Systems and methods for collecting fluid from a subject
Systems and methods for delivering to and/or receiving fluids or other materials, such as blood or interstitial fluid, from subjects, e.g., from the skin. Beading disruptors and/or capillaries may be used for facilitating the transport of fluids from a subject into a device. Beading disruptors may disrupt the “pooling” of bodily fluids such as blood on the surface of the skin and help influence flow in a desired way. A capillary may conduct flow of fluid in the device, e.g., to an inlet of a channel or other flow path that leads to a storage chamber. A vacuum (reduced pressure relative to ambient) may be used to receive fluid into the device, e.g., by using relatively low pressure to draw fluid into the inlet of a channel leading to a storage chamber. The vacuum source may be part of the device and have a volume that is larger than a recess of the fluid transporter that receives fluid from a surface.
1 . A device for receiving bodily fluid from a subject, the device comprising:
a fluid transporter comprising a base and at least one inner surface, the base and the at least one inner surface at least partially defining a recess, the recess having an opening configured to receive bodily fluid on skin of a subject into the recess, the opening defined by the base, and a flow activator;
a channel configured to fluidly connect the recess to a storage chamber;
a first wall and a second wall protruding from the at least one inner surface into the recess, the first and second walls configured to guide bodily fluid from the opening toward the channel, the first and second walls flanking a longitudinal axis of the channel, the first wall and the second wall being distinct from the base; and
a vacuum source.
2 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising an interface configured to draw skin towards the fluid transporter when vacuum from the vacuum source is applied to the skin.
3 . The device of claim 2 , wherein the interface comprises a suction cup.
4 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising the storage chamber, wherein the storage chamber is removable from the device.
5 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising the storage chamber, wherein the fluid transporter is part of a first module and the storage chamber is part of a second module, wherein the first module is removable from the second module.
6 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising an adhesive positioned on a surface of the device that is applied to the skin of the subject.
7 . The device of claim 1 , wherein vacuum is created from the vacuum source manually.
8 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the vacuum source comprises a bulb.
9 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising a support structure that is moveable mechanically from a first position to a second position, the flow activator being immobilized relative to the support structure, wherein the support structure is configured to bring the flow activator to the skin.
10 . The device of claim 9 , further comprising a button, wherein pushing the button causes the support structure to move from the first position to the second position.
11 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising a retraction mechanism comprising a spring configured to move the flow activator away from the skin.
12 . The device of claim 9 , further comprising a retraction mechanism comprising a spring configured to move the flow activator away from the skin, wherein the retraction mechanism is separate from the support structure.
13 . A method of receiving bodily fluid from a subject, comprising:
placing a device for receiving bodily fluid from a subject on skin of the subject, the device including a fluid transporter comprising a base and at least one inner surface, the base and the at least one inner surface at least partially defining a recess, the recess having an opening defined by the base, and the device including a flow activator;
actuating the flow activator to pierce the skin and cause release of bodily fluid from the subject; and
creating a vacuum from a vacuum source to draw the bodily fluid from the subject through the opening into the recess and into a storage chamber via a channel fluidly connecting the storage chamber and the recess,
wherein a first wall and a second wall protruding from the at least one inner surface into the recess guide the bodily fluid from the opening toward the storage chamber,
wherein the first wall and second wall flank a longitudinal axis of the channel,
wherein the first wall and the second wall are distinct from the base.
14 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising removing the storage chamber from the device after bodily fluid has entered the storage chamber.
15 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the device further includes an interface configured to draw skin towards the fluid transporter when the vacuum from the vacuum source is applied to the skin.
16 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising adhering the device to the skin via an adhesive positioned on a surface of the device.
17 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the flow activator is actuated by pushing a button.
18 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising retracting the flow activator away from the skin after the release of the bodily fluid from the subject.
19 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the step of creating the vacuum from the vacuum source comprises creating the vacuum manually.
20 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the vacuum source comprises a bulb.
21 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the channel is upstream of the storage chamber.
22 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the channel is upstream of the storage chamber.
23 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the flow activator comprises at least one needle, at least one microneedle, at least one cutter, and/or at least one piercing element.
24 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the flow activator comprises at least one needle, at least one microneedle, at least one cutter, and/or at least one piercing element.
25 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the first wall and the second wall are connected to the base.
26 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the first wall and the second wall are connected to the base.