Abstract: A disposable cartridge adapted to be used with a sensor-dispensing instrument comprises a housing, test sensors, a mechanical mechanism and moveable seals. The housing forms at least one opening therethrough. The test sensors are stacked in the housing. The test sensors are adapted to assist in testing at least one analyte. The mechanical mechanism is adapted to urge the test sensors in a first direction. One of the test sensors is positioned for ejection from the cartridge. The moveable seals is adapted to be in a closed position that seals the at least one opening so as to provide a substantially moisture-proof and a substantially air-tight cartridge, and one of the moveable seals is adapted to be in an open position that allows one of the test sensors to be moved therethrough.

Abstract: A disposable cartridge adapted to be used with a sensor-dispensing instrument comprises a housing, test sensors, a mechanical mechanism and moveable seals. The housing forms at least one opening therethrough. The test sensors are stacked in the housing. The test sensors are adapted to assist in testing at least one analyte. The mechanical mechanism is adapted to urge the test sensors in a first direction. One of the test sensors is positioned for ejection from the cartridge. The moveable seals is adapted to be in a closed position that seals the at least one opening so as to provide a substantially moisture-proof and a substantially air-tight cartridge, and one of the moveable seals is adapted to be in an open position that allows one of the test sensors to be moved therethrough.

Abstract: A disposable cartridge adapted to be used with a sensor-dispensing instrument comprises a housing, test sensors, a mechanical mechanism and moveable seals. The housing forms at least one opening therethrough. The test sensors are stacked in the housing. The test sensors are adapted to assist in testing at least one analyte. The mechanical mechanism is adapted to urge the test sensors in a first direction. One of the test sensors is positioned for ejection from the cartridge. The moveable seals is adapted to be in a closed position that seals the at least one opening so as to provide a substantially moisture-proof and a substantially air-tight cartridge, and one of the moveable seals is adapted to be in an open position that allows one of the test sensors to be moved therethrough.

Abstract: A lancing device formed from a main body and a cap. The main body is configured from a lower housing, an upper housing extending over a portion of the lower housing, and an actuator operatively engaged to the upper and lower housings with the actuator extending along the portion of the lower housing not covered by the upper housing. The upper housing further includes an actuator button, wherein a lancet may be placed within the body such that movement of the actuator from a first position to a second position away from said endcap cocks the lancet for firing, which is achieved by depressing the actuator button. Conveniently, the lancing device is configured for tactile recognition in the palm of a human hand and may preferably be operated one handed and without visual observation.

Abstract: A disposable cartridge adapted to be used with a sensor-dispensing instrument comprises a housing, test sensors, a mechanical mechanism and moveable seals. The housing forms at least one opening therethrough. The test sensors are stacked in the housing. The test sensors are adapted to assist in testing at least one analyte. The mechanical mechanism is adapted to urge the test sensors in a first direction. One of the test sensors is positioned for ejection from the cartridge. The moveable seals is adapted to be in a closed position that seals the at least one opening so as to provide a substantially moisture-proof and a substantially air-tight cartridge, and one of the moveable seals is adapted to be in an open position that allows one of the test sensors to be moved therethrough.

Abstract: A disposable cartridge adapted to be used with a sensor-dispensing instrument comprises a housing, test sensors, a mechanical mechanism and moveable seals. The housing forms at least one opening therethrough. The test sensors are stacked in the housing. The test sensors are adapted to assist in testing at least one analyte. The mechanical mechanism is adapted to urge the test sensors in a first direction. One of the test sensors is positioned for ejection from the cartridge. The moveable seals is adapted to be in a closed position that seals the at least one opening so as to provide a substantially moisture-proof and a substantially air-tight cartridge, and one of the moveable seals is adapted to be in an open position that allows one of the test sensors to be moved therethrough.

Abstract: A disposable cartridge adapted to be used with a sensor-dispensing instrument comprises a housing, test sensors, a mechanical mechanism and moveable seals. The housing forms at least one opening therethrough. The test sensors are stacked in the housing. The test sensors are adapted to assist in testing at least one analyte. The mechanical mechanism is adapted to urge the test sensors in a first direction. One of the test sensors is positioned for ejection from the cartridge. The moveable seals is adapted to be in a closed position that seals the at least one opening so as to provide a substantially moisture-proof and a substantially air-tight cartridge, and one of the moveable seals is adapted to be in an open position that allows one of the test sensors to be moved therethrough.

Abstract: A disposable cartridge adapted to be used with a sensor-dispensing instrument comprises a housing, test sensors, a mechanical mechanism and moveable seals. The housing forms at least one opening therethrough. The test sensors are stacked in the housing. The test sensors are adapted to assist in testing at least one analyte. The mechanical mechanism is adapted to urge the test sensors in a first direction. One of the test sensors is positioned for ejection from the cartridge. The moveable seals is adapted to be in a closed position that seals the at least one opening so as to provide a substantially moisture-proof and a substantially air-tight cartridge, and one of the moveable seals is adapted to be in an open position that allows one of the test sensors to be moved therethrough.

Abstract: A lancing device comprises a main housing, a movable housing and a pushbutton. The main housing encloses a portion of a lancing mechanism. The lancing mechanism includes a lancet holder attached to a shaft. The lancet holder receives a lancet and has a slot formed therein. The lancing mechanism moves between a rest position, a cocked position, and a puncture position. The movable housing is adjacent to the main housing. The movable housing moves from a rest position to a cocking position and a lancet-release position. The pushbutton allows the lancing mechanism to move from the cocked position to the puncture position upon depression of the pushbutton. The pushbutton includes a lancet-release tab that extends into the slot formed in the lancet holder and engages the lancet. The lancet is released from the lancet holder in response to the continued depression of the pushbutton and the movable housing is moved from the rest position to the lancet-release position.

Abstract: A disposable cartridge adapted to be used with a sensor-dispensing instrument comprises a housing, test sensors, a mechanical mechanism and moveable seals. The housing forms at least one opening therethrough. The test sensors are stacked in the housing. The test sensors are adapted to assist in testing at least one analyte. The mechanical mechanism is adapted to urge the test sensors in a first direction. One of the test sensors is positioned for ejection from the cartridge. The moveable seals is adapted to be in a closed position that seals the at least one opening so as to provide a substantially moisture-proof and a substantially air-tight cartridge, and one of the moveable seals is adapted to be in an open position that allows one of the test sensors to be moved therethrough.

Abstract: A disposable cartridge adapted to be used with a sensor-dispensing instrument comprises a housing, test sensors, a mechanical mechanism and moveable seals. The housing forms at least one opening therethrough. The test sensors are stacked in the housing. The test sensors are adapted to assist in testing at least one analyte. The mechanical mechanism is adapted to urge the test sensors in a first direction. One of the test sensors is positioned for ejection from the cartridge. The moveable seals is adapted to be in a closed position that seals the at least one opening so as to provide a substantially moisture-proof and a substantially air-tight cartridge, and one of the moveable seals is adapted to be in an open position that allows one of the test sensors to be moved therethrough.

Abstract: A lancing device formed from a main body and a cap. The main body is configured from a lower housing, an upper housing extending over a portion of the lower housing, and an actuator operatively engaged to the upper and lower housings with the actuator extending along the portion of the lower housing not covered by the upper housing. The upper housing further includes an actuator button, wherein a lancet may be placed within the body such that movement of the actuator from a first position to a second position away from said endcap cocks the lancet for firing, which is achieved by depressing the actuator button. Conveniently, the lancing device is configured for tactile recognition in the palm of a human hand and may preferably be operated one handed and without visual observation.

Abstract: A test device adapted to test a concentration of an analyte in a fluid has a pickup area having a first volume for receiving the fluid. In fluid communication with the pickup area is a read area having a second volume, which is less than the first volume. Since the second volume is less than the first volume, fluid from the pickup area will flow into the read area only after the pickup area is full. The read area also contains a reagent that is adapted to indicate the concentration of the analyte in the fluid.

Abstract: A lancing device comprises a main housing, a movable housing and a pushbutton. The main housing encloses a portion of a lancing mechanism. The lancing mechanism includes a lancet holder attached to a shaft. The lancet holder receives a lancet and has a slot formed therein. The lancing mechanism moves between a rest position, a cocked position, and a puncture position. The movable housing is adjacent to the main housing. The movable housing moves from a rest position to a cocking position and a lancet-release position. The pushbutton allows the lancing mechanism to move from the cocked position to the puncture position upon depression of the pushbutton. The pushbutton includes a lancet-release tab that extends into the slot formed in the lancet holder and engages the lancet. The lancet is released from the lancet holder in response to the continued depression of the pushbutton and the movable housing is moved from the rest position to the lancet-release position.

Abstract: A multi-contact sensor connector for use with an instrument adapted to handle a sensor pack containing sensors. The sensors have a plurality of electrical contacts. The connector comprises a test sensor support frame, a printed circuit board connector surface, a plurality of contacts, and a contact holder. The support frame forms an opening therethrough to allow a test sensor to pass through. The support frame has an inclined surface region adapted to guide a test sensor into the opening and a generally horizontal surface region adapted to support the test sensor in the opening. The contacts interact with the electrical contacts. The contacts are positioned to secure the test sensor between the contacts and the horizontal surface region. The contacts are compressed by the support frame and are fixed relative to the printed circuit board connector surface. The contact holder is adapted to retain the contacts and to electrically isolate the respective contacts from one another.

Abstract: A disposable cartridge adapted to be used with a sensor-dispensing instrument comprises a housing, test sensors, a mechanical mechanism and moveable seals. The housing forms at least one opening therethrough. The test sensors are stacked in the housing. The test sensors are adapted to assist in testing at least one analyte. The mechanical mechanism is adapted to urge the test sensors in a first direction. One of the test sensors is positioned for ejection from the cartridge. The moveable seals is adapted to be in a closed position that seals the at least one opening so as to provide a substantially moisture-proof and a substantially air-tight cartridge, and one of the moveable seals is adapted to be in an open position that allows one of the test sensors to be moved therethrough.

Abstract: A lancing device (10) is disclosed that includes a main housing (12) having an internal surface enclosing a portion of a lancing mechanism. The lancing mechanism includes a lancet holder (36) attached to a shaft (38) and a drive spring (42) surrounding a portion of the shaft (38). The lancing device (10) also includes a movable housing (14) adjacent the main housing (12). The moveable housing (14) has an internal surface enclosing a portion of the shaft (38) of the lancing mechanism. The enclosed portion of the shaft (38) has a retainer (40) and a secondary spring (46) surrounding at least a section of the shaft (38). The secondary spring (46) is adapted to move the movable housing (14) from a cocking position to a resting position. The secondary spring (46) is further adapted to move the lancing mechanism from a puncture position to a resting position.

Abstract: An auto-calibration label for use with one or more sensing instruments. The label includes first and second encoded calibration information. The second encoded calibration information may correspond to a different instrument than the first encoded calibration information. The second encoded information may also be used to provide additional calibration information for use with the first instrument. The label may be removably attached to a sensor package including a plurality of sensors. A first conductive ink pattern is disposed on the label to define the first encoded calibration information. The first conductive ink pattern is disposed contemporaneously with or without a portion of a second conductive ink pattern defining the second encoded calibration information. An insulating layer is disposed on the first pattern. The second ink pattern is disposed on the insulating layer. The first pattern is operable with the first instrument, not the second instrument.

Abstract: An auto-calibration label for use with one or more sensing instruments. The label comprising first encoded calibration information and second encoded calibration information. The second encoded calibration information may correspond to a different instrument than the first encoded calibration information. The second encoded information may also be used to provide additional calibration information for use with the first instrument. The label may be removably attached to a sensor package comprising a plurality of sensors. A first conductive ink pattern is disposed on the label to define the first encoded calibration information. The first conductive ink pattern is disposed contemporaneously with or without a portion of a second conductive ink pattern defining the second encoded calibration information. An insulating layer is disposed on the first pattern. And the second ink pattern is disposed on the insulating layer. The first pattern is operable with the first instrument, not the second instrument.