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Method and apparatus for penetrating tissue

  • US 7,909,777 B2
  • Filed: 09/29/2006
  • Issued: 03/22/2011
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2002
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A tissue penetrating system, comprising:

  • a housing member;

    a plurality of penetrating members positioned in the housing member,a plurality of sample chambers, each of a sample chamber associated with a penetrating member, each of a sample chamber including non-optical electrode analyte detecting members and having a volume no greater than 1 μ

    L and, the sample chamber being positioned to receive fluid from a wound created by a penetrating member and determine a concentration of an analyte in the fluid using a sample of less than 1 μ

    L of the fluid, wherein when the penetrating member is removed from the sample chamber, the electrodes remain in the sample chamber and a volume of the sample chamber is less than 1 μ

    L;

    a penetrating member driver coupled to and for driving each of the plurality of penetrating members;

    a penetrating member transport device for moving each of the plurality of penetrating members into a position for alignment with the penetrating member driver;

    a processor configured to control the penetrating member driver and the penetrating member transport device to drive the plurality of penetrating members and determine that a penetrating member has contacted a skin surface, and in response the processor adjusting a speed of the penetrating member or the power delivered to the penetrating member for skin penetration to maintain a desired penetration velocity of the penetrating member, the processor determining whether a distal end of the penetrating member has reached a brake depth to achieve a desired final penetration depth of the penetrating member, wherein the processor uses a determination of skin contact by the penetrating member as a consideration of skin tenting by the penetrating member, wherein skin tenting is used as a consideration factor for brake depth, wherein the processor determines whether a distal end of the penetrating member has reached a brake depth based on an amount of said skin tenting, the brake depth being either pre-determined and programmed into the processor or the processor dynamically determines the brake depth during actuation and the processor causes a braking force to be applied to penetrating member and provide for a reduction in pain; and

    a tissue stabilizing member coupled to the housing and configured to enhance spontaneous fluid flow from the target tissue to the sample chamber and provide a volume of fluid flow of about no more than 1 μ

    L.

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