Method and apparatus for electrical stimulation to enhance lancing device performance
First Claim
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1. Apparatus for obtaining a sample of bodily fluid through the skin, said apparatus comprising:
- a housing, a plurality of electrodes on said housing and positioned to contact a site on the skin, an electrical signal generator for applying electrical energy to said electrodes, said electrical signal generator supplying electrical energy in sufficient quantity to stimulate the skin at said site to accomplish at least one of pain masking and bodily fluid engorgement at said site, and a skin-lancing device mounted in said housing for directing a skin-lancing medium against the skin at said site to form an incision therein subsequent to the application of said electrical energy.
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Abstract
A lancing device where electrical stimulation is applied to a skin sampling site prior to making an incision to achieve at least one of pain masking and bodily fluid engorgement at the site. The electrical stimulation is supplied by a low current high voltage AC signal generator in sufficient quantities to produce vasodialation and/or pain masking.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. Apparatus for obtaining a sample of bodily fluid through the skin, said apparatus comprising:
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a housing, a plurality of electrodes on said housing and positioned to contact a site on the skin, an electrical signal generator for applying electrical energy to said electrodes, said electrical signal generator supplying electrical energy in sufficient quantity to stimulate the skin at said site to accomplish at least one of pain masking and bodily fluid engorgement at said site, and a skin-lancing device mounted in said housing for directing a skin-lancing medium against the skin at said site to form an incision therein subsequent to the application of said electrical energy. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for obtaining a sample of bodily fluid through the skin, said method comprising:
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applying electrical energy to a sampling site on said skin of sufficient quantity to stimulate the skin at said site to accomplish at least one of pain masking and bodily fluid engorgement at said site, and subsequently making an incision at said site to remove a sample of bodily fluid. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification