Blood and interstitial fluid sampling device

A device for obtaining a sample of body fluid through the skin comprising:

• a housing member adapted to contain a needle for piercing the skin;
• a drive means in the housing for urging the needle to protrude from the end of the housing sufficient to penetrate the skin;
• a stop member to limit the depth of needle penetration into the skin by the device means;
• a sample container communicating with the needle for retrieving the sample from the needle;
• means for retracting the needle from the skin;
• means for drawing the sample of fluid which accumulates on the surface of the skin into the sample container;
• and
• means for stimulating the surface of the skin by at least one of mechanical action, piezoelectric action, electrical action, and thermal action.

A device for obtaining a sample of body fluid through the skin comprising:

• a housing member suitable for hand held use;
• a system for piercing the skin comprising a laser system or a fluid under pressure;
• a sample collection tube positioned to collect a sample of fluid emerging from the pierced skin;
• and
• an actuator for causing the member or system to pierce the skin.

A device for use in a body fluid sampling device for obtaining a sample through the skin comprising:

• a standoff member adapted for contacting the skin;
• a sample collection tube positioned in the standoff member for receiving the fluid sample;
• a lancet member movably positioned in the standoff member adjacent to the tube for piercing the skin;
• and
• electrodes positioned in the standoff member adapted for connection to a sensor to sense the presence of fluid within the standoff member.

A method of collecting a sample of body fluid which includes piercing the skin;

• mechanically stimulating the wound created by piercing the skin;
• collecting the sample which results from the stimulating;
• and
• dispensing the sample.

A method of collecting a sample of body fluid comprising:

• piercing the skin with a hypodermic needle;
• withdrawing the needle from the skin;
• massaging an area adjacent the wound;
• and
• collecting a sample of fluid from the surface of the skin into the hypodermic needle.

A method for collecting a sample body fluid comprising:

• mechanically massaging a skin area;
• piercing the skin area to create a wound;
• mechanically massaging the skin area adjacent the wound;
• and
• collecting a fluid sample from the wound or the surface of the skin.

A device for obtaining a sample of body fluid through the skin comprising:

• a housing member containing means for lancing the skin;
• a stop member;
• and
• a heated stimulation member adapted to contact the skin and stimulate blood flow.