Method of preventing short sampling of a capillary or wicking fill device
First Claim
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1. A method for ensuring that a sensing device is substantially filled with a sample of fluid comprising:
- providing a device for sampling a fluid, comprising a pre-chamber having an interior surface and a first volume, the pre-chamber being capable of exerting a first capillary force, the device further comprising a sensing chamber in fluid communication with the pre-chamber, the sensing chamber having an interior surface and a second volume, the sensing chamber being capable of exerting a second capillary force, wherein the first volume is not less than the second volume, and wherein a differential exists between the capillary forces, the differential being sufficient to cause flow of fluid from the pre-chamber to substantially fill the sensing chamber;
contacting the device with the fluid for a sufficient period of time to allow the fluid to enter the pre-chamber in a volume equal to or greater than the second volume; and
allowing the sample to flow from the pre-chamber to the sensing chamber, such that the sensing chamber is substantially filled.
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Abstract
The current invention provides a device, and a method for using the device, for ensuring that a capillary or wicking fill device is fully filled. In particular this invention is directed to, but not limited to, use with capillary or wicking action filled electrochemical sensors suitable for use in analyzing blood or interstitial fluids.
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Citations
47 Claims
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1. A method for ensuring that a sensing device is substantially filled with a sample of fluid comprising:
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providing a device for sampling a fluid, comprising a pre-chamber having an interior surface and a first volume, the pre-chamber being capable of exerting a first capillary force, the device further comprising a sensing chamber in fluid communication with the pre-chamber, the sensing chamber having an interior surface and a second volume, the sensing chamber being capable of exerting a second capillary force, wherein the first volume is not less than the second volume, and wherein a differential exists between the capillary forces, the differential being sufficient to cause flow of fluid from the pre-chamber to substantially fill the sensing chamber;
contacting the device with the fluid for a sufficient period of time to allow the fluid to enter the pre-chamber in a volume equal to or greater than the second volume; and
allowing the sample to flow from the pre-chamber to the sensing chamber, such that the sensing chamber is substantially filled. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47)
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Specification