Sensor-dispensing instruments

A sensor-dispensing instrument adapted to determine a glucose concentration of a fluid sample, the instrument comprising:

• a body;
• a lancing device including a lancet, the lancing device being coupled to the body;
• a cap having an open position and a closed position, the cap and the body being adapted to correspond with each other to form the closed position of the sensor-dispensing instrument;
• a detection mechanism configured to determine if the cap is not in the closed position, in response to the cap not being in the closed position, the detection mechanism being configured to alert a user of the sensor-dispensing instrument that the cap is not in the closed position;
• a cartridge containing a plurality of optical test sensors, the cartridge including a housing configured to inhibit moisture from entering an interior of the cartridge, the housing of the cartridge being separate and distinct from the body of the sensor-dispensing instrument;
• an optical measurement area;
• and
• a sensor-advancement mechanism operatively configured to automatically advance the plurality of optical test sensors, one at a time, to the optical measurement area in response to a button of the sensor-dispensing instrument being depressed.

A sensor-dispensing instrument adapted to determine a glucose concentration of a fluid sample, the instrument comprising:

• a body;
• a lancing device including a lancet, the lancing device being coupled to the body;
• a calibration read mechanism configured to assist in calibrating the sensor-dispensing instrument;
• a display configured to at least display results of the glucose concentration of the fluid sample;
• a cap having an open position and a closed position, the cap and the body being adapted to correspond with each other to form the closed position of the sensor-dispensing instrument;
• a detection mechanism configured to determine if the cap is not in the closed position, in response to the cap not being in the closed position, the detection mechanism being configured to alert a user of the sensor-dispensing instrument that the cap is not in the closed position;
• a cartridge containing a plurality of optical test sensors, the cartridge including a housing configured to inhibit moisture from entering an interior of the cartridge, the housing of the cartridge being separate and distinct from the body of the sensor-dispensing instrument, the cartridge including desiccant material;
• an optical measurement area;
• and
• a sensor-advancement mechanism operatively configured to automatically advance the plurality of optical test sensors, one at a time, to the optical measurement area in response to a button of the sensor-dispensing instrument being depressed.