Apparatus for fluid transport and related method thereof

• US 6,607,495 B1
• Filed: 12/12/2001
• Issued: 08/19/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: University of Virginia Patent Foundation (University of Virginia)
• Original Assignee: University of Virginia Patent Foundation (University of Virginia)
• Inventors: Cottler, Patrick S., Skalak, Thomas C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hindenburg, Max F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): FOREMAN, JONATHAN M
• Application Number:
  US10/009,886
• Time in Patent Office: 615 Days
• Field of Search: 600/573, 600/576, 600/578, 600/580, 600/583, 604/19, 604/22, 604/35, 606/181, 606/182, 606/183
• US Class Current: 600/573
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150022 for capillary blood or interstitial fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150099 by negative pressure, other than vacuum extraction into a syringe by pulling on the piston rod or into pre-evacuated tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150221 Valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150229 Pumps for assisting the blood sampling
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150389 Hollow piercing elements, e.g. canulas, needles, for piercing the skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150503 Single-ended needles hollow piercing element tip design A61B5/150396, needle sets for catheters A61M25/06, needles for bringing media into the body A61M5/32
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150969 Low-profile devices which resemble patches or plasters, e.g. also allowing collection of blood samples for testing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150984 Microneedles or microblades
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/15121 comprising piezos
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/15123 comprising magnets or solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/411 Detecting or monitoring allergy or intolerance reactions to an allergenic agent or substance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/415 the glands, e.g. tonsils, adenoids or thymus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/418 lymph vessels, ducts or nodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00174 possibility of applying pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00536 for draining or irrigating wounds
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14224 Diaphragm type
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14248 of the skin patch type
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14586 pressurised by means of a flexible diaphragm

Abstract

The fluid transport apparatus and related method for withdrawing fluid from, or infusing fluid to, a target. The apparatus has a fluid collection chamber that has attached thereto cutting devices. The cutting devices are used to make incisions through the wall or skin of the body or target by inserting the cutting device or devices through the wall of the body for automatically removing blood or other tissue fluids from the skin or other tissues. In the operating mode, the motion of the actuator from the rest position to a displaced position generates a negative pressure in the fluid collection chamber that draws blood or fluid from the target into the collection chamber.

Claims

1. A fluid transport apparatus for withdrawing fluid from a target, said fluid transport apparatus comprising:

at least one fluid collection chamber having a target wall and a distal wall opposite of said target wall, whereby said target wall is adapted for being mated against the target while said transport apparatus is in use;

an actuator means that at least partially forms a portion of said distal wall, said actuator means reciprocates when activated;

at least one cutting device attached to said target wall of said fluid collection chamber and extending away from said fluid collection chamber, each such cutting device having at least one passage for transporting fluid there through; and

a power supply operatively connected to said actuator means for activating said actuator, said actuator means reciprocates in an upward and downward motion relative to the target when activated, whereby the upward motion expands the volume of said collection chamber to provide a negative pressure in said fluid collection chamber relative to the pressure of said target whereby the negative pressure causes the fluid to be transported from the target into said fluid collection chamber.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a fluid valve means for each of said respective cutting devices disposed at the attachment end of said cutting devices, said fluid valve means allows the flow of fluid into said fluid collection chamber and prevents the fluid from exiting back into the target.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, whereby during the upward motion of said actuator means the fluid is pulled into said fluid collection chamber under the resultant negative pressure and during the downward motion of said actuator means chamber said valve means are closed to prevent the fluid from exiting from said collection chamber and back into the target.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said actuator means comprises:

a piezoelectric film, whereby when said piezoelectric film is activated said film reciprocates between a bent position defining a concave surface in relation to said fluid collection chamber and a straight position defining a generally more planar surface.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said distal wall further comprises a conductive contact disposed on said piezoelectric film on the side of said piezoelectric film nearest to said target wall, said conductive contact being in electrical communication with said piezoelectric film.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising:

a mounting surface disposed on said conductive contact on the side of said conductive contact nearest to said target wall, said mounting surface having an aperture to allow said distal wall to be open to said fluid collection chamber.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising:

a flexible seal that is attached to, and disposed there between, said conductive contact and said mounting surface so as to provide an airtight seal between said collection chamber and said conductive contact.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising:

a displacement means for allowing said distal wall to move upward to a first predetermined position and downward to a second predetermined position as said piezoelectric film is reciprocating.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said displacement means comprises:

at least one elongated displacement guide, wherein said displacement guide is disposed through said conductive contact and has one of its ends affixed to said mounting surface, said displacement guide having a longitudinal axis that is generally parallel to the upward and downward reciprocating movement of said piezoelectric film, and said displacement guide further including a distal end that is opposite said fixed end and that extends upward so as to allow said distal wall to move upward to the first predetermined position.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said target wall comprises:

a flexible manifold for mating to the contours of the target.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, whereby the transport rate of the fluid from the target into said fluid collection chamber is in the range of about 10 micro liters/minute to about 100 micro liters/minute.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, whereby the number of said cutting devices that the apparatus comprises is about 1 to about 10.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, whereby the transport rate of the fluid from the target into said fluid collection chamber is in the range of about 1 micro liters/minute to about 1000 micro liters/minute.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, whereby the number of said cutting devices that the apparatus comprises is about 1 to about 500.

15. A fluid transport apparatus for withdrawing fluid from a target, said fluid transport apparatus comprising:

at least one fluid collection chamber having a target wall and a distal wall opposite of said target wall, whereby said target wall is adapted for being mated against the target while said transport apparatus is in use;

an actuator means that is in mechanical communication with said distal wall, said actuator means reciprocates when activated;

at least one cutting device attached to said target wall of said fluid collection chamber and extending away from said fluid collection chamber, each such cutting device having a passage for transporting fluid there through; and

a power supply operatively connected to said actuator means for activating said actuator, said actuator means reciprocates in an upward and downward motion relative to the target when activated, whereby the upward motion expands the volume of said collection chamber to provide a negative pressure in said fluid collection chamber relative to the pressure of said target whereby the negative pressure causes the fluid to be transported from the target into said fluid collection chamber.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising:

a fluid valve means for each of said respective cutting devices disposed at the attachment end of said cutting devices, said fluid valve means allows the flow of fluid into said fluid collection chamber and prevents the fluid from exiting back into the target.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, whereby during the upward motion of said actuator means the fluid is pulled into said fluid collection chamber under the resultant negative pressure and during the downward motion of said actuator means said valve means are closed to prevent the fluid from exiting from said collection chamber and back into the target.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said actuator means comprises:

a piezoelectric film, whereby when said piezoelectric film is activated said film reciprocates between a bent position defining a concave surface in relation to said fluid collection chamber and a straight position defining a generally more planar surface.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said actuator means comprises:

a solenoid device, whereby when said solenoid device is activated said solenoid has a piston that reciprocates; and

said piston is mechanically attached to said distal wall whereby when said solenoid piston reciprocates said distal wall reciprocates between a bent position defining a concave surface in relation to said air storage chamber to a straight position defining a generally planar surface.

20. A fluid transport apparatus for withdrawing fluid from a target, said fluid transport apparatus comprising:

at least one air storage chamber having an intermediate wall and a distal wall opposite of said intermediate wall;

at least one fluid collection chamber having a wall that is defined by said intermediate wall, said collection chamber further including a target wall opposite of said intermediate wall, whereby said target wall is adapted for being mated against the target while said transport apparatus is in use;

an actuator means that is in mechanical communication with said distal wall, said actuator means reciprocates when activated;

at least one cutting device attached to said target wall of said fluid collection chamber and extending away from said fluid collection chamber, each such cutting device having a passage for transporting fluid there through; and

a power supply operatively connected to said actuator means for activating said actuator means, said actuator means reciprocates causing said distal wall to reciprocate in an upward and a downward motion relative to the target when activated, whereby the upward motion expands the volume of said air storage chamber to provide a negative pressure in said air storage chamber and fluid collection chamber relative to the pressure of said target and whereby the negative pressure causes the fluid to be transported from the target into said fluid collection chamber.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising:

at least one fluid valve means disposed in said intermediate wall, said fluid valve means allows air from said fluid collection chamber to move into said air storage chamber and prevents any fluid that accumulates in said fluid collection chamber from entering into said air storage chamber.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, whereby during the upward motion of said distal wall the fluid is pulled into said fluid collection chamber under the resultant negative pressure and during the downward motion of said distal wall said valve means are closed to prevent the fluid in said fluid collection chamber from entering into said air storage chamber.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, further comprising:

a mounting surface disposed on said distal wall on the side of said distal wall nearest to said fluid collection chamber, said mounting surface having an aperture to allow said distal wall to be open with said air storage chamber.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, further comprising:

a flexible seal that is attached to, and disposed there between, said distal wall and said mounting surface so as to provide an airtight seal between said air storage chamber and said distal wall.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, further comprising:

a displacement means for allowing said distal wall to move upward to a first predetermined position and downward to a second predetermined position as said actuator means is reciprocating.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein said displacement means comprises:

at least one elongated displacement guide, wherein said displacement guide is disposed through said distal wall and has one of its ends affixed to said mounting surface, said displacement guide having a longitudinal axis that is generally parallel to the upward and downward reciprocating movement of said distal wall, and said displacement guide further including a distal end that is opposite said fixed end and that extends upward so as to allow said distal wall to move upward to the first predetermined position.

27. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said actuator means comprises:

a solenoid device, whereby when said solenoid device is activated said solenoid has a piston that reciprocates; and

said piston is mechanically attached to said distal wall whereby when said solenoid piston reciprocates'"'"'said distal wall reciprocates between a bent position defining a concave surface in relation to said air storage chamber to a straight position defining a generally planar surface.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, further comprising:

a lever arm that is rotatably attached, at its solenoid end of said lever, to said solenoid piston;

said lever arm also being rotatably attached, at its air storage chamber end of said lever, to said distal wall; and

a fulcrum proximately located to said lever so that said lever can pivot on said fulcrum when said solenoid piston reciprocates, whereby when said solenoid is activated said lever pivots and said distal wall reciprocates between a bent position defining a concave surface in relation to said air storage chamber to a straight position defining a generally more planar surface.

29. The apparatus of claim 22, further comprising:

an exhaust valve means disposed on said air storage chamber, whereby during the upward motion of said distal wall said exhaust valve means closes under the resultant negative pressure so as to prevent air from being released out from said air storage chamber, and during the downward motion of said distal wall said exhaust valve means opens to allow air to be released out of said air storage chamber.

30. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said actuator means comprises:

a piezoelectric film, whereby when said piezoelectric film is activated said film reciprocates between a bent position defining a concave surface in relation to said fluid collection chamber and a straight position defining a generally more planar surface.

31. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said target wall comprises:

a flexible manifold for mating to the contours of the target.

32. The apparatus of claim 20, whereby the transport rate of the fluid from the target into said fluid collection chamber is in the range of about 10 micro liters/minute to about 100 micro liters/minute.

33. The apparatus of claim 32, whereby the number of said cutting devices that the apparatus comprises is about 1 to about 10.

34. The apparatus of claim 20, whereby the transport rate of the fluid from the target into said fluid collection chamber is in the range of about 1 micro liters/minute to about 1000 micro liters/minute.

35. The apparatus of claim 34, whereby the number of said cutting devices that the apparatus comprises is about 1 to about 500.

36. A detachable fluid transport apparatus for withdrawing fluid from a target, said detachable fluid transport apparatus comprising a first section that is in communication with and detachable from a second section, said apparatus comprising:

an attachment means that fastens said first and second sections so as to be in communication with one another and to be detachable from one another, wherein said first section comprises;

at least one fluid collection chamber having a target wall and a distal wall opposite of said target wall, whereby said target wall is adapted for being mated against the target while said transport apparatus is in use; and

at least one cutting device attached to said target wall of said fluid collection chamber and extending away from said fluid collection chamber, each such cutting device having a passage for transporting fluid there through, wherein said second section comprises;

an actuator means that is in mechanical communication with said distal wall; and

a power supply operatively connected to said actuator means for activating said actuator means, said actuator means reciprocates causing said distal wall to reciprocate in an upward and a downward motion relative to the target when activated, whereby the upward motion expands the volume of said air storage chamber to provide a negative pressure in said air storage chamber and fluid collection chamber relative to the pressure of said target and whereby the negative pressure causes the fluid to be transported from said target into said fluid collection chamber.

37. A detachable fluid transport apparatus for withdrawing fluid from a target, said detachable fluid transport apparatus comprising a first section that is in communication with and detachable from a second section, said apparatus comprising:

an attachment means that fastens said first and second sections so as to be in communication with one another and to be detachable from one another, wherein said first section comprises;

at least one fluid collection chamber having a target wall and a distal wall opposite of said target wall, whereby said target wall is adapted for being mated against the target while said transport apparatus is in use;

at least one cutting device attached to said target wall of said fluid collection chamber and extending away from said fluid collection chamber, each such cutting device having a passage for transporting fluid there through; and

an actuator means that is in mechanical communication with said distal wall,

wherein said second section comprises;

a power supply operatively connected to said actuator means for activating said actuator means, said actuator means reciprocates causing said distal wall to reciprocate in an upward and a downward motion relative to the target when activated, whereby the upward-motion expands the volume of said air storage chamber to provide a negative pressure in said air storage chamber and fluid collection chamber relative to the pressure of said target and whereby the negative pressure causes the fluid to be transported from said target into said fluid collection chamber.

38. A detachable fluid transport apparatus for withdrawing fluid from a target, said detachable fluid transport apparatus comprising a first section that is in communication with and detachable from a second section, said apparatus comprising:

an attachment means that fastens said first and second sections so as to be in communication with one another and to be detachable from one another, wherein said first section comprises;

at least one air storage chamber having an intermediate wall and a distal wall opposite of said intermediate wall;

at least one fluid collection chamber having a wall that is defined by said intermediate wall, said collection chamber further including a target wall opposite of said intermediate wall, whereby said target wall is adapted for being mated against the target while said transport apparatus is in use; and

at least one cutting device attached to said target wall of said fluid collection chamber and extending away from said fluid collection chamber, each such cutting device having a passage for transporting fluid there through, wherein said second section comprises;

an actuator means that is in mechanical communication with said distal wall; and

a power supply operatively connected to said actuator means for activating said actuator means, said actuator means reciprocates causing said distal wall to reciprocate in an upward and a downward motion relative to the target when activated, whereby the upward motion expands the volume of said air storage chamber to provide a negative pressure in said air storage chamber and fluid collection chamber relative to the pressure of said target and whereby the negative pressure causes the fluid to be transported from said target into said fluid collection chamber.

39. A detachable fluid transport apparatus for withdrawing fluid from a target, said detachable fluid transport apparatus comprising a first section that is in communication with and detachable from a second section, said apparatus comprising:

an attachment means that fastens said first and second sections so as to be in communication with one another and to be detachable from one another, wherein said first section comprises;

at least one air storage chamber having an intermediate wall and a distal wall opposite of said intermediate wall;

at least one fluid collection chamber having a wall that is defined by said intermediate wall, said collection chamber further including a target wall opposite of said intermediate wall, whereby said target wall is adapted for being mated against the target while said transport apparatus is in use;

at least one cutting device attached to said target wall of said fluid collection chamber and extending away from said fluid collection chamber, each such cutting device having a passage for transporting fluid there through; and

an actuator means that is in mechanical communication with said distal wall,

wherein said second section comprises;

a power supply operatively connected to said actuator means for activating said actuator means, said actuator means reciprocates causing said distal wall to reciprocate in an upward and a downward motion relative to the target when activated, whereby the upward motion expands the volume of said air storage chamber to, provide a negative pressure in said air storage chamber and fluid collection chamber relative to the pressure of said target and whereby the negative pressure causes the fluid to be transported from said target into said fluid collection chamber.

40. A fluid transport apparatus for withdrawing fluid from a target, said fluid transport apparatus comprising:

at least one fluid collection chamber having a target wall and a distal wall opposite of said target wall, a side wall that connects said distal wall with said target wall, whereby said target wall is adapted for being mated against the target while said transport apparatus is in use;

an actuator means that is in mechanical communication with said side wall, said actuator means reciprocates when activated;

at least one cutting device attached to said target wall of said fluid collection chamber and extending away from said fluid collection chamber, each such cutting device having a passage for transporting fluid there through; and

a power supply operatively connected to said actuator means for activating said actuator, said actuator means reciprocates in an upward and downward motion relative to the interior of said fluid collection chamber when activated, whereby the upward motion expands the volume of said collection chamber to provide a negative pressure in said fluid collection chamber relative to the pressure of said target whereby the negative pressure causes the fluid to be transported from the target into said fluid collection chamber.

41. A fluid transport apparatus for infusing fluid into a target, said fluid transport apparatus comprising:

at least one fluid dispenser chamber having a target wall and a distal wall opposite of said target wall, whereby said target wall is adapted for being mated against the target while said transport apparatus is in use;

an actuator means that is in mechanical communication with said distal wall, said actuator means reciprocates when activated;

at least one cutting device attached to said target wall of said fluid dispenser chamber and extending away from said fluid dispenser chamber, each such cutting device having a passage for transporting fluid there through; and

a power supply operatively connected to said actuator means for activating said actuator, said actuator means reciprocates in an upward and downward motion relative to the target when activated, whereby the upward motion reduces the volume of said fluid dispenser chamber to provide a positive pressure in said fluid dispenser chamber relative to the pressure of said target whereby the positive pressure causes the fluid to be transported from said fluid dispenser chamber into the target.

42. The apparatus of claim 41, further comprising:

a fluid valve means for each of said respective cutting devices disposed at the attachment end of said cutting devices, said fluid valve means allows the flow of fluid into the target and prevents any fluid from exiting back into said fluid dispenser chamber.

43. A fluid transport apparatus for withdrawing target fluid from a target, and infusing storage fluid into the target said fluid sport apparatus comprising:

at least one fluid collection chamber having a collection target wall and a collection distal wall opposite of said collection target wall, a collection side wall that connects said collection distal wall with said collection target wall, whereby said collection target wall is adapted for being mated against the target while said transport apparatus is in use;

at least one fluid dispenser chamber having a storage target wall and a storage distal wall opposite of said storage target wall, a storage side wall that is proximate to or integral with said collection side wall so as to connect said storage distal wall with said storage target wall, thereby forming a generally common side wall defined by said side walls being adjacent or integral with one another, and whereby said storage target wall is adapted for being mated against the target while said transport apparatus is in use;

an actuator means that is in mechanical communication with said common side wall, said actuator means reciprocates when activated;

at least one cutting device attached to said target wall of each of said fluid collection chamber and fluid dispenser chamber and extending away from said respective chambers, each such cutting device having a passage for transporting fluid there through; and

a power supply operatively connected to said actuator means for activating said actuator, said actuator means reciprocates in an upward and downward motion relative to the interior of said respective chambers when activated, whereby the upward motion contracts the volume of said fluid dispenser chamber to provide a positive pressure in said fluid dispenser chamber relative to the pressure of said target, whereby the positive pressure causes the fluid to be transported from said fluid dispenser chamber into the target, and whereby the upward motion expands the volume of said collection chamber to provide a negative pressure in said fluid collection chamber relative to the pressure of said target whereby the negative pressure causes the fluid to be transported from the target into said fluid collection chamber.

44. A fluid transport apparatus for withdrawing fluid from a target, whereby the target has target passages extending therein, said fluid transport apparatus comprising:

at least one fluid collection chamber having a target wall and a distal wall opposite of said target wall, whereby said target wall is adapted for being mated against the target while said transport apparatus is in use;

an actuator means that is in mechanical communication with said distal wall, said actuator means reciprocates when activated;

at least one aperture disposed on said target wall of said fluid collection chamber so as to be aligned with the respective target passage when said target wall is mated against the taget, thereby forming a passage between the target passage and said target wall aperture for transporting fluid there through; and

a power supply operatively connected to said actuator means for activating said actuator, said actuator means reciprocates in an upward and downward motion relative to the target when activated, whereby the upward motion expands the volume of said collection chamber to provide a negative pressure in said fluid collection chamber relative to the pressure of said target whereby the negative pressure causes the fluid to be transported from the target into said fluid collection chamber.

45. A fluid transport apparatus for withdrawing fluid from a target, whereby the target has target passages extending therein, said fluid transport apparatus comprising:

at least one air storage chamber having an intermediate wall and a distal wall opposite of said intermediate wall;

at least one fluid collection chamber having a wall that is defined by said intermediate wall, said collection chamber further including a target wall opposite of said intermediate wall, whereby said target wall is adapted for being mated against the target while said transport apparatus is in use;

an actuator means that is in mechanical communication with said distal wall, said actuator means reciprocates when activated;

at least one aperture disposed on said target wall of said fluid collection chamber so as to be aligned with the respective target passage when said target wall is mated against the target, thereby forming a passage between the target passage and said target wall aperture for transporting fluid there through; and

a power supply operatively connected to said actuator means for activating said actuator means, said actuator means reciprocates causing said distal wall to reciprocate in an upward and a downward motion relative to the target when activated, whereby the upward motion expands the volume of said air storage chamber to provide a negative pressure in said air storage chamber and fluid collection chamber relative to the pressure of said target and whereby the negative pressure causes the fluid to be transported from the target into said fluid collection chamber.

46. A method of transporting fluid from a target using a fluid transport apparatus, said method comprising the steps of:

inserting at least one cutting device into said target wherein said cutting device comprises a passage for transporting fluid there through to a fluid collection chamber, said fluid collection chamber comprising a target wall that is adapted for being mated against the target while said transport apparatus is in use, said fluid collection chamber having a distal wall that is opposite said target wall; and

applying a negative pressure in said fluid collection chamber, wherein the negative pressure causes the fluid to be transported or withdrawn from the target into said passages of said cutting devices and transported or withdrawn into said fluid collection chamber, wherein said application of negative pressure comprises the following steps;

expanding the volume of said fluid collecting chamber via a fluid valve means disposed on said target wall, wherein said volume expansion of said fluid collection chamber comprises the following steps;

activating an actuator means that is in mechanical or electrical communication with said distal wall, said actuator means reciprocates causing said distal wall to reciprocate in an upward and a downward motion relative to the target when activated, whereby the upward motion expands the volume of said fluid collection chamber to provide the negative pressure in said fluid collection chamber relative to the pressure of said target and whereby the negative pressure causes the fluid to be transported from said target into said fluid collection chamber.

47. A method of transporting fluid from a target using a fluid transport apparatus, said method comprising the steps of:

inserting at least one cutting device into said target wherein said cutting device comprises a passage for transporting fluid there through to a fluid collection chamber, said fluid collection chamber comprising a target wall that is adapted for being mated against the target while said transport apparatus is in use, said fluid collection chamber having an intermediate wall that is opposite said target wall; and

applying a negative pressure in said fluid collection chamber, wherein the negative pressure causes the fluid to be transported or withdrawn from the target into said passages of said cutting devices and transported or withdrawn into said fluid collection chamber, wherein said application of negative pressure comprises the following steps;

expanding the volume of an air storage chamber that is open to said fluid collection chamber via a fluid valve means disposed on said intermediate wall, said air storage chamber defined by said intermediate wall and a distal wall opposite said intermediate wall, wherein said volume expansion of said air storage chamber comprises the following steps;

activating an actuator means that is in mechanical or electrical communication with said distal wall, said actuator means reciprocates causing said distal wall to reciprocate in an upward and a downward motion relative to the target when activated, whereby the upward motion expands the volume of said air storage chamber to provide the negative pressure in said air storage chamber and fluid collection chamber relative to the pressure of said target and whereby the negative pressure causes the fluid to be transported from said target into said fluid collection chamber.