Thin lance and test sensor having same
First Claim
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1. A test sensor for use in the determination of the concentration of a chemical in blood, the test sensor comprising:
- a front and a rear panel;
a substantially flat test chamber disposed between the front and rear panels having an inlet, the test chamber being adapted to collect a sample of blood through the inlet; and
a substantially flat lance coupled to one of the front and rear panels, the lance being adapted to puncture skin.
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Abstract
A lance is provided for puncturing skin and producing a sample of blood. The lance comprises a spring having a first end and a second end disposed between a needle and a base wherein the first end of spring is coupled to the base and the second end of the spring is coupled to the needle.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A test sensor for use in the determination of the concentration of a chemical in blood, the test sensor comprising:
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a front and a rear panel;
a substantially flat test chamber disposed between the front and rear panels having an inlet, the test chamber being adapted to collect a sample of blood through the inlet; and
a substantially flat lance coupled to one of the front and rear panels, the lance being adapted to puncture skin. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
a spring having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the test sensor; and
a needle coupled to the second end of the spring.
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3. The test sensor of claim 1 wherein the lance includes:
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a base;
a thin spring having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the base;
a thin, generally U-shaped body having an interior edge and an exterior edge, the second end of the thin spring coupled to the interior edge; and
a thin needle coupled to the exterior edge.
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4. The test sensor of claim 1 wherein the test chamber includes a reagent, the reagent being adapted to produce an electrochemical reaction, the test sensor further comprising a pair of electrodes coupled to the test chamber.
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5. The test sensor of claim 3 in combination with a sensor adapted to measure the concentration of a chemical in the blood.
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6. The test sensor of claim 1 wherein the lance has a thickness of about 0.006 inch.
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7. A lance comprising:
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a substantially flat base;
a substantially flat spring having a first end and a second end, the first end of the spring being attached to the base;
a substantially flat, generally U-shaped body having an interior edge and an exterior edge, the interior edge of the U-shaped body coupled to the second end of the spring, the generally U-shaped body having two sides for receiving an external force providing movement to the U-shaped member; and
a substantially flat needle attached to the exterior edge of the U-shaped body;
wherein, the base, the spring, the U-shaped body, and the needle are made out of a single piece of a material. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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11. A blood glucose monitoring system comprising:
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a substantially flat test sensor having an inlet for receiving a blood sample;
a substantially flat lance having a substantially flat base, a substantially flat spring, and a substantially flat, generally U-shaped body, the spring having first and second end, the first end being attached the base, the U-shaped body having an interior edge attached to the second end of the spring and an exterior edge, the lace having a substantially flat needle outwardly extending from the exterior edge of the U-shaped body for puncturing a user'"'"'s skin; and
a forcing member providing movement to the needle of the lance in a first direction by contacting the U-shaped body, the spring retracting the flat lance in a second direction. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification