Apparatus and method for the collection of interstitial fluids
First Claim
1. A method for the collection of interstitial fluids from the body of an animal, comprising the steps of:
- forming a breach through the stratum corneum of the animal, said breach extending at least into the epidermal layer of the skin of the animal;
placing a pressure head adjacent to said breach;
exerting a positive pressure on said head in a direction generally toward the skin of the animal; and
collecting fluids from said breach.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention involves apparatus and methods for use in collecting bodily fluids, such as interstitial fluids, from the epidermal layer of an animal. A preferred apparatus includes a pressure head and, optionally, a holder therefor for supplying a positive pressure to the head. The methods include the application of a positive pressure to the area surrounding an epidermal site from which stratum corneum has been breached, such as by laser ablation, to cause bodily fluids, such as interstitial fluids, to exude from the site and collecting the fluids exuding therefrom.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method for the collection of interstitial fluids from the body of an animal, comprising the steps of:
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forming a breach through the stratum corneum of the animal, said breach extending at least into the epidermal layer of the skin of the animal;
placing a pressure head adjacent to said breach;
exerting a positive pressure on said head in a direction generally toward the skin of the animal; and
collecting fluids from said breach. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A method for the collection of interstitial fluids from the body of an animal, comprising the steps of:
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placing a pressure head against the skin of the animal;
forming a breach through the stratum corneum of the animal, said breach extending at least into the epidermal layer of the skin of the animal, said breach adjacent to said pressure head;
exerting a positive pressure on said head in a direction generally toward the skin of the animal; and
collecting fluids from said breach. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 20)
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8. An apparatus for the collection of interstitial fluids from the body of an animal, comprising:
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a pressure head having a top portion and a bottom portion, with an exterior wall and an interior wall extending therebetween;
an aperture extending through said bottom portion and in fluid communication with a reservoir;
said aperture having an area less than the area of said bottom portion. - View Dependent Claims (9)
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10. A method for the collection of interstitial fluids from the body of an animal, comprising the steps of:
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forming a breach through the stratum corneum of the animal, said breach extending at least into the epidermal layer of the skin of the animal;
exerting a positive pressure adjacent to said breach in a direction generally toward the skin of the animal; and
collecting fluids from said breach. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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13. An apparatus for the collection of interstitial fluids from the body of an animal, comprising:
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a cylinder;
a piston capable of traveling upwardly and downwardly in said cylinder, said piston having an upper surface and a pressure head, said pressure head having an aperture extending therethrough and in fluid communication with a reservoir, said aperture having an area less than the area of said pressure head;
a means for evacuating air from said cylinder, so that said piston can be forced to move downwardly by means of atmospheric pressure acting on said upper surface of said piston, whereby said piston is capable of exerting a positive pressure on a surface. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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21. An apparatus for the collection of interstitial fluids from the body of an animal, comprising:
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(a) a band that can be placed around a body part;
(b) a pressure head;
(c) a means for securing the pressure head to said band. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification