BLOOD TEST APPARATUS AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME

• US 20110237978A1
• Filed: 06/03/2011
• Published: 09/29/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PHC Holdings Corporation
• Original Assignee: Panasonic Corporation (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: NADAOKA, Masataka, MIYOSHI, Koji, HAMANAKA, Kenichi, UCHIYAMA, Motonori, FUJIWARA, Masaki, AKIYAMA, Toshihiro, AMANO, Yoshinori
• Granted Patent: US 8,500,655 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/583
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14535 for measuring haematocrit
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1486 using enzyme electrodes, e.g. with immobilised oxidase
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150022 for capillary blood or interstitial fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150076 by heating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150099 by negative pressure, other than vacuum extraction into a syringe by pulling on the piston rod or into pre-evacuated tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150145 by negative pressure, e.g. suction, vacuum
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150213 Venting means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150229 Pumps for assisting the blood sampling
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150259 Improved gripping, e.g. with high friction pattern or projections on the housing surface or an ergonometric shape
• 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 5/150755 Blood sample preparation for further analysis, e.g. by separating blood components or by mixing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150954 Means for the detection of operative contact with patient, e.g. by temperature sensitive sensor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/15138 provided with means to ensure the protection of the user, e.g. to avoid laser light entering the eyes of a user
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/157 Devices characterised by integrated means for measuring characteristics of blood
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6843 Monitoring or controlling sensor contact pressure

Abstract

A blood test apparatus having a simple constitution whereby stable measurement can be conducted by surely sampling the blood in an amount being small but sufficient for the test without placing too much burden on a patient. When a first skin contact sensor of this apparatus detects the skin, driving of a negative pressure unit is initiated. Thus, the skin rises and comes into contact with a second skin contact sensor. After piercing into the skin, the negative pressure supply is once ceased. Next, the negative pressure is applied again for a definite period of time. Thus, the opening in the skin is broadened, which facilitates the flow out of the blood.

Claims

1. A blood test apparatus configured for puncturing skin and measuring blood, the apparatus comprising:

a puncturing section that punctures the skin;

a blood sensor that collects and analyzes the blood flowing out from the punctured skin;

a holder that holds the blood sensor;

a negative pressure section that supplies a negative pressure to near the blood sensor;

a negative pressure controlling section that controls the negative pressure section, wherein;

the blood sensor integrally forms a blood sensor unit with the holder;

the blood sensor unit comprises;

an attaching section to which the blood sensor is attached; and

a skin contact sensor that is provided in the blood sensor or in the attaching section, and detects contact of the skin; and

the negative pressure controlling section stops supply of the negative pressure from the negative pressure section based on a detection result in the skin contact sensor.

2. The blood test apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

the blood sensor unit comprises;

a chassis that has both ends open such that one end of the chassis is attached to an apparatus body and the other end of the chassis contacts the skin; and

a second skin contact sensor that is provided in a tip part of the chassis and detects the contact of the skin; and

the negative pressure controlling section starts the supply of negative pressure from the negative pressure section based on a detection result in the second skin contact sensor.

3. The blood test apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the negative pressure controlling section changes a level of negative pressure in a space near the blood sensor using a predetermined pattern in at least a part of a period that extends from when the skin contacts the holder until when the measurement is finished.

4. The blood test apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a negative pressure path is provided in the attaching part.

5. The blood test apparatus according to claim 4, wherein:

the blood sensor unit comprises;

a chassis that has both ends open such that one end of the chassis is attached to an apparatus body and the other end of the chassis contacts the skin;

a sensor that is located such that a space in an interior of the chassis into a space closer to the apparatus body and a space closer to the skin; and

the negative pressure section supplies the negative pressure from the space closer to the apparatus body to the space closer to the skin via a hole provided in the blood sensor.

6. The blood test apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the puncturing section is a laser puncturing section that illuminates a laser light to puncture the skin.