Blood sampling device

• US 6,390,990 B1
• Filed: 12/29/1999
• Issued: 05/21/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Owen Mumford
• Original Assignee: Owen Mumford
• Inventors: Underdown, Graham Leslie, Marshall, Jeremy
• Primary Examiner(s): Shaver, Kevin
• Assistant Examiner(s): WINGOOD, PAMELA LYNN
• Application Number:
  US09/446,825
• Time in Patent Office: 874 Days
• Field of Search: 600/573, 600/576, 600/577, 600/583, 604/181, 604/182
• US Class Current: 600/573
• 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 5/150351 Caps, stoppers or lids for sealing or closing a blood collection vessel or container, e.g. a test-tube or syringe barrel caps for bottles or containers in general B65D41/00
• 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 5/150519 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 5/150648 fully automatically triggered, i.e. the triggering of the protective sleeve does not require a deliberate action by the user such as terminating the contact with the patient's skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150908 by disconnecting components, e.g. breaking or rupturing of connected parts, e.g. piston and rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/15105 Purely manual piercing, i.e. the user pierces the skin without the assistance of any driving means or driving devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/15142 Devices intended for single use, i.e. disposable

Abstract

A blood sampling device has a barrel enclosing a lancet and a spring urging the lancet rearwardly. A dual purpose container fits the rear end of the barrel and its first function is to be pushed forwards relative to the barrel to project the tip of the lancet. A shearable bridge breaks when sufficient pressure is applied, allowing the lancet to retract. The device is then reversed to present the rear end of the container to the drawn blood, which is absorbed thereby. The container with sample for analysis is removed from the barrel which, when the lancet safe inside, can be discarded.

Claims

1. A blood sampling device comprising a hollow barrel housing a pricker urged towards a retracted position from a forward end of the barrel by spring means, and a container that co-operates with the rear end of the barrel, the container forming an operating member which is pressed in the forward direction to project the pricker from the barrel, being adapted to collect and contain the blood sample derived from the pricker, and being separable from the barrel to convey the sample elsewhere, the barrel with the pricker retracted by the spring means being disposable.

2. A blood sampling device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the barrel is integrally moulded in plastic material in two halves mutually hinged about a longitudinal axis, the halves then being closed around the spring means and pricker to provide guide means for the pricker.

3. A blood sampling device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the container, when serving as the operating member, acts on an element connected to the pricker by a shearable bridge, this bridge breaking as pressure greater than that which ensures full penetration of the pricker is applied.

4. A blood sampling device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the barrel, on closure, forms two diametrically opposed longitudinal slots in which are received wings of said element, allowing longitudinal but not rotational movement thereof.

5. A blood sampling device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the tip of the pricker on manufacture is embedded in a twist-off cap integrally moulded with the body of the pricker, the cap initially being external of the forward end of the barrel and keeping the pricker in a forward position with the spring means energised.

6. A blood sampling device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the container is guided by the barrel and has a hollow compartment with a closed forward end projecting into the barrel to act on said pricker, like a piston rod, the compartment containing an absorbent filling accessible through its rear end to soak up the blood sample when the pricker has been withdrawn and the device reversed.

7. A blood sampling device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the container has a closure cap for the rear end of the compartment.

8. A blood sampling device as claim in claim 1, wherein the container has a snap engagement with the barrel.