Abstract: A surface penetration device, methods of use and methods of manufacture thereof are provided. The device includes a substrate supporting a tapered elongate structure extending from and supported by the substrate upper surface. The elongate structure includes a distal portion, a proximal portion supported at the substrate upper surface, a lumen, and a plurality of lumen openings. A cross section of the lumen is asymmetrical and includes a fist defining dimension that is larger than a second defining dimension. The lumen extends from the lumen openings and through the elongate structures. The lumen openings are positioned proximal to the elongate structure's distal portion. In one embodiment an array of a plurality of the elongate structures are provided. In another embodiment, the elongate structures are microneedles.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a glucose monitor having a plurality of tissue piercing elements, each tissue piercing element having a distal opening, a proximal opening and interior space extending between the distal and proximal openings; a sensing area in fluid communication with the proximal openings of the tissue piercing elements; sensing fluid extending from the sensing area into substantially the entire interior space of the tissue piercing elements; and a glucose sensor adapted to detect a concentration of glucose in the sensing fluid within the sensing area.

Abstract: A system for treating a blood sample (700) having an analyte of interest comprises a strip (200) having a membrane (218), respective portions (216, 220 and 222, or 300) which are provided for receiving the sample, for lysing cells of the sample to liberate hemoglobin, and for capturing glycated hemoglobin. The latter two portions (220 and 222, or 300) of the membrane are treated with lysing and capture agents, respectively. A portion of the strip (214 or 230 or 240) is provided for holding an eluting agent and for releasing the agent upon a release condition. A system for detecting analyte comprises an optical subsystem (550) that is aligned with the strip to provide a signal corresponding to an amount of analyte, and an electronic subsystem (650) for processing the signal (560) to provide a result, such as an amount or percentage of glycated hemoglobin.

Abstract: This invention relates to a sensor for the direct and continuous measurement of the electrochemical properties of compounds in a high resistivity liquid. The sensor has a housing which includes a porous hydrophilic membrane which may be made of a ceramic, and contains an electrolytic solution. The membrane permits the passage of a portion of the electrolytic solution into the pores thereby facilitating the formation of an interface between the electrolytic solution and the high resistivity liquid and allowing extraction of the compounds in the high resistivity liquid into the electrolytic solution. A porous sensing electrode is positioned directly on the membrane for detecting and measuring the concentration of the compounds extracted from the high resistivity fluid.

Abstract: A sensor for gaseous and vaporous species is disclosed. The sensor comprises an electrically insulated substrate which contains small pores passing completely through it. Electrodes consisting of metallic or semiconductor material are deposited onto the top surface of the substrate. In a first embodiment of the invention, an electrolyte is placed on the top surface of the substrate in such a manner as to create a gas or vapor permeable electrolyte layer on top of the electrodes. In a second embodiment of the invention, the electrolyte is applied to the bottom surface of the substrate and seeps up through the porous holes of the substrate until it makes contact with the electrodes. Both embodiments result in a gas sensor with a response time dependent upon the gas flow rate rather than the time required for the gas to be dissolved in the electrolyte layer and be detected.