Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed herein for extracting bodily fluids. The apparatus consists of a housing, a releasable lancet stored in the housing, an inlet flow channel formed in the housing, a mechanically powered vacuum generator, and a storage area formed in the housing. The releasable lancet is released to pierce the skin of the subject to allow fluid to be extracted from the subject. The vacuum generator generates a partial vacuum within the inlet flow channel. After the lancet has pierced the skin of the subject, the partial vacuum draws fluid from the subject and into the inlet flow channel. The storage area is in fluid connection with the inlet flow channel, and receives the fluid drawn from the subject from the inlet flow channel.

Abstract: Systems and methods of determining a core temperature of an internal organ in a body are provided. A thermal mass of known thermal resistance can be located between a body-contacting substrate and an external substrate. The body-contacting portion of the substrate can be placed over the organ whose temperature is to be measured. Temperature sensors can measure a temperature difference across the thermal mass and an absolute temperature at the external portion of the substrate. An electronic processor can receive the temperature measurements and can compute the core temperature of the organ based on the temperature measurements and the thermal resistances of the thermal mass and the tissue surrounding the organ.

Abstract: A method of making a test sensor configured to assist in determining information related to an analyte in a fluid sample is disclosed. The method comprises the act of providing a base having a first end and a second opposing end. The method further comprises the act of providing a fluid-receiving area configured to receive a fluid sample. The method further comprises the act of assigning calibration information to the test sensor. The method further comprises the act of forming at least one notch such that a depth of the notch corresponds to the calibration information.