Devices and methods for expression of bodily fluids from an incision
First Claim
1. A method for expressing bodily fluid from an incision in the skin surface, the incision being formed at an incision site, the method comprising:
- providing an expression device including a body and a constricting member connected with the body and defining skin-engaging surfaces, the constricting member having a first condition with the skin-engaging surfaces contacting the skin and located at initial, outer positions, the constricting member having a second condition with the skin-engaging surfaces engaging the skin and located at constricting, inner positions, the skin being drawn inward as the skin-engaging surfaces move from the outer positions to the inner positions, the skin being constricted by the skin-engaging surfaces in the inner positions, wherein the constricting member is flexible between the first and second conditions and the skin-engaging surfaces include at least first and second discrete and spaced apart skin-engaging surfaces, and wherein the first and second skin-engaging surfaces are positioned on opposite sides of the incision site;
contacting the skin with the skin-engaging surfaces at the initial, outer positions; and
applying a downward force on the expression device to cause the constricting member to flex from the first condition to the second condition against the skin surface at the incision site before said contacting; and
moving the skin-engaging surfaces to the constricting, inner positions to draw the skin inward and to constrict the skin with the skin-engaging surfaces, wherein said moving of the first skin-engaging surface is in a substantially nonparallel direction to said moving of the second skin-engaging surface.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for the expression of bodily fluid from an incision in the skin include devices which bear against the skin in a manner to retain the fluid adjacent the incision site and urge the fluid inwardly toward the incision. Systems utilize a constricting member, a bi-stable expression member, or a pressing member. The present invention further encompasses combinations of the foregoing expression systems with each other, as well as with other expression devices known in the art. Moreover, the invention includes the combination of the expression systems with incising, sampling and/or testing systems, particularly in a single, integrated device. The present invention also contemplates the associated methods for expressing bodily fluid from an incision, including in combination with methods for incising, sampling and/or testing of the bodily fluid.
346 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for expressing bodily fluid from an incision in the skin surface, the incision being formed at an incision site, the method comprising:
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providing an expression device including a body and a constricting member connected with the body and defining skin-engaging surfaces, the constricting member having a first condition with the skin-engaging surfaces contacting the skin and located at initial, outer positions, the constricting member having a second condition with the skin-engaging surfaces engaging the skin and located at constricting, inner positions, the skin being drawn inward as the skin-engaging surfaces move from the outer positions to the inner positions, the skin being constricted by the skin-engaging surfaces in the inner positions, wherein the constricting member is flexible between the first and second conditions and the skin-engaging surfaces include at least first and second discrete and spaced apart skin-engaging surfaces, and wherein the first and second skin-engaging surfaces are positioned on opposite sides of the incision site; contacting the skin with the skin-engaging surfaces at the initial, outer positions; and applying a downward force on the expression device to cause the constricting member to flex from the first condition to the second condition against the skin surface at the incision site before said contacting; and moving the skin-engaging surfaces to the constricting, inner positions to draw the skin inward and to constrict the skin with the skin-engaging surfaces, wherein said moving of the first skin-engaging surface is in a substantially nonparallel direction to said moving of the second skin-engaging surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification