Abbott Laboratories Corporation

Brian Joseph Tarkowski

David Dean Cunningham

Robert G Hiltibran

Michael G Lowery

Thomas G Schapira

Mark R Pope

John J Kotlarik

Tung-Ming Huang

Neil W Loomis

John P Grace

Sie Ting Wong

Pete M Bojan

Daniel P Schmidt

Kristin M Noonan

Eric B Shain

Timothy P Henning

Douglas F Young

The present invention involves apparatus and methods for use in collecting bodily fluids, such as interstitial fluids, from the epidermal layer of an animal. A preferred apparatus includes a pressure head and, optionally, a holder therefor for supplying a positive pressure to the head. The methods include the application of a positive pressure to the area surrounding an epidermal site from which stratum corneum has been breached, such as by laser ablation, to cause bodily fluids, such as interstitial fluids, to exude from the site and collecting the fluids exuding therefrom.

Apparatus and method for the collection of interstitial fluids

A method and apparatus for obtaining a sample of interstitial fluid from a patient for subsequent diagnostic tests, e.g., glucose monitoring. In one aspect of the invention, the method comprises the steps of (a) treating an area of the skin with vacuum or heat or both vacuum and heat to increase the availability of interstitial fluid at that area of the skin; (b) forming an opening in the treated area of the skin; and (c) extracting the sample of interstitial fluid from the opening in the skin, with the aid of vacuum and stretching of the skin. In another aspect of the invention, an apparatus for carrying out the method described previously is provided. Th apparatus comprises (a) a device for forming an unobstructed opening in the area of the skin from which the sample is to be extracted, preferably a lancing assembly; and (b) a vacuum pump. Preferably, the apparatus also includes a housing.

Method and apparatus for obtaining interstitial fluid for diagnostic

Growing community of inventors

Lake Villa, IL, United States of America

Brian Joseph Tarkowski