Body fluid sampling device and methods of use
First Claim
1. A method of sampling comprising:
- loading a disposable sampling module having a lancet and a capillary tube into a lancing device that includes a housing, wherein the capillary tube is located inside the housing during said loading the disposable;
initiating a lancing cycle by pressing the housing of the lancing device against skin;
lancing the skin to obtain a blood sample in response to said initiating the lancing cycle;
collecting the blood sample on the surface of the skin with the sampling module by extending the capillary tube relative to the lancet;
wherein the lancing device includes a pusher;
wherein said collecting the sample of blood includes pushing the capillary tube with the pusher to extend the capillary tube relative to the lancet to minimize the amount of direct manual handling of the capillary tube;
wherein during said pushing the capillary tube moves from inside the housing to project outside of the housing; and
wherein the disposable sampling module includes a slot with a plurality of pairs of opposed holding fingers that frictionally grip the capillary tube.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A device for sampling body fluid includes a housing having a sleeve at a forward end thereof which is displaceable in response to being pressed against a user'"'"'s skin to trigger the firing of a lancet. After the lancet is removed from the incision, the sleeve is repeatedly pressed against the skin to depress a ring of body tissue in surrounding relationship to the incision to express body fluid outwardly through the incision. A pusher member is then actuated to push a capillary tube through a front end of the housing for drawing-in body fluid. The lancet is a disposable lancet which includes a body supporting a skin-lancing member and the capillary tube. The disposable lancet passes through an upper end of a lancet carrier when being installed or removed. The device cannot be armed until the disposable lancet is installed in the housing, because the capillary tube functions to push a safety device to a non-safety position.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method of sampling comprising:
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loading a disposable sampling module having a lancet and a capillary tube into a lancing device that includes a housing, wherein the capillary tube is located inside the housing during said loading the disposable; initiating a lancing cycle by pressing the housing of the lancing device against skin; lancing the skin to obtain a blood sample in response to said initiating the lancing cycle; collecting the blood sample on the surface of the skin with the sampling module by extending the capillary tube relative to the lancet; wherein the lancing device includes a pusher; wherein said collecting the sample of blood includes pushing the capillary tube with the pusher to extend the capillary tube relative to the lancet to minimize the amount of direct manual handling of the capillary tube; wherein during said pushing the capillary tube moves from inside the housing to project outside of the housing; and wherein the disposable sampling module includes a slot with a plurality of pairs of opposed holding fingers that frictionally grip the capillary tube. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method of sampling comprising:
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loading a disposable sampling module having a lancet and a capillary tube into a lancing device that includes a housing, wherein the capillary tube is located inside the housing during said loading the disposable; initiating a lancing cycle by pressing the lancing device against skin; lancing the skin to obtain a blood sample in response to said initiating the lancing cycle; collecting the blood sample on the surface of the skin with the sampling module by extending the capillary tube relative to the lancet; wherein the lancing device includes a pusher; wherein said collecting the sample of blood includes pushing the capillary tube with the pusher to extend the capillary tube relative to the lancet, wherein during said pushing the capillary tube moves from inside the housing to project outside of the housing; wherein said loading the disposable sampling module includes loading the lancet into a carrier, and attaching the carrier to the lancing device, wherein the carrier is configured to attach to the lancing device in only one circumferential relationship to ensure the capillary tube is aligned with the pusher; wherein the carrier includes guide ramps; wherein the lancet includes bosses; wherein said loading the lancet into the carrier includes riding the bosses of the lancet along the guide ramps of the carrier; and wherein the disposable sampling module includes a slot with a plurality of pairs of opposed holding fingers that frictionally grip the capillary tube. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of sampling comprising:
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loading a disposable sampling module having a lancet and a capillary tube into a lancing device that includes a housing, wherein the capillary tube is located inside the housing during said loading the disposable; initiating a lancing cycle pressing the housing of the lancing device against skin; lancing the skin to obtain a blood sample in response to said initiating the lancing cycle; collecting the blood sample on the surface of the skin with the sampling module by extending the capillary tube relative to the lancet; wherein the lancing device includes a pusher; wherein said collecting the sample of blood includes pushing the capillary tube with the pusher to extend the capillary tube relative to the lancet to minimize the amount of direct manual handling of the capillary tube; wherein the disposable sampling module includes a slot with a plurality of pairs of opposed holding fingers that frictionally grip the capillary tube; and wherein during said pushing the capillary tube moves from inside the housing to project outside of the housing; wherein said loading the disposable sampling module includes; loading the lancet into a carrier; and attaching the carrier to the lancing device, wherein the carrier is configured to attach to the lancing device in only one circumferential relationship to ensure the capillary tube is aligned with the pusher; wherein the disposable sampling module includes a cylindrical body, a needle projecting from a lower end of the body, a lower boss projecting radially outward from the body, and a pair of upper bosses projecting radially outward from the body; wherein the lower boss and the upper bosses are circumferentially spaced apart from one another; wherein the upper bosses are disposed at a same elevation above the lower boss; wherein the carrier has an inner surface that includes a pair of downwardly inclined, upwardly facing guide ramps; wherein the guide ramps have lower ends that intersect to form an upwardly open recess; and wherein said loading the lancet into the carrier includes engaging the guide ramps with the upper bosses of the disposable sampling module, and ensuring the lower boss enters the recess in the carrier by guiding the upper bosses with the guide ramps. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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Specification