Test sensor cartridges and sensor-dispensing instruments

1. A cartridge comprising:

a housing forming at least one opening therethrough;

a plurality of test sensors being stacked in the housing, the plurality of test sensors being adapted to assist in testing at least one analyte, the plurality of test sensors including at least one sensor electrical contact;

a mechanical mechanism adapted to urge the plurality of test sensors in a first direction, one of the plurality of test sensors being positioned for extraction from the cartridge; and

a lid being moveable between a closed position and an open position such that the lid seals the at least one opening in the closed position, the lid including at least one lid electrical contact, wherein during the movement of the lid from the closed position to the open position, the at least one lid electrical contact contacts the at least one sensor electrical contact of one of the plurality of test sensors,

wherein during movement of the lid from the open position to the closed position, the lid extracts one of the plurality of test sensors at least partially through the at least one opening.

2. The cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the lid includes a plurality of lid electrical contacts and each of the plurality of test sensors includes a plurality of sensor electrical contacts.

3. The cartridge of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of retainer tabs to assist in sealing the cartridge.

4. The cartridge of claim 1 , further including desiccant.

5. The cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the mechanical mechanism is a spring.

6. The cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the at least one opening of the housing is exactly one opening.

7. The cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the analyte is glucose.