Percutaneous biological fluid sampling and analyte measurement devices and methods
First Claim
1. A device for sampling a biological fluid and measuring a target constituent within the biological fluid, comprising:
- an outer electrode having a length;
an inner electrode having a length and positioned within and spaced apart from the outer electrode;
an open chamber between said inner and outer electrodes, the open chamber extending substantially the length of the outer electrode and of the inner electrode and having a volume sufficient to provide a capillary force on biological fluid in contact with the open chamber.
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Abstract
A device for sampling a biological fluid and measuring at least one target constituent within the biological fluid. The device has at least one electrochemical cell having an inner electrode and an outer electrode in a concentrically-spaced relationship. In a preferred embodiment, the outer electrode has a cylindrical configuration having an open distal end and the inner electrode has an elongated configuration positioned coaxially within the outer electrode and a distal end configured to penetrate the skin. The spacing between the electrodes exerts a capillary force on biological fluid present at the open distal end of the outer electrode. A system is also provided which includes a control unit in electrical communication with the electrochemical cell for controlling the selection and measurement of the target constituent. Methods of sampling of biological fluids within the skin and measuring the sampled fluids are also provided, as well as kits comprising one or more of the inventive devices and/or systems.
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Citations
46 Claims
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1. A device for sampling a biological fluid and measuring a target constituent within the biological fluid, comprising:
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an outer electrode having a length;
an inner electrode having a length and positioned within and spaced apart from the outer electrode;
an open chamber between said inner and outer electrodes, the open chamber extending substantially the length of the outer electrode and of the inner electrode and having a volume sufficient to provide a capillary force on biological fluid in contact with the open chamber. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42)
at least one electrochemical cell according to claim 1.
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40. The kit according to claim 39 further comprising one or more reagents for facilitating the measurement of one or more constituents within the sampled biological fluid.
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41. The kit according to claim 39 comprising a plurality of electrochemical cells and a support member wherein the plurality of electrochemical cells are arranged in an array on the support member.
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42. The kit according to claim 41 wherein the inner electrodes of the plurality of electrochemical cells have varying penetration lengths.
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2. An electrochemical cell for use in sampling biological fluid and measuring an analyte therein, the cell comprising:
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a first electrode; and
a second electrode positioned concentrically within and spaced-apart from the first electrode and comprising a distal end configured to pierce a skin surface, wherein the first and second electrodes have the same length.
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3. A system for sampling biological fluid from the skin of a patient and measuring a target constituent within the biological fluid, the system comprising:
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(a) an array of electrochemical cells wherein each cell comprises a first electrode and a second electrode spaced-apart from each other, wherein the first electrode is positioned concentrically about the second electrode and the second electrode comprises a distal end configured to pierce a skin surface; and
(b) a control unit in electrical communication with the array, comprising;
(1) means for sending an electrical reference signal to each of the first electrodes and for receiving an electrical output signal from each of the second electrodes, and (2) a software algorithm which automatically calculates and determines the concentration of the target constituent in the biological sample upon receipt of the electrical output signal.
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4. A device for sampling a biological fluid and measuring a target constituent within the biological fluid, comprising:
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an inner electrode having a proximal end;
an outer electrode having a cylindrical configuration comprising a proximal end, and an open distal end;
an annular vacant space between said inner and outer electrodes;
an insulating material positioned between a portion of the proximal ends of the inner and outer electrodes; and
a skin-lancing member extending from the distal end of the inner electrode. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7)
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8. A system for sampling biological fluid from the skin of a patient and measuring a target constituent within the biological fluid, the system comprising:
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(a) an electrochemical cell comprising a first electrode and a second electrode spaced-apart from each other, wherein the first electrode is positioned concentrically about the second electrode and the second electrode comprises a distal end configured to pierce a skin surface, wherein at least a portion of the space between the electrodes is vacant; and
(b) a control unit in electrical communication with the electrochemical cell, comprising;
(1) means for sending an electrical reference signal to the first electrode and for receiving an electrical output signal from the second electrode, and (2) a software algorithm which automatically calculates and determines the concentration of the target constituent in the biological sample upon receipt of the electrical output signal. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for testing a biological fluid within the skin of a patient and for determining the concentration of a target constituent contained therein, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing an electrochemical cell comprising a concentrically spaced-apart inner and outer electrodes and a reaction chamber therebetween and extending along a substantial portion thereof;
wherein the inner electrode comprises a lancing member;
inserting the lancing member into the skin to a selected depth wherein biological fluid exits from the skin;
transferring a sample of biological fluid into the reaction chamber;
providing a first electrical signal to the electrochemical cell; and
receiving a second electrical signal generated by the electrochemical cell, wherein the second electrical signal is representative of the concentration the constituent in the sample. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An electrochemical cell for use in sampling biological fluid and measuring an analyte therein, the cell comprising:
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a first electrode having a length; and
a second electrode having a length and a distal end configured to pierce a skin surface, the second electrode positioned concentrically within and spaced apart form the first electrode wherein at least a portion of the space is vacant. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 43, 44, 45, 46)
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Specification