Test strip ejector for medical devices

Abstract

A test strip ejection mechanism for a fluid testing device, comprising: an operating button; and a lever having a distal end movably engaged with the button, the lever configured to rotate about a fulcrum; the lever having a proximal end movably engaged with a sled that slides to carry the test strip; the device configured such that a user can insert a test strip onto the sled and into the device in an insertion direction, causing the sled to contact a lever arm, which in turn contacts the operating button, moving the operating button toward the outside of the medical device to a position where the user can operate the operating button.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a system and method for measuring a sample such as a body fluid, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for housing a specimen test strip and then discharging it after measurement.

Background Art

[0002] Medical devices are often used as diagnostic devices and / or treatment devices in the diagnosis and / or treatment of a patient's medical condition. For example, a blood glucose meter is used as a diagnostic device for measuring the blood glucose level of a patient suffering from diabetes. The blood glucose meter uses a test strip that receives a patient's blood sample. The test strip has electrical contacts on the strip that are electrically contacted when the test strip is inserted into the meter. The meter reveals the blood glucose level by measuring the current passing through the electrical contacts of the strip and provides a reading of the glucose level.

[0003] Known meters receive the test strip in an insertion direction, whereby the electrical strip conductors of the test strip engage the electrical contacts of the meter. When the test strip is loaded by the user, the insertion operation is used to engage the electrical contacts of the test strip with the contacts of the meter. A strip ejection system can effect the ejection of the administered test strip after testing.

[0004] Some of the test strip ejection mechanisms known in the art provide a linear motion of a slide mechanism and a spring used to pull back or retract the slide mechanism. Such designs typically rely on a spring to pull the ejection button to the "ready to eject" position. Other test strip ejection mechanisms utilize a rotating cam that acts on a thread to eject the test strip.

[0005] The background art provided herein is intended to provide a general context for this disclosure. The current research of the named inventors, as described in this background art section, and any aspects of the description that may not be considered prior art at the time of filing, are not expressly or implicitly considered prior art to this disclosure. [Overview of the project]

[0006] In a first aspect of the present disclosure, a medical device for fluid testing is provided, comprising a test strip ejection mechanism having a thread for receiving and carrying a specimen test strip, the thread sliding to carry the test strip toward and toward a connector of the medical device, the strip ejection mechanism comprising an operating button and a lever having a distal end movably engaged with the button, the lever configured to rotate about a pivot point, the lever further comprising a proximal end movably engaged with the thread, the device configured such that when a user inserts a test strip onto the thread and inserts it into the device in the insertion direction, the thread contacts a lever arm, the lever arm contacts an operating button, and moves the operating button toward the outside of the medical device to a position where the operating button can be operated by the user.

[0007] In one embodiment of the first aspect, the thread of the device can be configured to move by a thread movement distance, the operation button is configured to move by an operation button distance, and the ratio of the thread movement distance to the operation button distance is 1 to 5.

[0008] In another embodiment of the first aspect, the ratio of the thread movement distance to the operation button distance is 3 to 5.

[0009] In another embodiment of the first aspect, the ratio of thread movement distance to operation button distance is 3.7 to 3.9.

[0010] In another embodiment of the first aspect, the device may include a lever lock that is pressed against the lever and frictionally engages with the lever.

[0011] In another embodiment of the first aspect, the lever lock is further configured to be pressed against the thread and to frictionally engage with the thread.

[0012] In another embodiment of the first aspect, the lever lock is further configured to be pressed against an operating button and to frictionally engage with the operating button.

[0013] In another embodiment of the first aspect, the lever lock is further configured to be pressed against an operating button and to frictionally engage with the operating button.

[0014] In another embodiment of the first aspect, the lever lock includes a tab that contacts an operating button.

[0015] In another embodiment of the first aspect, the lever lock includes a tab that contacts an operating button.

[0016] In a second aspect of the present disclosure, a medical device for fluid testing is provided, the device comprising a test strip discharge mechanism having a thread for receiving and carrying a specimen test strip, the thread sliding to carry the test strip toward and toward a connector of the medical device, the strip discharge mechanism comprising an operating button and a lever having a distal end movably engaged with the button, the lever configured to rotate about a pivot point, the lever further comprising a proximal end movably engaged with the thread, the device being configured such that when a user operates the operating button, the lever moves such that the lever rotates on the pivot point, moving the thread outward and discharging the test strip from the device.

[0017] In one embodiment of the second aspect, the thread of the device can be configured to move by a thread movement distance, the operation button is configured to move by an operation button distance, and the ratio of the thread movement distance to the operation button distance is 1 to 5.

[0018] In another embodiment of the second aspect, the ratio of the thread movement distance to the operation button distance is 3 to 5.

[0019] In another embodiment of the second aspect, the ratio of the thread movement distance to the operation button distance is 3.7 to 3.9.

[0020] In another embodiment of the second aspect, the device may include a lever lock that is pressed against the lever and frictionally engages with the lever.

[0021] In another embodiment of the second aspect, the lever lock is further configured to be pressed against the thread and to frictionally engage with the thread.

[0022] In another embodiment of the second aspect, the lever lock is further configured to be pressed against an operating button and to frictionally engage with the operating button.

[0023] In another embodiment of the second aspect, the lever lock is further configured to be pressed against an operating button and to frictionally engage with the operating button.

[0024] In another embodiment of the second aspect, the lever lock includes a tab that contacts an operating button.

[0025] In another embodiment of the second aspect, the lever lock includes a tab that contacts an operating button.

[0026] In a third aspect of the present disclosure, a method of using a medical device for fluid testing is provided, the device including a test strip ejection mechanism that includes a thread for receiving and carrying a specimen test strip, the thread configured to slide to carry the test strip to and from engagement with a connector of the medical device, the method comprising configuring the strip ejection mechanism to include an operation button and a lever having a distal end movably engaged with the button, the lever configured to rotate about a fulcrum, the lever further comprising a proximal end movably engaged with the thread, inserting the test strip onto the thread and inserting it into the device in an insertion direction to contact the thread with the lever arm, contact the lever arm with the operation button, and move the operation button in an outer direction of the medical device by the lever arm to a position where the operation button can be operated by a user at a later time.

[0027] This section presents a general overview of the present disclosure and is not an all-encompassing disclosure of the full scope of the present disclosure or all of the features of the present disclosure. Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0028] [Figure 1] A top perspective view of a fluid analysis device having a test strip ejector of the present disclosure is shown. [Figure 2] A plan view of the front end of the device, a view obtained from below the device, with the bottom cover removed for clarity, showing the circuit board assembly and test strip ejector of the analysis device of FIG. 1, and the test strip ejector button and test strip ejector assembly shown in the ejection (ready to eject the test strip) position. [Figure 3] An exploded view of a portion of the analysis devices of FIGS. 1 and 2. [Figure 4A]This is a perspective view of the test strip threads of the device. [Figure 4B] This is a perspective view of the test strip threads of the device. [Figure 5] This is a cross-sectional view of the test strip thread obtained along line 5-5 in Figure 4A. [Figure 6A] This is a perspective view of the device's discharge lever. [Figure 6B] This is a perspective view of the device's discharge lever. [Figure 7A] This is a perspective view of a lever lock in a specific embodiment that includes a lever lock. [Figure 7B] This is a perspective view of a lever lock in a specific embodiment that includes a lever lock. [Figure 8] This diagram is similar to the one in Figure 2, but it shows the test strip ejector button and ejector lever in the default / test position or neutral position, and the lever lock is not shown to make the ejector button and ejector lever clearer. [Figure 9] This diagram is similar to the one in Figure 8, but it shows the device with the test strip inserted, and the test strip ejector button and ejector lever moved to the ejection ("ready to eject") position. [Figure 10] This diagram is similar to those in Figures 8 and 9, but shows the device after the test strip has been ejected, and displays the test strip ejector button and ejector lever in the default / test position or neutral position.

[0029] The corresponding reference numerals indicate the corresponding parts through some of the drawings. The drawings described herein are intended to illustrate only a selection of embodiments, not all possible embodiments, and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0030] Next, specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described. However, the present invention can be embodied in various forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments described herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to make the present disclosure thorough and complete and to fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

[0031] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as those generally understood by those skilled in the art in the field to which embodiments of the present invention belong. Terms used herein are solely for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. Where used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural form unless the context makes it clear otherwise.

[0032] Unless otherwise indicated, any disclosure in this specification and the claims should be understood to include the scope itself, everything encompassed within that scope, and the endpoints. Unless otherwise indicated, the numerical characteristics described herein and in the claims are approximations that may vary depending on the desired characteristics to be obtained in the embodiments of the present invention.

[0033] The methods and systems described herein, as well as parts thereof, can be combined to implement embodiments of the present invention. The forms of words used herein may have variations, for example, where a word such as “calculate” is used, this means that variations such as “calculated” and “calculate” are understood and considered.

[0034] As used herein, “user,” “patient,” and “human” are used to refer to an individual who interacts with the diabetes management system disclosed herein to improve their health through the improvements described herein.

[0035] As disclosed herein, a fluid analyzer (i.e., a health monitoring device) includes a sample test strip ejector configured to discharge a sample test strip from the device's test strip port. The sample test strip ejector may be useful when it is desired to discharge a sample test strip containing, for example, a bodily fluid sample such as blood, after the measurement of the sample performed using the device. This allows the user of the device to dispose of the contaminated sample test strip without touching it.

[0036] As described herein, the test strip ejector and system of this disclosure may be used by individual users who have fluid testing equipment such as a glucose meter called the ACCU-CHEK® Guide System manufactured by Roche. The test strip ejector system of this disclosure can also be incorporated into commercially available equipment, for example, hospital instruments such as rechargeable test meters that are charged by being installed in a base unit, and / or blood glucose meters such as a glucose meter called the ACCU-CHEK® Inform System manufactured by Roche. The test strips used by such hospital and glucose testing instruments may be configured differently from the test strips discussed herein to meet the requirements of the test and / or test instrument, but the test strip ejector system of this disclosure can be configured and function similarly.

[0037] Furthermore, the test strip ejector and system of this disclosure can be incorporated into individual devices or commercially available devices, such as blood coagulation test analyzers, for example, into blood coagulation time analyzers, such as the CoaguChek® System from Roche Diagnostics. The test strips used by such blood coagulation test analyzers may be configured differently from the test strips specified herein to meet the requirements of the test and / or test analyzer, but the test strip ejector system of this disclosure is expected to be configured and function similarly.

[0038] Referring here to Figure 1, an analyzer (health monitoring device) 10 is shown. The device 10 can be used, for example, to measure blood glucose levels. In some embodiments, the device can optionally be used as a remote controller for a medical device such as an insulin pump or a continuous glucose monitor. As an example, the device 10 is further described herein in an embodiment in which the device functions as a controller for an insulin pump (not shown). In one embodiment, the device 10 can be constructed from a locked-down smartphone, such as a locked-down Android device. The device 10 includes a test strip discharge system 11 and a housing 12 having an upper cover 13 and a lower cover 15. The device 10 may include a graphical user interface 22, such as a touchscreen for calling up diabetes management menus and displaying information. The device 10 may include a button 24 for providing further functionality, for example, the button 24 can be used as an insulin button to confirm previously set insulin delivery.

[0039] The ejection button (which may also be referred to herein as the ejector button or operating button) 16 is configured to be immediately operable or pushable (i.e., in the "ready to eject" position) after the completion of testing and ejection of the test strip previously received into the housing 12 in the loading direction "A". When the ejection button 16 is pushed in, the test strip 18 is ejected in the ejection direction "B". In other words, after the analysis has been performed, the ejection button 16 is positioned to protrude from the housing of the device and can be pressed by the user to eject the test strip. Alternatively, the user may manually pull the test strip 18 in the ejection direction "B" to manually remove the test strip, but this is undesirable as it would involve the user manually handling a previously administered test strip.

[0040] The test strip 18 is slidably received through a test strip receiving port 20 provided at the first end of the analyzer 10. The test strip receiving port 20 is sized to slidably receive the test strip 18 while largely preventing twisting or rotation, such as racking rotation, caused by lateral or left-right displacement of the test strip.

[0041] Referring to Figures 2 and 3, with the bottom cover removed for clarity, the apparatus 10 may include an embedded measurement engine firmware assembly 36 and a circuit board assembly 38, respectively, used for analyzing test strip specimens and providing other functions to the apparatus. The test strip ejector button 16 and the test strip ejector assembly 30 are shown in Figure 2 in the ejection position (ready to eject the test strip).

[0042] The test strip ejector assembly 30 of the specimen device 10 includes a thread 32 snapped to a stationary test strip connector 34. The thread 32 is translationally movable and can slide back and forth on the connector 34 along the connector's guide rail 33. Referring to Figures 4A, 4B, and 5, the thread 32 has contact legs 47, 49, 51, and 53 that contact the guide rail 33 of the connector 34 and move along the guide rail 33 of the connector 34. An example of a test strip thread sliding along a guide rail is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 8,715,571, issued on May 6, 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0043] As best illustrated in Figures 2, 3, 4A, 4B, and 5, the thread 32 may include two tabs 40 that protrude into the interior of the connector 34. The tabs 40 may include metal, but other materials such as polymer materials including plastic, ceramic, etc., or ceramic materials may also be utilized. The tabs 40 may occupy a portion of the space that the strip would normally occupy when the strip is fully inserted. During insertion, the action of inserting the test strip pushes the tabs 40 (if the thread 32 has not yet been pushed inward), and therefore pushes the thread 32. The thread 32 includes a third tab 41 that is bent away from the strip connector 34. This tab 41 is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the thread 32's sliding movement relative to the connector 34 and is configured to provide a contact surface for contacting a fork-like structure 43 provided on the ejection lever 42. The third tab 41 of the thread 32 and the fork-shaped structure 43 of the discharge lever 42 allow the translational motion of the thread 32 to be transmitted to the rotational motion of the discharge lever 42 around the pivot point, and vice versa.

[0044] Referring to Figures 2, 3, 6A, and 6B, the discharge lever 42 may be made of a metal sheet, but may be made of other metals, or other materials such as polymer or ceramic materials. As described above, the discharge lever 42 has a fork 43 at one end that straddles the third tab 41 of the thread 32, and a hole or slot 57 at the other end configured to receive the pin 54 of the discharge button 16. Between these two feature parts of the discharge lever 42, the discharge lever 42 includes a round hole that receives (i.e., straddles) a fastener 56 (e.g., a round pin or screw) that connects the discharge lever 42 to the housing. This round hole that receives the round pin 56 provides the axis of rotation of the discharge lever 42 and the pivot point of the lever arm 42.

[0045] Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the ejection button 16 is guided within the housing by guide rails that allow the ejection button 16 to slide only inward and outward. Furthermore, the ejection button 16 provides the aforementioned pin 54, which is captured or accepted by the hole 57 of the ejection lever 42, providing an in-slot pin connection between these two parts.

[0046] The insertion force applied to the tab 40 of the thread 32 via the test strip 18 pushes the thread 32 inward by translational motion on the connector 34 until the strip 18 engages with the electrical contacts of the measurement engine firmware assembly 36 (see Figures 2 and 3) into which it is embedded, forming an electrical connection. This force and the movement of the thread 32 are then transmitted to the discharge lever 42 connected to the thread, causing the discharge lever 42 to rotate on a pivot point. The portion of the lever 42 opposite the pivot point is connected to the discharge button 16 via a pin on the discharge button 16, and this movement force pushes the discharge button 16 outward in a linear motion in a direction different from the strip insertion direction, to a position where the button protrudes from the housing of the device, and thus to a discharge-ready position. In one embodiment, the discharge direction (discharge direction "B" shown in Figure 1) is generally opposite to the strip insertion direction (insertion direction "A" shown in Figure 1). Optionally, the insertion of the test strip 18 into the strip connector of the device may activate the device 10 to facilitate the application of a specimen sample (e.g., blood). When the eject button 16 is in the ejection ready position, the user can press the eject button by applying force to push the eject button 16 inward to eject the test strip 18 after testing, which reverses the operation and pushes the test strip 18 out of the connector and device 10 by the tab 40 of the thread 32. When the eject button is pressed and the test strip is ejected, the button is in the default / neutral position where the button is approximately located inside the device housing 12 and optionally approximately flush with the outside surface of the housing 12.

[0047] As is evident from this disclosure, the test strip ejector assemblies disclosed herein have the advantage of not requiring the use of a spring to position the ejector assembly (e.g., the ejector operating button) in the “ready to eject” position. In other words, the ejector assembly does not rely on a spring to set it to the “cocked” position, and there is no mechanism to release such a cocked ejector to later eject the test strip from the test strip port. This is advantageous because springs can lose their shape and stability over time. Furthermore, the test strip ejector assemblies disclosed herein are also advantageous for hygienic reasons, as the user can eject the test strip simply by pressing an operating button, and therefore the user does not need to physically contact the administered test strip for ejection. Furthermore, the test strip ejector assemblies disclosed herein are also advantageous because, in the neutral / default position, the operating button is located substantially flush with the outside of the device housing rather than protruding from the housing. The absence of a protruding control button in the neutral / default position can be advantageous because it prevents unintended button presses and ensures the button does not "catch" on the user's clothing or other surfaces during everyday use. Finally, as mentioned above, the control button is configured to be in the "ready to eject" position as a result of the test strip being inserted into the device. Conveniently, the control button is positioned in the "ready to eject" position at a point close to when the user would want to press the control button to eject the administered test strip.

[0048] In certain embodiments, the device can be configured such that the distance the operating button travels is shorter than the distance the thread travels, while minimizing the protrusion of the operating button from the device when it is in a position ready for operation by the user at a later time ("ready to discharge" position), so that the operating button can move the strip out of the device by an appropriate distance in the discharge direction. Thus, in a selected embodiment, the thread 32 can be configured to move by the thread travel distance, the operating button 16 (discharge button) can be configured to move by the operating button distance, and the ratio of the thread travel distance to the operating button distance can be configured to be between 1 and 5. In another embodiment, the ratio of these distances may be between 3 and 5. In a further embodiment, the ratio of these distances may be between 3.7 and 3.9.

[0049] Referring to Figures 2, 3, 7A, and 7B, in one embodiment, there is also a (i.e., fixed) lever lock (sometimes called a friction plate or friction spring) 50 applied to the lever 42 and the discharge button 16, which prevents the mechanism from rattling in the user's hand by preventing these discharge mechanism components from moving to a position different from the position last used by the user. The lever lock 50 holds the button and thread (and lever) in the position last used by the user, preventing rattling caused by rocking and carrying. The lever lock allows the button and thread mechanism to be quiet when the user handles, rocks, or carries the device. This is achieved by using the lever lock 50 which applies sufficient force to the lever 42, button, and thread, reducing rattling noises that could otherwise be caused by freely moving parts. Rattling is typically considered to be associated with low-quality devices by the user.

[0050] The lever lock 50 typically consists of a thin metal sheet, but it is also possible to make the lever lock from other materials. The lever lock 50 is used as a lock to keep the discharge lever 42 fixed to the housing boss (the pivot point axis of the discharge lever). Referring to Figures 3 and 6B, a bump or other projection 59 can be provided on the discharge lever 42 to exert friction against the lever lock 50 during rotation, thus preventing the mechanism from loosening. The lever lock 50 exerts force on the discharge lever 42 to provide a rattle-minimizing system, i.e., noise reduction, and minimizes rattle in the discharge assembly (i.e., minimizes extra movement).

[0051] In one embodiment, the lever lock 50 may include a tab 52 that contacts and frictionally engages with the discharge button 16 of the assembly, thereby minimizing any rattle noise that might otherwise be emitted from the discharge button 16. The contact force provided by the tab 52 is sufficiently large to prevent rattle noise from being emitted from the discharge button 16.

[0052] Figure 8 is similar to the diagram in Figure 2, but it shows the test strip ejector button and ejector lever in the default / test position or neutral position, and does not show the lever lock.

[0053] Figure 9 is similar to the diagram in Figure 8, but shows the device with the test strip inserted, and displays the test strip ejector button and ejector lever moved to the ejection position.

[0054] Figure 10 is similar to the diagrams in Figures 8 and 9, but shows the apparatus after the test strip has been ejected, and shows the test strip ejector button and ejector lever in the default / test position or neutral position.

[0055] As shown in Figures 8 to 10, the ejector button mechanism, including the ejector button 16 and ejector lever 42, has two main positions. When the ejector button 16 is fully pressed, the thread 32 moves outward as far as the mechanism allows. In this position, the test strip is disconnected from the electrical connector of the device (i.e., not electrically in contact with the electrical contacts), and the strip can fall out of the device if the device is oriented so that the strip port faces downward.

[0056] When the eject button is fully pressed as shown in Figure 8 and the user inserts a test strip, the strip pushes thread 32 inward through two tabs of thread. This causes the thread to push lever 42 through a third tab of thread. The eject lever 42 rotates on its pivot point and pushes the eject button outward to the position shown in Figure 9 by pressing the eject button pin as described above.

[0057] As shown in Figures 2 and 9, when the discharge button protrudes outward from the device as illustrated, the discharge thread 32 moves inward as far as the mechanism allows. In this position, the strip 32 can be fully inserted into the device, and in this embodiment, the strip can be fully connected (typically electrically connected) to the measuring instrument. In other conceivable embodiments, other sample measuring devices based on optical detection principles or other detection means that do not require forming an electrical connection with the test strip can be utilized, and therefore the test strip only needs to be placed within a designated test position or test area.

[0058] Once the strip is inserted and the eject button is pressed inward by the user, the aforementioned in-slot pin connection transmits the movement and force of the button to the eject lever 42. The eject lever 42 then rotates on its pivot point, pushing the thread 32 outward, and thus, as previously described and as can be seen from Figure 10, pushes the test strip 18 outward through the tabs of the thread.

[0059] The apparatus disclosed herein is configured to allow the test strip to be released or ejected from the apparatus by pressing a button, without requiring the user to manually pull the end of the test strip containing the biological sample, in order to improve hygiene. Furthermore, in some embodiments, apparatus is disclosed herein that allows the ejection button and thread to be kept quiet when the user handles, shakes, or carries the apparatus. This is achieved by using a lever lock 50 to reduce the rattling noise of parts that would otherwise be free-moving parts (i.e., the ejection button 16, thread 32, and lever arm 42) and to apply sufficient force to keep these parts in the position last used by the user.

[0060] The features disclosed in the above description, claims, and drawings may be important individually or in any combination with each other for carrying out the invention in its various embodiments.

[0061] It should be noted that terms such as “preferably,” “generally,” and “typically” are not used herein to limit the scope of the claimed invention, nor are they used to suggest that any particular feature is important, essential, or significant to the structure or function of the claimed invention. Rather, these terms are simply intended to highlight alternative or additional features that may or may not be used in particular embodiments of the invention.

[0062] Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. More specifically, while several aspects of the invention are identified herein as preferred or particularly advantageous, the present invention is not necessarily limited to these preferred aspects.

Claims

1. A medical device for fluid testing, A test strip ejection mechanism comprising a thread for receiving and transporting a test strip for a specimen, wherein the thread slides to transport the test strip and move it toward and toward a connector of the medical device, the test strip ejection mechanism comprising an operating button and a lever having a distal end movably engaged with the operating button, the lever configured to rotate about a pivot point, the lever further comprising a proximal end movably engaged with the thread, the medical device configured such that when a user inserts a test strip onto the thread and inserts it into the medical device in the insertion direction, the thread contacts the arm of the lever, the arm of the lever contacts the operating button, and moves the operating button toward the outside of the medical device to a position where the user can operate the operating button.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the thread is configured to move over a thread movement distance, the operation button is configured to move over an operation button distance, and the ratio of the thread movement distance to the operation button distance is 1 to 5.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the ratio of the thread movement distance to the operation button distance is 3 to 5.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the ratio of the thread movement distance to the operation button distance is 3.7 to 3.

9.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a lever lock that is pressed against the lever and frictionally engages with the lever.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the lever lock is further configured to be pressed against the thread and to frictionally engage with the thread.

7. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the lever lock is further configured to be pressed against the operating button and to frictionally engage with the operating button.

8. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the lever lock is further configured to be pressed against and frictionally engage with the operating button.

9. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the lever lock includes a tab that contacts the operating button.

10. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the lever lock includes a tab that contacts the operating button.

11. A medical device for fluid testing, A test strip discharge mechanism comprising a thread for receiving and transporting a test strip for a specimen, wherein the thread slides to transport the test strip and move it toward and toward a connector of the medical device, the test strip discharge mechanism comprising an operating button and a lever having a distal end movably engaged with the operating button, the lever configured to rotate about a pivot point, the lever further comprising a proximal end movably engaged with the thread, the medical device configured such that when a user operates the operating button, the lever rotates on the pivot point, moving the thread outward and discharging the test strip from the medical device, the medical device configured such that when a user inserts a test strip onto the thread and inserts it into the medical device in the insertion direction, the thread comes into contact with the arm of the lever, the arm of the lever comes into contact with the operating button, and the operating button comes outward from the medical device to a position where the operating button can be operated by the user.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the thread is configured to move over a thread movement distance, the operation button is configured to move over an operation button distance, and the ratio of the thread movement distance to the operation button distance is 1 to 5.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the ratio of the thread movement distance to the operation button distance is 3 to 5.

14. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the ratio of the thread movement distance to the operation button distance is 3.7 to 3.

9.

15. The apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a lever lock that is pressed against the lever and frictionally engages with the lever.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the lever lock is further configured to be pressed against the thread and to frictionally engage with the thread.

17. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the lever lock is further configured to be pressed against the operating button and to frictionally engage with the operating button.

18. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the lever lock is further configured to be pressed against and frictionally engage with the operating button.

19. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the lever lock includes a tab that contacts the operating button.

20. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the lever lock includes a tab that contacts the operating button.

21. A method for using a medical device for fluid testing, comprising a test strip discharge mechanism having a thread for receiving and transporting a test strip for a specimen, The thread is configured to slide to carry the test strip and move it toward and away from the connector of the medical device, and the method is The test strip discharge mechanism is configured to include an operating button and a lever having a distal end movably engaged with the operating button, wherein the lever is configured to rotate about a pivot point, and the lever further comprises a proximal end movably engaged with the thread. By inserting the test strip onto the thread and inserting it into the medical device in the insertion direction, the thread is brought into contact with the arm of the lever, the arm of the lever is brought into contact with the operation button, and the arm of the lever moves the operation button outward from the medical device to a position where the operation button can be operated by the user at a later time. A method that includes this.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the test strip discharge mechanism further comprises a lever lock that is pressed against the lever and frictionally engages with the lever.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the lever lock is further configured to be pressed against the thread and to frictionally engage with the thread.

24. The method according to claim 22, wherein the lever lock is further configured to be pressed against the operating button and to frictionally engage with the operating button.

25. The method according to claim 23, wherein the lever lock is further configured to be pressed against and frictionally engage with the operating button.

26. The method according to claim 24, wherein the lever lock includes a tab that contacts the operating button.

27. The method according to claim 25, wherein the lever lock includes a tab that contacts the operating button.

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