METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR BLOOD SAMPLING

• US 20090177224A1
• Filed: 01/06/2009
• Published: 07/09/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: American Heart Technologies, LLC
• Original Assignee: IN3 Ventures Incorporated
• Inventors: O'Brien, Timothy J., McQuilkin, Gary, Yen, Albert, Hassan, Haider A., Jamieson, Craig, Naghavi, Morteza, Panthagani, David
• Granted Patent: US 10,631,771 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/203
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150022 for capillary blood or interstitial fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150061 Means for enhancing collection
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150068 by tissue compression, e.g. with specially designed surface of device contacting the skin area to be pierced
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150076 by heating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150358 Strips for collecting blood, e.g. absorbent optical reagent test strips G01N21/8483; chemical reagent test strips G01N33/4875, G01N33/52
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150412 Pointed piercing elements, e.g. needles, lancets for piercing the skin blade-like piercing elements A61B5/150442
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150503 Single-ended needles hollow piercing element tip design A61B5/150396, needle sets for catheters A61M25/06, needles for bringing media into the body A61M5/32
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150748 Having means for aiding positioning of the piercing device at a location where the body is to be pierced means for aiding positioning of devices for bringing media into the body A61M5/427, locating blood vessels A61B5/489
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/15109 Fully automatically triggered, i.e. the triggering does not require a deliberate action by the user, e.g. by contact with the patient's skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1519 comprising driving means, e.g. a spring, for propelling the piercing unit
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/15194 fully automatically retracted, i.e. the retraction does not require a deliberate action by the user, e.g. by terminating the contact with the patient's skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/157 Devices characterised by integrated means for measuring characteristics of blood

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for blood sampling from skin capillaries are provided. Blood extraction is improved by applying gradient pressure in a proximal to distal direction of an extremity. Blood is extracted and sampled from the skin capillaries with a blood sampling mechanism of at least a lancet and testing kit.

Claims

1. A method to improve blood sampling from skin capillaries by applying gradient pressure in a proximal to distal direction of an extremity.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the applying of gradient pressure is preceded by a two step occlusion consisting of a step to occlude only venous blood flow and another step to occlude arterial blood flow.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the applying of gradient pressure is preceded by a procedure to increase vasodilation in the extremity, wherein the procedure is selected from heating or an induction of reactive hyperemia.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the gradient pressure is induced by an apparatus selected from the group consisting of:

a plurality of cuffs, advancing tourniquet, single cuff pressed against a hard surface, rolling ring, or combinations thereof.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the blood sampling consists of an application of a lancet, testing strips, bandaging, cooling, absorption, cleaning, anti-coagulants, or combinations thereof.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is partially or fully automated.

7. An apparatus for blood sampling comprising:

a compressing agent to provide pressure in a proximal to distal direction in an individual, and

a blood sampling mechanism comprising a lancet and testing kit to provide extraction and sampling of blood from a distal region of the individual.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the blood sampling mechanism further comprises bandaging, cooling, absorption, cleaning, or anti-coagulating applications, and combinations thereof.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the apparatus is automated.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the compressing agent comprises a plurality of cuffs adapted to provide pressure in a proximal to distal direction in the individual.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the compressing agent comprises an advancing tourniquet adapted to provide pressure in a proximal to distal direction in the individual.

12. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the compressing agent comprises a single cuff pressed against a hard surface and adapted to provide pressure in a proximal to distal direction in the individual.

13. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the compressing agent comprises a rolling ring adapted to provide pressure in a proximal to distal direction in the individual.

14. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the compressing agent comprises a combination of two or more of:

a plurality of cuffs, an advancing tourniquet, a single cuff pressed against a hard surface, and a rolling ring.