Methods and apparatus for sampling and analyzing body fluid
First Claim
1. A method, comprising:
- loading a disposable into a lancing device that includes a lancet and a test strip with a capillary passage that has a capillary opening configured to draw body fluid via capillary action;
placing the lancing device in contact with skin;
firing the disposable towards the skin with the lancing device, wherein during said firing the lancet and the test strip of the disposable move together as a single unit towards the skin;
retracting the disposable away from the incision;
moving the capillary opening of the capillary passage past the lancet to contact the capillary opening with a drop of body fluid from the incision on the surface of the skin;
drawing via capillary action the body fluid from the drop into the capillary passage;
analyzing the body fluid from the incision with the test strip;
unloading the disposable from the lancing device after said analyzing;
discarding the disposable after said loading; and
loading a fresh disposable into the lancing device after said unloading.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A sampling device for sampling body fluid includes a lancet for making an incision, a capillary tube for drawing-up body fluid from the incision, and a test strip affixed to an upper end of the capillary tube for receiving the fluid. An absorbent pad can be disposed between the test strip and capillary tube for spreading-out the fluid being transferred to the test strip. An onsite analyzer such as an optical analyzer and/or an electrochemical analyzer can be mounted in the device for analyzing the fluid. Alternatively, a test strip can be slid through a slot formed in the bottom end of the device so that by passing the device against the skin after an incision has been formed, the test strip will directly contact body fluid emanating from the incision.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. A method, comprising:
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loading a disposable into a lancing device that includes a lancet and a test strip with a capillary passage that has a capillary opening configured to draw body fluid via capillary action; placing the lancing device in contact with skin; firing the disposable towards the skin with the lancing device, wherein during said firing the lancet and the test strip of the disposable move together as a single unit towards the skin; retracting the disposable away from the incision; moving the capillary opening of the capillary passage past the lancet to contact the capillary opening with a drop of body fluid from the incision on the surface of the skin; drawing via capillary action the body fluid from the drop into the capillary passage; analyzing the body fluid from the incision with the test strip; unloading the disposable from the lancing device after said analyzing; discarding the disposable after said loading; and loading a fresh disposable into the lancing device after said unloading. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method, comprising:
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loading a disposable into a lancing device, the disposable includes a lancet and a test strip with a capillary passage that has a capillary opening configured to draw body fluid via capillary action, the lancing device includes a sleeve slidably mounted in a housing and a pusher configured to engage the capillary passage; moving the sleeve relative to the housing to place the sleeve in contact with skin; firing the disposable towards the skin with the lancing device, wherein during said firing the lancet and the test strip of the disposable move together as a single unit towards the skin; retracting the disposable away from the incision; moving the pusher to drive the capillary opening of the capillary passage past the lancet to contact the capillary opening with a drop of body fluid from the incision on the surface of the skin; drawing via capillary action the body fluid from the drop into the capillary passage; retracting the pusher and the capillary passage away from skin; and analyzing the body fluid from the incision with the test strip. - View Dependent Claims (8)
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Specification