Sensor module with enhanced capillary flow
First Claim
1. A sensor module comprising:
- a main housing defining an analysis zone within the housing, the main housing having a sampling end;
a skin piercing member mounted within the main housing, the skin piercing member being movable relative to the main housing along a slide axis between a retracted position and an extended position;
first and second electrodes positioned at the analysis zone and extending in a direction perpendicular to the slide axis; and
a fluid sample flow passage that extends from the sampling end of the main housing to the analysis zone, the fluid sample flow passage including a funnel structure at the sampling end through which the skin piercing member extends when in the extended position and a passage extending from the funnel structure into the analysis zone, the funnel structure having a first width at the sampling end and a second width at an opposite end, the second width being smaller than the first width, the fluid sample flow passage also including capillary flow enhancing slots extending in a direction perpendicular to the first and second electrodes from the funnel structure first width at the sampling end to the funnel structure second width at the opposite end and the capillary flow enhancing slots extending laterally from opposite sides of the funnel structure first width to define a width of the sampling end, wherein the width of the sampling end is greater than the first width of the funnel structure.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A sensor module is disclosed herein. The sensor module includes a main housing defining an analysis zone within the housing. The sensor module also includes a skin piercing member mounted within the main housing. The skin piercing member is movable relative to the main housing between a retracted position and an extended position. The main housing of the sensor module defines a fluid sample flow passage that extends from a sampling end of the main housing to the analysis zone. The fluid sample flow passage includes a funnel structure through which the skin piecing member extends when in the extended position. The fluid sample flow passage also includes capillary flow enhancing slots that extend outwardly from opposite sides of the funnel structure.
44 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A sensor module comprising:
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a main housing defining an analysis zone within the housing, the main housing having a sampling end; a skin piercing member mounted within the main housing, the skin piercing member being movable relative to the main housing along a slide axis between a retracted position and an extended position; first and second electrodes positioned at the analysis zone and extending in a direction perpendicular to the slide axis; and a fluid sample flow passage that extends from the sampling end of the main housing to the analysis zone, the fluid sample flow passage including a funnel structure at the sampling end through which the skin piercing member extends when in the extended position and a passage extending from the funnel structure into the analysis zone, the funnel structure having a first width at the sampling end and a second width at an opposite end, the second width being smaller than the first width, the fluid sample flow passage also including capillary flow enhancing slots extending in a direction perpendicular to the first and second electrodes from the funnel structure first width at the sampling end to the funnel structure second width at the opposite end and the capillary flow enhancing slots extending laterally from opposite sides of the funnel structure first width to define a width of the sampling end, wherein the width of the sampling end is greater than the first width of the funnel structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification