Dermal Patch with a Diagnostic Test Strip
A system for analyzing a physiological sample includes a cartridge configured to attach to the skin of a subject. The cartridge includes: a processing fluid pack that is configured to release a processing fluid stored therein, a diagnostic test strip, and a vacuum pin. The system also includes a lancet with a needle. The lancet is configured to deploy the needle upon engagement with the cartridge to draw a physiological sample from the subject. The vacuum pin is configured to create a vacuum within the cartridge to draw the released processing fluid and the drawn physiological sample to the diagnostic test strip.
1 . A method for analyzing a physiological sample, comprising:
affixing a cartridge to the skin of a subject,
inserting a lancet with a needle into the cartridge,
wherein inserting the lancet into the cartridge deploys the needle to draw a physiological sample from the subject,
moving a vacuum pin to create a vacuum within the cartridge which draws the drawn physiological sample to the diagnostic test strip, and
rupturing a processing fluid pack of the cartridge to release a processing fluid to the diagnostic test strip.
2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
moving a button of the cartridge to a deployed position to compress the processing fluid pack into a piercing element of the cartridge thereby rupturing the processing fluid pack.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein inserting the lancet into the cartridge causes the lancet to automatically deploy the needle.
4 . A method for obtaining a physiological sample, comprising:
affixing a cartridge to the skin of a subject; and
inserting a lancet with a needle into the cartridge, and thereby causing the cartridge to deploy the needle to draw a physiological sample from the subject.
5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the inserting of the lancet into the cartridge causes the cartridge to automatically retract the needle into a housing of the lancet after the deployment of the needle.
6 . The method of claim 4 , further comprising moving a vacuum pin to create a vacuum within the cartridge and thereby cause the physiological sample to flow to a diagnostic test strip.
7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein a strength of the vacuum varies based on a distance the moving moves the vacuum pin.
8 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the drawing of the physiological sample from the subject causes the physiological sample to flow to a physiological sample well in the cartridge.
9 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising moving a vacuum pin to create a vacuum within the cartridge and thereby cause the physiological sample to flow from the physiological sample well to a diagnostic test strip.