Method and apparatus for sampling bodily fluid
First Claim
1. A method of expressing bodily fluid from an incision in the skin, the method comprising:
- disposing a testing device against the skin at a bodily fluid sampling location, the testing device including a distal end portion forming a seal with the skin, a vacuum source communicating with the distal end portion of the testing device, and a lancing device;
activating the vacuum source and creating a vacuum in the distal end portion of the testing device adjacent to the sampling location;
deactivating the vacuum source after said activating, and releasing the vacuum in the distal end portion of the testing device adjacent to the sampling location;
forming an incision in the skin with the lancing device, wherein said forming occurs after said activating and after said deactivating; and
reactivating the vacuum source after said forming an incision and creating a vacuum in the distal end portion of the testing device adjacent to the sampling location.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Bodily fluid is sampled by causing a lancet mounted in a housing to be displaced toward a skin surface. A vacuum mechanism disposed on the housing is utilized to create a suction in the area to be incised causing bodily fluid to pool. The vacuum mechanism may then be deactivated thereby releasing the vacuum force on the skin, or repeatedly activated and deactivated. After the vacuum device has been utilized, the lancet is advanced to form an incision. The vacuum device may be activated, activated and deactivated, or repeatedly activated and deactivated after forming the incision. The sample may be withdrawn from the incision through a capillary tube.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of expressing bodily fluid from an incision in the skin, the method comprising:
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disposing a testing device against the skin at a bodily fluid sampling location, the testing device including a distal end portion forming a seal with the skin, a vacuum source communicating with the distal end portion of the testing device, and a lancing device;
activating the vacuum source and creating a vacuum in the distal end portion of the testing device adjacent to the sampling location;
deactivating the vacuum source after said activating, and releasing the vacuum in the distal end portion of the testing device adjacent to the sampling location;
forming an incision in the skin with the lancing device, wherein said forming occurs after said activating and after said deactivating; and
reactivating the vacuum source after said forming an incision and creating a vacuum in the distal end portion of the testing device adjacent to the sampling location.
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2. A method of expressing bodily fluid from an incision in the skin, the method comprising:
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disposing a testing device against the skin at a bodily fluid sampling location, the testing device including a distal end portion forming a seal with the skin and a vacuum source communicating with the distal end portion of the testing device;
activating the vacuum source;
creating a vacuum in the distal end portion of the testing device and between the testing device and the bodily fluid sampling location, said creating by said activating;
forming an incision in the skin with a lancing device attached to said testing device, wherein said forming occurs after said activating; and
deactivating the vacuum source after said activating. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of obtaining a sample of capillary whole blood from a target tissue, comprising:
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providing a penetrating system that includes a tissue stabilizing member;
applying skin stimulation to a skin surface site with the tissue stabilizing member;
introducing a penetrating member through the skin surface site to form an incision; and
collecting blood from the incision in the penetrating system. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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Specification