Body fluid testing device

A test cassette for housing test media tape for sampling body fluid, comprising:

• a housing including a supply portion in which an uncontaminated section of the test media tape is enclosed,
• said test media tape comprising a tape and test media portions,
• wherein a free tape portion without test medium is located between successive test media portions,
• further comprising a waste storage portion for receiving test media tape that is contaminated with past samples of the body fluid,
• said housing further having an opening for withdrawing test media tape from the housing,
• said test cassette further having a sealing means for closing said opening, wherein a free tape portion of said test media tape is located between a surface and the sealing means when said sealing means closes said opening, and
• wherein said sealing means can assume an open-position for withdrawing test media tape from the supply portion, and
• wherein the distance between two successive test media portions is such that a succeeding test medium is located within the supply portion when the preceding test medium is within the waste storage portion.

A method of providing a test medium for the testing of body fluid comprising the steps of:

• providing a supply container in which uncontaminated test media tape is contained, said test media tape comprising a tape and test media portions, wherein a free tape portion without test medium is located between successive test media portions, said container including a supply portion in which an uncontaminated section of the test media tape is enclosed, said container further comprising a waste storage portion for receiving test media tape that is contaminated with past samples of the body fluid, and wherein the distance between two successive test media portions is such that a succeeding test medium is located within the supply portion when the preceding test medium is within the waste storage portion,
• said container further having an opening for withdrawing test media tape from the container,
• providing a sealing means which closes said opening against the surrounding, wherein a tape portion without test medium is located between a surface and the sealing means when said sealing means closes said opening,
• moving the sealing means from a first closed position into a second open position to open said opening of the container,
• removing a portion of test media tape from the container to expose an unused test medium, and
• moving the sealing means from said second open position to said first closed position to close said opening of the container.