Patent ID: 8545755

Claim:
A sensor-dispensing instrument adapted to handle a plurality of sensors, the sensor-dispensing instrument further adapted to perform a test using one of the plurality of sensors, the sensor-dispensing instrument comprising: an outer housing having a front end and a rear end, the outer housing further having a sensor slot through which one of the sensors is disposed to conduct the test; an electronics assembly generally disposed in the outer housing, the electronic assembly adapted to perform the test and to display test results; a sensor actuator disposed generally adjacent to the sensor slot, the sensor actuator adapted to engage with a sensor disposed in the sensor slot, to connect to contacts on the sensor, and to transmit electrical signals between the sensor and the electronics assembly; and a rotational-release wheel positioned to engage the sensor in the sensor slot and to hold the sensor in contact with the sensor actuator during the test, the rotational-release wheel at least partially projecting outwardly from the outer housing, the rotational-release wheel being turnable to disengage the sensor from the sensor actuator and to remove the sensor disposed in the sensor slot.