Blood microsampling site preparation method

• US 5,156,611 A
• Filed: 02/05/1990
• Issued: 10/20/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Becton, Dickinson & Co
• Original Assignee: Becton, Dickinson & Co
• Inventors: Haynes, John L., Titus, George R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hindenburg, Max
• Application Number:
  US07/474,877
• Time in Patent Office: 988 Days
• Field of Search: 128/760, 128/764, 606/181-183
• US Class Current: 606/181
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150022 for capillary blood or interstitial fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150343 Collection vessels for collecting blood samples from the skin surface, e.g. test tubes, cuvettes sampling from within body cavities A61B5/150015, A61B5/150045
• 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: A61F 13/023 wound covering film layers without a fluid retention layer

Abstract

A method for collecting blood while preserving the integrity of the blood sample is provided. The method includes the steps of applying a protective layer to the skin, lancing the skin through the protective layer, allowing blood from the subject to accumulate on the protective layer, and collecting a sample of the blood accumulated on the protective layer. The protective layer may be formed in situ or applied as a tape. In either case, the surface of the protective layer should be hydrophobic.

Claims

1. A method of collecting a blood sample from a subject comprising the steps of:

applying an in-situ formed protective layer to the skin of a subject;

lancing a portion of the skin through the protective layer;

allowing blood from the lanced portion of the skin to accumulate on a surface of said protective layer; and

collecting a sample of said blood accumulated on said protective layer.

2. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said protective layer comprises at least one polymer that is applied to the skin by means of a volatile solvent.

3. A method as defined in claim 2 wherein said solvent is selected from the group consisting of freon, acetone or an alcohol.

4. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said protective layer comprises at least one polymer.

5. A method as defined in claim 4 wherein said protective layer comprises a polymer that is formed after application of a reactive monomer to the skin.

6. A method as defined in claim 5 wherein said reactive monomer is acrylate.

7. A method as defined in claim 4 wherein said polymer is selected from the group consisting of ethylene vinyl acetate, an aliphatic polyester of an acrylate.

8. A method as defined in claim 4 wherein said polymer is an acrylate.

9. A method as defined in claim 4 wherein said polymer is an alkyl acrylate.

10. A method as defined in claim 5 wherein said polymerization reaction is activated by moisture, oxygen or infrared radiation.

11. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said protective layer comprises an oil.

12. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said protective layer comprises grease.

13. A method as defined in claim 1 including the step of contacting said blood accumulated on said protective layer with an end of a capillary tube.

14. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said protective layer includes an anticoagulant.

15. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said protective layer forms a hydrophobic surface upon said skin.