Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for obtaining blood for diagnostic tests

US6206841A · kind A · utility

557Cited by
25References
9Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 11, 2000
Grant dateMar 27, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 11, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B2562/0295
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Method and apparatus for obtaining a sample of blood from a patient for subsequent diagnostic tests, e.g., glucose monitoring. In one aspect of the invention, the method comprises the steps of: (a) forming an unobstructed opening in the area of the skin from which the sample of blood is to be extracted; and (b) extracting the sample of blood from the unobstructed opening in the skin, with the aid of a vacuum and a stretching of the skin. In another aspect of the invention, an apparatus for carrying out the method described previously is provided. The apparatus comprises: (a) a device for forming an unobstructed opening in an area of skin from which said sample is to be extracted, preferably a lancing assembly; and (b) a vacuum pump. Preferably, the apparatus also includes a housing. In another aspect of this invention, an article is provided for an article capable of both collecting blood and detecting an analyte in that blood is provided. The article, which contains an appropriate detection element for determining the amount of analyte in the blood, can be used in conjunction with a meter that measures the signal generated by the detection element of the article. In one embodiment…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.