Abstract: An apparatus (4) for sterilizing and assembling a cartridge (8) containing a medical substance to a device (12) for dispensing said medical substance, comprising: a cartridge (8) containing the medical substance to be dispensed, the cartridge being provided with a cap (24), a device (12) for dispensing said medical substance, the device being provided with at least one needle (28) configured to pierce the cap (24) of the cartridge (8) and allow the withdrawal of the medical substance from the cartridge (8), a first interface (32) that may be sealingly joined to the cap (24) of the cartridge (8) by means of the interposition of a first gasket (36), a second interface (40) joined to the dispensing device (12) near said needle (28), wherein the second interface (40) has a seal (44) that isolates the needle (28) from the external environment in a sterile volume (48), and is provided with a second gasket (52) which may be sealingly joined to the first interface (32) in order to identify a sealed chamber (56) delim

Abstract: A device for connecting a reservoir to a fluid pathway in a medicament delivery apparatus includes a main body having a service area housing a needle in fluid communication with the fluid pathway. A reservoir is filled with a medicament to be delivered in the fluid pathway through the needle after the latter has pierced an end surface of the reservoir. A plunger is movable within the reservoir along an axial direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the reservoir, and a piston is movable along said axial direction. A trigger mechanism is configured to drive the device to move from an initial operative configuration at which the axial movement of the piston causes an axial movement of the reservoir with respect to the main body to a final operative configuration at which the axial movement of the piston causes an axial movement of the plunger within the reservoir.

Abstract: There provided a drug delivery device adapted for providing a plurality of discrete doses of a medicament including a disposable delivery unit (2) adapted to be worn by a user, comprising a reservoir (10b) for holding a medicament to be delivered, an injection member (22) adapted for trans-dermal drug delivery, and a pump (12) adapted for pumping the medicament to be delivered from the reservoir (10b) to the injection member (22); and a separate reusable base unit (4) comprising a drive module for driving the pump (12). The pump in the disposable delivery unit is activated to deliver a dose of the medicament by bringing the base unit temporarily into communication with the delivery unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for creating a puncture wound for obtaining a sample of a body fluid from a body part in which a skin opening is created at a puncture site in the epidermis in a skin-opening step. Then, in a sample collection step a sample collection puncture is executed by using a puncture element with which the skin opening is deepened with the puncture element, thereby creating a puncture wound for obtaining the sample. The invention also relates to a handheld apparatus for implementing this method.

Abstract: Body fluid sampling device comprising a sampling element having a fluid pathway (11) for receiving body fluid, at least a portion of the fluid pathway is open to the environment and further comprising a fluid receiving means (40) being spaced from the fluid pathway so that fluid in the pathway will not contact the fluid receiving means initially. The fluid receiving means has two or more test zones (45) for performing analytical reactions. Fluid from the channel is contacted with the fluid receiving means either by bringing the fluid receiving means and the fluid into mechanical contact or by electrically transporting fluid from the channel onto the fluid receiving means.

Abstract: There provided a drug delivery device adapted for providing a plurality of discrete doses of a medicament including a disposable delivery unit (2) adapted to be worn by a user, comprising a reservoir (10b) for holding a medicament to be delivered, an injection member (22) adapted for trans-dermal drug delivery, and a pump (12) adapted for pumping the medicament to be delivered from the reservoir (10b) to the injection member (22); and a separate reusable base unit (4) comprising a drive module for driving the pump (12). The pump in the disposable delivery unit is activated to deliver a dose of the medicament by bringing the base unit temporarily into communication with the delivery unit.

Abstract: Body fluid sampling device comprising a skin-piercing element having a collection zone for receiving body fluid. In one embodiment, the collection zone includes a plurality of holes, e.g., 3 or more holes, or 50 to 100 holes. The hole size may be small, e.g., having a diameter of 0.01 to 0.5 mm. The holes may or may not extend through the lancet. In some embodiments, the holes have a depth of 50 to 500 ?m. In other embodiments, the collection zone is porous, or is a roughened area. The collection zone can take up a very small volume of body fluid, e.g., 3 to 10 nL, in a very short time period, e.g., less than 0.5 seconds. In other embodiments, the device further comprises a fluid receiving means spaced apart from the collection zone so that body fluid in the collection zone will not contact the fluid receiving means initially.

Abstract: A medical device (1) comprising a memory (21), a processor (20), a medical device interface (2), and a program configured to process data obtained or generated by the medical device (1) into a format readable by a personal computer browser or spreadsheet program. The program further is configured to automatically initiate the computer browser or spreadsheet program of a personal computer (5) to display the processed data using standard software when the medical device interface (2) is connected to a personal computer interface (4).

Abstract: In the case of a disposable lancing element for collecting body fluid through the skin comprising a support and a lancing member which distally projects therefrom and can pierce the skin in a lancing movement, it is proposed that a pretensioning means which tightens the skin in the area of the puncture site is arranged on the support and has a contact member which impacts the skin laterally from the lancing member during the lancing movement.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for creating a puncture wound for obtaining a sample of a body fluid from a body part in which a skin opening is created at a puncture site in the epidermis in a skin-opening step. Then, in a sample collection step a sample collection puncture is executed by using a puncture element with which the skin opening is deepened with the puncture element, thereby creating a puncture wound for obtaining the sample. The invention also relates to a handheld apparatus for implementing this method.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and a device for piercing a body part and determining whether a sufficient volume of blood has been withdrawn. A lancing element is rapidly inserted into a body part in a forward phase and retracted quickly to a lesser puncturing depth. Subsequently, the lancing element is retracted slower than during the first retraction movement and the distance retracted during the second retraction is shorter than the first retraction movement. During the second retraction movement, body fluid is collected in a collection phase by a capillary structure of the lancing element. Contact between the lancing element and the body fluid is detected after the forward phase at the beginning and the end of a waiting period.

Abstract: A microfluidic system having a microchannel for the capillary transport of a liquid, in particular a body fluid for analytical purposes. The microchannel is provided with a surface coating comprising at least one hydrophilic substance selected from the group consisting of polyacrylic acid, polyacrylate, dextran sulfate and chondroitin sulfate. The invention also concerns a coating method that is suitable for this.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a sampling system for sample liquid having a support, a lancing element arranged thereon and a semi-open channel for the capillary transport of the sample liquid from the lancing element to a collecting site on the support. A receiving structure is provided for receiving excess sample liquid escaping from the side of the channel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and device for extracting body fluid from a body part. The method provides a penetration device including a penetration element formed to pierce the body part and an actuator formed to propel forward movement of the penetration element. The penetration element is moved toward the body part at a very high penetration speed to form an impression in the body part having a depth less than about 0.3 mm and the body part is pierced with the penetration element. The actuator of the penetration device is formed to propel forward movement of the penetration element at a penetration speed of at least about 15 m/sec.

Abstract: The invention generally concerns a microfluidic system having a support body provided with a lancing member and a semi-open microchannel, for the capillary transport of a sample fluid from a receiving site to a target site. In order to obtain a higher aspect ratio the support body is coated with a build-up layer which laterally defines the microchannel in the upper region.

Abstract: A system and method for carrying out the withdrawal of body fluid with as little body fluid as possible visible to the user at the end of the process. The present invention provides a pressure piece for exerting pressure on a body part. The pressure piece is moved relative to a support for the body part, and in the final phase of fluid withdrawal, the compressive or resistive force of the pressure piece on the body part is reduced in order to avoid the escape of body fluid from the puncture site. The support results in a defined positioning of the body part that rests against it for the lancing process, whereas the relative movement of the pressure piece enables an additional increase in pressure and thus an improved collection of fluid.

Abstract: Body fluid sampling device comprising a skin-piercing element (10) having a fluid pathway (11) for receiving body fluid, at least a portion of said fluid pathway is open to the environment and further comprising a fluid receiving means (40) being spaced from said fluid pathway so that fluid in said pathway will not contact the fluid receiving means initially. Said fluid receiving means may have a test zone (45) for performing an analytical reaction. Fluid from said channel is contacted with said fluid receiving means either by bringing the fluid receiving means and the fluid into mechanical contact or by electrically transporting fluid from the channel onto the fluid receiving means.

Abstract: A test magazine with two film strips (12, 14), which are joined to one another in a sandwich-like manner, can be wound up, and between which holding cells (16) for test elements are kept free. The test magazine also comprises a multitude of test elements (18, 20) each having a puncturing unit (18) for inserting into body tissue and a test unit (20) for being subjected to body fluid. To this end, the puncturing units (18) and test units (20) are placed in separate holding cells (16) whereby separating them from one another.

Abstract: A method is provided that conveniently allows rapid amplification of nucleic acids. Two different heat sources are used to heat the reaction mixture.

Abstract: Body fluid sampling device comprising a skin-piercing element having a collection zone for receiving body fluid, and the device further comprising a fluid receiving means remote spaced apart from the collection zone so that body fluid in the collection zone will not contact the fluid receiving means initially. The collection zone takes up a very small volume of body fluid of about 10 to 500 nl in a very short time period of less than 0.5 seconds. The fluid receiving means may have a test zone for performing an analytical reaction. Fluid sample from the collection zone is automatically or manually transported to the fluid receiving means to contact the fluid with the test zone.