Abstract: A lancet-sampler system is configured to automatically remove a protective cover from a lancet and automatically unpack a test pad just prior to use. This minimizes the risk of injury and reduces the chance of cross-contamination between the lancet and the test pad. The lancet defines a capillary groove for drawing body fluid from the incision via capillary action and a sample transfer opening for collecting the fluid from the groove. A carrier tape is coupled to the lancet. The carrier tape includes a test pad for analyzing the fluid. The tape is folded around the test pad to form an airtight package. The test pad is located at a position to align with the sample transfer opening when the tape is unfolded. The protective cover covers a portion of the lancet, and when the tape is pulled, the protective cover is automatically pulled from the lancet.

Abstract: A body fluid sampling device includes a firing mechanism that is configured to be automatically cocked and fired. In one form, the device includes an electric motor that is operable to cock the firing mechanism and fire an integrated lancet/sampling device to form an incision in skin. Subsequent to formation of the incision, the integrated lancet device is temporarily removed from the skin to promote bleeding from the incision. After a specified period of time, the integrated lancet device is then repositioned against the skin in order to collect a fluid sample.

Abstract: An integrated lancing test strip includes a pair of blade members that each have a lancing tip that are configured to lance skin. A pair of spacer members connect the blade members together such that the blade members define an internal capillary. A test strip is positioned along the internal capillary, and the test strip is configured to test analyte levels in the bodily fluid. During use, the lancing tips form one or more incisions in the skin. The fluid from the incisions is drawn via capillary action through the internal capillary and onto the test strip.

Abstract: A lancet integrated test element (LIT) includes an incision forming member that has a cutting end configured to form an incision in tissue. A test element is attached to the incision forming member to test fluid from the incision. The test element has a sampling end with a sample opening through which the fluid is collected. The test element is bendable from a first state where the cutting end of the incision forming member is retracted from the sampling end of the test element to a second state where at least a portion of the cutting extends past the sampling end of the test element to form the incision in the tissue.

Abstract: A bodily fluid sampling device includes a flexible test strip, a lancet, and a deflection mechanism. The test strip is biased to be positioned over the incision site formed by the lancet. The deflection mechanism positions the test strip away from the incision site during lancing so as to allow the lancet to have clear access to the incision site. Due to the flexible nature of the test strip, after lancing the incision, the test strip returns to the original position so as to collect fluid from the incision.

Abstract: A bodily fluid sampling device includes a piercing device and a sensor enclosed in a housing. A cassette, which contains test media, is positioned proximal to the sensor so that the sensor is able to analyze a bodily fluid sample collected on the test media. The cassette includes a supply portion from which unused test media is supplied and a storage portion in which contaminated test media is stored after exposure to the bodily fluid. The cassette is adapted to collect a series of bodily fluid samples without requiring disposal of the test media.

Abstract: The system (2) includes a catheter drive unit (22) and a catheter (24) extending therefrom movably mounted to a catheter drive sled (26). The catheter drive unit rotates and translates the catheter core (34) within the catheter sheath (36). The sled has a serrated, conical drive unit interface (82), with a bag-piercing tip (86) mateable with a translator drive ouput (92) so that a sterile drape (112) enclosing the catheter drive unit is automatically pierced when the catheter drive unit is mounted to the sled. A control unit (6) is spaced apart from the catheter drive unit and provides power and commands to the catheter drive unit and receives information and data from the catheter drive unit. The rotator and translator drive motors (54, 90) are operated from both the control unit and the catheter drive unit. Both the control unit and catheter drive unit have translation displacement displays (10, 30).

Abstract: A bed comprises a mattress supported on a support surface. The mattress has first and second inflatable cells for supporting a patient.

Abstract: A device for sampling body fluid, the device comprising, a main body, a lancet disposed within the main body, a carrier disposed within the main body fixedly attached to the lancet, a spring in communication with the lancet and the carrier, an annular space disposed within the main body adjacent the lancet, and a testing device for measuring a body fluid. The testing device may include micro-porous test strips, an electronic testing device, an optical/reflectance testing measuring device, or a visual inspection.

Abstract: A bodily fluid sampling device is operable to lance with a precise depth and express fluid from both fingertip and alternate sites. In one form, the device is operable to adjust the penetration depth of the lancet into the skin. The bodily fluid sampling device includes a lancet adapted to form an incision in skin. A skin contacting member has an orifice through which the lancet extends when lancing the skin. The orifice has a first opening size that is sized to flatten the skin around the lancet during lancing. The orifice has a second opening size that is larger than the first opening size after the incision is formed to express fluid from the incision.

Abstract: An integrated bodily fluid sampling device is used to sample a bodily fluid from an incision in skin. The device includes a lancet for forming the incision in the skin. A housing is coupled to the lancet. The housing defines at least in part a capillary channel with an opening. The capillary channel is sized to draw the bodily fluid from the incision via capillary action. A test strip is positioned along the capillary channel for analyzing the fluid. In one form, a flexible sheet extends from the housing proximal the opening of the capillary channel for drawing the bodily fluid into the opening of the capillary channel. In another form, the lancet is slidably received inside the channel. During lancing, the lancet extends from the housing to form the incision. Fluid from the incision is drawn into the channel and is deposited on the test strip for analysis.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a closure element into a puncture communicating with a blood vessel includes an introducer sheath, and a locator member disposed within the sheath, the locator member having a distal portion extending distally beyond the distal end of the sheath. A plurality of splines are provided on the distal portion of the locator member, the splines being selectively expandable between an axial collapsed configuration and a transverse expanded configuration. An actuator is coupled to the locator member for controllably expanding the splines. A housing is slidably disposed on the sheath for deploying a closure element, such as a vascular clip. The locator actuator may automatically collapse the splines upon advancement of the housing.

Abstract: A bed comprises a mattress supported on a support surface. The mattress has first and second inflatable cells for supporting a patient.

Abstract: A body fluid sampling device with an incision forming member travels longitudinally within a capillary member with a capillary tube tip to maintain the incision open when the body fluid sampling device is presented into the skin. The body fluid sampling device both creates the incision and obtains the bodily fluid sample without having to be adjusted or removed from the skin.

Abstract: A bodily fluid sampling device is operable to lance with a precise depth and express fluid from both fingertip and alternate sites. In one form, the device is operable to adjust the penetration depth of the lancet into the skin. The bodily fluid sampling device includes a lancet adapted to form an incision in skin. A skin contacting member has an orifice through which the lancet extends when lancing the skin. The orifice has a first opening size that is sized to flatten the skin around the lancet during lancing. The orifice has a second opening size that is larger than the first opening size after the incision is formed to express fluid from the incision.

Abstract: A bodily fluid sampling device includes a flexible test strip, a lancet, and a deflection mechanism. The test strip is biased to be positioned over the incision site formed by the lancet. The deflection mechanism positions the test strip away from the incision site during lancing so as to allow the lancet to have clear access to the incision site. Due to the flexible nature of the test strip, after lancing the incision, the test strip returns to the original position so as to collect fluid from the incision.

Abstract: A body fluid sampling device includes a firing mechanism that is configured to be automatically cocked and fired. In one form, the device includes an electric motor that is operable cock the firing mechanism and fire an integrated lancet/sampling device to form an incision in skin. Subsequent to formation of the incision, the integrated lancet device is temporarily removed from the skin to promote bleeding from the incision. After a specified period of time, the integrated lancet device is then repositioned against the skin in order to collect a fluid sample.

Abstract: A device is constructed so as to define a capillary channel that draws a body fluid form a proximal portion of the capillary channel toward a distal portion. A counterbore defining a “ledge” not substantially normal to the center line of channel causes the meniscus of body fluid to be “biased” into a non-radially-symmetric shape. In one example, the bias draws the body fluid toward a testing element that is set into a groove in the main body of the device. In another example, hydrophilic and/or hydrophobic regions are created on or in device to produce the biasing effect. In certain configurations, device requires less blood to be drawn into the capillary channel for a successful test than if the biasing effect were not created.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the sampling of bodily fluid from an incision in the skin include test strips which are positioned adjacent to the skin and which include features to inhibit the passage of the bodily fluid between the skin and the underside of the test strip. One system utilizes a sealing member located on the bottom surface of the test strip and positioned to provide a fluid tight seal with the skin. A second system includes a recessed surface aligned with the inlet opening of the test strip to preclude contact of the bodily fluid directly with the bottom surface of the test strip. A third system involves the use of a hydrophobic surface on the underside of the test strip to inhibit wicking of the bodily fluid along the test strip. The present invention further encompasses the combination of the foregoing sampling systems with each other, and with incising, expressing and/or testing systems and methods, particularly in a single, integrated device.

Abstract: An integrated lancing test strip includes a pair of blade members that each have a lancing tip that are configured to lance skin. A pair of spacer members connect the blade members together such that the blade members define an internal capillary. A test strip is positioned along the internal capillary, and the test strip is configured to test analyte levels in the bodily fluid. During use, the lancing tips form one or more incisions in the skin. The fluid from the incisions is drawn via capillary action through the internal capillary and onto the test strip.