Methods, systems, and devices relating to open microfluidic channels

• US 10,492,716 B2
• Filed: 04/12/2018
• Issued: 12/03/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tasso, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Tasso, Inc.
• Inventors: Berthier, Erwin, Casavant, Ben, Moga, Ben
• Primary Examiner(s): Sines, Brian J.
• Application Number:
  US15/951,854
• Publication Number:
  US 20180228418A1
• Time in Patent Office: 600 Days
• Field of Search: 422502, 422503, 422504, 422507, 422 681, 436 43, 436 63, 436 66
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1477 non-invasive
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150022 for capillary blood or interstitial fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150099 by negative pressure, other than vacuum extraction into a syringe by pulling on the piston rod or into pre-evacuated tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150221 Valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150412 Pointed piercing elements, e.g. needles, lancets for piercing the skin blade-like piercing elements A61B5/150442
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/15087 short range, e.g. between console and disposable using implanted devices A61B5/150877
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150984 Microneedles or microblades
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/15105 Purely manual piercing, i.e. the user pierces the skin without the assistance of any driving means or driving devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/15117 comprising biased elements, resilient elements or a spring, e.g. a helical spring, leaf spring, or elastic strap
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/15146 Devices loaded with multiple lancets simultaneously, e.g. for serial firing without reloading, for example by use of stocking means. multiple simultaneous cutting or piercing A61B5/150977
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/157 Devices characterised by integrated means for measuring characteristics of blood

Abstract

Various collection devices, systems and methods relating to the use of devices with open microfluidic channels disposed within a housing defining a lumen. These devices make use of microneedles passed through apertures to induce fluid flow into microfluidic channel networks for collection and analysis. The device can be actuated via button when placed on the skin of a patient to collect a fluid sample, such as a blood draw.

Claims

1. A fluid collection device for use on the skin of a subject, the fluid collection device comprising:

a housing defining a lumen, wherein the housing includes a base having

a distal surface configured to be positioned adjacent to the skin of the subject;

an aperture extending through the base and configured to receive fluid from the subject therethrough; and

a microfluidic channel positioned to be in fluid communication with the aperture, wherein the microfluidic channel is sized and shaped to receive and direct the fluid upward and away from the aperture via spontaneous capillary flow,

wherein the microfluidic channel includes a base surface and an elongate opening over the base surface, and wherein the elongate opening is open to the lumen of the housing, and further wherein at least a portion of the base surface slopes upward at an acute angle relative to the distal surface.

2. The fluid collection device of claim 1, further comprising an actuator movably positioned at least partially within the lumen of the housing.

3. The fluid collection device of claim 2, further comprising a lancet operably coupled to the actuator, wherein the actuator is movable to urge the lancet through the aperture.

4. The fluid collection device of claim 1 wherein the microfluidic channel has a U-shaped cross-section.

5. The fluid collection device of claim 1 wherein the aperture extends along an axis, and wherein a portion of the microfluid channel adjacent to the aperture extends perpendicular to the axis.