Sampling devices and methods utilizing biased capillary action
First Claim
1. A device comprising a main body that defines a capillary channel, wherein:
- said capillary channel is dimensioned to draw a body fluid into said capillary channel by capillary action;
said body fluid defines a meniscus when said body fluid is drawn into said capillary channel; and
said capillary channel is constructed to tend to bias said meniscus in a radially asymmetric manner when said body fluid is drawn into said capillary channel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A device is constructed so as to define a capillary channel that draws a body fluid form a proximal portion of the capillary channel toward a distal portion. A counterbore defining a “ledge” not substantially normal to the center line of channel causes the meniscus of body fluid to be “biased” into a non-radially-symmetric shape. In one example, the bias draws the body fluid toward a testing element that is set into a groove in the main body of the device. In another example, hydrophilic and/or hydrophobic regions are created on or in device to produce the biasing effect. In certain configurations, device requires less blood to be drawn into the capillary channel for a successful test than if the biasing effect were not created.
222 Citations
41 Claims
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1. A device comprising a main body that defines a capillary channel, wherein:
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said capillary channel is dimensioned to draw a body fluid into said capillary channel by capillary action;
said body fluid defines a meniscus when said body fluid is drawn into said capillary channel; and
said capillary channel is constructed to tend to bias said meniscus in a radially asymmetric manner when said body fluid is drawn into said capillary channel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A device for sampling body fluid, comprising a main body that defines a capillary channel, wherein:
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said capillary channel is dimensioned to draw a body fluid into said capillary channel by capillary action;
said body fluid defines a meniscus when said body fluid is drawn into said capillary channel; and
said capillary channel has a relatively hydrophilic portion tending to bias said meniscus in a radially asymmetric manner when said body fluid is drawn into said capillary channel. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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- 11. A fluid sampling device comprising a capillary tube defining a capillary channel adapted to contain fluid defining a meniscus, the capillary channel further adapted to impart a radially asymmetric bias to the meniscus of the fluid when the fluid is within the capillary channel.
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22. A device, comprising:
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a body defining a capillary channel having a first region and a second region and a proximal portion and a distal portion;
the first region having a first capillary attraction to a fluid when the fluid flows in the capillary channel from the proximate portion toward the distal portion;
the second region having a second capillary attraction to the fluid when the fluid flows in the capillary channel from the proximate portion toward the distal portion; and
the first capillary attraction being stronger than the second capillary attraction sufficiently to bias the flow of the fluid within the capillary channel toward the first region when the fluid flows in the capillary channel from the proximate portion toward the distal portion. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
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- 27. A fluid sampling device comprising body means defining capillary channel means, wherein the capillary channel means includes means for biasing the meniscus of fluid within the capillary channel means.
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32. A device for sampling body fluid, comprising:
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a body defining a capillary channel; and
a lancet disposed within said capillary channel and defining a space between said lancet and said body;
said lancet being selectively advancable and retractable;
said capillary channel being dimensioned to draw a body fluid into said space through capillary action;
said body fluid defining a meniscus when said body fluid is drawn into said space; and
said capillary channel, or said lancet, or both, being dimensioned to tend to bias said meniscus in a radially asymmetric manner when said body fluid is drawn into said space. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A device for sampling body fluid, comprising:
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a body defining a capillary channel; and
a lancet disposed within said capillary channel and defining a space between said lancet and said body;
said lancet being selectively advancable and retractable;
said capillary channel being dimensioned to draw a body fluid into the space through capillary action;
said body fluid defining a meniscus when said body fluid is drawn into the space; and
said capillary channel, or said lancet, or both, having a relatively hydrophilic portion tending to bias said meniscus toward said hydrophilic portion when said body fluid is drawn into the space. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41)
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Specification