Abstract: A device for use with a gripper is provided. A cartridge is provided that defines a plurality of cavities. A plurality of penetrating members are at least partially contained in the cavities of the cartridge. The penetrating members are slidably movable to extend outward from the cartridge to penetrate tissue. Each cavity has a longitudinal opening that provides access to an elongate portion of the penetrating member. A sterility barrier is coupled to the cartridge. The sterility barrier covers a plurality of the longitudinal openings. The sterility barrier is configured to be moved so that the elongate portion is accessed by the gripper without touching the barrier.

Abstract: A sampling module includes a housing and a penetrating member positioned in the housing. An attachment device is coupled to the housing. The attachment device is tiltably attached to a tissue interface that permits the tissue interface surface to tilt. The tissue interface includes an opening for the penetrating member to pass there through.

Abstract: A moving coil tissue penetration device includes a magnetic source that produces a magnetic field in a magnetically active region. A cylindrical coil is secured to a translation substrate and disposed at least partially within the magnetically active region. A sharpened member is configured to penetrate tissue and mechanically coupled to the translation substrate.

Abstract: A moving coil tissue penetration device includes a magnetic source that produces a magnetic field in a magnetically active region. A cylindrical coil is secured to a translation substrate and disposed at least partially within the magnetically active region. A sharpened member is configured to penetrate tissue and mechanically coupled to the translation substrate.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention a lancet is provided that has a sharpened distal tip, a shaft portion and a proximal drive head. The proximal drive head has a transverse dimension that is substantially larger than a transverse dimension of the shaft portion adjacent to the proximal drive head.

Abstract: These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in a body fluid sampling system for use on a tissue site that includes an electrically powered drive force generator. A penetrating member is operatively coupled to the force generator. The force generator moves the member along a path out of a housing having a penetrating member exit, into the tissue site, stops in the tissue site, and withdraws out of the tissue site. A cartridge houses the penetrating member. The cartridge has first and second seals coupled to the penetrating member to maintain a sterile environment around a portion of the penetration member prior to penetrating member actuation. A user interface is configured to relay at least one of, penetrating member performance or a penetrating member setting.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for manufacturing an analyte detecting device. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a housing; a penetrating member driver; a cartridge containing a plurality of penetrating members; a display on the cartridge; a linear slider on the housing, the slider coupled to a rod; and the rod moving with the slider, the rod having at least one roller. The device uses the linear motion of the slider to rotate the cartridge, punch open a new cavity and load a new penetrating member.

Abstract: These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in a body fluid sampling system for use on a tissue site that includes an electrically powered drive force generator. A penetrating member is operatively coupled to the force generator. The force generator moves the member along a path out of a housing having a penetrating member exit, into the tissue site, stops in the tissue site, and withdraws out of the tissue site. An analyte detecting member is positioned to receive fluid from a wound created by the penetrating member. The detection member is configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in the fluid using a sample of less than 1 ?L of the fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus having a shaft that can sense the depth of penetration, for penetrating into an object (the substrate). The substrate being penetrated has impedance that varies according to the depth under a surface of the substrate. The shaft has a tip for penetration and has conductive ends near to the tip of the shaft. A change of impedance of material of the object between the conductive ends can be sensed to provide information on the depth of penetration. A processor can be provided external to the object being penetrated by the shaft to gather and process the impedance information to determine whether the desired depth has been achieved.

Abstract: A tissue penetrating system includes a plurality of penetrating members each having a tip. A penetrating member driver is coupled to the plurality of penetrating members. Each tip of a penetrating member is uncovered during launch of the penetrating member by the penetrating member driver. A support is provided with a plurality of openings. Each opening receives a penetrating member.

Abstract: An integrated analyte measurement system includes a housing and a disposable configured to be positioned in the housing. A plurality of penetrating members are positioned in the disposable. A penetrating member driver is configured to be coupled to each of a penetrating member. A plurality of analyte sensors are positioned in the disposable. The disposable houses both used and unused penetrating members and analyte sensors.

Abstract: This invention relates to a blood testing apparatus comprising a device for withdrawing blood containing a pricking element, a membrane-type testing means, defining a measuring field, an evaluating device comprising an electronic evaluation system and a display device forming a complete system which can be manipulated as a single piece of apparatus. The aim of the invention is to develop said apparatus in such a way that it is user friendly. The invention is characterized in that a plurality of testing means can be inserted into the apparatus and brought successively to a work position to carry out several measurements wherein said testing means can cooperate together with the evaluating device. The blood withdrawing device also comprises a plurality of pricking elements and each respective testing means is positioned in a work position, wherein a pricking element is pushed through the testing means and pricks the skin surface of the user.

Abstract: A portable medical analyzer comprising a sampling module with a sample port for receiving body fluid, an assay sensor module for analysis of the body fluid, an analytical detector module with detection of information from the assay, and a communications module for transferring the information to a remote location via a wired or wireless network.

Abstract: A tissue penetrating system has a housing member. A plurality of penetrating members are positioned in the housing member. A tissue stabilizing member is coupled to the housing. A penetrating member sensor is coupled to the plurality of penetrating members. The penetrating member sensor is configured to provide information relative to a depth of penetration of a penetrating member through a skin surface.

Abstract: A tissue penetration device includes a magnetic source that produces a controllable magnetic field in a magnetically active region adjacent the magnetic source. A magnetic member is disposed at least partially in the magnetically active region. A permanent magnet is disposed at a proximal end of the magnetically active region for zeroing the position of the magnetic member while the tissue penetration device is inactive.

Abstract: A tissue penetration device and method of using same. The tissue penetration device may optionally include sampling and analyzing functions, which may be integrated. An embodiment provides control of a lancet used for sampling blood. Electric field coils or solenoids may drive the lancet using electromagnetic force. Advancement and retraction of a lancet may be controlled by a feedback loop monitoring the position and velocity of the lancet embodiments of the lancet driver can be configured to follow a predetermined tissue lancing profile. Embodiments of the invention include a lancet and method for using a lancet to maintain the patency of the wound tract once the lancet has cut into the skin.

Abstract: A tissue penetration device and method of using same. The tissue penetration device may optionally include sampling and analyzing functions, which may be integrated. An embodiment provides control of a lancet used for sampling blood. Electric field coils or solenoids may drive the lancet using electromagnetic force. Advancement and retraction of a lancet may be controlled by a feedback loop monitoring the position and velocity of the lancet embodiments of the lancet driver can be configured to follow a predetermined tissue lancing profile. Embodiments of the invention include a lancet and method for using a lancet to maintain the patency of the wound tract once the lancet has cut into the skin.

Abstract: A tissue penetration device and method of using same. The tissue penetration device may optionally include sampling and analyzing functions, which may be integrated. An embodiment provides control of a lancet used for sampling blood. Electric field coils or solenoids may drive the lancet using electromagnetic force. Advancement and retraction of a lancet may be controlled by a feedback loop monitoring the position and velocity of the lancet embodiments of the lancet driver can be configured to follow a predetermined tissue lancing profile. Embodiments of the invention include a lancet and method for using a lancet to maintain the patency of the wound tract once the lancet has cut into the skin.

Abstract: A body fluid sampling system for use on a tissue site includes a single drive force generator. A plurality of penetrating members are operatively coupled to the force generator. The force generator moves each of the members along a path out of a housing with a penetrating member exit, into the tissue site, stops in the tissue site, and withdraws out of the tissue site. A flexible support member couples the penetrating members to define a linear array. The support member is movable and configured to move each of the penetrating members to a launch position associated with the force generator.

Abstract: A tissue penetration device and method of using same. The tissue penetration device may optionally include sampling and analyzing functions, which may be integrated. An embodiment provides control of a lancet used for sampling blood. Electric field coils or solenoids may drive the lancet using electromagnetic force. Advancement and retraction of a lancet may be controlled by a feedback loop monitoring the position and velocity of the lancet embodiments of the lancet driver can be configured to follow a predetermined tissue lancing profile. Embodiments of the invention include a lancet and method for using a lancet to maintain the patency of the wound tract once the lancet has cut into the skin.