Patent ID: 7913838
Filing Date: 2011-03-29
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A test sensor packaging container for use in a sensor instrument, the test sensor packaging container comprising: a plurality of test sensors, each of the plurality of test sensors having a length, a width, and a thickness, the thickness of the test sensors being smaller than the width, the length and the width defining a top surface and a bottom surface; a housing having a top portion and a bottom portion that are generally parallel and a plurality of test sensor containing regions positioned therebetween, each of the plurality of test sensor containing regions having a proximal end and a distal end and containing one of the plurality of test sensors therein such that a plane generally parallel to the top surface and the bottom surface of any one of the plurality of test sensors is generally perpendicular to the top and the bottom portions of the housing, each of the test sensor containing regions protruding radially outward from the center of the housing, a plurality of open regions formed between each of the plurality of test sensor containing regions, the open regions being positioned on the housing to properly position the test sensor packaging container in response to the test sensor packaging container being in the sensor instrument; a first foil cover adapted to cover the top portion of the housing; a second foil cover adapted to cover the distal end of the plurality of test sensor containing regions and adapted to be bursted only by an edge of the plurality of test sensors; and a third foil cover adapted to cover the proximal end of the plurality of test sensor containing regions, wherein the distal end and the proximal end of the plurality of test sensor containing regions are positioned between the top and the bottom portions of the housing.