Analyte concentration determination meters and methods of using the same

Abstract

Devices and methods for determining the concentration of an analyte in a physiological sample are provided. The subject devices are meters characterized by having an internal structure that includes a test strip selecting element having a continuously reduced cross-sectional area configured to select a single test strip at a time and means for determining the concentration of an analyte in a physiological sample applied to the selected test strip. In the subject methods for containing at least one test strip and dispensing a single test strip at a time, a meter having at least one test strip contained therein is provided. The meter is positioned with respect to the ground to cause the single test strip to move from a contained position to a dispensed position. The subject invention also includes kits for use in practicing the subject methods.

1 - 37 . (canceled)  
     
     
         38 . A device for determining the concentration of an analyte in a physiological sample, said device comprising: 
 a housing comprising:    means for determining the concentration of an analyte in a physiological sample applied to a test strip;    a test strip area for receiving a plurality of test strips, and    a test strip dispensing outlet configured to accommodate a single test strip at a time and in communication with said test strip area;    wherein said device is configured to move a test strip from said test strip area to said test strip dispensing outlet by passive activation.    
     
     
         39 . The device of  claim 38 , wherein said passive activation comprises rotation of said device.  
     
     
         40 . The device of  claim 39 , wherein said rotation comprises placing said device in a substantially upside down position.  
     
     
         41 . The device of  claim 41 , wherein said substantially upside down position comprises an angle that ranges from about −20° to about +20° relative to the central axis of said device when said central axis of said device is positioned perpendicular to the ground and the top side of said device is closer to said ground than the bottom side of said device is positioned with respect to said ground.  
     
     
         42 . The device of  claim 38 , further comprising at least one test strip in said test strip area.  
     
     
         43 . The device of  claim 42 , wherein said at least one test strip is an electrochemical test strip.  
     
     
         44 . The device of  claim 42 , wherein said at least one test strip is a colorimetric test strip.  
     
     
         45 . The device of  claim 38 , wherein said device is configured to be receive a test strip container.  
     
     
         46 . The device of  claim 45 , wherein said device is configured to receive said test strip container at least partially within said housing.  
     
     
         47 . The device of  claim 45 , wherein said device is configured to couple said test strip container to a wall of said housing.  
     
     
         48 . The device of  claim 38 , wherein said device is configured to securely hold a test strip in said test strip dispensing outlet.  
     
     
         49 . A method for dispensing a single test strip at a time from a device for determining the concentration of an analyte in a physiological sample, said method comprising: 
 positioning at least one test strip in a test strip receiving area of a device according to  claim 38;  and    passively activating said device to move a test strip from said test strip area to said test strip dispensing outlet, whereby said test strip is positioned in a dispensing position and a single test strip is dispensed from said device at a time.    
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein said passive activation comprises rotating said device.  
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein said rotating comprises placing said device in a substantially upside down position.  
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein said substantially upside down position comprises an angle that ranges from about −20° to about +20° relative to the central axis of said device when said central axis of said device is positioned perpendicular to the ground and the top side of said device is closer to said ground than the bottom side of said device is positioned with respect to said ground.  
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein said at least one test strip is an electrochemical test strip.  
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein said at least one test strip is a colorimetric test strip.  
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein said at least one test strip is contained in a container and said method comprises coupling said container to said device.  
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 49 , further comprising limiting the movement of said test strip so that a portion of said test strip extends beyond the exterior of said device and a portion remains inside said device when said test strip is in said dispensed position.  
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 49 , further comprising securing said test strip in said dispensed position.  
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 49 , further comprising applying physiological sample to said dispensed test strip.  
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 49 , further comprising determining the concentration of an analyte in said physiological sample.  
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 59 , wherein said analyte is glucose.  
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 59 , wherein said analyte concentration determination is accomplished optically.  
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 59 , wherein said analyte concentration determination is accomplished or electrochemically