Abstract: A method and apparatus (2) for obtaining a sample of blood. An embodiment consists of an apparatus (2) which integrates lancing (12), sample collection, and analysis. The presence of patients finger on the active sampling area can be sensed by monitoring the pressure applied by the finger on the device (2).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for pumping and optionally mixing of small quantities of biological fluid wherein the pumping mechanism is segregated from the biological fluid being pumped. The micro-pump pushes the biological fluid by compressing a cartridge housing the blood and reagents with collapsible walls with a roller or ball bearing, synchronized perpendicular plungers, or an acutely-angled member to push the biological fluid by collapsing the walls of the cartridge in the direction of flow.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for pumping and optionally mixing of small quantities of biological fluid wherein the pumping mechanism is segregated from the biological fluid being pumped. The micro-pump pushes the biological fluid by compressing a cartridge housing the blood and reagents with collapsible walls with a roller or ball bearing, synchronized perpendicular plungers, or an acutely-angled member to push the biological fluid by collapsing the walls of the cartridge in the direction of flow.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for making a microscopic paddle wheel coupled inductively by an external electromagnet and used for valving and active pumping so that the actual pumping mechanism is completely isolated from the electromagnetic driver. The paddle wheel is inexpensive to manufacture and disposable. A cartridge having a network of conduits and reservoirs contains several of such paddle wheels to transport blood and reagents. A point-of-care device houses the electromagnetic driving mechanism and is reused with successive cartridges since the paddle wheels are contained by the cartridge and do not contaminate the driving mechanism.

Abstract: Blood samples can be collected without substantial contamination from ambient air, such that the blood sample may be analysed accurately for gaseous components such as oxygen and carbon dioxide. An embodiment of th device has integrated actuation, lancing, and sample acquisition components, which in some embodiments are miniaturized and/or disposable.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for obtaining a sample of blood. An embodiment consists of an apparatus which integrates lancing, sample collection, and analysis. The presence of patients finger on the active sampling area can be sensed by monitoring the pressure applied by the finger on the device.

Abstract: Blood samples can be collected without substantial contamination from ambient air, such that the blood sample may be analysed accurately for gaseous components such as oxygen and carbon dioxide. An embodiment of the device has integrated actuation, lancing, and sample acquisition components, which in some embodiments are miniatuized and/or disposable.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for making a microscopic paddle wheel coupled inductively by an external electromagnet and used for valving and active pumping so that the actual pumping mechanism is completely isolated from the electromagnetic driver. The paddle wheel is inexpensive to manufacture and disposable. A cartridge having a network of conduits and reservoirs contains several of such paddle wheels to transport blood and reagents. A point-of-care device houses the electromagnetic driving mechanism and is reused with successive cartridges since the paddle wheels are contained by the cartridge and do not contaminate the driving mechanism.

Abstract: A cassette containing cartridges for sampling blood from a patient. The cassette includes a container for storing a plurality of cartridges and at least one cartridge in the container. The cartridge includes a cartridge case and a lancet. The lancet has a tip and is housed in the cartridge case. The lancet can be driven to extend the tip outside the cartridge case for lancing the skin of the patient to yield blood. The container has a compartment that contains at least one cartridge. A cartridge from the compartment can be loaded onto a glucometer that drives the lancet in the cartridge to lance the skin of a patient.

Abstract: A device for puncturing the skin of a patient. The device includes first and second protrusions, each protrusion puncturing the skin when pressed against the skin. The first and second protrusions are arranged such that the first protrusion punctures the skin at a location less than a predetermined distance from the second protrusion. The distance is chosen to be less than the discriminatable distance between distinct pain perception points in the patient, such that the patient perceives a single puncture when the first and second protrusions puncture the skin. In one embodiment of the invention, the device includes a base lip that applies a lateral force to the skin when the base lip is pressed against the skin. In this embodiment, the protrusions are pressed into the skin as the base lip is pressed against the skin.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for making a microscopic paddle wheel coupled inductively by an external electromagnet and used for valving and active pumping so that the actual pumping mechanism is completely isolated from the electromagnetic driver. The paddle wheel is inexpensive to manufacture and disposable. A cartridge having a network of conduits and reservoirs contains several of such paddle wheels to transport blood and reagents. A point-of-care device houses the electromagnetic driving mechanism and is reused with successive cartridges since the paddle wheels are contained by the cartridge and do not contaminate the driving mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for pumping and optionally mixing of small quantities of biological fluid wherein the pumping mechanism is segregated from the biological fluid being pumped. The micro-pump pushes the biological fluid by compressing a cartridge housing the blood and reagents with collapsible walls with a roller or ball bearing, synchronized perpendicular plungers, or an acutely-angled member to push the biological fluid by collapsing the walls of the cartridge in the direction of flow.

Abstract: A method and apparatus comprising a companion cartridge containing a reagent storage system, a calibration fluid system, an assay element storage system, a carrier fluid system, and a waste retrieval system connected to a sensing cartridge to conduct chemical analysis. The companion cartridge can be adapted for assays related to blood chemistry, hematology, immuno-diagnostics, and DNA testing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for making a microscopic paddle wheel coupled inductively by an external electromagnet and used for valving and active pumping so that the actual pumping mechanism is completely isolated from the electromagnetic driver. The paddle wheel is inexpensive to manufacture and disposable. A cartridge having a network of conduits and reservoirs contains several of such paddle wheels to transport blood and reagents. A point-of-care device houses the electromagnetic driving mechanism and is reused with successive cartridges since the paddle wheels are contained by the cartridge and do not contaminate the driving mechanism.

Abstract: A cassette containing cartridges for sampling blood from a patient. The cassette includes a container for storing a plurality of cartridges and at least one cartridge in the container. The cartridge includes a cartridge case and a lancet. The lancet has a tip and is housed in the cartridge case. The lancet can be driven to extend the tip outside the cartridge case for lancing the skin of the patient to yield blood. The container has a compartment that contains at least one cartridge. A cartridge from the compartment can be loaded onto a glucometer that drives the lancet in the cartridge to lance the skin of a patient.

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 device for sampling and analyzing a physiological fluid from the skin of a patient by puncture. The device includes a body and sensors. The body has a needle with a point for puncturing a physiological tissue and a channel in the body for conducting the physiological fluid away from the point. The sensors are located in the body and are accessible to the physiological fluid conducting along the channel for physiological fluid analysis. The device can be used to lance the skin and obtain a representative sample of the physiological fluid, with relatively simple procedures and quick analysis to minimize the exposure of the physiological fluid sample to air.

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 device for sampling blood from the skin of a patient by puncture. The device includes one or more lancets for lancing the skin and a fluid-conducting plate unit for transporting blood from the lancing wound. The plate unit has one or more channels for conducting fluid to one or more target locations. Preferably there is a first channel for conducting away a first portion of fluid that contains more of a fluid that is emitted initially (initial fluid) from the puncture wound and a second channel for conducting a second portion of fluid that contains less of the initial fluid from the puncture wound. Blood is drawn into the channels by capillary force. The device can be used to lance the skin and obtain a representative sample of blood with relatively simple procedures.

Abstract: A device for puncturing the skin of a patient. The device includes a lancet for puncturing the skin and a skin stabilizer associated with the lancet for stabilizing the skin to reduce its freedom of movement when the lancet strikes it. The skin stabilizer has an opening through which the lancet can pass to puncture the skin. The skin stabilizer applies pressure on the skin around the opening. The application of pressure, in additional to reducing the freedom of movement of the skin directly held by the skin stabilizer, also increases the tautness of the skin in the opening prior to the lancet penetrating the skin. The opening is not substantially larger than the size of the lancet.