Method and apparatus for obtaining interstitial fluid for diagnostic tests
First Claim
1. A method for obtaining a sample of interstitial fluid for a diagnostic test, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) treating an area of the skin with vacuum or heat or both vacuum and heat to increase the availability of interstitial fluid at that area of the skin;
(b) forming an unobstructed opening in the treated area of the skin; and
(c) extracting the sample of interstitial fluid from the unobstructed opening in the skin, with the aid of vacuum and stretching of the skin.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for obtaining a sample of interstitial fluid from a patient for subsequent diagnostic tests, e.g., glucose monitoring. In one aspect of the invention, the method comprises the steps of (a) treating an area of the skin with vacuum or heat or both vacuum and heat to increase the availability of interstitial fluid at that area of the skin; (b) forming an opening in the treated area of the skin; and (c) extracting the sample of interstitial fluid from the opening in the skin, with the aid of vacuum and stretching of the skin. In another aspect of the invention, an apparatus for carrying out the method described previously is provided. Th apparatus comprises (a) a device for forming an unobstructed opening in the area of the skin from which the sample is to be extracted, preferably a lancing assembly; and (b) a vacuum pump. Preferably, the apparatus also includes a housing.
336 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A method for obtaining a sample of interstitial fluid for a diagnostic test, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) treating an area of the skin with vacuum or heat or both vacuum and heat to increase the availability of interstitial fluid at that area of the skin; (b) forming an unobstructed opening in the treated area of the skin; and (c) extracting the sample of interstitial fluid from the unobstructed opening in the skin, with the aid of vacuum and stretching of the skin. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An apparatus suitable for obtaining a sample of interstitial fluid for analysis in a diagnostic test, said apparatus comprising:
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(a) a device for forming an unobstructed opening in an area of skin from which said sample is to be extracted; (b) a vacuum pump for extracting said sample from said unobstructed opening in said area of said skin; and (c) a nosepiece having an end that contacts said area of said skin, said end being equipped with a seal, said seal surrounding an opening in said nosepiece, said opening allowing communication between said area of said skin and an interstitial fluid extraction chamber in said nosepiece, said seal preventing air from leaking into said interstitial fluid extraction chamber, so that said vacuum pump can provide sufficient suction action for increasing availability of interstitial fluid to said area of said skin from which said sample is to be obtained, for stretching said skin, and for extracting said sample of interstitial fluid from said unobstructed opening in said area of said skin. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A method for obtaining a sample of interstitial fluid for a diagnostic test, said method comprising the steps of:
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(1) first treating an area of the skin with vacuum or heat or both vacuum and heat to increase the availability of interstitial fluid at that area of the skin; (2) then forming an unobstructed opening in the treated area of the skin; and (3) then extracting the sample of interstitial fluid from the unobstructed opening in the skin, with the aid of vacuum and stretching of the skin.
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Specification