Abbott Laboratories Corporation

Robert G Hiltibran

Tung-Ming Huang

Sie Ting Wong

Thomas G Schapira

David Dean Cunningham

Mark R Pope

Brian Joseph Tarkowski

Eric B Shain

Michael G Lowery

Douglas F Young

John J Kotlarik

Neil W Loomis

John P Grace

Pete M Bojan

Daniel P Schmidt

Kristin M Noonan

Timothy P Henning

Akhtar Ali

Brenda B Calfin

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

Diagnostic assay for a sample of biological fluid

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

An article and a method for monitoring the concentration of glucose in blood. In one aspect, the invention involves an article comprising a multiple-layer element utilizing reagents capable of reacting with an analyte of interest. In a preferred embodiment, the element comprises:

Diagnostic assay requiring a small sample of biological fluid

This invention relates to the synthesis and use of novel .alpha. hydroxy tripeptide substrates which are useful in the quantitative determination of proteolytic enzymes such as thrombin and trypsin. In use, the disclosed substrates are hydrolyzed by a proteolytic enzyme to yield a moiety that can be evaluated spectrophotometrically to indicate the quantity of enzyme present.

.alpha. hydroxy tripeptide substrates

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Libertyville, IL, United States of America

Robert G Hiltibran