A cartridge system comprising a carrier reel, distal and proximal take-up reels, a main guide post adapted to engage the main guide support, a first strip guide post, a second strip guide post, and a packaging strip. The packaging strip comprises first and second strip portions detachably secured to define a plurality of item chambers. At least one item is enclosed within each of the item chambers. The carrier reel is adapted to store the packaging strip. The distal take-up reel is operatively connected to the first strip portion. The proximal take-up reel is operatively connected to the second strip portion. Rotation of the distal and proximal take-up reels unwinds the packaging strip from the carrier reel such that the first strip portion is wound onto the distal take-up reel, and the second strip portion is wound onto the proximal take-up reel.