Method and apparatus for dispensing diagnostic test strips
AssigneeBecton, Dickinson and Company
InventorJohn Lovell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for storing and dispensing a test strip includes a container configured to store a stack of test strips. The container maintains appropriate environmental conditions, such as humidity, for storing the test strips. An engaging member is disposed in the container and is adapted to contact one test strip of the stack of test strips. An actuator actuates the engaging member to dispense the one test strip from the container. Since one test strip is dispensed at a time, the remaining test strips are not handled by the user. Accordingly, the unused test strips remain free of contaminants such as naturally occurring oils on the user's hand.
Claims12
An apparatus for storing and dispensing test strips, comprising:
- a container configured to store a stack of test strips;
- a spring disposed in the container, the spring adapted to contact one test strip of the stack of test strips;
- an actuator for actuating the spring to dispense the one test strip from the container, wherein the actuator comprises a lever arm that pivots about a pivot point, a first end of the lever being exposed outside the container for direct manipulation by a user, and a second end of the lever arm being directly connected to the spring to drive the spring so that pivoting of the lever causes the spring to dispense the contacted test;
- and
- a cartridge, insertable into the container, and to which the lever arm is pivotably connected, wherein the pivot point is disposed on the cartridge.
An apparatus for storing and dispensing test strips, comprising:
- a container for storing a stack of test strips;
- a spring for contacting one test strip of the stack of test strips, the spring contacting an edge of one test strip of the stack of test strips;
- an actuator for actuating the spring to dispense the contacted test strip, wherein the actuator comprises a lever arm that pivots about a pivot point, a first end of the lever being exposed outside the container for direct manipulation by a user, and a second end of the lever arm being directly connected to the spring to drive the spring so that pivoting of the lever causes the spring to dispense the contacted test strip;
- and
- cartridge, insertable into the container, and to which the lever arm is pivotably connected, the cartridge comprising a guide track that slidably guides movement of the spring, wherein the guide track has a curved portion along which an end of the lever arm travels.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.