Method and apparatus for penetrating tissue
View Patent ↗A body fluid sampling system for use on a tissue site includes a single drive force generator. A plurality of penetrating members are operatively coupled to the force generator. The force generator moves each of the members along a path out of a housing with a penetrating member exit, into the tissue site, stops in the tissue site, and withdraws out of the tissue site. A flexible support member couples the penetrating members to define a linear array. The support member is movable and configured to move each of the penetrating members to a launch position associated with the force generator.
1. A body fluid sampling system for use on a tissue site, the system comprising:
a controllable drive force generator;
a feedback loop coupled to the controllable drive force generator
a plurality of penetrating members operatively coupled to said controllable drive force generator, said controllable drive force generator moving each of said members along a path out of a housing having a penetrating member exit into said tissue site, stopping in said tissue site, and withdrawing out of said tissue site each of a penetrating member at least partially positioned adjacent to an analyte detecting member in a sample chamber, each sample chamber configured to receive body fluid from a wound in tissue created by a penetrating member, and each analyte detecting member configured to determine analyte levels using a body fluid sample of less than about 1 microliter;
a flexible support member carrying said penetrating members parallel to each other on its top to define a linear array, said support member being movable to move each of said penetrating members to a launch position associated with said force generator; and
said controllable drive force generator and feedback loop configured to provide a controllable velocity trajectory into the tissue and out of said tissue.
2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of analyte detecting members positioned to receive body fluid.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the sample chamber has an opening for transport of a body fluid into the sample chamber, the sample chamber being sized to receive no more than 0.75 microliter of the body fluid.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the sample chamber has an opening for transport of a body fluid into the sample chamber, the sample chamber being sized to receive no more than 0.5 microliter of the body fluid.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the sample chamber has an opening for transport of a body fluid into the sample chamber, the sample chamber being sized to receive no more than 0.25 microliter of the body fluid.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the sample chamber has an opening for transport of a body fluid into the sample chamber, the sample chamber being sized to receive no more than 0.1 microliter of the body fluid.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the analyte detecting member being configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in a body fluid using a sample that does not exceed a volume of 1 microliter of a body fluid disposed in the sample chamber.
8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the analyte detecting member being configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in a body fluid using a sample that does not exceed a volume of 0.75 microliter of a body fluid disposed in the sample chamber.
9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the analyte detecting member being configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in a body fluid using a sample that does not exceed a volume of 0.5 microliter of a body fluid disposed in the sample chamber.
10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the analyte detecting member being configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in a body fluid using a sample that does not exceed a volume of 0.25 microliter of a body fluid disposed in the sample chamber.
11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the analyte detecting member being configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in a body fluid using a sample that does not exceed a volume of 0.1 microliter of a body fluid disposed in the sample chamber.
12. The system of claim 1 , wherein each of the penetrating members is an elongate member without molded attachments.
13. The system of claim 1 , wherein,
the flexible support member is a belt for holding the penetrating members in an array configuration.
14. The system of claim 1 , wherein,
the flexible support member is a tape device configured to hold the penetrating members in an array configuration.
15. The system of claim 1 , wherein,
the flexible support member is a support channel configured to hold the penetrating members in an array configuration.
16. The system of claim 1 , wherein,
the flexible support member is a cog configured to hold the penetrating members in an array configuration.
17. The system of claim 1 , wherein,
the flexible support member is a plurality of connectors between penetrating members for holding the penetrating members in an array configuration.
18. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
wherein the penetrating member exit is configured to be positioned against the tissue when the penetrating member contacts the tissue.
19. The system of claim 1 , wherein the flexible support member is a bandolier.
20. The system of claim 1 , wherein the flexible support member is a drum.