TEST STRIP WITH A SHAPED TIP FOR SKIN STRAIGHTENING

• US 20120035506A1
• Filed: 10/14/2011
• Published: 02/09/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Roche Diabetes Care Inc. (Roche Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Roche Diabetes Care Inc. (Roche Holding AG)
• Inventors: Keil, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 9,475,044 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/583
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1411 by percutaneous method, e.g. by lancet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150022 for capillary blood or interstitial fluid
• 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 5/150282 for piercing elements, e.g. blade, lancet, canula, needle
• 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 5/150435 Specific design of proximal end
• 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 5/1519 comprising driving means, e.g. a spring, for propelling the piercing unit
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/157 Devices characterised by integrated means for measuring characteristics of blood
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0825 Test strips
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5023 with a sample being transported to, and subsequently stored in an absorbent for analysis
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502715 characterised by interfacing components, e.g. fluidic, electrical, optical or mechanical interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1052 with cutting, punching, tearing or severing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49789 Obtaining plural product pieces from unitary workpiece
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49798 Dividing sequentially from leading end, e.g., by cutting or breaking
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49885 with coating before or during assembling

Abstract

The test strip stabilizes skin prior to incision by a lancet tip. The innovative test strip includes a pair of skin contacting tabs that apply pressure linearly to the skin to stretch the skin taut. Beneficially an incision by a lancet tip to an accurate depth can be formed on the taut skin. Moreover, pressure from the tabs is applied linearly to the skin which results in a higher ratio of pressure to surface that can be reached as compared to applying pressure laminarily to skin. Some manufacturing techniques of the skin contacting tabs include cutting or stamping through all of the layers and test area of the test strip to form these tabs. These techniques increase the manufacturing efficiency and cost savings associated with test strips and integrated lancet testing devices. Contamination from other sampling events is eliminated since the test strips are disposed of after each use.

Claims

1. A test strip, comprising:

a first skin contacting tab configured to contact skin near an incision site;

a second skin contacting tab configured to contact skin near an incision site, wherein said first skin contacting tab and said second skin contacting tab are configured to stretch the skin between said first skin contacting tab and said second skin contacting tab; and

a test area positioned between said first skin contacting tab and said second skin contacting tab, said test area is configured to analyze a body fluid sample.

2. The test strip of claim 1, wherein said first skin contacting tab and said second skin contacting tab are configured to apply pressure substantially linearly to the skin.

3. The test strip of claim 1, wherein:

said first skin contacting tab includes a first skin contacting portion connected to a first leg portion,

said second skin contacting tab includes a second skin contacting portion connected to a second leg portion,

said first skin contacting portion and said second skin contacting portion are configured to stretch the skin positioned between said first skin contacting tab and said second skin contacting tab.

4. The test strip of claim 3, wherein said first skin contacting portion is a semi-circular shape and said second skin contacting portion is a semi-circular shape.

5. The test strip of claim 4, wherein said first skin contacting portion has an approximate radius of 1.6 millimeters and said second skin contacting portion has an approximate radius of 1.6 millimeters.

6. The test strip of claim 5, wherein said test area has a width of approximately 2.5 millimeters.

7. The test strip of claim 3, wherein said first skin contacting portion is a triangular shape and said second skin contacting portion is a triangular shape.

8. The test strip of claim 1, further comprising:

a lancet coupled to said test strip to form an integrated lancet test strip.

9. An apparatus, comprising:

a test strip, wherein said test strip includes

a layer having a width and a front edge;

a test area in which a body fluid sample is drawn via capillary action for analysis, said test area being positioned on said layer to extend to said front edge; and

wherein at least said front edge of said layer and said test area are cut to form a first skin contacting tab and a second skin contacting tab, said first skin contacting tab and said second skin contacting tab being configured to stretch skin positioned between said first skin contacting tab and said second skin contacting tab.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising a lancet coupled to said test strip.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a housing coupled to said test strip.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said first skin contacting tab is a semi-circular shape and said second skin contacting tab is a semi-circular shape.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said first skin contacting tab has an approximate radius of 1.6 millimeters and said second skin contacting tab has an approximate radius of 1.6 millimeters.

14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said test area has a width of approximately 2.5 millimeters.

15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said first skin contacting tab is a triangular shape and said second skin contacting tab is a triangular shape.

16. A method of using a test strip, comprising:

positioning a first skin contacting tab and a second skin contacting tab of said test strip over an incision site on skin;

pressing said first skin contacting tab and said second skin contacting tab of said test strip against the skin to cause the skin to bulge towards a test area on said test strip; and

stretching the skin between said first skin contacting tab and said second skin contacting tab of said test strip.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising forming an incision in skin with a lancet.