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Methods and apparatus for sampling and analyzing body fluid

  • US 7,727,168 B2
  • Filed: 06/19/2007
  • Issued: 06/01/2010
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/17/1996
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method of collecting a bodily fluid sample from an incision in skin comprising:

  • forming the incision in the skin with a needle of a bodily fluid sampling device;

    pressing against the skin a stimulator sleeve of the bodily fluid sampling device around the incision to express the bodily fluid sample;

    moving a capillary tube of the bodily fluid sampling device towards the incision by moving the capillary tube relative to the stimulator sleeve while the sleeve remains in contact with the skin;

    drawing the bodily fluid sample from the incision into the capillary tube via capillary action;

    wherein the needle and the capillary tube are distinct components;

    wherein said forming the incision in the skin includesextending the needle towards the skin to form the incision, andretracting the needle from the incision;

    wherein said moving the capillary tube of the bodily fluid sampling device towards the incision occurs after said retracting the needle from the incision;

    wherein said drawing the bodily fluid sample from the incision into the capillary tube occurs after said moving the capillary tube of the bodily fluid sampling device towards the incision; and

    wherein said drawing the bodily fluid sample from the incision into the capillary tube includes collecting the bodily fluid sample on the surface of the skin.

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