Patent ID: 8142733

Claim:
A sensor-dispensing device adapted to determine an analyte concentration of a fluid, the device comprising: a cartridge assembly including an outer cartridge and an inner cartridge, the inner cartridge containing a plurality of sensors arranged in a stack therein, the outer cartridge including a holding mechanism configured to engage at least one of the sensors to hold the at least one of the sensors in place during movement of the inner cartridge with respect to the outer cartridge; and a gripping mechanism external to the cartridge assembly and moveable between a first position and a second position, the gripping mechanism including an engaging end with a slot configured to engage and grip the at least one of the sensors such that a portion of the at least one of the sensors is inside the slot in response to the gripping mechanism being in the second position, the engaging end of the gripping mechanism being configured to cause the inner cartridge to move with respect to the outer cartridge in response to the gripping mechanism being moved toward the second position, the gripping mechanism being configured to extend into an opening in the outer cartridge and to pull the at least one of the sensors from the stack through the opening in the outer cartridge, the opening being of sufficient dimensions to permit the at least one of the sensors and the gripping mechanism to pass therethrough.