Rapid analgesia for skin puncture

• US 20050038463A1
• Filed: 06/03/2004
• Published: 02/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brigham and Women's Hospital Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Brigham and Women's Hospital Incorporated
• Inventors: Davar, Gudarz
• Granted Patent: US 7,386,349 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/181
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150022 for capillary blood or interstitial fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6826 Finger
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6838 Clamps or clips
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0456 Specially adapted for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation [TENS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36021 for treatment of pain

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a device for providing transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TENS) to the finger of a patient at the same time that the finger is being punctured for the purpose of obtaining a blood sample. The device should reduce the pain associated with this procedure and should be of particular interest to diabetic patients that must perform repeated finger puncture procedures to monitor blood glucose levels.

Claims

1. A device for puncturing the finger of a patient for the purpose of obtaining a blood sample comprising:

a) a stabilization block comprising a finger opening of sufficient size to permit the insertion of a patient'"'"'s finger;

b) at least two electrodes mounted on the inner surface of said finger opening and positioned so as to contact a patient'"'"'s finger when inserted into said finger opening; and

c) a lancet opening in said stabilization block, which may be the same as said finger opening or separate from said finger opening, through which a lancet may pass to puncture a patient'"'"'s finger when inserted into said finger opening.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising electrical circuitry coupled to said electrodes and capable of delivering pulses of electricity across said electrodes when connected by a patient'"'"'s finger.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said finger opening has a diameter of 1.5-3.0 cm.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein said finger opening is the same as said lancet opening.

5. The device of any one of claims 1-4, wherein said finger opening is in the form of an elongated trough 1-11 cm in length.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein said electrodes are in the form of, or attached to, contact pads.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein said contact pads are mounted in a manner such that they compress a patient'"'"'s finger when inserted into said finger opening.

8. The device of claim 6, wherein said contact pads are on opposite sides of said trough.

9. The device of claim 6, further comprising a base unit on which said stabilization block may be mounted.

10. The device of any one of claims 1-4, further comprising a base unit on which said stabilization block can be mounted.

11. The device of claim 2, wherein said electrical circuitry supplies a minimum of 50 mamps to said electrodes.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein said finger opening has a diameter of 1.5-3.0 cm and is in the form of an elongated trough 1-11 cm in length.

13. The device of claim 12, further comprising a base unit on which said stabilization block can be mounted.

14. The device of claim 2, wherein said electrical circuitry includes a regulator for adjusting the intensity of electrical impulses delivered to said electrodes.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein said finger opening has a diameter of 1.5-3.0 cm and is in the form of an elongated trough 1-11 cm in length.

16. The device of claim 15, further comprising a base unit on which said stabilization block can be mounted.

17. The device of any one of claims 1-3, wherein:

a) said lancet opening is separate from said finger opening in said stabilization block; and

b) said lancet opening opens into said finger opening thereby providing a passageway through which a lancet may contact a patient'"'"'s finger when said finger is inserted into said finger opening.

18. The device of claim 17, further comprising a spring-loaded lancet mounted in said lancet opening.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said blood sample is obtained using the device of any one of claims 1-4 or 10-15.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein said blood sample is obtained using the device of claim 17.

19. A method of obtaining a blood sample from a patient, comprising puncturing a finger of said patient with a lancet while concurrently numbing said finger using transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS).