BODY FLUID SAMPLING ARRANGEMENTS
An arrangement for producing a sample of body fluid from a wound opening created in a skin surface at a sampling site includes at least one skin-penetration member having a first end configured to pierce the surface of the skin, and a inner lumen in communication with the first end; at least one actuator operatively associated with the at least one skin-penetration member; and at least one catalyst device configured to cause perfusion of body fluid at the sampling site; wherein the at least one actuator is configured to locate the at least one skin-penetration member so as to obstruct the wound opening while transporting body fluid through the inner lumen. Associated methods are also described.
1 .- 37 . (canceled)
38 . A method of sampling body fluid comprising:
driving a skin-penetration member into a skin surface at a sampling site thereby creating a wound opening by moving a spring actuator from a pre-cocked position to a neutral rest position;
obstructing the wound opening with the skin-penetration member; and
transporting body fluid through an inner lumen of the skin-penetration member while the spring actuator is in the neutral rest position.
39 . The method of claim 38 , further comprising positioning a footprint over the sampling site prior to driving the skin-penetration member into the skin surface.
40 . The method of claim 38 , further comprising applying a catalyst to the sampling site.
41 . The method of claim 40 , wherein driving the skin-penetration member into the skin surface, obstructing the wound opening, transporting body fluid, and applying the catalyst are part of a testing sequence, the method further comprising a user manually initiating the testing sequence.
42 . The method of claim 41 , wherein the catalyst is automatically applied to the sampling site upon initiation of the testing sequence.
43 . The method of claim 42 , further comprising automatically deactivating the catalyst after a predetermined period of time has elapsed.
44 . The method of claim 43 , wherein the catalyst is vacuum pressure.
45 . The method of claim 38 , wherein the spring actuator is a torsional spring.
46 . The method of claim 38 , wherein the skin-penetration member is coupled to a hub comprising a reagent pad, and wherein transporting body fluid comprises delivering body fluid from the inner lumen to the reagent pad.
47 . The method of claim 46 , wherein the spring actuator is coupled to the hub.
48 . A method of sampling body fluid comprising:
driving a skin-penetration member into a skin surface at a sampling site thereby creating a wound by moving a spring actuator from a pre-cocked position to a neutral rest position;
positioning an end of the skin-penetration member in the wound; and
transporting body fluid through an inner lumen of the skin-penetration member while the spring actuator is in the neutral rest position.
49 . The method of claim 48 , further comprising positioning a footprint over the sampling site prior to driving the skin-penetration member into the skin surface.
50 . The method of claim 48 , further comprising applying a catalyst to the sampling site.
51 . The method of claim 48 , wherein driving the skin-penetration member into the skin surface, positioning an end of the skin-penetration member in the wound, transporting body fluid, and applying the catalyst are part of a testing sequence, the method further comprising a user manually initiating the testing sequence.
52 . The method of claim 51 , wherein the catalyst is automatically applied to the sampling site upon initiation of the testing sequence.
53 . The method of claim 52 , further comprising automatically deactivating the catalyst after a predetermined period of time has elapsed.
54 . The method of claim 53 , wherein the catalyst is vacuum pressure.
55 . The method of claim 48 , wherein the spring actuator is a torsional spring.
56 . The method of claim 48 , wherein the skin-penetration member is coupled to a hub comprising a reagent pad, and wherein transporting body fluid comprises delivering body fluid from the inner lumen to the reagent pad.
57 . The method of claim 56 , wherein the spring actuator is coupled to the hub.
58 . A method of sampling body fluid comprising:
actuating a skin-penetration member by releasing a spring actuator from a pre-cocked position, wherein once released, the spring actuator moves to a neutral rest position and drives the skin-penetration member into a skin surface at a sampling site thereby creating a wound opening;
allowing the skin-penetration member to obstruct the wound opening; and
transporting body fluid through an inner lumen of the skin-penetration member.
59 . The method of claim 58 , further comprising positioning a footprint over the sampling site prior to driving the skin-penetration member into the skin surface.
60 . The method of claim 58 , further comprising applying a catalyst to the sampling site.
61 . The method of claim 58 , wherein actuating the skin-penetration member, allowing the skin-penetration member to obstruct the wound opening, transporting body fluid, and applying the catalyst are part of a testing sequence, the method further comprising a user manually initiating the testing sequence.
62 . The method of claim 61 , wherein the catalyst is automatically applied to the sampling site upon initiation of the testing sequence.
63 . The method of claim 62 , further comprising automatically deactivating the catalyst after a predetermined period of time has elapsed.
64 . The method of claim 63 , wherein the catalyst is vacuum pressure.
65 . The method of claim 58 , wherein the spring actuator is a torsional spring.
66 . The method of claim 58 , wherein the skin-penetration member is coupled to a hub comprising a reagent pad, and wherein transporting body fluid comprises delivering body fluid from the inner lumen to the reagent pad.
67 . The method of claim 66 , wherein the spring actuator is coupled to the hub.