US 6,206,841 B1 · Method and apparatus for obtaining blood for diagnostic tests

Abstract

Method and apparatus for obtaining a sample of blood from a patient for subsequent diagnostic tests, e.g., glucose monitoring. In one aspect of the invention, the method comprises the steps of: (a) forming an unobstructed opening in the area of the skin from which the sample of blood is to be extracted; and (b) extracting the sample of blood from the unobstructed opening in the skin, with the aid of a vacuum and a stretching of the skin. In another aspect of the invention, an apparatus for carrying out the method described previously is provided. The apparatus comprises: (a) a device for forming an unobstructed opening in an area of skin from which said sample is to be extracted, preferably a lancing assembly; and (b) a vacuum pump. Preferably, the apparatus also includes a housing. In another aspect of this invention, an article is provided for an article capable of both collecting blood and detecting an analyte in that blood is provided. The article, which contains an appropriate detection element for determining the amount of analyte in the blood, can be used in conjunction with a meter that measures the signal generated by the detection element of the article. In one embodiment, the article is a multiple-layer element comprising: (a) a layer capable of receiving blood and transporting the blood received by means of chemically aided wicking; (b) a layer capable of detecting the presence of analyte or measuring the amount of analyte in blood; and (c) a layer that can be placed in contact with a meter, the meter-contactable layer overlying the blood-transporting layer, said layer (a) capable of transporting blood to said layer (b).

Claims9

Dependent claims

A method for performing a diagnostic test utilizing a sample of blood, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) forming an unobstructed opening in an area of skin from which said sample is to be extracted;
(b) extracting said sample from said unobstructed opening in said area of said skin, with the aid of vacuum and stretching of the skin;
(c) providing a multiple-layer article comprising:
(i) a layer capable of receiving blood and transporting the blood received by means of chemically aided wicking;
(ii) a layer capable of detecting the presence of analyte or measuring the amount of analyte in blood;
and
(iii) a layer that can be placed in contact with a meter, the meter-contactable layer overlying the blood-transporting layer, said layer (i) capable of transporting blood to said layer (ii).
(d) allowing said extracted sample to be received by said blood-transporting layer and allowing said blood to be transported by means of chemically aided wicking to said layer capable of detecting the presence of analyte or measuring the amount of analyte in blood;
and
(e) determining the presence of analyte or measuring the amount of analyte in blood.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for obtaining blood for diagnostic tests

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for obtaining blood for diagnostic tests

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims9