Abstract: A device and method for lancing a patient, virtually simultaneously producing and collecting a small fluid sample from a body. The device comprises a blood collection system including a lancing needle (16), drive mechanism (11), kneading or vibration mechanism (25), optional suction system (7), and sample ejection mechanism. The device is preferably sized to be hand-held in one hand and operable with one hand. The device can optionally contain integral testing or analysis component (83) for receiving the sample and providing testing or analysis indication or readout for the user. A method involves piercing the skin at a rapid rate, kneading the surrounding area by ultrasonic action, piezoelectric or mechanical oscillation to stimulate the blood flow from the wound, drawing the fluid using a pumping system.

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 blood sensor usable both for a blood inspection device that performs puncture with a puncturing needle and for a blood inspection device that performs puncture with laser. In concrete, this invention comprises a sensor unit having a holder and a blood sensor mounted to the holder and a needle unit having a slidable puncturing needle. The needle unit provides a blood sensor block detachably fitted to the inside of the holder of the sensor unit. The blood sensor block is applied to a needle-puncturing type blood inspection device. The sensor unit from which the needle unit is removed is applied to a laser-puncturing type blood inspection device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a vacuum assisted auto-lancing device. The device includes a housing (200) having a body (210) which has a lever hole. An actuating lever (300) includes an actuating switch (310) seated on the lever hole and having first and second actuating steps, a switch cap (320), and a switch cover (330). The device also includes a holding unit (400) having a first stem (410), a second stem (430), and a stem cap (450). A trigger (500) has a first trigger unit activated by the first actuating step, and a second trigger unit activated by the second actuating step. A lancet holder (524) holding a lancet (522) is secured to an end of the first trigger unit. The device includes a blood collecting unit (600) having an adjusting screw, an adjusting slider, and an end cap, and a vacuum unit (700) having a plunger and a body cap.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sensor/lancet integrated device 1 including a lancet including a needle part 14 for puncturing skin, and a sensor including a reagent part 17. The lancet is integrally molded with the needle part 14. The device 1 preferably further includes a capillary 15 for supplying to the reagent part 17. Preferably, the needle part 14 is formed to a hollow form, and has the interior communicated to an introduction port. The needle part 14 may be formed projecting from a location different from the introduction port.

Abstract: An analyte determination analysis system with a disposable integrated sample acquisition and analysis element is disclosed. A piercing element has a tip for generating a bodily puncture wound and a test strip having a body fluid sample receiving zone to perform an analysis on a body fluid sample. A reusable analysis instrument comprises a coupling unit that couples the integrated sample acquisition and analysis element to a drive that drives a piercing element in a piercing movement comprising two phases: a propulsion phase wherein the piercing element moves on a puncture path in a puncture direction and a retraction phase wherein the piercing element moves opposite to the puncture direction after reaching a reversal point. A measuring and analysis unit measures a variable characteristic for the determination of the analyte and determines a desired analysis result on the basis of the measurement. The sample receiving zone of the test strip forms a sample contact.

Abstract: A blood inspection device capable of separately discharging a sensor and a filter by using single discharge means. The blood inspection device has a housing (12) provided with a circular hollow cylindrical body (12b) having an opening (12a). A filter unit (13) including a filter (21) is provided inside the cylindrical body (12b), and a sensor unit (14) including a sensor (22) is provided outside the cylindrical body (12b). A body (15a) of the discharge means (15) is slidable outside the cylindrical body (12b). A first discharge section (15b) of the discharge means (15) comes into contact with the sensor unit (14) to push out and discharge it. A second discharge section (15c) of the discharge means (15) comes into contact with the filter unit (13) to push out and discharge it.

Abstract: A personal portable painless lancing device and a blood glucose meter using the same, which can lance at the minimum without any pain and use it to measure the blood glucose. The minimum painless lancing device using an Er:YAG laser includes an Er:YAG laser beam-generating section in which the laser beam is generated to punch skin and radiated in a single direction; an adapter installed at the front end of the Er:YAG laser beam-generating section so that the laser beam can be locally concentrated on a skin punch portion; a skin adhesion cap installed at the front end of the adapter so that it can be easily detached, and can reduce the contamination of the Er:YAG laser beam-generating section, which is produced at the time of the lancing, and the danger due to the reuse of it among the patients of lancing; and a case to accommodate the Er:YAG laser beam-generating section and the adapter therein.

Abstract: An automatic and miniaturized injector and sample-taker device (1) for medical use comprises an enclosure (2) and at least one needle (15) movable relative to said enclosure (2). The injector and sample-taker device includes a detector system (12) suitable for detecting the presence of a blood vessel in a predetermined volume; a control unit (7) suitable for controlling the displacement of the needle as a function of information provided by said detector system (12); and at least one reservoir (13) for containing a substance for injection or to be taken.

Abstract: A bodily fluid sampling device is operable to breach the skin surface and allow bodily fluid to emerge from the breach location. The bodily fluid sampling device further evaluates the amount of bodily fluid emerged from breach location and determines whether the amount is sufficient or insufficient for a particular purpose, such as sampling and testing. The determination is accomplished automatically without moving the device. The user may also intervene to perform a variety of tasks following the determination of the amount of bodily fluid.

Abstract: A test strip with a sample chamber is secured to a meter. The sample chamber in the portion of the test strip that extends out of the meter is illuminated by transmitting light from a light source inside the meter internally through the test strip towards the sample chamber. By way of analogy, the test strip acts in a fashion similar to a fiber optic cable or optical wave guide by transmitting the light from the meter to the remotely located sample chamber that extends outside the meter. The user is then able to easily see the sample chamber of the test strip in dark conditions so that the user is able to readily align the sample chamber with the drop of fluid on the skin as well as view the sample chamber in order to ensure proper filling. The light also illuminates a test strip slot into which the test strip is inserted.

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: A body fluid sampling system for use on a tissue site 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.

Abstract: A device for analyzing body fluids comprising a lancing element that can puncture a body part along a lancing axis. The lancing element has a collection volume for collecting body fluid obtained by a puncture and a receiving element that can be loaded with body fluid from the collection volume and that can detect a component of the body fluid. The lancing element and the receiving element are arranged in the lancing axis so that they can be moved relative to one another such that the receiving element dips into the collection volume in the lancing direction during a transfer phase following the puncture.

Abstract: A bodily fluid sampling device comprising a lancet which can be advanced against a skin-piercing site to produce a droplet of bodily fluid. A transport medium is positioned sufficiently close to the lancing medium to retain a droplet of bodily fluid therebetween by capillary action. One of the two mediums has hydrophobic material on its surface and the other hydrophilic. Various mechanisms are provided for relatively displacing the lancing and transport medium to move the droplet of bodily fluid away from the skin-piercing end. Furthermore, multiple lancet assemblies may be provided in a barrel or disk configuration and indexed to the displacing mechanisms for sampling a skin site.

Abstract: A blood sampling device designed to divert attention from the pain involved in the puncture of the skin tissue by increasing comfort when lancing the skin by affecting the sensation and perception of pain. Projections on the distal end of a skin pricker contact the skin surface to confuse the nerves in the area of the prick to make the prick less noticeable.

Abstract: A biosensor cartridge capable of making the collected amount of a sample required for measurement into a small quantity to reduce a user's burden, and easily collecting and measuring a sample of a puncture hole without requiring the operation of bringing a sample collection opening close to the puncture hole is provided. When one end portion of biosensor chip is pushed against subject, elastic body is compressed, and puncturing tool can protrude and perform puncturing. Additionally, if a pushing force is weakened, puncturing tool is extracted from subject by the restoring force of elastic body, and blood (sample) flows out of the puncture hole. In this case, since the puncture hole, and sample collection opening provided at biosensor chip are contained in enclosed half-open space formed by elastic body, even a small amount of blood (sample) can also be easily collected.

Abstract: A system comprising disposable medical devices and a packaging strip comprising a plurality of chambers containing the disposable medical devices. The strip is folded along breadthwise running fold lines to form a series of loops, each loop comprising opposing sections. The opposing sections of at least some of these loops are sealed to each other thus forming chambers between said sections. A cartridge contains such a packaging strip.

Abstract: An integrated diagnostic instrument (10) for analyzing a fluid sample includes a housing (12), a sensor pack (122), a disk drive mechanism (200) and a lancing mechanism (16). The lancing mechanism includes a lance holder (110) adapted to removably engage a base of a lance (86), a plunger (66) coupled to the lance holder, a shaft (70) running through a central portion of the plunger, a spring at least partially surrounding the shaft, and a slider (90) located on a rail on the exterior of the housing.

Abstract: A blood test device using a laser as a puncture means. More specifically, it is intended to provide a blood test device using a laser as a puncture means by which the skin can be fixed at a definite position by raising up the punctured skin under negative pressure and thus bringing it into close contact with a blood sensor and in which the laser is focused into the vicinity of the blood sensor face. Thus, it is possible to provide a blood test device of the laser puncture type whereby the skin can be surely punctured while giving little pain to a patient.

Abstract: This invention is in the field of medical devices. Specifically, the present invention provides portable medical devices that allow real-time detection of analytes from a biological fluid. The methods and devices are particularly useful for providing point-of-care testing for a variety of medical applications.

Abstract: An embodiment of a device for expressing blood from a wound site formed in dermal tissue is constructed in the shape of a cap removably mounted onto a lancing instrument. The blood expression device includes an annular support member and a plurality of movable fingers integrally formed onto the support member in a spaced apart relationship, the free ends of the plurality of fingers together defining a generally circular opening. Each finger is adapted for pivotal displacement in such a manner that, its free end projects into the circular opening. In use, the free ends of the plurality of fingers are disposed in contact against the dermal tissue immediately surrounding the wound site. As the device is urged downward onto the dermal tissue, the free ends of the plurality of fingers collapse inward from the force of an axially movable sleeve and pinch into the dermal tissue, resulting in the expression of blood.

Abstract: There is provided a lancet device including a lancet chamber and a blood outlet capable of drawing needed amount of blood from skin of mammals including humans by a vacuum mechanism or a capillary mechanism of the lancet device, temporarily storing the blood, and injecting the blood through an injection opening of a blood analysis and diagnosis apparatus such as a digital bio disc (DBD) and a lab-on-a-chip into a blood chamber thereof.

Abstract: A bodily fluid sampling device is operable to breach the skin surface and allow bodily fluid to emerge from the breach location. The bodily fluid sampling device further evaluates the amount of bodily fluid emerged from breach location and determines whether the amount is sufficient or insufficient for a particular purpose, such as sampling and testing. The determination is accomplished automatically without moving the device. The user may also intervene to perform a variety of tasks following the determination of the amount of bodily fluid.

Abstract: There is provided a biosensor chip where the collecting amount necessary for the measurement is made small whereby burden of a user is reduced and, at the same time, a sample at a puncture opening is able to be easily collected and measured without an operation of making the sample collection opening nearer the puncture opening. When an end of a main body chip is pushed onto a test body, an elastic body installed at an end of the main body chip is compressed and a device for puncture is produced whereby the test body is able to be punctured. When the pushing force is made weak, the device for puncture is pulled out from the test body due to resilience of the elastic body and a sample is flown out from the puncture opening.

Abstract: The invention relates to a lancing system for collecting samples of a body liquid having a receptacle for accommodating a lancet supply strip with a plurality of lancets, arranged transversely to the lengthwise direction of the lancet supply strip, a feed mechanism for transporting a lancet supply strip, placed in the receptacle, to move the lancets of the lancet supply strip one after the other to a puncturing position, and a lancing drive for causing a lancet, which occupies a puncturing position, to perform a puncturing movement. The lancing system is characterized by a bending mechanism for bending a section of the lancet supply strip in lengthwise direction of the lancet supply strip and for thereby separating a lancet tip of a lancet from the lancet supply strip for a puncturing action.

Abstract: Described and illustrated herein is an exemplary lancing device. The exemplary lancing device comprises: a first housing having spaced apart proximal and distal ends disposed along a longitudinal axis; a chassis disposed in the first housing in a fixed relationship with the first housing; a movable member disposed in the chassis and configured for movement along the longitudinal axis and in the first housing; a lancet coupled to the movable member; and a lancet depth adjustment member retained by both the first and chassis so that the lancet depth adjustment member is rotatable relative to both housings to provide for a plurality of stop surfaces to the movable member. Other embodiments and methods are also described.

Abstract: A blood test apparatus wherein a blood collection needle and a blood sensor can be easily attached and detached so that a burden or pain of a patient can be relieved. More specifically speaking, a blood test apparatus wherein a holder, a lancet, a blood collection needle and a blood sensor are united together as a blood sampling cartridge that is detachably mounted to the apparatus body. When this blood sampling cartridge is attached, a plunger involved in the apparatus body holds the lancet and connectors involved in the apparatus body come into contact with the blood sensor. It is preferable that the contact points with the blood sensor of the individual connectors are located at intervals at the same angle centering on a definite point.

Abstract: Described and illustrated herein is an exemplary lancing device. The lancing device includes a first housing, second housing, movable member, lancet, and lancet depth adjustment member. The lancet depth adjustment member is captured by both the first and second housings so that the lancet depth adjustment member is rotatable relative to both housings to provide for a plurality of stop surfaces to the movable member. Other exemplary embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Described and illustrated herein is an exemplary lancing device. The lancing device includes a first housing, second housing, movable member, lancet, and lancet depth adjustment member. The lancet depth adjustment member is captured by both the first and second housings so that the lancet depth adjustment member is rotatable relative to both housings to provide for a plurality of stop surfaces to the movable member. Other exemplary embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Body fluid testing device for analyzing a body fluid comprises a test media tape adapted to collect the body fluid. The test media tape comprises a tape and test media portions. A free tape portion without test medium is located between successive test media portions. The testing device further comprises a supply portion. The supply portion comprises a housing in which uncontaminated test media tape is contained. The housing further has an opening for withdrawing test media tape from the housing. The testing device further has a sealing means for closing the opening against the surrounding. A free tape portion of the test media tape is located between a wall of the housing and the sealing means when the sealing means closes the opening. Further aspects concern a test media cassette with sealing means and a method for providing test media while holding them sealed against humidity during onboard storage.

Abstract: Analyte monitoring devices and methods therefore are provided. The devices integrate various functions of analyte monitoring, e.g., sample acquisition and testing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for collecting samples and to a method for collecting a liquid sample. The system comprises at least one analytical aid, the analytical aid comprising a lancet and a test element, and the test element having a test field for analysis of the liquid sample. The system for collecting samples comprises a coupling element which can be successively connected to the lancet, in a first position of the analytical aid, and to the test element, in a second position of the analytical aid. The system for collecting samples also comprises a drive unit for moving the coupling element from a rest position to a deployed position, such that the movement of the coupling element is transmitted to the lancet, coupled thereto, in order to execute a puncturing movement, or is transmitted to the test element, coupled thereto, in order to execute a sample recovery movement.

Abstract: A region of skin, other than the fingertips, is stimulated. After stimulation, an opening is created in the skin (e.g., by lancing the skin) to cause a flow of body fluid from the region. At least a portion of this body fluid is transported to a testing device where the concentration of analyte (e.g., glucose) in the body fluid is then determined. It is found that the stimulation of the skin provides results that are generally closer to the results of measurements from the fingertips, the traditional site for obtaining body fluid for analyte testing.

Abstract: In a serum measurement device, an analyte concentration measurement apparatus facilitates sampling and analysis of analytes in body fluid and includes an implantable serum sampling catheter comprising a biocompatible tubing enclosing a vacuum release lumen and a serum lumen that are interconnected by a port. The serum lumen is separated from the sampling catheter exterior by a membrane barrier. The sampling catheter is configured for drawing a serum sample from a body fluid compartment by creation of suction in the serum lumen.

Abstract: A bodily fluid sampling device comprising a lancet which can be advanced against a skin-piercing site to produce a droplet of bodily fluid. A transport medium is positioned sufficiently close to the lancing medium to retain a droplet of bodily fluid therebetween by capillary action. One of the two mediums has hydrophobic material on its surface and the other hydrophilic. Various mechanisms are provided for relatively displacing the lancing and transport medium to move the droplet of bodily fluid away from the skin-piercing end.

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: The invention is directed to an integrated device for sampling and testing an analyte. The device generally comprises a housing, a lancing device for sampling an analyte, a test strip for substantially capturing at least a portion of the analyte, and a display unit for displaying a result corresponding to the captured portion of the analyte. The invention is further directed to methods for sampling and testing. For example, one method comprises performing a single operation to sample an analyte, to capture the sampled analyte, to perform testing on the sampled analyte, and to display a result corresponding to the performed test. A method such as this can be carried out using an integrated sampling and testing device of the invention, for example, by placing the device the device on a test site of a subject, such as a patient, and performing the single operation to obtain a test result.

Abstract: The invention relates to a lancet having a lancet body with a lancet tip for creating a puncture wound and a capillary channel to convey body fluids out of the puncture wound in a direction of conveyance. The capillary channel is formed by a slot which runs through the entire lancet body perpendicular to the direction of conveyance, and a test area for optically inspecting a body fluid sample which is conveyed by the capillary channel. The test area is constructed as a section of the slot and has a transparent component with a moistening surface for moistening with a body fluid sample for inspection. The invention further relates to a pricking system comprising such a lancet and a pricking device for creating a puncture wound.

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: In vitro analyte sensors and methods of analyte determination are provided. Embodiments include sensors that include a pair of electrodes to monitor filling of the sample chamber with sample.

Abstract: An apparatus for containing sampled liquid includes: a substrate 11; and a puncture portion 13, integral with the substrate 11, and that projects out of the substrate 11 for insertion into an organism. The puncture portion 13 includes a collection channel 17, and the substrate 11 includes a storage channel 15 in communication with the collection channel 17. The collection channel 17 collects a compositional bodily fluid, and the storage channel 15 stores the compositional bodily fluid transferred thereto by capillary action. The storage channel 15 includes an inflecting portion or a branched portion shaped to enable capillary action transfer of the compositional bodily fluid. At least an innermost portion 36 of the storage channel 15 farthest from the collection channel 17 is open to atmosphere.

Abstract: To provide a body fluid sampling method and its device capable of sampling a minimum necessary amount of blood without loss while reducing a burden on a subject to the minimum. The skin surface of a sampling site is made water repellent. A skin surface thus made water repellent is pierced. A body fluid held in a droplet shape on the pierced skin surface is then collected.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for producing a diagnostic test element for analyzing a body fluid in which a lancing member that can puncture a body part is provided with a collecting channel for body fluid obtained by the puncture, wherein the collecting channel exhibits capillary action, and wherein a sensor member for an optical or electrochemical measurement is connected to the lancing member. According to the invention, the sensor member and the lancing member can be joined together as interlocking connecting components wherein a measuring element of the sensor member is inserted into the collecting channel through an insertion opening of the lancing member.

Abstract: A patient presses a finger concurrently against a needle (14) of a collection container (12) and a fingerprint surface (22, 52). In one embodiment, the patient's fingerprint is read electronically by a scanner (24) and correlated with a container serial number (16). In another embodiment, the patient's fingerprint is embossed in a foil layer (52). An analyzer assembly (40, 40? 40?) analyzes the biological sample and reads either the container serial number or scans the fingerprint carrying layer (52) and sends the test results and either the fingerprint or container identification to a patient memory (30). Using the fingerprint information, a processor (32) correlates the test results with a record (60) of a corresponding patient. Alternately or additionally, the analyzer assembly includes a DNA analyzer (70) which measures preselected DNA characteristics (76) of the sample.

Abstract: A blood glucose measuring device is equipped with a drill device, attachment assembly, and disposable sensing and measurement assembly. The attachment assembly contains an attachment ring that connects to the drill device and is used to hold the disposable sensing and measurement assembly. A detach actuating cam and output shaft are attached to the drill device. Spring tongs are attached to the output shaft by a compression ring further clamp to an end cap. A skin penetrator is attached to the end cap. The disposable sensing and measurement assembly is enclosed in a disposable case. An outer telescoping anti-bend tube is attached to the end cap. An inner anti-bend capillary sensor tube contains analyte sensors and is attached to the disposable case. The electrical conductors for the analyte sensor electrodes are attached to the capillary sensor tube and thus to the disposable case. An impedance sensing electrode on the bottom of the case provides electrical contacts to the skin.

Abstract: A blood testing apparatus includes a device for withdrawing blood, a membrane-type testing element, an evaluating device, and a display device forming a complete system which can be manipulated as a single piece of apparatus. Multiple testing elements can be inserted into the apparatus and brought successively to a work position for carrying out several measurements. The blood withdrawing device includes multiple pricking elements. One pricking element is pushed through one testing element and pricks the surface of the skin of a user. The pricking position is disposed so that blood withdrawn from the surface of the skin can impinge upon the testing element.

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. A support is provided with a plurality of openings. Each opening receives a penetrating member. Each tip of a penetrating member is uncovered during launch of a penetrating member by the penetrating driver member. A user interface is configured to relay at least one of, skin penetrating performance or a skin penetrating setting.

Abstract: A disposable test device consists of a first portion 2 having a fluid application port 5 to which a sample of fluid can be applied, and a handle portion 3 hingedly attached to the first portion 2 at a hinge portion 4 and which normally lies in the plane of the first portion. In use the device is held by the handle portion 3 and the first portion inserted into a measuring instrument. The handle is then deflected downwardly e.g. by the finger of a person to supply a drop of fluid to the port 5.

Abstract: An improved lancet as well as methods and devices for using the improved lancet are provided. The improved lancet comprises a body section with a lance arm and one or more protective arms extending from the body section. The lance arm has a lance with a sharp portion for piercing skin disposed on the lance arm. The sharp portion of the lance extends at an angle of about 45 to 135 degrees to the direction of extension of the lance arm from the body section. The protective arms have a protective section for shielding the sharp portion of the lance. The sharp portion of the lance is exposed from the protective section by application of pressure to the lance arm.