fluid to be applied thereto, the device comprising:

• a cartridge having an outer casing and a plurality of sensors arranged one upon another in a stack therein;
• a pushing member;
• the cartridge having a first dispensing end and a second opposing end spaced a fixed distance apart, and the cartridge including a first aperture for the ejection of a sensor adjacent to the first end and a second aperture opposed to the first aperture, for access by a pushing member;
• wherein the first aperture and the second aperture each have disposed within them a tubular sealing member which is a close fit therefor, said tubular sealing member extends outside the outer casing, the tubular sealing members being capable of releasably forming a substantially moisture-tight seal when acted upon by suitable external clamping forces;
• the device further comprising:
• a housing for receiving the cartridge;
• for each of the said tubular sealing members, a pair of clamping members for releasably clamping the sealing means to form a substantially moisture-tight seal;
• said pushing member
• reversibly inserting through the second aperture when the tubular sealing members are not clamped, for pushing the sensor closest to the first end through the first aperture to a dispensed position.

A device for measuring analyte concentration in a fluid, comprising:

• a cartridge having an outer casing and a plurality of biosensors arranged one upon another in a stack therein, each biosensor having reagent means thereon for producing an electrical signal in response to the concentration of analyte in an applied fluid, and electrode tracks in contact with the reagent means;
• a pushing member;
• the cartridge having a first dispensing end and a second opposing end spaced a fixed distance apart, and the cartridge including a first aperture for the ejection of a sensor closest to the first end and a second aperture opposed to the first aperture, for access by said pushing member;
• wherein the first aperture and the second aperture are each provided with compliant sealing means which are carried by the cartridge, said compliant sealing means are at least partly disposed outside the outer casing, the sealing means having first and second sealing surfaces which are capable of co-operating to releasably form a substantially moisture-tight seal when acted upon by suitable external clamping forces;
• the device further comprising:
• a housing for receiving the cartridge;
• for each of the said compliant sealing means, a pair of clamping members for releasably clamping the sealing means to form a substantially moisture-tight seal;
• said pushing member reversibly inserting through the second aperture when the sealing means are not clamped, for pushing the sensor closest to the first end through the first aperture to a dispensed position;
• and
• electrical contacts mounted in relation to the housing for engaging with the said electrode tracks at the said dispensed position, and a meter connected to the contacts having electronics means for producing a signal output which is dependent on the signal from a sensor when the sensor is engaged with the contacts.

A cartridge comprising a casing and a plurality of sensors arranged one upon another in a stack therein, each sensor being for testing of analyte concentration in a fluid;

• a pushing member;
• the casing having a first dispensing end and a second opposing end and including a first aperture for the ejection of a sensor adjacent to the first end and a second aperture opposed to the first aperture, for access by a pushing member;
• tubular sealing members close fittingly disposed within each of the first and second apertures, each of the sealing members extends outside the casing, the tubular sealing members being capable of releasably forming a substantially moisture-tight seal when acted upon by suitable external clamping forces;
• the cartridge further including at least one spring which urges the stack of sensors towards the dispensing end.