Method For Constructing A Blood Glucose Sampling Device

• US 20130104369A1
• Filed: 12/17/2012
• Published: 05/02/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Alferness, Clifton A.
• Original Assignee: Alferness, Clifton A.
• Inventors: Alferness, Clifton A.
• Application Number:
  US13/717,668
• Publication Number:
  US 20130104369A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 29/428
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• 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 5/150099 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 5/150229 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 5/150274 Manufacture or production processes or steps for blood sampling devices
• 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 5/150519 Details of construction of hub, i.e. element used to attach the single-ended needle to a piercing device or sampling device
• 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 5/150824 by visual feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/15113 Manually triggered, i.e. the triggering requires a deliberate action by the user such as pressing a drive button
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/15117 comprising biased elements, resilient elements or a spring, e.g. a helical spring, leaf spring, or elastic strap
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1513 comprising linear sliding guides comprising tooth-shaped elements A61B5/15132
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/15161 Characterized by propelling the piercing element in a radial direction relative to the disc
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1519 comprising driving means, e.g. a spring, for propelling the piercing unit
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/15196 semi-automatically retracted, i.e. in which the retraction of the piercing unit requires a deliberate action by the user such as manual release of spring-biased retraction means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/157 Devices characterised by integrated means for measuring characteristics of blood
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49 Method of mechanical manufacture
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 : Assembling or joining

Abstract

A method for constructing a blood glucose sampling device is provided. A housing sized to accommodate a lancet and a removable sensor cartridge is formed. The sensor cartridge includes test strips and cleaning elements. A movable outer grip is defined along a circumference of the housing and is shaped to conformably fit within a hand of a user. A test passage is formed in the outer grip in which one of the test strips and the lancet are aligned.

Claims

1. A method for constructing a blood glucose sampling device, comprising:

forming a housing sized to accommodate a lancet and a removable sensor cartridge comprising test strips and cleaning elements;

defining a movable outer grip along a circumference of the housing that is shaped to conformably fit within a hand of a user; and

forming a test passage in the outer grip in which one of the test strips and the lancet are aligned.

2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

orienting the test strips in a common direction of rotation about a central point of the sensor cartridge, wherein each test strip comprises a test region defined radially from the mount opening at a proximal end and a capillary aligned with a distal end of the test region and extending away from the mount opening;

alternately interposing the cleaning elements between the test strips in the common direction of rotation; and

aligning the lancet with at least one of the test strips.

3. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

forming a cartridge mount on an inside surface of the housing.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the outer grip comprises at least one of nitinol wire and foam.

5. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

affixing a pivoting cover to a substantially open side of the housing.

6. A method according to claim 5, further comprising:

providing a display on the cover.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein the display provides at least one of blood glucose measurements, time, and date.

8. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

installing one or more actuators around the outer grip of the housing.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein the actuators each comprise one of a pushable button, toggle, and switch.

10. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

affixing a mounting band to the housing.

11. A method for constructing a blood glucose sampling device, comprising:

building a sensor cartridge comprising a plurality of blades oriented in a common direction of rotation about a central point, wherein each blade comprises a test strip and a cleaning element positioned adjacent to the test strip; and

forming a housing sized to accommodate a lancet and the sensor cartridge, and comprising a cartridge mount defined on an inner surface of the housing; and

affixing a pivoting cover to a substantially open side of the housing.

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein the lancet is affixed to at least one of the sensor cartridge, housing, and a lancet cartridge.

13. A method according to claim 12, further comprising:

affixing one or more further lancets to at least one of the sensor cartridge, the lancet cartridge, and the housing.

14. A method according to claim 12, further comprising:

forming a mount opening in each of the sensor cartridge and the lancet cartridge.

15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the mount openings are formed at least one of centrally and off-center in the sensor cartridge and the lancet cartridge.

16. A method according to claim 14, further comprising:

placing the lancet cartridge over the cartridge mount; and

placing the sensor cartridge over the cartridge mount.

17. A method according to claim 11, further comprising:

installing an actuator on an outer surface of the housing.

18. A method according to claim 11, further comprising:

forming a test passage in an outer surface of the housing.

19. A method according to claim 18, wherein the test passage is shaped to receive a user'"'"'s finger.

20. A method according to claim 11, wherein the housing comprises at least one of plastic and metal.