Abbott Laboratories Corporation

David Dean Cunningham

Timothy P Henning

Eric B Shain

Douglas F Young

Thomas G Schapira

Michael G Lowery

Gary F Prokop

Andrew J Muetterties

Jared L Watkin

Joshua P Goldfarb

Geoffrey Roger Chambers

Robert G Hiltibran

Graham J Hughes

Brian Joseph Tarkowski

Mark R Pope

Tung-Ming Huang

John J Kotlarik

Neil W Loomis

Sie Ting Wong

John P Grace

Kenneth S Johnson

Kristin M Noonan

Pete M Bojan

Daniel P Schmidt

R Hayes Helgren

Neal T Sleszynski

Hugh W Graham

Jill M Geist

Laura S Morici

Susan B Brontman

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, the method comprises the steps of: In another aspect of the invention, an apparatus for carrying out the method described previously is provided. The apparatus comprises:

Method and apparatus for obtaining blood for diagnostic tests

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

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, the method comprises the steps of:

A sensor device for measuring the concentration of an analyte in solution is described. The device includes a composite membrane which incorporates a porous membrane containing an immobilized biologically-active protein and at least one other membrane. The other membrane may optionally be a blocking membrane, partly embedded in the porous membrane, which is adapted to exclude low molecular weight interfering species such as ascorbic acid. The other membrane may optionally be a protecting membrane which is useful for preventing high molecular species from fouling the porous membrane. Both a blocking membrane and a protecting membrane may be included in the composite membrane, simultaneously. The composite membrane is attached and reliably sealed to a housing by means of ultrasonic welding. These features operate synergistically so that the device exhibits relatively fast response and recovery times, is reliably leak-proof, and may be constructed in relatively small sizes. A method of manufacturing the composite membrane is also provided.

Composite membrane

A sensor for measuring the concentration of an analyte in a solution is disclosed. The sensor may be adapted for use as either an amperometric or a potentiometric sensor. It includes a membrane having a biologically active protein immobilized within. The membrane is attached and reliably sealed to a housing by means of ultrasonic welding, either directly or indirectly. Further, the membrane may be compressed to a fraction of its original dimensions. Metallic parts of the device may, optionally, be physically isolated from the sample solution to reduce corrosion. These features operate synergistically so that the claimed device exhibits relatively fast response and recovery times, is reliably leak-proof, and may be constructed in relatively small sizes.

Biosensor with a membrane containing biologically active material

A porous carrier containing an immobilized biologically active material is prepared in which a relatively large amount of an enzyme or an antibody has been immobilized in a manner that produces a low diffusion resistance toward reagents and products. The porous carrier is produced by fixing enzymes or antibodies within internal micropores of the carrier and mechanically compressing the carrier to a final thickness which is in the range of about 0.20 to 0.80 times the uncompressed carrier thickness. The compressed carrier may have a density about 1.25 to about 5.0 times the density of the carrier before compressing. Surprisingly, the compressed carrier exhibits less diffusion resistance to specific reagents and products than would an uncompressed carrier. A preferred porous carrier is a semi-permeable membrane made from synthetic polymers, such as polyvinylidine difluoride.

Preparation of a compressed membrane containing immobilized biologically

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Lake Villa, IL, United States of America

David Dean Cunningham