Device for obtaining bodily fluids for analysis
First Claim
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1. A device for obtaining bodily fluids for analysis, comprising:
- a lancing element configured for insertion into a body;
a movement converter coupled to the lancing element to control movement of the lancing element;
a drive coupled to the lancing element and the movement converter to advance and withdraw the lancing element, the drive comprising,an electrical source coupled to the drive to selectively apply electrical energy to the drive,at least one actuator coupled to the electrical source, the actuator changes shape upon the application of electrical energy to advance the lancing element, and the actuator changes shape upon the removal of electrical energy to withdraw the lancing element.
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Abstract
A lancing device for piercing skin to obtain a bodily fluid, such as blood, for testing has an electrically activated actuator, such as a shape memory alloy or electro-active polymer, that changes shape upon the application of electrical energy to advance and withdraw the lancing element. The lancing device operates when the actuator changes shape to advance a lancing element to pierce the skin when the actuator changes shape, delaying the lancing element tip near the advanced position to allow fluid to flow into the lancing tip, withdrawing the lancing element to remove the lancing element form the skin when the actuator again changes shape.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A device for obtaining bodily fluids for analysis, comprising:
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a lancing element configured for insertion into a body; a movement converter coupled to the lancing element to control movement of the lancing element; a drive coupled to the lancing element and the movement converter to advance and withdraw the lancing element, the drive comprising, an electrical source coupled to the drive to selectively apply electrical energy to the drive, at least one actuator coupled to the electrical source, the actuator changes shape upon the application of electrical energy to advance the lancing element, and the actuator changes shape upon the removal of electrical energy to withdraw the lancing element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A device for obtaining bodily fluids for analysis, comprising:
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a lancing element configured for insertion into a body part; a movement converter coupled to the lancing element to control movement of the lancing element; a drive coupled to the lancing element and the movement converter to advance and withdraw, the drive comprising, at least one actuator wire composed of a shape memory alloy coupled to the movement converter, a heating element thermally coupled to the actuator wire to contract the actuator wire when a transformational temperature is reached to advance the lancing element and expand when the transformational temperature is no longer reached to withdraw the lancing element. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A device for obtaining bodily fluids for analysis, comprising:
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a lancing element configured for insertion into a body part; a movement converter coupled to the lancing element to control movement of the lancing element; and
,a drive coupled to the lancing element and the movement converter to advance and withdraw the lancing element, the drive comprising, means for electrical source coupled to the drive to selectively apply electrical energy to the drive, means for actuation coupled to the electrical source, the means for actuation changing shape upon the selective application of electrical energy by the energy source to advance and withdraw the lancing element.
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17. A method for operation of a lancing device to obtain bodily fluids for analysis, comprising:
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positioning a lancing element in a withdrawn position; applying electrical energy to an actuator that is coupled to the lancing element; changing the shape of the actuator upon the application of the electrical source; advancing the lancing element for insertion in response to the actuator changing shape; tensioning a return spring coupled to the lancing element when the lancing element is advanced; delaying the lancing element near the advance position to allow for fluid flow into a lancing element tip; changing the shape of the actuator upon electrical energy no longer being applied to the actuator; and
,withdrawing the lancing element upon the actuator changing shape and through force applied by the return spring. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20. A method for operating a lancing device to obtain bodily fluids for analysis, comprising:
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positioning a lancing element in a withdrawn position; heating an upper wire by a current pulse, the upper wire being coupled to the lancing element; contracting the upper wire when a transformational temperature is reached; advancing the lancing element for insertion in response to the upper wire contracting; tensioning a return spring coupled to the lancing element when the lancing element is advanced; delaying the lancing element near the advance position to allow for fluid flow into a lancing element tip; cooling the upper wire when by absence of the current pulse; expanding the upper wire when the transformational temperature is no longer reached; and
,withdrawing the lancing element upon the upper wire expanding and the return spring tension. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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Specification