Fluid sampling apparatus

• US 6,659,966 B2
• Filed: 11/15/2001
• Issued: 12/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Roche Diabetes Care Inc. (Roche Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Corporation (Roche Holding AG)
• Inventors: Essenpreis, Matthias
• Primary Examiner(s): MARMOR II, CHARLES ALAN
• Application Number:
  US10/002,325
• Publication Number:
  US 20030093010A1
• Time in Patent Office: 754 Days
• Field of Search: 600/573, 600/576, 600/579, 600/583, 600/584, 606/1, 606/3, 606/8, 606/10-13, 606/181-183, 606/185
• US Class Current: 600/583
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/20 using laser
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00508 using laser
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00636 Sensing and controlling the application of energy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150022 for capillary blood or interstitial fluid
• 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 5/150519 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 5/15107 Piercing being assisted by a triggering mechanism
• 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 5/1519 comprising driving means, e.g. a spring, for propelling the piercing unit
• 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 fluid sampling apparatus is provided that in accordance with the present invention. The apparatus includes a housing defining a chamber, a lancet positioned in the chamber and including an end formed to create a fluid collection incision, and a light source positioned in the chamber. The light source is formed to emit a light beam of a pre-determined wavelength and for a time sufficient to seal the incision.

Claims

1. A fluid sampling apparatus comprising:

a housing defining a chamber having an opening,

a lancet positioned in the chamber and including an end formed to create a fluid collection incision, and

a light source positioned in the chamber, the light source fanned to emit a light beam through the opening of the housing into the fluid collection incision, the light beam being of a pre-determined wavelength and for a time sufficient to seal the incision.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pre-determined wavelength ranges from about 400 nm to about 1400 nm.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the pre-determined wavelength ranges from about 415 nm to about 600 mm.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the light source is a laser diode.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the time ranges from about 0.1 second to about 1 second.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the time is about 0.56 seconds.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a feedback control that is formed to determine a thermal relaxation time of the incision.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the feedback control includes a controller in communication with the light source and an optical detector in communication with the controller.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the optical detector is a photodiode.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the housing is transparent.

11. A fluid sampling apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

a housing defining a chamber having an opening,

a lancet positioned in the chamber and including an end formed to create a fluid collection incision.

means for collecting blood from the open incision, and

a light source coupled to the housing, the light source emitting light through the opening of the housing into the incision, the light being of a pre-determined wavelength and for a time sufficient to seal the incision following withdrawal of the blood.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the pre-determined wavelength ranges from about 400 nm to about 1400 nm.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the time ranges from about 0.1 second to about 1 second.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the time is about 0.56 seconds.

15. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the light source is a laser diode.

16. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a feedback control that is formed to determine a thermal relaxation time of the incision.

17. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein at least a portion of the housing is transparent.

18. A method for controlling a fluid collection incision, the method comprising:

providing a sampling apparatus having a housing, a lancet with an end formed to create a fluid collection incision, and a light source,

lancing a portion of skin of a user with the end of the lancet to create a fluid collection incision, and

exposing the fluid collection incision to light from the light source having a pre-determined wavelength and for a time sufficient to seal the incision following withdrawal of blood.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising the step of collecting a blood sample from the fluid collection incision before the incision is exposed to said light.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein the pre-determined wavelength ranges from about 400 nm to about 1400 nm.

21. The method of claim 18 wherein the fluid collection incision is exposed to the light for a time ranging from about 0.1 second to about 1 second.