Sensor release mechanism for a meter

A method of removing a test sensor from a sensor slot in a sensor-dispensing instrument, the method comprising:

• providing a sensor-dispensing instrument including an outer housing, a sensor release, and a sensor-release mechanism, the outer housing having a sensor slot through which the test sensor is disposed to conduct the test, the sensor-release mechanism including a sensor-release aid arm, a mounting block, and a pivot pin connecting the sensor-release aid arm to the mounting block;
• activating the sensor-release;
• in response to the activating, contacting the sensor-release aid arm with at least one portion of the sensor release;
• in response to the contacting, causing the sensor-release aid arm to rotate about the pivot in and to engage the test sensor disposed in the sensor slot;
• and
• causing the sensor to be removed from the sensor slot.

A sensor-dispensing instrument for dispensing a plurality of sensors, the sensor-dispensing instrument comprising:

• an outer housing having a sensor slot through which one of the sensors is disposed to conduct a test;
• an electronics assembly generally disposed in the outer housing, the electronic assembly being configured to perform the test;
• a sensor actuator disposed adjacent to the sensor slot in the outer housing, the sensor actuator being configured to engage with the sensor disposed in the sensor slot;
• a sensor-release mechanism having a sensor-release aid arm, a mounting block, and a pivot pin connecting the sensor-release aid arm to the mounting block;
• and
• a sensor release including at least one portion configured to engage the sensor-release aid arm to cause the sensor-release aid arm to rotate about the pivot in and to contact the sensor disposed in the sensor slot thereby causing the sensor to be removed from the sensor slot.