US6506168B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for obtaining blood for diagnostic tests
Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
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Filing: 2000-05-26
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Granted: 2003-01-14
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Expires: 2020-05-26
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus for obtaining a sample of blood from a patient for subsequent diagnostic tests, e.g., glucose monitoring. In one aspect of the invention, an apparatus for carrying out the method described previously is provided. The apparatus comprises: (a) a housing having a sealable chamber located therein and a sealable opening in fluid communication with the sealable chamber; (b) a vacuum pump in communication with the sealable chamber; (c) a device for forming an unobstructed opening in an area of skin from which a sample is to be collected, preferably a lancing assembly, the device positioned within the sealable chamber; (d) a movable support for supporting and positioning a port for a fluid collector in the sealable chamber, the movable support capable of moving the port within the sealable chamber between a first position and a second position; and (e) a stop for aligning the fluid collector. In another aspect of the invention, the method comprises a method for utilizing the aforementioned apparatus.
Inventors
- 👤 Marwan A. Fathallah
- 👤 Geoffrey R. Chambers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 23:13
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/15; A61B5/157; A61B5/150007; A61B5/150015; A61B5/150022; A61B5/150053; A61B5/150061; A61B5/150068; A61B5/150076; A61B5/150099; A61B5/150358; A61B5/150374; A61B5/150381; A61B5/150412; A61B5/150801; A61B5/151; A61B5/15101; A61B5/15103; A61B5/15107; A61B5/15113; A61B5/15115; A61B5/15125; A61B5/15186; A61B5/15188; A61B5/1519; A61B5/15192; A61B5/15194; A61B5/145; A61B5/14532
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
An apparatus suitable for obtaining a sample of blood for analysis in a diagnostic test, comprising: (a) a housing having a sealable chamber located therein and a sealable opening in fluid communication with said sealable chamber; (b) a vacuum pump in communication with said sealable chamber; (c) a device for forming an unobstructed opening in an area of skin from which a sample is to be collected, said device positioned within said sealable chamber; (d) a movable support for supporting and positioning a port for a fluid collector in said sealable chamber, said movable support capable of moving said port within said sealable chamber between a first position and a second position; and (e) a stop for aligning said fluid collector.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
121 words
An apparatus suitable for obtaining a sample of blood for analysis in a diagnostic test, comprising: (a) a housing having a sealable chamber located therein and a sealable opening in fluid communication with said sealable chamber; (b) a vacuum pump in communication with said sealable chamber; (c) a device for forming an unobstructed opening in an area of skin from which a sample is to be collected, said device positioned within said sealable chamber; (d) a movable support for supporting and positioning a port for a fluid collector in said sealable chamber, said movable support capable of moving said port within said sealable chamber between a first position and a second position; and (e) a stop for aligning said fluid collector.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said housing comprises: (a) a body, and (b) a cover, said cover positionable over said body and including said sealable opening.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said fluid collector is a test strip.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein said test strip has an opening therein.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said stop (e) projects from said cover of said housing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said movable support (d) supports a test strip port.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein said test strip port is enclosed by a port shroud.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein said test strip port includes a switch.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein said switch comprises a “no touch” contact and a “pull up” contact.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , further including a means for preventing said sample from reaching and contaminating said port for said fluid collector.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said port for said fluid collector includes at least one electrical connection.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said housing contains at least one latitudinal registration feature to position said fluid collector latitudinally.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said fluid collector comprises a biosensor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein said biosensor comprises a glucose detector.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said fluid collector comprises a reflectance strip.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein said reflectance strip comprises a glucose detector.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
10 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a reflectometer.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
9 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising electronics.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the electronics control power to said vacuum pump.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the electronics control power to the lancing assembly.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein movement of said movable support is effected by a diaphragm.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said diaphragm is capable of being expanded by a pressure gradient.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , further including a power source.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 23 , wherein said vacuum pump is operably connected to said power source.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 23 , further comprising a display operably connected to said power source and said fluid collector.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 23 , further comprising a switch operably connected to said vacuum pump and said lancing assembly through said power source.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
91 words
A method for obtaining a sample of blood for a diagnostic test, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing the apparatus of claim 1 ; (b) inserting a fluid collector into said support; (c) aligning said fluid collector latitudinally; (d) aligning said fluid collector longitudinally; (e) forming an unobstructed opening in the area of the skin from which said sample of blood is to be collected; and (f) collecting said sample of blood from said unobstructed opening in said skin, with the aid of vacuum and stretching of the skin.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 27 , further comprising the step of generating a signal indicative of glucose level.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 27 , further including the step of aligning said fluid collector longitudinally after step (e) and before step (f).
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 29 , wherein said movement of said fluid collector is effected by a pressure gradient operating upon said movable support.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
99 words
The method of claim 27 , wherein steps (c) through (f) include the steps of: (i) placing said apparatus over a region on the surface of the skin from which said sample is to be obtained; (ii) forming a seal between said apparatus and said surface of the skin; (iii) creating a vacuum sufficient to result in said surface of the skin becoming stretched and engorged with blood; (iv) triggering a lancing assembly and causing a lancet to penetrate said skin; (v) retracting said lancet; (vi) withdrawing blood toward and onto a fluid collector; and (vii) releasing said vacuum.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-01-13 | 2006-07-15 | 2007-01-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-01-13 | 2010-07-15 | 2011-01-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-01-13 | 2014-07-15 | 2015-01-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |