Blood sampling mechanism

• US 5,035,704 A
• Filed: 03/07/1989
• Issued: 07/30/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Edward W. Eves III, Norbert L. Wyss, Robert D. Lambert
• Original Assignee: Edward W. Eves III, Norbert L. Wyss, Robert D. Lambert
• Inventors: Lambert, Robert D., Eves, Edward W. III, Wyss, Norbert L.
• Primary Examiner(s): HINDENBURG, MAX F
• Application Number:
  US07/320,251
• Time in Patent Office: 875 Days
• Field of Search: 128/760, 128/762, 128/765, 128/767, 128/771, 604/51, 604/192-198, 604/201, 606/181, 606/182, 606/185, 206/569, 206/571
• US Class Current: 606/182
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150022 for capillary blood or interstitial fluid
• 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 5/15109 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 5/15117 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 5/15194 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

Abstract

A blood sampling mechanism including a housing in which is inserted a magazine containing a plurality of test pads from which individual test pads are sequentially fed to a loading/testing station, each novel test pad being relatively thin and carrying a resilient dermis-piercing member having a pointed end directed toward a slit of a wicking membrane contiguous an exterior test strip, a transfer mechanism for transferring each test pad from the loading/testing station to a blood sampling station, a hammer at the blood sampling station for deflecting the dermis-piercing member with sufficient force to drive the pointed end through the slit and into the dermis causing blood to be wicked through the wicking membrane and into the test strip, the transfer mechanism subsequently transferring the test pad back to the loading/testing station, and optical or equivalent test systems at the loading/testing station for determining constituents of the blood sample.

Claims

1. A blood sampling mechanism comprising a test pad of a predetermined thickness set-off between opposite relatively closely spaced surfaces imparting a thin configuration to said test pad, said test pad carrying a dermis-piercing member having a pointed end, said pointed end being disposed inboard of said opposite surfaces, means for applying a force to said dermis-piercing member in a direction to move said pointed end beyond one of said opposite surfaces to pierce the dermis and thereby obtain a blood sample, means for testing the blood sample, means for defining a blood sampling station at which the blood sample is obtained, means for defining a blood testing station at which the blood sample is tested by said blood sample testing means, and means for conveying said test pad from said blood sampling station after the blood sample has been obtained to said blood testing station.

2. A blood sampling mechanism comprising a test pad of a predetermined thickness set-off between opposite relatively closely spaced surfaces imparting a thin configuration to said test pad, said test pad carrying a dermis-piercing member having a pointed end, said pointed end being disposed inboard of said opposite surfaces, means for applying a force to said dermis-piercing member in a direction to move said pointed end beyond one of said opposite surfaces to pierce the dermis and thereby obtain a blood sample, means for testing the blood sample, means for defining a blood sampling station at which the blood sample is obtained, means for defining a blood testing station at which the blood sample is tested by said blood sample testing means, and means for conveying a fresh test pad from said blood testing station to said blood sampling station and returning the test pad after the blood sample has been obtained back to said blood testing station.

3. A blood sampling mechanism comprising a test pad of a predetermined thickness set-off between opposite relatively closely spaced surfaces imparting a thin configuration to said test pad, said test pad carrying a dermis-piercing member having a pointed end, said pointed end being disposed inboard of said opposite surfaces, means for applying a force to said dermis-piercing member in a direction to move said pointed end beyond one of said opposite surfaces to pierce the dermis and thereby obtain a blood sample, and means for testing the blood sample, means for defining a blood sampling station at which the blood sample is obtained, means for defining a blood testing station at which the blood sample is tested by said blood sample testing means, and means for conveying a fresh test pad from said blood testing station to said blood sampling station along a first path of travel in a first direction and returning the test pad after the blood sample has been obtained back to said blood testing station generally along said first path of travel but in a second direction generally opposite said first direction.

4. A blood sampling mechanism comprising a test pad of a predetermined thickness set-off between opposite relatively closely spaced surfaces imparting a thin configuration to said test pad, said test pad carrying a dermis-piercing member having a pointed end, said pointed end being disposed inboard of said opposite surfaces, means for applying a force to said dermis-piercing member in a direction to move said pointed end beyond one of said opposite surfaces to pierce the dermis and thereby obtain a blood sample, and means for testing the blood sample, means for defining a blood sampling station at which the blood sample is obtained, means for defining a blood testing station at which the blood sample is tested by said blood sample testing means, and means for conveying a fresh test pad from said blood testing station to said blood sampling station and returning the test pad after the blood sample has been obtained back to said blood testing station along a generally arcuate path of travel.

5. A blood sampling mechanism comprising a test pad of a predetermined thickness set-off between opposite relatively closely spaced surfaces imparting a thin configuration to said test pad, said test pad carrying a dermis-piercing member having a pointed end, said pointed end being disposed inboard of said opposite surfaces, means for applying a force to said dermis-piercing member in a direction to move said pointed end beyond one of said opposite surfaces to pierce the dermis and thereby obtain a blood sample, means for testing the blood sample, means for defining a blood sampling station at which the blood sample is obtained, means for defining a blood testing station at which the blood sample is tested by said blood sample testing means, and means for conveying a fresh test pad from said blood testing station to said blood sampling station and returning the test pad after the blood sample has been obtained back to said blood testing station along a generally reciprocal path of travel.

6. A blood sampling mechanism comprising a test pad of a predetermined thickness set-off between opposite relatively closely spaced surfaces imparting a thin configuration to said test pad, said test pad carrying a dermis-piercing member having a pointed end, said pointed end being disposed inboard of said opposite surfaces, means for applying a force to said dermis-piercing member in a direction to move said pointed end beyond one of said opposite surfaces to pierce the dermis and thereby obtain a blood sample, means for testing the blood sample, means for defining a blood sampling station at which the blood sample is obtained, means for defining a blood testing station at which the blood sample is tested by said blood sample testing means, and means for conveying a fresh test pad from said blood testing station to said blood sampling station and returning the test pad after the blood sample has been obtained back to said blood testing station along a generally reciprocal arcuate path of travel.

7. A blood sampling mechanism comprising a test pad of a predetermined thickness set-off between opposite relatively closely spaced surfaces imparting a thin configuration to said test pad, said test pad carrying a dermis-piercing member having a pointed end, said pointed end being disposed inboard of said opposite surfaces, means for applying a force to said dermis-piercing member in a direction to move said pointed end beyond one of said opposite surfaces to pierce the dermis and thereby obtain a blood sample, means for testing the blood sample, means for defining a blood testing station at which said blood sample testing means is located, means for locating a fresh test pad at said blood testing station, and means for conveying a fresh test pad from said blood testing station to said blood sampling station and returning the test pad after the blood sample has been obtained back to said blood testing station for subsequent testing by said blood sample testing means.

8. A blood sampling mechanism comprising a test pad of a predetermined thickness set-off between opposite relatively closely spaced surfaces imparting a thin configuration to said test pad, said test pad carrying a dermis-piercing member having a pointed end, said pointed end being disposed inboard of said opposite surfaces, means for applying a force to said dermis-piercing member in a direction to move said pointed end beyond one of said opposite surfaces to pierce the dermis and thereby obtain a blood sample, means for testing the blood sample, means for defining a blood testing station at which said blood sample testing means is located, a magazine adapted to house a plurality of fresh test pads each having a dermis-piercing member and a pointed end, means for sequentially feeding fresh test pads individually from said magazine to said blood testing station, and means for conveying each fresh test pad from said blood testing station to said blood sampling station and returning the test pad after the blood sample has been obtained back to said blood testing station for subsequent testing by said blood sample testing means.

9. A blood sampling mechanism comprising a test pad of a predetermined thickness set-off between opposite relatively closely spaced surfaces imparting a thin configuration to said test pad, said test pad carrying a dermis-piercing member having a pointed end, said pointed end being disposed inboard of said opposite surfaces, means for supplying a force to said dermis-piercing member in a direction to move said pointed end beyond one of said opposite surfaces to pierce the dermis and thereby obtain a blood sample, means for testing the blood sample, means for defining a blood sampling station at which the blood sample is obtained, means for locating said test pad at said blood sampling station with the dermis-piercing member pointed end projecting in a predetermined direction, said force applying means being located at said blood sampling station contiguous said piercing member pointed end, and said force applying means imparting a force to move said piercing member to move said pointed end in said predetermined direction.

10. A blood sampling mechanism comprising a test pad of a predetermined thickness set-off between opposite relatively closely spaced surfaces imparting a thin configuration to said test pad, said test pad carrying a dermis-piercing member having a pointed end, said pointed end being disposed inboard of said opposite surfaces, means for applying a force to said dermis-piercing member in a direction to move said pointed end beyond one of said opposite surfaces to pierce the dermis and thereby obtain a blood sample, means for testing the blood sample, said test pad includes a test strip, means for wicking blood away from the area of the dermis-piercing member pointed end to the test strip, and means for creating negative pressure so as to augment blood flow through the wicking means toward said test strip.

11. A blood sampling mechanism comprising a test pad of a predetermined thickness set-off between opposite relatively closely spaced surfaces imparting a thin configuration to said test pad, said test pad carrying a dermis-piercing member having a pointed end, said pointed end being disposed inboard of said opposite surfaces, means for applying a force to said dermis-piercing member in a direction to move said pointed end beyond one of said opposite surfaces to pierce the dermis and thereby obtain a blood sample, means for testing the blood sample, said test pad includes a test strip, means for wicking blood away from the area of the dermis-piercing member pointed end to the test strip, and said blood wicking means being a strip of wicking material contiguous said test strip and being adapted to contact the area of the dermis pierced by said piercing member pointed end.

12. A blood sampling mechanism comprising a test pad of a predetermined thickness set-off between opposite relatively closely spaced surfaces imparting a thin configuration to said test pad, said test pad carrying a dermis-piercing member having a pointed end, said pointed end being disposed inboard of said opposite surfaces, means for applying a force to said dermis-piercing member in a direction to move said pointed end beyond one of said opposite surfaces to pierce the dermis and thereby obtain a blood sample, means for testing the blood sample, said test pad includes a test strip, means for wicking blood away from the area of the dermis-piercing member pointed end to the test strip, said blood wicking means being a strip of wicking material contiguous said test strip and being adapted to contact the are of the dermis pierced by said piercing member pointed end, and means for creating negative pressure so as to augment blood flow through the wicking strip toward said test strip.

13. A blood sampling mechanism comprising a test pad of a predetermined thickness set-off between opposite relatively closely spaced surfaces imparting a thin configuration to said test pad, said test pad carrying a dermis-piercing member having a pointed end, said pointed end being disposed inboard of said opposite surfaces, means for applying a force to said dermis-piercing member in a direction to move said pointed end beyond one of said opposite surfaces to pierce the dermis and thereby obtain a blood sample, means for testing the blood sample, resilient means for carrying said pointed end during movement thereof between home and dermis-piercing positions thereof, means for defining a blood sampling station at which the blood sample is obtained, means for defining a blood testing station at which the blood sample is tested by said blood sample testing means, means for locating said test pad at said blood testing station with said pointed end projecting in a first predetermined direction, and means for conveying said test pad from said blood testing station to said blood sampling station with said pointed end projecting in a second predetermined second direction opposite to said first predetermined direction.

14. A blood sampling mechanism comprising a test pad of a predetermined thickness set-off between opposite relatively closely spaced surfaces imparting a thin configuration to said test pad, said test pad carrying a dermis-piercing member having a pointed end, said pointed end being disposed inboard of said opposite surfaces, means for applying a force to said dermis-piercing member in a direction to move said pointed end beyond one of said opposite surfaces to pierce the dermis and thereby obtain a blood sample, means for testing blood sample, a rupturable wicking membrane in contiguous spanning relation ship to said pointed end and in generally transverse relationship to said predetermined direction, and said force applying means applies a force of sufficient magnitude to said dermis-piercing member to pierce said rupturable membrane incident to piercing the dermis.

15. A blood sampling mechanism comprising a test pad, said test pad carrying a resilient dermis-piercing member having a pointed end, said dermis-piercing member being deflectable from a first inoperative position to a second operative dermis-piercing position, means for deflecting said dermis-piercing member from said first position to said second position to move said pointed end to pierce the dermis and thereby obtain a blood sample, said resilient dermis-piercing member being returnable from said second position to said first position under the inherent resiliency thereof, means for testing the blood sample, means for defining a blood sampling station at which the blood sample is obtained, means for defining a blood testing station at which the blood sample is tested by said blood sample testing means, and means for conveying said test pad from said blood sampling station after the blood sample has been obtained to said blood testing station.

16. A blood sampling mechanism comprising a test pad, said test pad carrying a resilient dermis-piercing member having a pointed end, said dermis-piercing member being deflectable from a first inoperative position to a second operative dermis-piercing position, means for deflecting said dermis-piercing member from said first position to said second position to move said pointed end to pierce the dermis and thereby obtain a blood sample, said resilient dermis-piercing member being returnable from said second position to said first position under the inherent resiliency thereof, means for testing the blood sample, means for defining a blood sampling station at which the blood sample is obtained, means for defining a blood testing station at which the blood sample is tested by said blood sample testing means, and means for conveying a fresh test pad from said blood testing station to said blood sampling station and returning the test pad after the blood sample has been obtained back to said blood testing station.

17. A blood sampling mechanism comprising a test pad, said test pad carrying a resilient dermis-piercing member having a pointed end, said dermis-piercing member being deflectable from a first inoperative position to a second operative dermis-piercing position, means for deflecting said dermis-piercing member from said first position to said second position to move said pointed end to pierce the dermis and thereby obtain a blood sample, said resilient dermis-piercing member being returnable from said second position to said first position under the inherent resiliency thereof, means for testing the blood sample, means for defining a blood sampling station at which the blood sample is obtained, means for defining a blood testing station at which the blood sample is tested by said blood sample testing means, and means for conveying a fresh test pad from said blood testing station to said blood sampling station along a first path of travel in a first direction and returning the test pad after the blood sample has been obtained back to said blood testing station generally along said first path of travel but in a second direction generally opposite said first direction.

18. A blood sampling mechanism comprising a test pad, said test pad carrying a resilient dermis-piercing member having a pointed end, said dermis-piercing member being deflectable from a first inoperative position to a second operative dermis-piercing position, means for deflecting said dermis-piercing member from said first position to said second position to move said pointed end to pierce the dermis and thereby obtain a blood sample, said resilient dermis-piercing member being returnable from said second position to said firs position under the inherent resiliency thereof, means for testing the blood sample, means for defining a blood sampling station at which the blood sample is obtained, means for defining a blood testing station at which the blood sample is tested by said blood sample testing means, and means for conveying a fresh test pad from said blood testing station to said blood sampling station and returning the test pad after the blood sample has been obtained back to said blood testing station along a generally arcuate path of travel.

19. A blood sampling mechanism comprising a test pad, said test pad carrying a resilient dermis-piercing member having a pointed end, said dermis-piercing member being deflectable from a first inoperative position to a second operative dermis-piercing position, means for deflecting said dermis-piercing member from said first position to said second position to move said pointed end to pierce the dermis and thereby obtain a blood sample, said resilient dermis-piercing member being returnable from said second position to said first position under the inherent resiliency thereof, means for testing the blood sample, means for defining a blood sampling station at which the blood sample is obtained, means for defining a blood testing station at which the blood sample is tested by said blood sample testing means, and means for conveying a fresh test pad from said blood testing station to said blood sampling station and returning the test pad after the blood sample has been obtained back to said blood testing station along a generally reciprocal path of travel.

20. A blood sampling mechanism comprising a test pad, said test pad carrying a resilient dermis-piercing member having a pointed end, said dermis-piercing member being deflectable from a first inoperative position to a second operative dermis-piercing position, means for deflecting said dermis-piercing member from said first position to said second position to move said pointed end to pierce the dermis and thereby obtain a blood sample, said resilient dermis-piercing member being returnable from said second position to said first position under the inherent resiliency thereof, means for testing the blood sample, means for defining a blood sampling station at which the blood sample is obtained, means for defining a blood testing station at which the blood sample is tested by said blood sample testing means, and means for conveying a fresh test pad from said blood testing station to said blood sampling station and returning the test pad after the blood sample has been obtained back to said blood testing station along a generally reciprocal arcuate path of travel.

21. A blood sampling mechanism comprising a test pad, said test pad carrying a resilient dermis-piercing member having a pointed end, said dermis-piercing member being deflectable from a first inoperative position to a second operative dermis-piercing position, means for deflecting said dermis-piercing member from said first position to said second position to move said pointed end to pierce the dermis and thereby obtain a blood sample, said resilient dermis-piercing member being returnable from said second position to said first position under the inherent resiliency thereof, means for testing the blood sample, means for defining a blood testing station at which said blood sample testing means is located, means for locating a fresh test pad at said blood testing station, and means for conveying a fresh test pad from said blood testing station to said blood sampling station and returning the test pad after the blood sample has been obtained back to said blood testing station for subsequent testing by said blood sample testing means.

22. A blood sampling mechanism comprising a test pad, said test pad carrying a resilient dermis-piercing member having a pointed end, said dermis-piercing member being deflectable from a first inoperative position to a second operative dermis-piercing position, means for deflecting said dermis-piercing member from said first position to said second position to move said pointed end to pierce the dermis and thereby obtain a blood sample, said resilient dermis-piercing member being returnable from said second position to said first position under the inherent resiliency thereof, means for testing the blood sample, means for defining a blood testing station at which said blood sample testing means is located, a magazine adapted to house a plurality of fresh test pads each having a dermis-piercing member and a pointed end, means for sequentially feeding fresh test pads individually from said magazine to said blood testing station, and means for conveying each fresh test pad from said blood testing station to said blood sampling station and returning the test pad after the blood sample has been obtained back to said blood testing station for subsequent testing by said blood sample testing means.

23. A blood sampling mechanism comprising a test pad, said test pad carrying a resilient dermis-piercing member having a pointed end, said dermis-piercing member being deflectable from a first inoperative position to a second operative dermis-piercing position, means for deflecting said dermis-piercing member from said first position to said second position to move said pointed end to pierce the dermis and thereby obtain a blood sample, said resilient dermis-piercing member being returnable from said second position to said first position under the inherent resiliency thereof, means for testing the blood sample, means for defining a blood sampling station at which the blood sample is obtained, means for locating said test pad at said blood sampling station with the dermis-piercing member pointed end projecting in a predetermined direction, said force applying means being located at said blood sampling station contiguous said piercing member pointed end, and said force applying means imparting a force to move said piercing member to move said pointed end in said predetermined direction.

24. A blood sampling mechanism comprising a substantially thin and flat test pad, said test pad carrying a resilient dermis-piercing member having a pointed end, said dermis-piercing member being deflectable from a first inoperative position to a second operative dermis-piercing position, means for deflecting said dermis-piercing member from said first position to said second position to move said pointed end at least partially through said test pad to pierce the dermis and thereby obtain a blood sample, said resilient dermis-piercing member being returnable from said second position to said first position under the inherent resiliency thereof, means for testing the blood sample, said test pad includes a test strip, and means for wicking blood away from the area of the dermis piercing member pointed end to the test strip.

25. A blood sampling mechanism comprising a test pad, said test pad carrying a resilient dermis-piercing member having a pointed end, said dermis-piercing member being deflectable from a first inoperative position to a second operative dermis-piercing position, means for deflecting said dermis-piercing member from said first position to said second position to move said pointed end to pierce the dermis and thereby obtain a blood sample, said resilient dermis-piercing member being returnable from said second position to said first position under the inherent resiliency thereof, means for testing the blood sample, said test pad includes a test strip, means for wicking blood away from the area of the dermis-piercing member pointed end to the test strip, and means for creating negative pressure so as to augment blood flow through the wicking means toward said test strip.

26. A blood sampling mechanism comprising a test pad, said test pad carrying a resilient dermis-piercing member having a pointed end, said dermis-piercing member being deflectable from a first inoperative position to a second operative dermis-piercing position, means for deflecting said dermis-piercing member from said first position to said second position to move said pointed end to pierce the dermis and thereby obtain a blood sample, said resilient dermis-piercing member being returnable from said second position to said first position under the inherent resiliency thereof, means for testing the blood sample, said test pad includes a test strip, means for wicking blood away from the area of the dermis-piercing member pointed end to the test strip, and said blood wicking means being a strip of wicking material contiguous said test strip being adapted to contact the area of the dermis pierced by said piercing member pointed end.

27. A blood sampling mechanism comprising a test pad, said test pad carrying a resilient dermis-piercing member having a pointed end, said dermis-piercing member being deflectable from a first inoperative position to a second operative dermis-piercing position, means for deflecting said dermis-piercing member from said first position to said second position to move said pointed end to pierce the dermis and thereby obtain a blood sample, said resilient dermis-piercing member being returnable from said second position to said first position under the inherent resiliency thereof, means for testing the blood sample, said test pad includes a test strip, means for wicking blood away from the area of the dermis-piercing member pointed end to the test strip, said blood wicking means being a strip of wicking material contiguous said test strip and being adapted to contact the area of the dermis pierced by said piercing member pointed end, and means for creating negative pressure so as to augment blood flow through the wicking strip toward said test strip.

28. A blood sampling mechanism comprising a test pad, said test pad carrying a resilient dermis-piercing member having a pointed end, said dermis-piercing member being deflectable from a first inoperative position to a second operative dermis-piercing position, means for deflecting said dermis-piercing member from said first position to said second position to move said pointed end to pierce the dermis and thereby obtain a blood sample, said resilient dermis-piercing member being returnable from said second position to said first position under the inherent resiliency thereof, means for testing the blood sample, said dermis-piercing member pointed end projects in a predetermined direction, a wicking membrane concealing said dermis piercing member pointed end, and said force applying means creates a force of sufficient magnitude to cause said pointed end to pierce through said membrane incident to piercing the dermis.

29. A blood sampling mechanism comprising a test pad, said test pad carrying a dermis-piercing member having a pointed end, said dermis-piercing member pointed end projecting in a predetermined direction, a rupturable wicking membrane in contiguous spanning relationship to said pointed end and in generally transverse relationship to said predetermined direction, means for applying a force to said dermis-piercing member to move said pointed end in said predetermined direction to pierce said rupturable wicking membrane and pierce the dermis thereby obtaining a blood sample, and means for testing the blood sample.

30. The blood sampling mechanism as defined in claim 29 including means for evacuating blood away from the area of the dermis-piercing member pointed end.

31. A blood sampling mechanism comprising a test pad, said test pad carrying a dermis-piercing member having a pointed end, said dermis-piercing member pointed end projecting in a predetermined direction, a rupturable membrane in contiguous spanning relationship to said pointed end and in generally transverse relationship to said predetermined direction, means for applying a force to said dermis-piercing member to move said pointed end in said predetermined direction to pierce said rupturable membrane and pierce the dermis thereby obtaining a blood sample, means for testing the blood sample, means for defining blood sampling station at which the blood sample is obtained, means for defining a blood testing station at which the blood sample is tested by said blood sample testing means, and means for conveying said test pad from said blood sampling station after the blood sample has been obtained to said blood testing station.

32. A blood sampling mechanism comprising a test pad, said test pad carrying a dermis-piercing member having a pointed end, said dermis-piercing member pointed end projecting in a predetermined direction, a rupturable membrane in contiguous spanning relationship to said pointed end and in generally transverse relationship to said predetermined direction, means for applying a force to said dermis-piercing member to move said pointed end in said predetermined direction to pierce said rupturable membrane and pierce the dermis thereby obtaining a blood sample, means for testing the blood sample, means for defining a blood sampling station at which the blood sample is obtained, means for defining a blood testing station at which the blood sample is tested by said blood sample testing means, and means for conveying a fresh test pad from said blood testing station to said blood sampling station and returning the test pad after the blood sample has been obtained back to said blood testing station.

33. A blood sampling mechanism comprising a test pad, said test pad carrying a dermis-piercing member having a pointed end, said dermis-piercing member pointed end projecting in a predetermined direction, a rupturable membrane in contiguous spanning relationship to said pointed end and in generally transverse relationship to said predetermined direction, means for applying a force to said dermis-piercing member to move said pointed end in said predetermined direction to pierce said rupturable membrane and pierce the dermis thereby obtaining a blood sample, means for test the blood sample, means for defining a blood sampling station at which the blood sample is obtained, means for defining a blood testing station at which the blood sample is tested by said blood sample testing means, and means for conveying a fresh test pad from said blood testing station to said blood sampling station along a first path of travel in a first direction and returning the test pad after the blood sample has been obtained back to said blood testing station generally along said first path of travel but in a second direction generally opposite said first direction.

34. A blood sampling mechanism comprising a test pad, said test pad carrying a dermis-piercing member having a pointed end, said dermis-piercing member pointed end projecting in a predetermined direction, a rupturable membrane in contiguous spanning relationship to said pointed end and in generally transverse relationship to said predetermined direction, means for applying a force to said dermis-piercing member to move said pointed end in said predetermined direction to pierce said rupturable membrane and pierce the dermis thereby obtaining a blood sample, means for testing the blood sample, means for defining a blood sampling station at which the blood sample is obtained, means for defining a blood testing station at which the blood sample is tested by said blood sample testing means, and means for conveying a fresh test pad from said blood testing station to said blood sampling station and returning the test pad after the blood sample has been obtained back to said blood testing station along a generally arcuate path of travel.

35. A blood sampling mechanism comprising a test pad, said test pad carrying a dermis-piercing member having a pointed end, said dermis-piercing member pointed end projecting in a predetermined direction, a rupturable membrane in contiguous spanning relationship to said pointed end and in generally transverse relationship to said predetermined direction, means for applying a force to said dermis-piercing member to move said pointed end in said predetermined direction to pierce said rupturable membrane and pierce the dermis thereby obtaining a blood sample, means for testing the blood sample, means for defining a blood sampling station at which the blood sample is obtained, means for defining a blood testing station at which the blood sample is tested by said blood sample testing means, and means for conveying a fresh test pad from said blood testing station to said blood sampling station and returning the test pad after the blood sample has been obtained back to said blood testing station along a generally reciprocal path of travel.

36. A blood sampling mechanism comprising a test pad, said test pad carrying a dermis-piercing member having a pointed end, said dermis-piercing member pointed end projecting in a predetermined direction, a rupturable membrane in contiguous spanning relationship to said pointed end and in generally transverse relationship to said predetermined direction, means for applying a force to said dermis-piercing member to move said pointed end in said predetermined direction to pierce said rupturable membrane and pierce the dermis thereby obtaining a blood sample, means for testing the blood sample, means for defining a blood sampling station at which the blood sample is obtained, means for defining a blood test station at which the blood sample is tested by said blood sample testing means, and means for conveying a fresh test pad from said blood testing station to said blood sampling station and returning the test pad after the blood sample has been obtained back to said blood testing station along a generally reciprocal arcuate path of travel.

37. A blood sampling mechanism comprising a test pad, said test pad carrying a dermis-piercing member having a pointed end, said dermis-piercing member pointed end projecting in a predetermined direction, a rupturable membrane in contiguous spanning relationship to said pointed end and in generally transverse relationship to said predetermined direction, means for applying a force to said dermis-piercing member to move said pointed end in said predetermined direction to pierce said rupturable membrane and pierce the dermis thereby obtaining a blood sample, means for testing the blood sample, means for defining a blood testing station at which said blood sample testing means is located, means for locating a fresh test pad from said blood testing station;

and means for conveying a fresh test pad from said blood testing station to said blood sampling station and returning the test pad after the blood sample has been obtained back to said blood testing station for subsequent testing by said blood sample testing means.

38. A blood sampling mechanism comprising a test pad, said test pad carrying a dermis-piercing member having a pointed end, said dermis-piercing member pointed end projecting in a predetermined direction, a rupturable membrane in contiguous spanning relationship to said pointed end and in generally transverse relationship to said predetermined direction, means for applying a force to said dermis-piercing member to move said pointed end in said predetermined direction to pierce said rupturable membrane and pierce the dermis thereby obtaining a blood sample, means for testing the blood sample, means for defining a blood testing station at which said blood sample testing means is located, a magazine adapted to house a plurality of fresh test pads each having a dermis-piercing member and a pointed end, means for sequentially feeding fresh test pads individually from said magazine to said blood testing station, and means for conveying each fresh test pad from said blood testing station to said blood sampling station and returning the test pad after the blood sample has been obtained back to said blood testing station for subsequent testing by said blood sample testing means.

39. A blood sampling mechanism comprising a test pad, said test pad carrying a dermis-piercing member having a pointed end, said dermis-piercing member pointed end projecting in a predetermined direction, a rupturable membrane in contiguous spanning relationship to said pointed end and in generally transverse relationship to said predetermined direction, means for applying a force to said dermis-piercing member to move said pointed end in said predetermined direction to pierce said rupturable membrane and pierce the dermis thereby obtaining a blood sample, means for testing the blood sample, means for defining a blood sampling station at which the blood sample is obtained, means for locating said test pad at said blood sampling station with the dermis-piercing member pointed end projecting in a predetermined direction, said force applying means being located at said blood sampling station contiguous said piercing member pointed end, and said force applying means imparting a force to move said piercing member to move said pointed end in said predetermined direction.

40. A blood sampling mechanism comprising a test pad, said test pad carrying a dermis-piercing member having a pointed end, said dermis-piercing member pointed end projecting in a predetermined direction, a rupturable membrane in contiguous spanning relationship to said pointed end and in generally transverse relationship to said predetermined direction, means for applying a force to said dermis-piercing member to move said pointed end in said predetermined direction to pierce said rupturable membrane and pierce the dermis thereby obtaining a blood sample, means for testing the blood sample, resilient means for carrying said pointed end during movement thereof between home and dermis-piercing positions thereof, means for defining a blood sampling station at which the blood sample is obtained, means for defining a blood testing station at which the blood sample is tested by said blood sample testing means, means for locating said test pad at said blood testing station with said pointed end projecting in a first predetermined direction, and means for conveying said test pad from said blood testing station to said blood sampling station with said pointed end projecting in a second predetermined second direction opposite to said first predetermined direction.

41. A blood sampling mechanism comprising a test pad, said test pad carrying a dermis-piercing member having a pointed end, said dermis-piercing member pointed end projecting in a predetermined direction, a rupturable wicking membrane in contiguous spanning relationship to said pointed end and in generally transverse relationship to said predetermined direction, means for applying a force to said dermis-piercing member to move said pointed end in said predetermined direction to pierce said rupturable wicking membrane and pierce the dermis thereby obtaining a blood sample, means for testing the blood sample, said dermis-piercing member is resilient and deflectable from a first inoperative position to a second operative dermis piercing position, said force applying means is effective to deflect said resilient piercing member from said first position to said second position to move said pointed end and thereby obtain a blood sample, and said resilient dermis-piercing member being returnable from said second position to said first position under the inherent resiliency thereof.

42. A blood sampling mechanism comprising a test pad, said test pad carrying a dermis-piercing member having a pointed end, said dermis-piercing member pointed end projecting in a predetermined direction, a rupturable wicking membrane in contiguous spanning relationship to said pointed end and in generally transverse relationship to said predetermined direction, means for applying a force to said dermis-piercing member to move said pointed end in said predetermined direction to pierce said rupturable membrane and pierce the dermis thereby obtaining a blood sample, means for testing the blood sample, and said rupturable membrane includes means for wicking blood away from the area of the dermis-piercing member pointed end.

43. A blood sampling mechanism comprising a test pad, said test pad carrying a dermis-piercing member having a pointed end, said dermis-piercing member pointed end projecting in a predetermined direction, a rupturable membrane in contiguous spanning relationship to said pointed end and in generally transverse relationship to said predetermined direction, means for applying a force to said dermis-piercing member to move said pointed end in said predetermined direction to pierce said rupturable membrane and pierce the dermis thereby obtaining a blood sample, means for testing the blood sample, said test pad includes a test strip contiguous said rupturable membrane, and said rupturable membrane includes means for wicking blood away from the area of the dermis-piercing member pointed end to said test strip.

44. A blood sampling mechanism comprising a test pad, said test pad carrying a dermis-piercing member having a pointed end, said dermis-piercing member pointed end projecting in a predetermined direction, a rupturable membrane in contiguous spanning relationship to said pointed end and in generally transverse relationship to said predetermined direction, means for applying a force to said dermis-piercing member to move said pointed end in said predetermined direction to pierce said rupturable membrane and pierce the dermis thereby obtaining a blood sample, means for testing the blood sample, said test pad includes a test strip contiguous said rupturable membrane, said rupturable membrane includes means for wicking blood away from the area of the dermis-piercing member pointed end to said test strip, and means for creating negative pressure so as to augment blood flow through said wicking means toward said test strip.

45. A blood sampling mechanism comprising a test pad, said test pad carrying a dermis-piercing member having a pointed end, said dermis-piercing member pointed end projecting in a predetermined direction, a rupturable membrane in contiguous spanning relationship to said pointed end and in generally transverse relationship to said predetermined direction, means for applying a force to said dermis-piercing member to move said pointed end in said predetermined direction to pierce said rupturable membrane and pierce the dermis thereby obtaining a blood sample, means for testing the blood sample, said rupturable membrane is formed of blood wicking material, said dermis-piercing member is resilient and deflect able from a first inoperative position to a second operative dermis-piercing position, said force applying means is effective to deflect said resilient piercing member from said first position to said second position to move said pointed end and thereby obtain a blood sample, and said resilient dermis-piercing member being returnable from said second position to said first position under the inherent resiliency thereof.

46. A blood sampling mechanism comprising means for defining a blood sampling station, means for defining a blood test pad loading and testing station, said test pad loading and testing station carrying a dermis-piercing member having a pointed end, means for locating a fresh test pad at said blood test pad loading and testing station with said pointed end projecting in a first predetermined direction, means for transferring the fresh blood test pad from the loading and testing station to the blood sampling station with said pointed end at said blood sampling station projecting in a second predetermined direction differing from said first predetermined direction, means at said blood sampling station to move said dermis-piercing member to pierce the dermis by said pointed end thereby obtaining a blood sample, said transferring means being operative for transferring the blood sampled test pad to said blood test pad loading and testing station, and means at said blood test pad loading and testing station for testing the blood sample of the blood sampled test pad thereat.

47. The blood sampling mechanism as defined in claim 46 wherein said transferring means is effected to position said test pad at said stations with said first and second predetermined directions being oppositely directed.

48. The blood sampling mechanism as defined in claim 46 wherein said blood sample testing means is located contiguous said pointed end in said first predetermined direction.

49. The blood sampling mechanism as defined in claim 46 wherein said transferring means defines a generally curved reciprocal path of travel between said stations.

50. The blood sampling mechanism as defined in claim 46 wherein said test pad includes a blood wicking membrane, and said dermis-piercing member moving means is effective to pierce through said blood wicking membrane at said blood sampling station incident to obtaining a blood sample.

51. The blood sampling mechanism as defined in claim 46 wherein said test pad includes a test strip and a blood wicking strip with adjacent opposing surfaces thereof being in contact, said dermis-piercing member moving means is effective to pierce through said blood wicking strip at said blood sampling station incident to obtaining a blood sample which is wicked by said wicking strip to said opposing test strip surface, and said transferring means is effective to position said test pad at said test pad loading and testing station with a surface opposite said test strip opposing surface facing said blood sample testing means.

52. A blood test pad comprising a body of a predetermined thickness set-off between opposite relatively closely spaced surfaces imparting a generally thin and flat configuration to said test pad body, said test pad body including a resilient dermis-piercing member having a pointed end, said pointed end being deposed inboard of said opposite surfaces, said dermis-piercing member being constructed and arranged for effecting movement of said piercing member in a direction to move said pointed end beyond one of said opposite surfaces incident to piercing the dermis and obtaining a blood sample, said pointed end projects in a predetermined direction, and a rupturable wicking membrane in contiguous spanning relationship to said pointed end and in generally transverse relationship to said predetermined direction which is adapted to be pierced through by said pointed end during movement thereof beyond said one surface.

53. The blood test pad as defined in claim 52 wherein said pointed end projects in a predetermined direction, and a rupturable membrane in contiguous spanning relationship to said pointed end and in generally transverse relationship to said predetermined direction which is adapted to be pierced through by said pointed end during movement thereof beyond said one surface.

54. A blood test pad comprising a body of a predetermined thickness set-off between opposite relatively closely spaced surfaces imparting a generally thin configuration to said test pad body, said test pad body including a dermis-piercing member having a pointed end, said pointed end being deposed inboard of said opposite surfaces, said dermis-piercing member being constructed and arranged for effecting movement of said piercing member in a direction to move said pointed end beyond one of said opposite surfaces incident to piercing the dermis and obtaining a blood sample, said pointed end projects in a predetermined direction, and a rupturable wicking membrane in contiguous spanning relationship to said pointed end and in generally transverse relationship to said predetermined direction which is adapted to be pierced through by said pointed end during movement thereof beyond said one surface.

55. A blood test pad comprising a body of a predetermined thickness set-off between opposite relatively closely spaced surfaces imparting a generally thin configuration to said test pad body, said test pad body including a dermis-piercing member having a pointed end, said pointed end being deposed inboard of said opposite surfaces, said dermis-piercing member being constructed and arranged for effecting movement of said piercing member in a direction to move said pointed end beyond one of said opposite surfaces incident to piercing the dermis and obtaining a blood sample, said pointed end projects in a predetermined direction, a test strip and a wicking strip each having opposite surfaces, a first surface of each of said strips being in contact with each other, and said wicking strip being in contiguous spanning relationship to said pointed end and in generally transverse relationship to said predetermined direction thereby being adapted to be pierced through by said pointed end during movement thereof beyond said one surface.

56. A blood test pad comprising a body of a predetermined thickness set-off between opposite relatively closely spaced surfaces imparting a generally thin configuration to said test pad body, said test pad body including a dermis-piercing member having a pointed end, said pointed end being deposed inboard of said opposite surfaces, said dermis-piercing member being constructed and arranged for effecting movement of said piercing member in a direction to move said pointed end beyond one of said opposite surfaces incident to piercing the dermis and obtaining a blood sample, said dermis-piercing member is constructed from resilient deflectable material, said pointed end projects in a predetermined direction, and a rupturable wicking membrane in contiguous spanning relationship to said pointed end and in generally transverse relationship to said predetermined direction which is adapted to be pierced through by said pointed end during movement thereof beyond said one surface.

57. A blood test pad comprising a body of a predetermined thickness set-off between opposite relatively closely spaced surfaces imparting a generally thin configuration to said test pad body, said test pad body including a dermis-piercing member having a pointed end, said pointed end being deposed inboard of said opposite surfaces, said dermis-piercing member being constructed and arranged for effecting movement of said piercing member in a direction to move said pointed end beyond one of said opposite surfaces incident to piercing the dermis and obtaining a blood sample, said dermis-piercing member is constructed from resilient deflectable material, said pointed end projects in a predetermined direction, a test strip and a wicking strip each having opposite surfaces, a first surface of each of said strips being in contact with each other, and said wicking strip being in contiguous spanning relationship to said pointed end and in generally transverse relationship to said predetermined direction thereby being adapted to be pierced through by said pointed end during movement thereof beyond said one surface.

58. A blood test pad comprising a test pad, said test pad including a wicking membrane and carrying a resilient dermis-piercing member having a pointed end, said dermis-piercing member being constructed and arranged for deflection under external force from a first inoperative position to a second operative dermis-piercing position in which said pointed end projects through said wicking membrane and return from said second position to said first position under the inherent resiliency thereof upon removal of the external force.

59. The blood test pad as defined in claim 58 including hinge means remote from said pointed end for effecting said deflection and return.

60. A blood test pad comprising a test pad, said test pad carrying a resilient dermis-piercing member having a pointed end, said dermis-piercing member being constructed and arranged for deflection under external force from a first inoperative position to a second operative dermis-piercing position and return from said second position to said first position under the inherent resiliency thereof upon removal of the external force, said pointed end projects in a predetermined direction, and a rupturable wicking membrane in contiguous spanning relationship to said pointed end and in generally transverse relationship to said predetermined direction which is adapted to be pierced through by said pointed end during movement thereof to the second position.

61. A blood test pad comprising a test pad, said test pad carrying a resilient dermis-piercing member having a pointed end, said dermis-piercing member being constructed and arranged for deflection under external force from a first inoperative position to a second operative dermis-piercing position and return from said second position to said first position under the inherent resiliency thereof upon removal of the external force, said pointed end projects in a predetermined direction, a test strip and a wicking strip each having opposite surfaces, a first surface of each of said strips being in contact with each other, and said wicking strip being in contiguous spanning relationship to said pointed end and in generally transverse relationship to said predetermined direction thereby being adapted to be pierced through by said pointed end during movement thereof to the second position.

62. A blood test pad comprising a dermis-piercing member having a pointed end, said dermis-piercing member pointed end projecting in a predetermined direction, a rupturable porous membrane in contiguous spanning relationship to said pointed end and in generally transverse relationship to said predetermined direction, and means for effecting movement of said piercing member in a direction to move said pointed end through said rupturable porous membrane incident to obtaining a blood sample.

63. A blood test pad comprising a dermis-piercing member having a pointed end, said dermis-piercing membrane pointed end projecting in a predetermined direction, a rupturable membrane in contiguous spanning relationship to said pointed end and in generally transverse relationship to said predetermined direction, means for effecting movement of said piercing member in a direction to move said pointed end through said rupturable membrane incident to obtaining a blood sample, said rupturable membrane includes wicking material.

64. A blood test pad comprising a dermis-piercing member having a pointed end, said dermis-piercing membrane pointed end projecting in a predetermined direction, a rupturable membrane in contiguous spanning relationship to said pointed end and in generally transverse relationship to said predetermined direction, means for effecting movement of said piercing member in a direction to move said pointed end through said rupturable membrane incident to obtaining a blood sample, a test strip, said rupturable membrane and test strip each having opposite surfaces, and a first surface of each of said test strip and rupturable membrane being in contact with each other.

65. A blood test pad as defined in claim 64 wherein said rupturable membrane includes wicking material.

66. The blood test pad as defined in claim 65 wherein said rupturable membrane includes wicking material.

67. The blood test pad as defined in claim 64 wherein said rupturable membrane includes wicking material.

68. A blood test pad comprising a body of a predetermined thickness set-off between opposite relatively closely spaced surfaces imparting a generally thin configuration to said test pad body, said test pad body including a dermis-piercing member having a pointed end, said pointed end being disposed inboard of said opposite surfaces, said dermis-piercing member being constructed and arranged for effecting movement of said piercing member in a direction to move said pointed end beyond one of said opposite surfaces incident to piercing the dermis and obtaining a blood sample, means contiguous said pointed end for collecting a sample of blood upon said pointed end effecting dermis-piercing, said blood sample collecting means includes blood reacting chemistry agents, said blood sample collecting means is a blood sample test strip, and a wicking membrane having a portion disposed inboard relative to said test strip.

69. The blood test pad as defined in claim 68 wherein a portion of said wicking membrane is in overlying spanning relationship to said pointed end.

70. A blood test pad comprising a body of a predetermined thickness set-off between opposite relatively closely spaced surfaces imparting a generally thin configuration to said test pad body, said test pad body including a dermis-piercing member having a pointed end, said pointed end being disposed inboard of said opposite surfaces, said dermis-piercing member being constructed and arranged for effecting movement of said piercing member in a direction to move said pointed end beyond one of said opposite surfaces incident to piercing the dermis and obtaining a blood sample, means contiguous said pointed end for collecting a sample of blood upon said pointed end effecting dermis-piercing, said blood sample collecting means includes blood reacting chemistry agents, said blood sample collecting means is a blood sample test strip in spanning relationship to said pointed end, and a slit in said test strip aligned with said dermis-piercing member pointed end.