Apparatus and method for the collection of interstitial fluids

US6468229B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Abbott Laboratories · US

Inventors

• John P. Grace · Lake Villa, US
• Neil W. Loomis · Racine, US
• Thomas G. Schapira · Bristol, US
• Sie Ting Wong · Mundelein, US
• Kristin M. Noonan · Chicago, US
• Michael G. Lowery · Wildwood, US
• Pete M. Bojan · Grayslake, US
• Daniel P. Schmidt · Bannockburn, US
• Tung-Ming Huang · Buffalo Grove, US
• Robert G. Hiltibran · Libertyville, US
• Mark R. Pope · Grayslake, US
• John J. Kotlarik · McHenry, US
• Brian J. Tarkowski · Lake Villa, US
• David D. Cunningham · Lake Villa, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 26, 2001
• Grant date: Oct 22, 2002
• Expiry date: Jan 26, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B2017/00765
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

The present invention involves apparatus and methods for use in collecting bodily fluids, such as interstitial fluids, from the epidermal layer of an animal. A preferred apparatus includes a pressure head and, optionally, a holder therefor for supplying a positive pressure to the head. The methods include the application of a positive pressure to the area surrounding an epidermal site from which stratum corneum has been breached, such as by laser ablation, to cause bodily fluids, such as interstitial fluids, to exude from the site and collecting the fluids exuding therefrom.