US20140323917A1 - Apparatus for penetrating tissue - Google Patents
Apparatus for penetrating tissue Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20140323917A1 US20140323917A1 US14/326,608 US201414326608A US2014323917A1 US 20140323917 A1 US20140323917 A1 US 20140323917A1 US 201414326608 A US201414326608 A US 201414326608A US 2014323917 A1 US2014323917 A1 US 2014323917A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- penetrating member
- penetrating
- user
- processor
- tissue
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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- A61B5/14546—Measuring characteristics of blood in vivo, e.g. gas concentration, pH value; Measuring characteristics of body fluids or tissues, e.g. interstitial fluid, cerebral tissue for measuring analytes not otherwise provided for, e.g. ions, cytochromes
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- A61B5/15115—Driving means for propelling the piercing element to pierce the skin, e.g. comprising mechanisms based on shape memory alloys, magnetism, solenoids, piezoelectric effect, biased elements, resilient elements, vacuum or compressed fluids
- A61B5/15123—Driving means for propelling the piercing element to pierce the skin, e.g. comprising mechanisms based on shape memory alloys, magnetism, solenoids, piezoelectric effect, biased elements, resilient elements, vacuum or compressed fluids comprising magnets or solenoids
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M5/00—Devices for bringing media into the body in a subcutaneous, intra-vascular or intramuscular way; Accessories therefor, e.g. filling or cleaning devices, arm-rests
- A61M5/14—Infusion devices, e.g. infusing by gravity; Blood infusion; Accessories therefor
- A61M5/158—Needles for infusions; Accessories therefor, e.g. for inserting infusion needles, or for holding them on the body
- A61M2005/1585—Needle inserters
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- B01L2200/00—Solutions for specific problems relating to chemical or physical laboratory apparatus
- B01L2200/10—Integrating sample preparation and analysis in single entity, e.g. lab-on-a-chip concept
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- B01L2300/00—Additional constructional details
- B01L2300/06—Auxiliary integrated devices, integrated components
- B01L2300/0627—Sensor or part of a sensor is integrated
- B01L2300/0663—Whole sensors
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- B01L2300/00—Additional constructional details
- B01L2300/18—Means for temperature control
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N33/00—Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups G01N1/00 - G01N31/00
- G01N33/48—Biological material, e.g. blood, urine; Haemocytometers
- G01N33/483—Physical analysis of biological material
- G01N33/487—Physical analysis of biological material of liquid biological material
- G01N33/49—Blood
- G01N33/4905—Determining clotting time of blood
Definitions
- Lancing devices are known in the medical health-care products industry for piercing the skin to produce blood for analysis.
- a drop of blood for this type of analysis is obtained by making a small incision in the fingertip, creating a small wound, which generates a small blood droplet on the surface of the skin.
- Another impediment to patient compliance is the lack of spontaneous blood flow generated by known lancing technology.
- a patient may need more than one lancing event to obtain a blood sample since spontaneous blood generation is unreliable using known lancing technology.
- the pain is multiplied by the number of tries it takes to successfully generate spontaneous blood flow.
- Different skin thickness may yield different results in terms of pain perception, blood yield and success rate of obtaining blood between different users of the lancing device.
- Known devices poorly account for these skin thickness variations.
- a still further impediment to improved compliance with glucose monitoring are the many steps and hassle associated with each lancing event.
- Many diabetic patients that are insulin dependent may need to self-test for blood glucose levels five to six times daily.
- the large number of steps required in traditional methods of glucose testing, ranging from lancing, to milking of blood, applying blood to the test strip, and getting the measurements from the test strip discourages many diabetic patients from testing their blood glucose levels as often as recommended.
- Older patients and those with deteriorating motor skills encounter difficulty loading lancets into launcher devices, transferring blood onto a test strip, or inserting thin test strips into slots on glucose measurement meters.
- the wound channel left on the patient by known systems may also be of a size that discourages those who are active with their hands or who are concerned about healing of those wound channels from testing their glucose levels.
- an object of the present invention is to provide improved tissue penetrating systems, and their methods of use.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide tissue penetrating systems, and their methods of use, that provide reduced pain when penetrating a target tissue.
- Yet another object of the present invention is to provide tissue penetrating systems, and their methods of use, that provide controlled depth of penetration.
- Still a further object of the present invention is to provide tissue penetrating systems, and their methods of use, that provide controlled velocities into and out of target tissue.
- a further object of the present invention is to provide tissue penetrating systems, and their methods of use, that provide stimulation to a target tissue.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide tissue penetrating systems, and their methods of use, that apply a pressure to a target tissue.
- Yet another object of the present invention is to provide tissue penetrating systems, and their methods of use, with penetrating members that remain in sterile environments prior to launch.
- Still another object of the present invention is to provide tissue penetrating systems, and their methods of use, with penetrating members that remain in sterile environments prior to launch, and the penetrating members are not used to breach the sterile environment.
- a further object of the present invention is to provide improved tissue penetrating systems, and their methods of use, that have user interfaces.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide improved tissue penetrating systems, and their methods of use, that have human interfaces.
- Yet another object of the present invention is to provide tissue penetrating systems, and their methods of use, that have low volume sample chambers.
- Still another object of the present invention is to provide tissue penetrating systems, and their methods of use, that have sample chambers with volumes that do not exceed 1 ⁇ L.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide tissue penetrating systems, and their methods of use, that have multiple penetrating members housed in a cartridge.
- a body fluid sampling system for use on a tissue site that includes an electrically powered drive force generator.
- a penetrating member is operatively coupled to the force generator.
- the force generator moves the member along a path out of a housing having a penetrating member exit, into the tissue site, stops in the tissue site, and withdraws out of the tissue site.
- An analyte detecting member is positioned to receive fluid from a wound created by the penetrating member.
- the detection member is configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in the fluid using a sample of less than 1 ⁇ L of the fluid.
- a user interface is configured to relay at least one of, penetrating member performance or a penetrating member setting.
- a penetrating member is operatively coupled to the force generator.
- the force generator moves the member along a path out of a housing having a penetrating member exit, into the tissue site, stops in the tissue site, and withdraws out of the tissue site.
- An analyte detecting member is positioned to receive fluid from a wound created by the penetrating member.
- the detection member is configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in the fluid using a sample of less than 1 ⁇ L of the fluid.
- a human interface provides at least one output.
- a penetrating member is operatively coupled to the force generator.
- the force generator moves the member along a path out of a housing having a penetrating member exit, into the tissue site, stops in the tissue site, and withdraws out of the tissue site.
- An analyte detecting member is positioned to receive fluid from a wound created by the penetrating member.
- the detection member is configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in the fluid using a sample of less than 1 ⁇ L of the fluid.
- a user interface is configured to relay at least one of, penetrating member performance or a penetrating member setting.
- a penetrating member is operatively coupled to the force generator.
- the force generator moves the member along a path out of a housing having a penetrating member exit, into the tissue site, stops in the tissue site, and withdraws out of the tissue site.
- An analyte detecting member is positioned to receive fluid from a wound created by the penetrating member.
- the detection member is configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in the fluid using a sample of less than 1 ⁇ L of the fluid.
- a human interface provides at least one output.
- a penetrating member is operatively coupled to the force generator.
- the force generator moves the member along a path out of a housing having a penetrating member exit, into the tissue site, stops in the tissue site, and withdraws out of the tissue site.
- the drive force generator is configured to be controlled to follow a predetermined velocity trajectory into the tissue and out of the tissue.
- An analyte detecting member is positioned to receive fluid from a wound created by the penetrating member.
- the detection member is configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in the fluid using a sample of less than 1 ⁇ L of the fluid.
- a user interface is configured to relay at least one of, penetrating member performance or a penetrating member setting.
- a penetrating member is operatively coupled to the force generator.
- the force generator moves the member along a path out of a housing having a penetrating member exit, into the tissue site, stops in the tissue site, and withdraws out of the tissue site.
- the drive force generator is configured to be controlled to follow a predetermined velocity trajectory into the tissue and out of the tissue.
- An analyte detecting member is positioned to receive fluid from a wound created by the penetrating member.
- the detection member is configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in the fluid using a sample of less than 1 ⁇ L of the fluid.
- a human interface provides at least one output.
- a penetrating member is operatively coupled to the force generator.
- the force generator moves the member along a path out of a housing having a penetrating member exit, into the tissue site, stops in the tissue site, and withdraws out of the tissue site.
- a position sensor is positioned to provide an indication of a position of the penetrating member during actuation.
- An analyte detecting member is positioned to receive fluid from a wound created by the penetrating member.
- the detection member is configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in the fluid using a sample of less than 1 ⁇ L of the fluid.
- a user interface is configured to relay at least one of, penetrating member performance or a penetrating member setting.
- a penetrating member is operatively coupled to the force generator.
- the force generator moves the member along a path out of a housing having a penetrating member exit, into the tissue site, stops in the tissue site, and withdraws out of the tissue site.
- a position sensor is positioned to provide an indication of a position of the penetrating member during actuation.
- An analyte detecting member is positioned to receive fluid from a wound created by the penetrating member.
- the detection member is configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in the fluid using a sample of less than 1 ⁇ L of the fluid.
- a human interface provides at least one output.
- a penetrating member is operatively coupled to the force generator.
- the force generator moves the member along a path out of a housing having a penetrating member exit, into the tissue site, stops in the tissue site, and withdraws out of the tissue site.
- the penetrating member is an elongate member without a molded attachment.
- a coupler, on the force generator is configured to engage at least a portion of the elongate portion of the penetrating member and drive the member along a path into a tissue site and withdrawn from a tissue site.
- An analyte detecting member is positioned to receive fluid from a wound created by the penetrating member.
- the detection member is configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in the fluid using a sample of less than 1 ⁇ L of the fluid.
- a user interface is configured to relay at least one of, penetrating member performance or a pe
- a penetrating member is operatively coupled to the force generator.
- the force generator moves the member along a path out of a housing having a penetrating member exit, into the tissue site, stops in the tissue site, and withdraws out of the tissue site.
- the penetrating member is an elongate member without a molded attachment.
- a coupler, on the force generator is configured to engage at least a portion of the elongate portion of the penetrating member and drive the member along a path into a tissue site and withdrawn from a tissue site.
- An analyte detecting member is positioned to receive fluid from a wound created by the penetrating member.
- the detection member is configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in the fluid using a sample of less than 1 ⁇ L of the fluid.
- a human interface provides at least one output.
- a plurality of cartridges each contain a penetrating member. Each cartridge is coupled together to define a flexible array.
- a transport device moves each of the cartridges into a launch position to operatively couple the penetrating member to the force generator.
- An analyte detecting member is positioned to receive fluid from a wound created by the penetrating member. The detection member is configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in the fluid using a sample of less than 1 ⁇ L of the fluid.
- a user interface is configured to relay at least one of, penetrating member performance or a penetrating member setting.
- a plurality of cartridges each contain a penetrating member. Each cartridge is coupled together to define a flexible array.
- a transport device moves each of the cartridges into a launch position to operatively couple the penetrating member to the force generator.
- An analyte detecting member is positioned to receive fluid from a wound created by the penetrating member. The detection member is configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in the fluid using a sample of less than 1 ⁇ L of the fluid.
- a human interface provides at least one output.
- a body fluid sampling system for use on a tissue site includes a drive force generator.
- a penetrating member has an elongate portion without a molded attachment and is operatively coupled to the force generator.
- a sterility enclosure covers at least a tip of the penetrating member. The sterility enclosure is removed from the penetrating member prior to actuation of the member and positioned so that the penetrating member will not contact the enclosure during actuation.
- An analyte detecting member is positioned to receive fluid from a wound created by the penetrating member. The detection member is configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in the fluid using a sample of less than 1 ⁇ L of the fluid.
- a user interface is configured to relay at least one of, penetrating member performance or a penetrating member setting.
- a penetrating member has an elongate portion without a molded attachment and is operatively coupled to the force generator.
- a sterility enclosure covers at least a tip of the penetrating member. The sterility enclosure is removed from the penetrating member prior to actuation of the member and positioned so that the penetrating member will not contact the enclosure during actuation.
- An analyte detecting member is positioned to receive fluid from a wound created by the penetrating member. The detection member is configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in the fluid using a sample of less than 1 ⁇ L of the fluid.
- a human interface provides at least one output.
- a penetrating member has an elongate portion without a molded attachment and is operatively coupled to the force generator.
- a sterility enclosure creates a sterile environment around at least a tip of the penetrating member. The penetrating member breaches the sterile environment during actuation.
- An analyte detecting member is positioned to receive fluid from a wound created by the penetrating member. The detection member is configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in the fluid using a sample of less than 1 ⁇ L of the fluid.
- a user interface is configured to relay at least one of, penetrating member performance or a penetrating member setting.
- a penetrating member has an elongate portion without a molded attachment and is operatively coupled to the force generator.
- a sterility enclosure creates a sterile environment around at least a tip of the penetrating member. The penetrating member breaches the sterile environment during actuation.
- An analyte detecting member is positioned to receive fluid from a wound created by the penetrating member. The detection member is configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in the fluid using a sample of less than 1 ⁇ L of the fluid.
- a human interface provides at least one output.
- a penetrating member has an elongate portion without a molded attachment and is operatively coupled to the force generator.
- a sterility enclosure creates a sterile environment around at least a tip of the penetrating member. The penetrating member breaches the sterile environment during actuation.
- An analyte detecting member is positioned to receive fluid from a wound created by the penetrating member. The detection member is configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in the fluid using a sample of less than 1 ⁇ L of the fluid.
- a user interface is configured to relay at least one of, penetrating member performance or a penetrating member setting.
- a penetrating member has an elongate portion without a molded attachment and is operatively coupled to the force generator.
- a sterility enclosure creates a sterile environment around at least a tip of the penetrating member. The penetrating member breaches the sterile environment during actuation.
- An analyte detecting member is positioned to receive fluid from a wound created by the penetrating member. The detection member is configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in the fluid using a sample of less than 1 ⁇ L of the fluid.
- a human interface provides at least one output.
- a penetrating member is operatively coupled to the force generator.
- the force generator moves the member along a path out of a housing having the a penetrating member exit, into the tissue site, stops in the tissue site, and withdraws out of the tissue site.
- a skin stabilizer device is suitable for stretching a surface of a tissue site. The skin stabilizer at least partially surrounds the penetrating member exit.
- An analyte detecting member is positioned to receive fluid from a wound created by the penetrating member. The detection member is configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in the fluid using a sample of less than 1 ⁇ L of the fluid.
- a user interface is configured to relay at least one of, penetrating member performance or a penetrating member setting.
- a penetrating member is operatively coupled to the force generator.
- the force generator moves the member along a path out of a housing having the a penetrating member exit, into the tissue site, stops in the tissue site, and withdraws out of the tissue site.
- a skin stabilizer device is suitable for stretching a surface of a tissue site. The skin stabilizer at least partially surrounds the penetrating member exit.
- An analyte detecting member is positioned to receive fluid from a wound created by the penetrating member. The detection member is configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in the fluid using a sample of less than 1 ⁇ L of the fluid.
- a human interface provides at least one output.
- a penetrating member is operatively coupled to the force generator.
- the force generator moves the member along a path out of a housing having the a penetrating member exit, into the tissue site, stops in the tissue site, and withdraws out of the tissue site.
- a user interface transmits at least one input between a user.
- An analyte detecting member is positioned to receive fluid from a wound created by the penetrating member.
- the detection member is configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in the fluid using a sample of less than 1 ⁇ L of the fluid.
- a user interface is configured to relay at least one of, penetrating member performance or a penetrating member setting.
- a penetrating member is operatively coupled to the force generator.
- the force generator moves the member along a path out of a housing having the a penetrating member exit, into the tissue site, stops in the tissue site, and withdraws out of the tissue site.
- a user interface transmits at least one input between a user.
- An analyte detecting member is positioned to receive fluid from a wound created by the penetrating member.
- the detection member is configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in the fluid using a sample of less than 1 ⁇ L of the fluid.
- a human interface provides at least one output.
- FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a controllable force driver in the form of a cylindrical electric penetrating member driver using a coiled solenoid-type configuration.
- FIG. 2A illustrates a displacement over time profile of a penetrating member driven by a harmonic spring/mass system.
- FIG. 2B illustrates the velocity over time profile of a penetrating member driver by a harmonic spring/mass system.
- FIG. 2C illustrates a displacement over time profile of an embodiment of a controllable force driver.
- FIG. 2D illustrates a velocity over time profile of an embodiment of a controllable force driver.
- FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a controlled feed-back loop.
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a tissue penetration device having features of the invention.
- FIG. 5 is an elevation view in partial longitudinal section of the tissue penetration device of FIG. 4 .
- FIGS. 6A-6C show a flowchart illustrating a penetrating member control method.
- FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic view of a patient's finger and a penetrating member tip moving toward the skin of the finger.
- FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic view of a patient's finger and the penetrating member tip making contact with the skin of a patient's finger.
- FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic view of the penetrating member tip depressing the skin of a patient's finger.
- FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic view of the penetrating member tip further depressing the skin of a patient's finger.
- FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic view of the penetrating member tip penetrating the skin of a patient's finger.
- FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic view of the penetrating member tip penetrating the skin of a patient's finger to a desired depth.
- FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic view of the penetrating member tip withdrawing from the skin of a patient's finger.
- FIGS. 14-18 illustrate a method of tissue penetration that may measure elastic recoil of the skin.
- FIG. 19 is a perspective view in partial section of a tissue penetration sampling device with a cartridge of sampling modules.
- FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a sampling module cartridge with the sampling modules arranged in a ring configuration.
- FIG. 21 illustrate an embodiment of a cartridge for use in sampling having a sampling cartridge body and a penetrating member cartridge body.
- FIG. 22A shows a device for use on a tissue site having a plurality of penetrating members.
- FIG. 22B shows rear view of a device for use on a tissue site having a plurality of penetrating members.
- FIG. 22C shows a schematic of a device for use on a tissue site with a feedback loop and optionally a damper.
- FIG. 23A shows an embodiment of a device with a user interface.
- FIG. 23B shows an outer view of a device with a user interface.
- FIG. 24 is a cut away view of a system for sampling body fluid.
- FIG. 25 is an exploded view of a cartridge for use with a system for sampling body fluid.
- FIG. 26 is an exploded view of a cartridge having multiple penetrating members for use with a system for sampling body fluid.
- FIGS. 27-28 show cartridges for use with a system for sampling body fluid.
- FIG. 29 shows a cutaway view of another embodiment of a system for sampling body fluid.
- FIG. 30 shows the density associated with a cartridge according to the present invention.
- FIG. 31 shows a cutaway view of another embodiment of a system for sampling body fluid.
- FIG. 32 is a cut away view of a cartridge according to the present invention.
- FIGS. 33-34 show views of a body sampling system using multiple cartridges.
- FIG. 35 shows an embodiment of the present invention with a tissue stabilizing member.
- FIG. 36 shows a cartridge according to the present invention with a tissue stabilizing member.
- FIG. 37 shows a system according to the present invention with a moveable cartridge.
- the present invention provides a solution for body fluid sampling.
- some embodiments of the present invention provides a penetrating member device for consistently creating a wound with spontaneous body fluid flow from a patient.
- the invention may be a multiple penetrating member device with an optional high density design. It may use penetrating members of smaller size than known penetrating members.
- the device may be used for multiple lancing events without having to remove a disposable from the device or for the user to handle sharps.
- the invention may provide improved sensing capabilities. At least some of these and other objectives described herein will be met by embodiments of the present invention.
- “Optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described circumstance may or may not occur, so that the description includes instances where the circumstance occurs and instances where it does not. For example, if a device optionally contains a feature for analyzing a blood sample, this means that the analysis feature may or may not be present, and, thus, the description includes structures wherein a device possesses the analysis feature and structures wherein the analysis feature is not present.
- “Analyte detecting member” refers to any use, singly or in combination, of chemical test reagents and methods, electrical test circuits and methods, physical test components and methods, optical test components and methods, and biological test reagents and methods to yield information about a blood sample. Such methods are well known in the art and may be based on teachings of, e.g. Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry, 3d Ed., Sec. V, pp. 776-78 (Burtis & Ashwood, Eds., W.B. Saunders Company, Philadelphia, 1999); U.S. Pat. No. 5,997,817 to Chrismore et al. (Dec. 7, 1999); U.S. Pat. No.
- Analyte detecting member may include tests in the sample test chamber that test electrochemical properties of the blood, or they may include optical means for sensing optical properties of the blood (e.g. oxygen saturation level), or they may include biochemical reagents (e.g. antibodies) to sense properties (e.g. presence of antigens) of the blood.
- the analyte detecting member may comprise biosensing or reagent material that will react with an analyte in blood (e.g. glucose) or other body fluid so that an appropriate signal correlating with the presence of the analyte is generated and can be read by the reader apparatus.
- analyte detecting member may “associated with”, “mounted within”, or “coupled to” a chamber or other structure when the analyte detecting member participates in the function of providing an appropriate signal about the blood sample to the reader device.
- Analyte detecting member may also include nanowire analyte detecting members as described herein.
- Analyte detecting member may use potentiometric, coulometric, or other method useful for detection of analyte levels.
- the present invention may be used with a variety of different penetrating member drivers. It is contemplated that these penetrating member drivers may be spring based, solenoid based, magnetic driver based, nanomuscle based, or based on any other mechanism useful in moving a penetrating member along a path into tissue. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited by the type of driver used with the penetrating member feed mechanism.
- One suitable penetrating member driver for use with the present invention is shown in FIG. 1 . This is an embodiment of a solenoid type electromagnetic driver that is capable of driving an iron core or slug mounted to the penetrating member assembly using a direct current (DC) power supply.
- DC direct current
- the electromagnetic driver includes a driver coil pack that is divided into three separate coils along the path of the penetrating member, two end coils and a middle coil. Direct current is alternated to the coils to advance and retract the penetrating member.
- the driver coil pack is shown with three coils, any suitable number of coils may be used, for example, 4, 5, 6, 7 or more coils may be used.
- the stationary iron housing 10 may contain the driver coil pack with a first coil 12 flanked by iron spacers 14 which concentrate the magnetic flux at the inner diameter creating magnetic poles.
- the inner insulating housing 16 isolates the penetrating member 18 and iron core 20 from the coils and provides a smooth, low friction guide surface.
- the penetrating member guide 22 further centers the penetrating member 18 and iron core 20 .
- the penetrating member 18 is protracted and retracted by alternating the current between the first coil 12 , the middle coil, and the third coil to attract the iron core 20 . Reversing the coil sequence and attracting the core and penetrating member back into the housing retracts the penetrating member.
- the penetrating member guide 22 also serves as a stop for the iron core 20 mounted to the penetrating member 18 .
- tissue penetration devices which employ spring or cam driving methods have a symmetrical or nearly symmetrical actuation displacement and velocity profiles on the advancement and retraction of the penetrating member as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 .
- the stored energy determines the velocity profile until the energy is dissipated.
- Controlling impact, retraction velocity, and dwell time of the penetrating member within the tissue can be useful in order to achieve a high success rate while accommodating variations in skin properties and minimize pain.
- Advantages can be achieved by taking into account of the fact that tissue dwell time is related to the amount of skin deformation as the penetrating member tries to puncture the surface of the skin and variance in skin deformation from patient to patient based on skin hydration.
- the ability to control velocity and depth of penetration may be achieved by use of a controllable force driver where feedback is an integral part of driver control.
- a controllable force driver where feedback is an integral part of driver control.
- Such drivers can control either metal or polymeric penetrating members or any other type of tissue penetration element.
- the dynamic control of such a driver is illustrated in FIG. 2C which illustrates an embodiment of a controlled displacement profile and FIG. 2D which illustrates an embodiment of a the controlled velocity profile.
- FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate embodiments of displacement and velocity profiles, respectively, of a harmonic spring/mass powered driver.
- Reduced pain can be achieved by using impact velocities of greater than about 2 m/s entry of a tissue penetrating element, such as a lancet, into tissue.
- FIG. 3 illustrates the operation of a feedback loop using a processor 60 .
- the processor 60 stores profiles 62 in non-volatile memory.
- a user inputs information 64 about the desired circumstances or parameters for a lancing event.
- the processor 60 selects a driver profile 62 from a set of alternative driver profiles that have been preprogrammed in the processor 60 based on typical or desired tissue penetration device performance determined through testing at the factory or as programmed in by the operator.
- the processor 60 may customize by either scaling or modifying the profile based on additional user input information 64 .
- the processor 60 is ready to modulate the power from the power supply 66 to the penetrating member driver 68 through an amplifier 70 .
- the processor 60 may measure the location of the penetrating member 72 using a position sensing mechanism 74 through an analog to digital converter 76 linear encoder or other such transducer. Examples of position sensing mechanisms have been described in the embodiments above and may be found in the specification for commonly assigned, copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/127,395, (Attorney Docket No. 38187-2551) filed Apr. 19, 2002 and previously incorporated herein.
- the processor 60 calculates the movement of the penetrating member by comparing the actual profile of the penetrating member to the predetermined profile.
- the processor 60 modulates the power to the penetrating member driver 68 through a signal generator 78 , which may control the amplifier 70 so that the actual velocity profile of the penetrating member does not exceed the predetermined profile by more than a preset error limit.
- the error limit is the accuracy in the control of the penetrating member.
- the processor 60 can allow the user to rank the results of the lancing event.
- the processor 60 stores these results and constructs a database 80 for the individual user.
- the processor 60 calculates the profile traits such as degree of painlessness, success rate, and blood volume for various profiles 62 depending on user input information 64 to optimize the profile to the individual user for subsequent lancing cycles. These profile traits depend on the characteristic phases of penetrating member advancement and retraction.
- the processor 60 uses these calculations to optimize profiles 62 for each user.
- an internal clock allows storage in the database 79 of information such as the time of day to generate a time stamp for the lancing event and the time between lancing events to anticipate the user's diurnal needs.
- the database stores information and statistics for each user and each profile that particular user uses.
- the processor 60 can be used to calculate the appropriate penetrating member diameter and geometry suitable to realize the blood volume required by the user. For example, if the user requires about 1-5 microliter volume of blood, the processor 60 may select a 200 micron diameter penetrating member to achieve these results. For each class of lancet, both diameter and lancet tip geometry, is stored in the processor 60 to correspond with upper and lower limits of attainable blood volume based on the predetermined displacement and velocity profiles.
- the lancing device is capable of prompting the user for information at the beginning and the end of the lancing event to more adequately suit the user.
- the goal is to either change to a different profile or modify an existing profile.
- the force driving the penetrating member is varied during advancement and retraction to follow the profile.
- the method of lancing using the lancing device comprises selecting a profile, lancing according to the selected profile, determining lancing profile traits for each characteristic phase of the lancing cycle, and optimizing profile traits for subsequent lancing events.
- FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a tissue penetration device, more specifically, a lancing device 80 that includes a controllable driver 179 coupled to a tissue penetration element.
- the lancing device 80 has a proximal end 81 and a distal end 82 .
- the tissue penetration element in the form of a penetrating member 83 , which is coupled to an elongate coupler shaft 84 by a drive coupler 85 .
- the elongate coupler shaft 84 has a proximal end 86 and a distal end 87 .
- a driver coil pack 88 is disposed about the elongate coupler shaft 84 proximal of the penetrating member 83 .
- a position sensor 91 is disposed about a proximal portion 92 of the elongate coupler shaft 84 and an electrical conductor 94 electrically couples a processor 93 to the position sensor 91 .
- the penetrating member 83 has a proximal end 95 and a distal end 96 with a sharpened point at the distal end 96 of the penetrating member 83 and a drive head 98 disposed at the proximal end 95 of the penetrating member 83 .
- a penetrating member shaft 201 is disposed between the drive head 98 and the sharpened point 97 .
- the penetrating member shaft 201 may be comprised of stainless steel, or any other suitable material or alloy and have a transverse dimension of about 0.1 to about 0.4 mm.
- the penetrating member shaft may have a length of about 3 mm to about 50 mm, specifically, about 15 mm to about 20 mm.
- the drive head 98 of the penetrating member 83 is an enlarged portion having a transverse dimension greater than a transverse dimension of the penetrating member shaft 201 distal of the drive head 98 . This configuration allows the drive head 98 to be mechanically captured by the drive coupler 85 .
- the drive head 98 may have a transverse dimension of about 0.5 to about 2 mm.
- a magnetic member 102 is secured to the elongate coupler shaft 84 proximal of the drive coupler 85 on a distal portion 203 of the elongate coupler shaft 84 .
- the magnetic member 102 is a substantially cylindrical piece of magnetic material having an axial lumen 204 extending the length of the magnetic member 102 .
- the magnetic member 102 has an outer transverse dimension that allows the magnetic member 102 to slide easily within an axial lumen 105 of a low friction, possibly lubricious, polymer guide tube 105 ′ disposed within the driver coil pack 88 .
- the magnetic member 102 may have an outer transverse dimension of about 1.0 to about 5.0 mm, specifically, about 2.3 to about 2.5 mm.
- the magnetic member 102 may have a length of about 3.0 to about 5.0 mm, specifically, about 4.7 to about 4.9 mm.
- the magnetic member 102 can be made from a variety of magnetic materials including ferrous metals such as ferrous steel, iron, ferrite, or the like.
- the magnetic member 102 may be secured to the distal portion 203 of the elongate coupler shaft 84 by a variety of methods including adhesive or epoxy bonding, welding, crimping or any other suitable method.
- an optical encoder flag 206 is secured to the elongate coupler shaft 84 .
- the optical encoder flag 206 is configured to move within a slot 107 in the position sensor 91 .
- the slot 107 of the position sensor 91 is formed between a first body portion 108 and a second body portion 109 of the position sensor 91 .
- the slot 107 may have separation width of about 1.5 to about 2.0 mm.
- the optical encoder flag 206 can have a length of about 14 to about 18 mm, a width of about 3 to about 5 mm and a thickness of about 0.04 to about 0.06 mm.
- the optical encoder flag 206 interacts with various optical beams generated by LEDs disposed on or in the position sensor body portions 108 and 109 in a predetermined manner.
- the interaction of the optical beams generated by the LEDs of the position sensor 91 generates a signal that indicates the longitudinal position of the optical flag 206 relative to the position sensor 91 with a substantially high degree of resolution.
- the resolution of the position sensor 91 may be about 200 to about 400 cycles per inch, specifically, about 350 to about 370 cycles per inch.
- the position sensor 91 may have a speed response time (position/time resolution) of 0 to about 120,000 Hz, where one dark and light stripe of the flag constitutes one Hertz, or cycle per second.
- the position of the optical encoder flag 206 relative to the magnetic member 102 , driver coil pack 88 and position sensor 91 is such that the optical encoder 91 can provide precise positional information about the penetrating member 83 over the entire length of the penetrating member's power stroke.
- An optical encoder that is suitable for the position sensor 91 is a linear optical incremental encoder, model HEDS 9200, manufactured by Agilent Technologies.
- the model HEDS 9200 may have a length of about 20 to about 30 mm, a width of about 8 to about 12 mm, and a height of about 9 to about 11 mm.
- the position sensor 91 illustrated is a linear optical incremental encoder, other suitable position sensor embodiments could be used, provided they posses the requisite positional resolution and time response.
- the HEDS 9200 is a two channel device where the channels are 90 degrees out of phase with each other. This results in a resolution of four times the basic cycle of the flag. These quadrature outputs make it possible for the processor to determine the direction of penetrating member travel.
- Other suitable position sensors include capacitive encoders, analog reflective sensors, such as the reflective position sensor discussed above, and the like.
- a coupler shaft guide 111 is disposed towards the proximal end 81 of the lancing device 80 .
- the guide 111 has a guide lumen 112 disposed in the guide 111 to slidingly accept the proximal portion 92 of the elongate coupler shaft 84 .
- the guide 111 keeps the elongate coupler shaft 84 centered horizontally and vertically in the slot 102 of the optical encoder 91 .
- the driver coil pack 88 , position sensor 91 and coupler shaft guide 111 are all secured to a base 113 .
- the base 113 is longitudinally coextensive with the driver coil pack 88 , position sensor 91 and coupler shaft guide 111 .
- the base 113 can take the form of a rectangular piece of metal or polymer, or may be a more elaborate housing with recesses, which are configured to accept the various components of the lancing device 80 .
- the magnetic member 102 is configured to slide within an axial lumen 105 of the driver coil pack 88 .
- the driver coil pack 88 includes a most distal first coil 114 , a second coil 115 , which is axially disposed between the first coil 114 and a third coil 116 , and a proximal-most fourth coil 117 .
- Each of the first coil 114 , second coil 115 , third coil 116 and fourth coil 117 has an axial lumen.
- the axial lumens of the first through fourth coils are configured to be coaxial with the axial lumens of the other coils and together form the axial lumen 105 of the driver coil pack 88 as a whole.
- Axially adjacent each of the coils 114 - 117 is a magnetic disk or washer 118 that augments completion of the magnetic circuit of the coils 114 - 117 during a lancing cycle of the device 80 .
- the magnetic washers 118 of the embodiment of FIG. 5 are made of ferrous steel but could be made of any other suitable magnetic material, such as iron or ferrite.
- the outer shell 89 of the driver coil pack 88 is also made of iron or steel to complete the magnetic path around the coils and between the washers 118 .
- the magnetic washers 118 have an outer diameter commensurate with an outer diameter of the driver coil pack 88 of about 4.0 to about 8.0 mm.
- the magnetic washers 118 have an axial thickness of about 0.05, to about 0.4 mm, specifically, about 0.15 to about 0.25 mm.
- the elongate electrical conductor 121 is generally an insulated solid copper wire with a small outer transverse dimension of about 0.06 mm to about 0.88 mm, specifically, about 0.3 mm to about 0.5 mm. In one embodiment, 32 gauge copper wire is used for the coils 114 - 117 .
- the number of windings for each of the coils 114 - 117 of the driver pack 88 may vary with the size of the coil, but for some embodiments each coil 114 - 117 may have about 30 to about 80 turns, specifically, about 50 to about 60 turns.
- Each coil 114 - 117 can have an axial length of about 1.0 to about 3.0 mm, specifically, about 1.8 to about 2.0 mm.
- Each coil 114 - 117 can have an outer transverse dimension or diameter of about 4.0, to about 2.0 mm, specifically, about 9.0 to about 12.0 mm.
- the axial lumen 105 can have a transverse dimension of about 1.0 to about 3.0 mm.
- driver coil 88 it may be advantageous in some driver coil 88 embodiments to replace one or more of the coils with permanent magnets, which produce a magnetic field similar to that of the coils when the coils are activated.
- the bar magnet 119 is arranged so as to have one end disposed adjacent the travel path of the magnetic member 102 and has a polarity configured so as to attract the magnetic member 102 in a centered position with respect to the bar magnet 119 .
- the polymer guide tube 105 ′ can be configured to extend proximally to insulate the inward radial surface of the bar magnet 119 from an outer surface of the magnetic member 102 . This arrangement allows the magnetic member 119 and thus the elongate coupler shaft 84 to be attracted to and held in a zero point or rest position without the consumption of electrical energy from the power supply 125 .
- Having a fixed zero or start point for the elongate coupler shaft 84 and penetrating member 83 may be useful to properly controlling the depth of penetration of the penetrating member 83 as well as other lancing parameters. This can be because some methods of depth penetration control for a controllable driver measure the acceleration and displacement of the elongate coupler shaft 84 and penetrating member 83 from a known start position. If the distance of the penetrating member tip 96 from the target tissue is known, acceleration and displacement of the penetrating member is known and the start position of the penetrating member is know, the time and position of tissue contact and depth of penetration can be determined by the processor 93 .
- a magnetic bar 119 can be used for the purposes discussed above.
- a second permanent bar magnet (not shown) could be added to the proximal end of the driver coil pack 88 with the magnetic fields of the two bar magnets configured to complement each other.
- a disc magnet can be used. Disc magnet is shown disposed at the proximal end of the driver coiled pack 88 with a polymer non-magnetic disc disposed between the proximal-most coil 117 and disc magnet and positions disc magnet away from the proximal end of the proximal-most coil 117 .
- the polymer non-magnetic disc spacer is used so that the magnetic member 102 can be centered in a zero or start position slightly proximal of the proximal-most coil 117 of the driver coil pack 88 . This allows the magnetic member to be attracted by the proximal-most coil 117 at the initiation of the lancing cycle instead of being passive in the forward drive portion of the lancing cycle.
- An inner lumen of the polymer non-magnetic disc can be configured to allow the magnetic member 102 to pass axially there through while an inner lumen of the disc magnet can be configured to allow the elongate coupler shaft 84 to pass through but not large enough for the magnetic member 102 to pass through. This results in the magnetic member 102 being attracted to the disc magnet and coming to rest with the proximal surface of the magnetic member 102 against a distal surface of the disc magnet. This arrangement provides for a positive and repeatable stop for the magnetic member, and hence the penetrating member.
- the driver coil pack 88 when the electrical current in the coils 114 - 117 of the driver coil pack 88 is off, a magnetic member 102 made of soft iron is attracted to the bar magnet 119 or disc magnet.
- the magnetic field of the driver coil pack 88 and the bar magnet 119 or disc magnet, or any other suitable magnet can be configured such that when the electrical current in the coils 114 - 117 is turned on, the leakage magnetic field from the coils 114 - 117 has the same polarity as the bar magnet 119 or disc magnet. This results in a magnetic force that repels the magnetic member 102 from the bar magnet 119 or disc magnet and attracts the magnetic member 102 to the activated coils 114 - 117 .
- the bar magnet 119 or disc magnet thus act to facilitate acceleration of the magnetic member 102 as opposed to working against the acceleration.
- Electrical conductors 122 couple the driver coil pack 88 with the processor 93 which can be configured or programmed to control the current flow in the coils 114 - 117 of the driver coil pack 88 based on position feedback from the position sensor 91 , which is coupled to the processor 93 by electrical conductors 94 .
- a power source 125 is electrically coupled to the processor 93 and provides electrical power to operate the processor 93 and power the coil driver pack 88 .
- the power source 125 may be one or more batteries that provide direct current power to the 93 processor.
- FIGS. 29A-29C a flow diagram is shown that describes the operations performed by the processor 93 in controlling the penetrating member 83 of the lancing device 80 discussed above during an operating cycle.
- FIGS. 30-36 illustrate the interaction of the penetrating member 83 and skin 133 of the patient's finger 134 during an operation cycle of the penetrating member device 83 .
- the processor 93 operates under control of programming steps that are stored in an associated memory. When the programming steps are executed, the processor 93 performs operations as described herein. Thus, the programming steps implement the functionality of the operations described with respect to the flow diagram of FIG. 29 .
- the processor 93 can receive the programming steps from a program product stored in recordable media, including a direct access program product storage device such as a hard drive or flash ROM, a removable program product storage device such as a floppy disk, or in any other manner known to those of skill in the art.
- the processor 93 can also download the programming steps through a network connection or serial connection.
- the processor 93 initializes values that it stores in memory relating to control of the penetrating member, such as variables that it uses to keep track of the controllable driver 179 during movement. For example, the processor may set a clock value to zero and a penetrating member position value to zero or to some other initial value. The processor 93 may also cause power to be removed from the coil pack 88 for a period of time, such as for about 10 ms, to allow any residual flux to dissipate from the coils.
- the processor 93 also causes the penetrating member to assume an initial stationary position.
- the penetrating member 83 When in the initial stationary position, the penetrating member 83 is typically fully retracted such that the magnetic member 102 is positioned substantially adjacent the fourth coil 117 of the driver coil pack 88 , shown in FIG. 5 above.
- the processor 93 can move the penetrating member 83 to the initial stationary position by pulsing an electrical current to the fourth coil 117 to thereby attract the magnetic member 102 on the penetrating member 83 to the fourth coil 117 .
- the magnetic member can be positioned in the initial stationary position by virtue of a permanent magnet, such as bar magnet 119 , disc magnet or any other suitable magnet as discussed above with regard to the tissue penetration device illustrated in FIGS. 20 and 21 .
- the processor 93 energizes one or more of the coils in the coil pack 88 . This should cause the penetrating member 83 to begin to move (i.e., achieve a non-zero speed) toward the skin target 133 .
- the processor 93 determines whether or not the penetrating member is indeed moving.
- the processor 93 can determine whether the penetrating member 83 is moving by monitoring the position of the penetrating member 83 to determine whether the position changes over time.
- the processor 93 can monitor the position of the penetrating member 83 by keeping track of the position of the optical encoder flag 106 secured to the elongate coupler shaft 84 wherein the encoder 91 produces a signal coupled to the processor 93 that indicates the spatial position of the penetrating member 83 .
- the process proceeds to the operation represented by the flow diagram box numbered 153 , where the processor deems that an error condition is present. This means that some error in the system is causing the penetrating member 83 not to move.
- the error may be mechanical, electrical, or software related.
- the penetrating member 83 may be stuck in the stationary position because something is impeding its movement.
- the process proceeds to the operation represented by the flow diagram box numbered 257 .
- the processor 93 causes the penetrating member 83 to continue to accelerate and launch toward the skin target 133 , as indicated by the arrow 135 in FIG. 7 .
- the processor 93 can achieve acceleration of the penetrating member 83 by sending an electrical current to an appropriate coil 114 - 117 such that the coil 114 - 117 exerts an attractive magnetic launching force on the magnetic member 102 and causes the magnetic member 102 and the penetrating member 83 coupled thereto to move in a desired direction.
- the processor 93 can cause an electrical current to be sent to the third coil 116 so that the third coil 116 attracts the magnetic member 102 and causes the magnetic member 102 to move from a position adjacent the fourth coil 117 toward the third coil 116 .
- the processor preferably determines which coil 114 - 117 should be used to attract the magnetic member 102 based on the position of the magnetic member 102 relative to the coils 114 - 117 . In this manner, the processor 93 provides a controlled force to the penetrating member that controls the movement of the penetrating member.
- the processor 93 periodically or continually monitors the position and/or velocity of the penetrating member 83 . In keeping track of the velocity and position of the penetrating member 83 as the penetrating member 83 moves towards the patient's skin 133 or other tissue, the processor 93 also monitors and adjusts the electrical current to the coils 114 - 117 . In some embodiments, the processor 93 applies current to an appropriate coil 114 - 117 such that the penetrating member 83 continues to move according to a desired direction and acceleration. In the instant case, the processor 93 applies current to the appropriate coil 114 - 117 that will cause the penetrating member 83 to continue to move in the direction of the patient's skin 133 or other tissue to be penetrated.
- the processor 93 may successively transition the current between coils 114 - 117 so that as the magnetic member 102 moves past a particular coil 114 - 117 , the processor 93 then shuts off current to that coil 114 - 117 and then applies current to another coil 114 - 117 that will attract the magnetic member 102 and cause the magnetic member 102 to continue to move in the desired direction.
- the processor 93 can take into account various factors, including the speed of the penetrating member 83 , the position of the penetrating member 83 relative to the coils 114 - 117 , the number of coils 114 - 117 , and the level of current to be applied to the coils 114 - 117 to achieve a desired speed or acceleration.
- the processor 93 determines whether the cutting or distal end tip 96 of the penetrating member 83 has contacted the patient's skin 133 , as shown in FIG. 8 and as represented by the decision box numbered 165 in FIG. 6B .
- the processor 93 may determine whether the penetrating member 83 has made contact with the target tissue 133 by a variety of methods, including some that rely on parameters which are measured prior to initiation of a lancing cycle and other methods that are adaptable to use during a lancing cycle without any predetermined parameters.
- the processor 93 determines that the skin has been contacted when the end tip 96 of the penetrating member 83 has moved a predetermined distance with respect to its initial position. If the distance from the tip 261 of the penetrating member 83 to the target tissue 133 is known prior to initiation of penetrating member 83 movement, the initial position of the penetrating member 83 is fixed and known, and the movement and position of the penetrating member 83 can be accurately measured during a lancing cycle, then the position and time of penetrating member contact can be determined.
- This method requires an accurate measurement of the distance between the penetrating member tip 96 and the patient's skin 133 when the penetrating member 83 is in the zero time or initial position. This can be accomplished in a number of ways. One way is to control all of the mechanical parameters that influence the distance from the penetrating member tip 96 to the patient's tissue or a surface of the lancing device 80 that will contact the patient's skin 133 .
- the distance from the penetrating member tip 96 to the target tissue 133 can be determined at the time of manufacture of the lancing device 80 . The distance could then be programmed into the memory of the processor 93 . If an adjustable feature is added to the lancing device 80 , such as an adjustable length elongate coupling shaft 84 , this can accommodate variations in all of the parameters noted above, except length of the penetrating member 83 .
- An electronic alternative to this mechanical approach would be to calibrate a stored memory contact point into the memory of the processor 93 during manufacture based on the mechanical parameters described above.
- moving the penetrating member tip 96 to the target tissue 133 very slowly and gently touching the skin 133 prior to actuation can accomplish the distance from the penetrating member tip 96 to the tissue 133 .
- the position sensor can accurately measure the distance from the initialization point to the point of contact, where the resistance to advancement of the penetrating member 83 stops the penetrating member movement.
- the penetrating member 83 is then retracted to the initialization point having measured the distance to the target tissue 133 without creating any discomfort to the user.
- the processor 93 may use software to determine whether the penetrating member 83 has made contact with the patient's skin 133 by measuring for a sudden reduction in velocity of the penetrating member 83 due to friction or resistance imposed on the penetrating member 83 by the patient's skin 133 .
- the optical encoder 91 measures displacement of the penetrating member 83 .
- the position output data provides input to the interrupt input of the processor 93 .
- the processor 93 also has a timer capable of measuring the time between interrupts. The distance between interrupts is known for the optical encoder 91 , so the velocity of the penetrating member 83 can be calculated by dividing the distance between interrupts by the time between the interrupts.
- This method requires that velocity losses to the penetrating member 83 and elongate coupler 84 assembly due to friction are known to an acceptable level so that these velocity losses and resulting deceleration can be accounted for when establishing a deceleration threshold above which contact between penetrating member tip 96 and target tissue 133 will be presumed.
- This same concept can be implemented in many ways. For example, rather than monitoring the velocity of the penetrating member 83 , if the processor 93 is controlling the penetrating member driver in order to maintain a fixed velocity, the power to the driver 88 could be monitored. If an amount of power above a predetermined threshold is required in order to maintain a constant velocity, then contact between the tip of the penetrating member 96 and the skin 133 could be presumed.
- the processor 93 determines skin 133 contact by the penetrating member 83 by detection of an acoustic signal produced by the tip 96 of the penetrating member 83 as it strikes the patient's skin 133 . Detection of the acoustic signal can be measured by an acoustic detector 136 placed in contact with the patient's skin 133 adjacent a penetrating member penetration site 137 , as shown in FIG. 8 . Suitable acoustic detectors 136 include piezo electric transducers, microphones and the like. The acoustic detector 136 transmits an electrical signal generated by the acoustic signal to the processor 93 via electrical conductors 138 .
- contact of the penetrating member 83 with the patient's skin 133 can be determined by measurement of electrical continuity in a circuit that includes the penetrating member 83 , the patient's finger 134 and an electrical contact pad 240 that is disposed on the patient's skin 133 adjacent the contact site 137 of the penetrating member 83 , as shown in FIG. 8 .
- the circuit 139 is completed and current flows through the circuit 139 . Completion of the circuit 139 can then be detected by the processor 93 to confirm skin 133 contact by the penetrating member 83 .
- the process proceeds to a timeout operation, in FIG. 6B .
- the processor 93 waits a predetermined time period. If the timeout period has not yet elapsed, then the processor continues to monitor whether the penetrating member has contacted the target skin 133 .
- the processor 93 preferably continues to monitor the position and speed of the penetrating member 83 , as well as the electrical current to the appropriate coil 114 - 117 to maintain the desired penetrating member 83 movement.
- the process proceeds to a withdraw phase, where the penetrating member is withdrawn away from the skin 133 , as discussed more fully below.
- the penetrating member 83 may not have contacted the target skin 133 for a variety of reasons, such as if the patient removed the skin 133 from the lancing device or if something obstructed the penetrating member 83 prior to it contacting the skin.
- the processor 93 may also proceed to the withdraw phase prior to skin contact for other reasons. For example, at some point after initiation of movement of the penetrating member 83 , the processor 93 may determine that the forward acceleration of the penetrating member 83 towards the patient's skin 133 should be stopped or that current to all coils 114 - 117 should be shut down. This can occur, for example, if it is determined that the penetrating member 83 has achieved sufficient forward velocity, but has not yet contacted the skin 133 .
- the average penetration velocity of the penetrating member 83 from the point of contact with the skin to the point of maximum penetration may be about 2.0 to about 10.0 m/s, specifically, about 3.8 to about 4.2 m/s. In another embodiment, the average penetration velocity of the penetrating member may be from about 2 to about 8 meters per second, specifically, about 2 to about 4 m/s.
- the processor 93 can also proceed to the withdraw phase if it is determined that the penetrating member 83 has fully extended to the end of the power stroke of the operation cycle of lancing procedure. In other words, the process may proceed to withdraw phase when an axial center 141 of the magnetic member 102 has moved distal of an axial center 142 of the first coil 114 as show in FIG. 5 . In this situation, any continued power to any of the coils 114 - 117 of the driver coil pack 88 serves to decelerate the magnetic member 102 and thus the penetrating member 83 .
- the processor 93 considers the length of the penetrating member 83 (which can be stored in memory) the position of the penetrating member 83 relative to the magnetic member 102 , as well as the distance that the penetrating member 83 has traveled.
- the processor 93 can adjust the speed of the penetrating member 83 or the power delivered to the penetrating member 83 for skin penetration to overcome any frictional forces on the penetrating member 83 in order to maintain a desired penetration velocity of the penetrating member.
- the distal tip 96 of the penetrating member 83 will first begin to depress or tent the contacted skin 137 and the skin 133 adjacent the penetrating member 83 to form a tented portion 243 as shown in FIG. 9 and further shown in FIG. 10 .
- the penetrating member 83 will eventually begin to penetrate the skin 133 , as shown in FIG. 11 .
- the static force at the distal tip 96 of the penetrating member 83 from the skin 133 will become a dynamic cutting force, which is generally less than the static tip force.
- the tented portion 243 of the skin 133 adjacent the distal tip 96 of the penetrating member 83 which had been depressed as shown in FIGS. 32 and 24 will spring back as shown in FIG. 11 .
- the processor 93 determines whether the distal end 96 of the penetrating member 83 has reached a brake depth.
- the brake depth is the skin penetration depth for which the processor 93 determines that deceleration of the penetrating member 83 is to be initiated in order to achieve a desired final penetration depth 144 of the penetrating member 83 as show in FIG. 12 .
- the brake depth may be pre-determined and programmed into the processor's memory, or the processor 93 may dynamically determine the brake depth during the actuation.
- the amount of penetration of the penetrating member 83 in the skin 133 of the patient may be measured during the operation cycle of the penetrating member device 80 .
- the penetration depth suitable for successfully obtaining a useable sample can depend on the amount of tenting of the skin 133 during the lancing cycle.
- the amount of tenting of the patient's skin 133 can in turn depend on the tissue characteristics of the patient such as elasticity, hydration etc. A method for determining these characteristics is discussed below with regard to skin 133 tenting measurements during the lancing cycle and illustrated in FIGS. 37-41 .
- Penetration measurement can be carried out by a variety of methods that are not dependent on measurement of tenting of the patient's skin.
- the penetration depth of the penetrating member 83 in the patient's skin 133 is measured by monitoring the amount of capacitance between the penetrating member 83 and the patient's skin 133 .
- a circuit includes the penetrating member 83 , the patient's finger 134 , the processor 93 and electrical conductors connecting these elements. As the penetrating member 83 penetrates the patient's skin 133 , the greater the amount of penetration, the greater the surface contact area between the penetrating member 83 and the patient's skin 133 .
- the capacitance between the skin 133 and the penetrating member 83 As the contact area increases, so does the capacitance between the skin 133 and the penetrating member 83 .
- the increased capacitance can be easily measured by the processor 93 using methods known in the art and penetration depth can then be correlated to the amount of capacitance. The same method can be used by measuring the electrical resistance between the penetrating member 83 and the patient's skin.
- the processor 93 waits a predetermined time period. If the timeout period has not yet elapsed (a “No” outcome from the decision box 173 ), then the processor continues to monitor whether the brake depth has been reached. If the timeout period elapses without the penetrating member 83 achieving the brake depth (a “Yes” output from the decision box 173 ), then the processor 93 deems that the penetrating member 83 will not reach the brake depth and the process proceeds to the withdraw phase, which is discussed more fully below. This may occur, for example, if the penetrating member 83 is stuck at a certain depth.
- the process proceeds to the operation represented by the flow diagram box numbered 275 .
- the processor 93 causes a braking force to be applied to the penetrating member to thereby reduce the speed of the penetrating member 83 to achieve a desired amount of final skin penetration depth 144 , as shown in FIG. 26 .
- FIGS. 32 and 33 illustrate the penetrating member making contact with the patient's skin and deforming or depressing the skin prior to any substantial penetration of the skin.
- the speed of the penetrating member 83 is preferably reduced to a value below a desired threshold and is ultimately reduced to zero.
- the processor 93 can reduce the speed of the penetrating member 83 by causing a current to be sent to a 114 - 117 coil that will exert an attractive braking force on the magnetic member 102 in a proximal direction away from the patient's tissue or skin 133 , as indicated by the arrow 190 in FIG. 13 . Such a negative force reduces the forward or distally oriented speed of the penetrating member 83 .
- the processor 93 can determine which coil 114 - 117 to energize based upon the position of the magnetic member 102 with respect to the coils 114 - 117 of the driver coil pack 88 , as indicated by the position sensor 91 .
- the process proceeds to the withdraw phase, as represented by the flow diagram box numbered 177 .
- the withdraw phase begins with the operation represented by the flow diagram box numbered 178 in FIG. 6C .
- the processor 93 allows the penetrating member 83 to settle at a position of maximum skin penetration 144 , as shown in FIG. 12 .
- the processor 93 waits until any motion in the penetrating member 83 (due to vibration from impact and spring energy stored in the skin, etc.) has stopped by monitoring changes in position of the penetrating member 83 .
- the processor 93 preferably waits until several milliseconds (ms), such as on the order of about 8 ms, have passed with no changes in position of the penetrating member 83 . This is an indication that movement of the penetrating member 83 has ceased entirely.
- the penetrating member may be allowed to settle for about 1 to about 2000 milliseconds, specifically, about 50 to about 200 milliseconds.
- the settling time may be about 1 to about 200 milliseconds.
- a software method can be used to measure the amount of tenting of the patient's skin 133 and thus determine the skin 133 characteristics such as elasticity, hydration and others.
- a penetrating member 83 is illustrated in various phases of a lancing cycle with target tissue 133 .
- FIG. 14 shows tip 96 of penetrating member 83 making initial contact with the skin 133 at the point of initial impact.
- FIG. 15 illustrates an enlarged view of the penetrating member 83 making initial contact with the tissue 133 shown in FIG. 14 .
- the penetrating member tip 96 has depressed or tented the skin 133 prior to penetration over a distance of X, as indicated by the arrow labeled X in FIG. 16 .
- the penetrating member 83 has reached the full length of the cutting power stroke and is at maximum displacement. In this position, the penetrating member tip 96 has penetrated the tissue 133 a distance of Y, as indicated by the arrow labeled Y in FIG. 16 .
- FIG. 15 illustrates an enlarged view of the penetrating member 83 making initial contact with the tissue 133 shown in FIG. 14 .
- the penetrating member tip 96 has depressed or tented the skin 133 prior to penetration over a distance of X, as indicated by the arrow labeled X in FIG. 16 .
- the penetrating member 83 has reached the full length of
- the penetrating member tip 96 was displaced a total distance of X plus Y from the time initial contact with the skin 133 was made to the time the penetrating member tip 96 reached its maximum extension as shown in FIG. 17 .
- the penetrating member tip 96 has only penetrated the skin 133 a distance Y because of the tenting phenomenon.
- the processor 93 allows the penetrating member to settle for about 8 msec. It is during this settling time that the skin 133 rebounds or relaxes back to approximately its original configuration prior to contact by the penetrating member 83 as shown in FIG. 18 .
- the penetrating member tip 96 is still buried in the skin to a depth of Y, as shown in FIG. 18 , however the elastic recoil of the tissue has displaced the penetrating member rearward or retrograde to the point of inelastic tenting that is indicated by the arrows Z in FIG. 18 .
- the processor reads and stores the position data generated by the position sensor 91 and thus measures the amount of elastic tenting, which is the difference between X and Z.
- a tissue penetration sampling device 80 is shown with the controllable driver 179 of FIG. 4 coupled to a sampling module cartridge 205 and disposed within a driver housing 206 .
- a ratchet drive mechanism 207 is secured to the driver housing 206 , coupled to the sampling module cartridge 205 and configured to advance a sampling module belt 208 within the sampling module cartridge 205 so as to allow sequential use of each sampling module 209 in the sampling module belt 208 .
- the ratchet drive mechanism 207 has a drive wheel 211 configured to engage the sampling modules 209 of the sampling module belt 208 .
- the drive wheel 211 is coupled to an actuation lever 212 that advances the drive wheel 211 in increments of the width of a single sampling module 209 .
- a T-slot drive coupler 213 is secured to the elongated coupler shaft 84 .
- a sampling module 209 is loaded and ready for use with the drive head 98 of the penetrating member 83 of the sampling module 209 loaded in the T-slot 214 of the drive coupler 213 .
- a sampling site 215 is disposed at the distal end 216 of the sampling module 209 disposed about a penetrating member exit port 217 .
- the distal end 216 of the sampling module 209 is exposed in a module window 218 , which is an opening in a cartridge cover 221 of the sampling module cartridge 205 . This allows the distal end 216 of the sampling module 209 loaded for use to be exposed to avoid contamination of the cartridge cover 221 with blood from the lancing process.
- a reader module 222 is disposed over a distal portion of the sampling module 209 that is loaded in the drive coupler 213 for use and has two contact brushes 224 that are configured to align and make electrical contact with analyte detecting member contacts 225 of the sampling module 209 as shown in FIG. 77 .
- the processor 93 of the controllable driver 179 can read a signal from an analytical region 226 of the sampling module 209 after a lancing cycle is complete and a blood sample enters the analytical region 226 of the sampling module 209 .
- the contact brushes 224 can have any suitable configuration that will allow the sampling module belt 208 to pass laterally beneath the contact brushes 224 and reliably make electrical contact with the sampling module 209 loaded in the drive coupler 213 and ready for use.
- a spring loaded conductive ball bearing is one example of a contact brush 224 that could be used.
- a resilient conductive strip shaped to press against the inside surface of the flexible polymer sheet 227 along the analyte detecting member region 228 of the sampling module 209 is another embodiment of a contact brush 224 .
- the sampling module cartridge 205 has a supply canister 229 and a receptacle canister 230 .
- the unused sampling modules of the sampling module belt 208 are disposed within the supply canister 229 and the sampling modules of the sampling module belt 208 that have been used are advanced serially after use into the receptacle canister 230 .
- FIG. 20 illustrates a further embodiment of sampling module cartridges.
- FIG. 20 shows a sampling module cartridge 202 in a carousel configuration with adjacent sampling modules 204 connected rigidly and with analyte detecting members 206 from the analytical regions of the various sampling modules 204 disposed near an inner radius 208 of the carousel.
- the sampling modules 204 of the sampling module cartridge 202 are advanced through a drive coupler 213 but in a circular as opposed to a linear fashion.
- FIG. 21 shows an exploded view in perspective of the cartridge 245 , which has a proximal end portion 254 and a distal end portion 255 .
- the penetrating member cartridge body 246 is disposed at the proximal end portion 254 of the cartridge 245 and has a plurality of penetrating member module portions 250 , such as the penetrating member module portion 250 .
- Each penetrating member module portion 250 has a penetrating member channel 251 with a penetrating member 83 slidably disposed within the penetrating member channel 251 .
- the penetrating member channels 251 are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 252 of the penetrating member cartridge body 246 .
- the penetrating members 83 shown have a drive head 98 , shaft portion 201 and sharpened tip 96 .
- the drive head 98 of the penetrating members are configured to couple to a drive coupler (not shown), such as the drive coupler 85 discussed above.
- the penetrating members 83 are free to slide in the respective penetrating member channels 251 and are nominally disposed with the sharpened tip 96 withdrawn into the penetrating member channel 251 to protect the tip 96 and allow relative rotational motion between the penetrating member cartridge body 246 and the sampling cartridge body 247 as shown by arrow 256 and arrow 257 in FIG. 21 .
- the radial center of each penetrating member channel 251 is disposed a fixed, known radial distance from the longitudinal axis 252 of the penetrating member cartridge body 246 and a longitudinal axis 258 of the cartridge 245 .
- each penetrating member channel 251 By disposing each penetrating member channel 251 a fixed known radial distance from the longitudinal axes 252 and 258 of the penetrating member cartridge body 246 and cartridge 245 , the penetrating member channels 251 can then be readily and repeatably aligned in a functional arrangement with penetrating member channels 253 of the sampling cartridge body 247 .
- the penetrating member cartridge body 246 rotates about a removable pivot shaft 259 which has a longitudinal axis 260 that is coaxial with the longitudinal axes 252 and 250 of the penetrating member cartridge body 246 and cartridge 245 .
- the sampling cartridge body 247 is disposed at the distal end portion 255 of the cartridge and has a plurality of sampling module portions 248 disposed radially about the longitudinal axis 249 of the sampling cartridge body 247 .
- the longitudinal axis 249 of the sampling cartridge body 247 is coaxial with the longitudinal axes 252 , 258 and 260 of the penetrating member cartridge body 246 , cartridge 245 and pivot shaft 259 .
- the sampling cartridge body 247 may also rotate about the pivot shaft 259 .
- one or both of the cartridge bodies 246 and 247 may be rotatable about the pivot shaft 259 , however, it is not necessary for both to be rotatable about the pivot shaft 259 , that is, one of the cartridge bodies 246 and 247 may be secured, permanently or removably, to the pivot shaft 259 .
- the sampling cartridge body 247 includes a base 261 and a cover sheet 262 that covers a proximal surface 263 of the base forming a fluid tight seal.
- Each sampling module portion 248 of the sampling cartridge body 247 such as the sampling module portion 248 , has a sample reservoir 264 and a penetrating member channel 253 .
- the sample reservoir 264 has a vent 965 at an outward radial end that allows the sample reservoir 264 to readily fill with a fluid sample.
- the sample reservoir 264 is in fluid communication with the respective penetrating member channel 253 which extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 249 of the sampling cartridge body 247 .
- the penetrating member channel 253 is disposed at the inward radial end of the sample reservoir 264 . Still further description of the device of FIG. 21 may be found in commonly assigned, copending U.S.
- one embodiment of the present invention is a tissue penetrating system 310 with a plurality of penetrating members 312 that each have a tissue penetrating tip 314 .
- the number of penetrating members 310 can vary, but numbers in the ranges of 10, 15, 25, 50, 75, 100, 500 or any other number, are suitable.
- Each penetrating member 312 can be a lancet, a traditional lancet with a molded body, a needle with a lumen, a knife like element, an elongate member without molded attachments, and the like, and may have a size in the range of 20 mm to 10 mm in length and between 0.012-0.040 mm in diameter.
- the penetrating member may have an elongate portion with a bend near a proximal end of the member.
- Each penetrating member 312 is coupled to a penetrating member driver 316 .
- Suitable penetrating member drivers 316 include but are not limited to, an electric drive force member, a voice coil drive force generator, a linear voice coil device, a rotary voice coil device, and the like. Suitable drive force generators can be found in commonly assigned, copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/127,395 (Attorney Docket No. 38187-2551) filed Apr. 19, 2002.
- the penetrating member driver or drive force generator 316 may be a single actuator used to advance the penetrating member and to withdraw the member. The driver 316 may also be used to stop the penetrating member in the tissue site.
- Penetrating member driver 316 can be a non-spring actuator for drawing penetrating member 312 in a direction back towards penetrating member driver 316 .
- a coupler 318 on penetrating member driver 316 is configured to engage at least a portion of an elongate portion of a penetrating member 312 in order to drive the penetrating member 312 along a path into and through target tissue 320 , and then withdrawn from target tissue 320 .
- each sterility enclosure 322 is removed from the penetrating member 312 prior to actuation, launch, of penetrating member 312 and positioned so that penetrating member 312 does not contact the associated sterility enclosure 322 during actuation. As seen in FIG. 22B , the tips of the penetrating members 312 can be uncovered when they are launched into a selected target tissue 320 .
- sterility enclosures 322 are provided for covering at least the tip of each penetrating member 312 .
- FIG. 22B shows that the enclosure may also cover the entire lancet.
- each sterility enclosure 322 is removed from the penetrating member 312 prior to actuation, launch, of penetrating member 312 and positioned so that penetrating member 312 does not contact the associated sterility enclosure 322 during actuation. As seen in FIG.
- the enclosure 322 may be peel away to reveal the penetrating member 312 prior to coupling of the member 312 to the drive force generator 316 .
- each penetrating member 312 breaches its associated sterility enclosure 322 during launch.
- Tissue penetrating system 310 can also include one or more penetrating member sensors 324 that are coupled to penetrating members 312 .
- suitable penetrating member sensors 324 include but are not limited to, a capacitive incremental encoder, an incremental encoder, an optical encoder, an interference encoder, and the like.
- Each penetrating member sensor 324 is configured to provide information relative to a depth of penetration of a penetrating member 312 through a target tissue 320 surface, including but not limited to a skin surface, and the like.
- the penetrating member sensor 324 may be positioned as shown in FIG. 22B .
- the penetrating member sensor 324 may also be positioned in a variety of location such as but not limited to being closer to the distal end of the penetrating member, in a position as shown in FIG. 5 , or in any other location useful for providing an indication of the position of a penetrating member 312 being driven by the force generator 316 .
- the penetration depth of a penetrating member 312 through the surface of a target tissue 320 can be, 100 to 2500 microns, 500 to 750 microns, and the like.
- Each penetrating member sensor 324 can also provide an indication of velocity of a penetrating member 312 .
- a damper 326 can be coupled to penetrating member driver 316 . Damper 326 prevents multiple oscillations of penetrating member 312 in target tissue 320 , particularly after penetrating member 312 has reached a desired depth of penetration.
- the damper 326 may be placed in a variety of positions such as but not limited to being coupled to the penetrating member, being coupled to the coupler 318 , being coupled to a core or shaft in the drive force generator 316 , or at any other position useful for slowing the motion of the penetrating member 312 .
- a feedback loop 328 can also be included that is coupled to penetrating member sensor 324 .
- Each penetrating member 312 sensor can be coupled to a processor 330 that has control instructions for penetrating member driver 316 .
- processor 330 can include a memory for storage and retrieval of a set of penetrating member 312 profiles utilized with penetrating member driver 316 .
- Processor 330 can also be utilized to monitor position and speed of a penetrating member 312 as it moves in first direction 332 to and through the target tissue 320 .
- Processor 330 can adjust an application of force to a penetrating member 312 in order to achieve a desired speed of a penetrating member 312 . Additionally, processor 330 can also be used to adjust an application of force applied to a penetrating member 312 when penetrating member 312 contacts target tissue 320 so that penetrating member 312 penetrates target tissue 320 within a desired range of speed. Further, processor 330 can also monitor position and speed of a penetrating member 312 as penetrating member 312 moves in first direction 332 toward the target tissue 320 . Application of a launching force to penetrating member 312 can be controlled based on position and speed of penetrating member 312 . Processor 330 can control a withdraw force, from target tissue 320 , to penetrating member 312 so that penetrating member 312 moves in second direction 334 away from target tissue 320 .
- Processor 330 can produce a signal that is indicative of a change in direction and magnitude of force exerted on penetrating member 312 . Additionally, processor 330 can cause a braking force to be applied to penetrating member 312 .
- penetrating member 312 moves toward target tissue 320 at a speed that is different than a speed at which penetrating member 312 moves away from target tissue 320 in second direction 334 .
- the speed of penetrating member 312 in first direction 332 is greater than the speed of penetrating member 312 in second direction 334 .
- the speed of penetrating member 312 in first direction 332 can be a variety of different ranges including but not limited to, 0.05 to 60 m/sec, 0.1 to 20.0 m/sec, 1.0 to 10.0 m/sec, 3.0 to 8.0 m/sec, and the like.
- the dwell time of penetrating member 312 in target tissue 320 , below a surface of the skin or other structure can be in the range of, 1 microsecond to 2 seconds, 500 milliseconds to 1.5 second, 100 milliseconds to 1 second, and the like.
- tissue penetrating system 310 can include a penetrating member transport device 336 for moving each of penetrating member 312 into a position for alignment with penetrating member driver 316 .
- Penetrating members 312 can be arranged in an array configuration by a number of different devices and structures defining support 338 , including but not limited to, a belt, a flexible or non-flexible tape device, support channel, cog, a plurality of connectors, and the like.
- Support 338 can have a plurality of openings each receiving a penetrating member 312 .
- Suitable supports 338 may also include but are not limited to, a bandolier, drum, disc and the like.
- tissue penetrating system 310 can include a single penetrating member driver 316 and a plurality of penetrating members 312 .
- Penetrating member driver 316 moves each penetrating member 312 along a path out of a housing that has a penetrating member exit and then into target tissue 320 , stopping in target tissue 320 , and then withdrawing out of the target tissue 320 .
- Support 338 couples the penetrating members 312 to define a linear array.
- Support 338 is movable and configured to move each penetrating member 312 to a launch position associated with penetrating member driver 316 .
- Penetrating member driver 316 can be controlled to follow a predetermined velocity trajectory into and out of target tissue 320 .
- Tissue penetrating system 310 can include a user interface 340 configured to relay different information, including but not limited to, skin penetrating performance, a skin penetrating setting, and the like.
- User interface 340 can provide a user with at a variety of different outputs, including but not limited to, penetration depth of a penetrating member 312 , velocity of a penetrating member 312 , a desired velocity profile, a velocity of penetrating member 312 into target tissue 320 , velocity of the penetrating member 312 out of target tissue 320 , dwell time of penetrating member 312 in target tissue 320 , a target tissue relaxation parameter, and the like.
- User interface 340 can include a variety of components including but not limited to, a real time clock 342 , one or more alarms 344 to provide a user with a reminder of a next target penetrating event is needed, a user interface processor 346 , and the like.
- User interface 340 can provide a variety of different outputs to a user including but not limited to, number of penetrating members 312 available, number of penetrating members 312 used, actual depth of penetrating member 312 penetration on target tissue 320 , stratum corneum thickness in the case where the target tissue 320 is the skin and an area below the skin, force delivered on target tissue 320 , energy used by penetrating member driver 316 to drive penetrating member 312 into target tissue 320 , dwell time of penetrating member 312 , battery status of tissue penetrating system 310 , status of tissue penetrating system 310 , the amount of energy consumed by tissue penetrating system 310 , or any component of tissue penetrating system 310 , speed profile of penetrating member 312 , information relative to contact of penetrating member 312 with target tissue 320 before penetration by penetrating member 312 , information relative to a change of speed of penetrating member 312 as in travels in target
- User interface 340 can include a data interface 348 that couples tissue penetrating system 310 to support equipment 350 with an interface, the internet, and the like.
- the data interface 348 may also be coupled to the processor 93 .
- Suitable support equipment 350 includes but is not limited to, a base station, home computer, central server, main processing equipment for storing analyte, such as glucose, level information, and the like.
- Data interface 348 can be a variety of interfaces including but not limited to, Serial RS-232, modem interface, USB, HPNA, Ethernet, optical interface, IRDA, RF interface, Bluetooth interface, cellular telephone interface, two-way pager interface, parallel port interface standard, near field magnetic coupling, RF transceiver, telephone system, and the like.
- User interface 340 be coupled to a memory 352 that stores, a target tissue parameter, target tissue 320 penetrating performance, and the like.
- the memory 352 may also be connected to processor 93 and store data from the user interface 340 .
- memory 352 can store, the number of target tissue penetrating events, time and date of the last selected number of target tissue penetrating events, time interval between alarm and target tissue penetrating event, stratum corneum thickness, time of day, energy consumed by penetrating member driver 316 to drive penetrating member 312 into target tissue 320 , depth of penetrating member 312 penetration, velocity of penetrating member 312 , a desired velocity profile, velocity of penetrating member 312 into target tissue 320 , velocity of penetrating member 312 out of target tissue 320 , dwell time of penetrating member 312 in target tissue 320 , a target tissue relaxation parameter, force delivered on target tissue 320 by any component of tissue penetrating device, dwell time of penetrating member 312 , battery status of tissue penetrating system 310 , tissue penetrating system 310 status, consumed energy by tissue penetrating system 310 or any of its components, speed profile of penetrating member 312 as
- processor 330 is coupled to and receives any of a different type of signals from user interface 340 .
- User interface 340 can respond to a variety of different commands, including but not limited to audio commands, and the like.
- User interface 340 can include a sensor for detecting audio commands.
- Information can be relayed to a user of tissue penetrating system 310 by way of an audio device, wireless device 329 , and the like.
- tissue penetrating device in another embodiment as seen in FIG. 23( b ), includes a human interface 354 with at least one output.
- the human interface 354 is specific for use by humans while a user interface 340 may be for any type of user, with user defined generically.
- Human interface 354 can be coupled to processor 330 and penetrating member sensor 324 .
- Human interface 354 can be a variety of different varieties including but not limited to, LED, LED digital display, LCD display, sound generator, buzzer, vibrating device, and the like.
- the output of human interface 354 can be a variety of outputs including but not limited to, a penetration event by penetrating member 312 , number of penetrating members 312 remaining, time of day, alarm, penetrating member 312 trajectory waveform profile information, force of last penetration event, last penetration event, battery status of tissue penetrating system 310 , analyte status, time to change cassette status, jamming malfunction, tissue penetrating system 310 status, and the like.
- Human interface 354 is coupled to a housing 356 .
- Suitable housings 356 include but are not limited to a, telephone, watch, PDA, electronic device, medical device, point of care device, decentralized diagnostic device and the like.
- An input device 358 is coupled to housing. Suitable input devices 358 include but are not limited to, one or more pushbuttons, a touch pad independent of the display device, a touch sensitive screen on a visual display, and the like.
- a data exchange device 360 can be utilized for coupling tissue penetrating system 310 to support equipment 350 including but not limited to, personal computer, modem, PDA, computer network, and the like.
- Human interface 354 can include a real time clock 362 , and one or more alarms 364 that enable a user to set and use for reminders for the next target tissue penetration event.
- Human interface 354 can be coupled to a human interface processor 366 which is distinct from processor 330 .
- Human interface processor 366 can include a sleep mode and can run intermittently to conserve power.
- Human interface processor 366 includes logic that can provide an alarm time set for a first subset of days, and a second alarm time set for a second subset of days.
- the first subset of days can be Monday through Friday
- the second subset of days can be Saturday and Sunday.
- Human interface 354 can be coupled to a memory 368 for storing a variety of information, including but not limited to, the number of target tissue penetrating events, time and date of the last selected number of target tissue penetrating events, time interval between alarm and target tissue penetrating event, stratum corneum thickness when target tissue 320 is below the skin surface and underlying tissue, time of day, energy consumed by penetrating member driver 316 to drive penetrating member 312 into target tissue 320 , depth of penetrating member 312 penetration, velocity of penetrating member 312 , a desired velocity profile, velocity of penetrating member 312 into target tissue 320 , velocity of penetrating member 312 out of target tissue 320 , dwell time of penetrating member 312 in target tissue 320 , a target tissue relaxation parameter, force delivered on target tissue 320 , dwell time of penetrating member 312 , battery status of tissue penetrating system 310 and its components, tissue penetrating system 310 status, consumed energy
- tissue penetrating system 310 can include a penetrating member driver 316 and a plurality of cartridges 370 .
- Each cartridge 370 contains a penetrating member 312 .
- the cartridges 370 can be coupled together in an array, which can be a flexible array.
- a cartridge transport device 372 moves cartridges 370 into a launch position that operatively couples a penetrating member 312 to penetrating member driver 316 .
- a support couples cartridges 370 to define an array.
- a plurality of sterility enclosures 322 can be provided to at least cover tips of penetrating members 312 .
- Sterility enclosure 322 (shown in phantom) is removed from their associated penetrating members 312 prior to launch of the penetrating member 312 .
- the enclosure may be peeled away (not shown) in a manner similar to that as seen in FIG. 22B , with the enclosure 322 on one tape surface being peeled away.
- the enclosure 322 may be a blister sack, a sack tightly formed about each cartridge 370 , or other enclosure useful for maintaining a sterile environment about the cartridge 370 prior to actuation or launch.
- the enclosure 322 may contain the entire cartridge 370 or some portion of the cartridge 370 which may need to remain sterile prior to launch.
- enclosure or sterility barrier 322 can be breached by a device other than penetrating member 312 , or can be breached by penetrating member 312 itself.
- An analyte detection member, sensor may be positioned to receive fluid from a wound created by the penetrating member 312 .
- the member may be on the cartridge 370 or may be on the device 80 .
- tissue penetrating system 310 includes cartridge transport device 372 and a plurality of cartridges 370 .
- Each cartridge 370 is associated with a penetrating member 312 .
- Cartridge transport device 372 moves each cartridge 370 to a position to align the associated penetrating member 312 with penetrating member driver 316 to drive penetrating member 312 along a path into target tissue 320 .
- each cartridge 370 has at least one of a distal port 374 and a proximal port 376 .
- a first seal 378 is positioned at distal or proximal ports. As seen in FIG. 25 , the seal 378 may be placed at the distal port.
- First seal 378 is formed of a material that is fractured by penetrating member 312 before it is launched.
- a second seal 380 can be positioned at the other port. It will be appreciated that only one or both of distal and proximal ports 374 and 376 can be sealed, and that each cartridge 370 can include only one port 374 and 376 .
- the penetrating member 312 extending longitudinally through the lumen in the cartridge 370 is not shown.
- the seals 380 and 378 may be fracturable seals formed between the penetrating member and the cartridge 370 . During actuation, the seals 378 and 380 are broken.
- Seal 378 may be also be positioned to cover the distal port or exit port 374 without being sealed against the penetrating member (i.e. covering the port without touching the penetrating member).
- a third seal 381 may be positioned to cover an entrance to sample chamber 384 .
- the seal 381 may be configured to be broken when the penetrating member 312 is actuated.
- a still further seal 381 A may be placed in the lumen.
- the tip of a penetrating member may be located at any position along the lumen, and may also be at or surrounded by one of the seals 378 , 381 , 381 A, or 376 .
- a cover sheet 383 may be a flexible polymer sheet as described in commonly assigned, copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/127,395 (Attorney Docket No. 38187-2551) filed Apr. 19, 2002. It should be understood of course that the sheet may be made of a variety of materials useful for coupling an analyte detecting member 390 . This allows the analyte detecting member 390 to be sterilized separately from the cartridge 370 and assembled together with the cartridge at a later time. This process may be used on certain analyte detecting members 390 that may be damaged if exposed to the sterilization process used on the cartridge 370 .
- some embodiments may also have the analyte detecting member 390 coupled to the cartridge 370 during sterilization.
- the cover sheet 383 may also form part of the seal to maintain a sterile environment about portions of the penetrating member.
- the lumen housing penetrating member may be enclosed and not use a sheet 383 to help form a sterile environment.
- the sheet 383 may be sized to focus on covering sample chamber 384 .
- cartridge 370 has at least one port 374 .
- a plurality of penetrating members 312 are in cartridge 370 .
- cartridge 370 is shown in FIG. 26 to have a linear design, the cartridge 370 may also have a curved, round, circular, triangular, or other configuration useful for positioning a penetrating member for use with a drive force generator.
- a seal 382 is associated with each penetrating member 312 in order to maintain each penetrating member 312 in a sterile environment in cartridge 370 prior to launch. Prior to launch, seal 382 associated with the penetrating member 312 to be launched is broken.
- a punch (not shown) is used to push down on the seal 382 covering the port 376 of the cartridge 370 . This breaks the seal 382 and also pushes it downward, allowing the penetrating member to exit the cartridge without contacting the seal 382 .
- the timing of the breaking of the seal 382 may be varied so long as the penetrating member remains substantially sterile when being launched towards the tissue site 320 .
- the port 376 may have a seal 383 that protrudes outward and is broken off by the downward motion of the punch.
- One or more sample chambers 384 are included in cartridge 370 .
- each penetrating member 312 has an associated sample chamber 384 . In one embodiment, illustrated in FIG.
- penetrating member 312 is extendable through an opening 386 of its associated sample chamber 384 .
- a seal 387 may be included in the sample chamber 384 .
- Seals 382 and 387 may be made from a variety of materials such as but not limited to metallic foil, aluminum foil, paper, polymeric material, or laminates combining any of the above.
- the seals may also be made of a fracturable material.
- the seals may be made of a material that can easily be broken when a device applies a force thereto.
- the seals alone or in combination with other barriers may be used to create a sterile environment about at least the tip of the penetrating member prior to lancing or actuation.
- each sample chamber 384 may have an opening 388 for transport of a body fluid into the sample chamber 384 .
- the size of sample chambers 384 in FIGS. 26 through 28 can vary.
- sample chambers 384 are sized to receive, no more than 1.0 ⁇ L of the body fluid, no more than 0.75 ⁇ L of the body fluid, no more than 0.5 ⁇ L of the body fluid, no more than 0.25 ⁇ L of the body fluid, no more than 0.1 ⁇ L of the body fluid, and the like. It will be appreciated that sample chambers 384 can have larger or smaller sizes.
- An analyte detecting member 390 may associated with each sample chamber 384 .
- the analyte detecting member 390 may be designed for use with a variety of different sensing techniques as described in commonly assigned, copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/127,395 (Attorney Docket No. 38187-2551) filed Apr. 19, 2002.
- Analyte detecting member 390 can be positioned in sample chamber 384 , at an exterior of sample chamber 384 , or at other locations useful for obtaining an analyte.
- Analyte detecting member 390 can be in a well 392 , or merely be placed on a support.
- analyte detecting member 390 includes chemistries that are utilized to measure and detect glucose, and other analytes. In another embodiment, analyte detecting member 390 is utilized to detect and measure the amount of different analytes in a body fluid or sample.
- analyte detecting member 390 determines a concentration of an analyte in a body fluid using a sample that does not exceed a volume of, 1 ⁇ L of a body fluid disposed in sample chamber 384 , 0.75 ⁇ L of a body fluid disposed in sample chamber 384 , 0.5 ⁇ L of a body fluid disposed in sample chamber 384 , 0.25 ⁇ L of a body fluid disposed in sample chamber 384 , 0.1 ⁇ L of a body fluid disposed in sample chamber 384 , and the like.
- the sample chamber 384 may be of a size larger than the volumes above, but the analyte detecting member 390 can obtain an analyte reading using the amounts of fluid described above.
- tissue penetrating system 310 can include a housing member 394 , a penetrating member 312 positioned in housing member 394 , and analyte detecting member 390 coupled to a sample chamber 384 .
- Analyte detecting member 390 is configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in a body fluid using with a variety of different body fluid, sample, volumes. In various embodiments, the volume is less than 1 ⁇ L of body fluid disposed in sample chamber 384 , 0.75 of body fluid disposed in sample chamber 384 , 0.5 of body fluid disposed in sample chamber 384 , 0.25 of body fluid disposed in sample chamber 384 , 0.1 of body fluid disposed in sample chamber 384 and the like.
- Each tip of a penetrating member 312 is configured to extend through an opening of sample chamber 384 .
- a plurality of penetrating members 312 can be positioned in housing member 394 .
- Housing member 394 can be the same as cartridge 370 .
- Cartridge 370 can have distal and proximal ports 374 and 376 , respectively. Additionally, in this embodiment, a plurality of cartridges 370 can be provided, each associated with a penetrating member 312 .
- each penetrating member 312 has a packing density, or occupied volume, in cartridge 370 .
- the packing density of each penetrating member 312 in cartridge 370 can be no more than, 5.0 cm3/penetrating member 312 , 4.0 cm3/penetrating member 312 , 3.0 cm3/penetrating member 312 , 2.0 cm3/penetrating member 312 , 1.0 cm3/penetrating member 312 , 0.75 cm3/penetrating member 312 , 0.5 cm3/penetrating member 312 , 0.25 cm3/penetrating member 312 , 0.1 cm3/penetrating member 312 , and the like.
- the volume required for each penetrating member does not exceed 5.0 cm3/penetrating member 312 , 4.0 cm3/penetrating member 312 , 3.0 cm3/penetrating member 312 , 2.0 cm3/penetrating member 312 , 1.0 cm3/penetrating member 312 , 0.75 cm3/penetrating member 312 , 0.5 cm3/penetrating member 312 , 0.25 cm3/penetrating member 312 , 0.1 cm3/penetrating member 312 , and the like. So, as seen in FIG.
- the volume for each unit does not exceed 5.0 cm3/unit, 4.0 cm3/unit, 3.0 cm3/unit, 2.0 cm3/unit, 1.0 cm3/unit, 0.75 cm3/unit, 0.5 cm3/unit, 0.25 cm3/unit, 0.1 cm3/unit, and the like.
- each penetrating member 312 and its associated sample chamber 384 have a combined packing density of no more than about 5.0 cm3, 4.0 cm3, 3.0 cm3, 2.0 cm3, 1.0 cm3, 0.75 cm3, 0.5 cm3, 0.25 cm3, 0.1 cm3, and the like.
- tissue penetrating system 310 can have a first seal 378 formed at distal port 374 and a second seal 380 formed at proximal port 376 of cartridge 370 .
- distal seal 378 and second seal 380 Prior to launching of penetrating member 312 , maintain a distal tip of penetrating member 312 and sample chamber 384 in a sterile environment. Second seal 380 is breached, and penetrating member 312 is then launched.
- a plurality of lumens 396 can be positioned between distal port 374 and proximal port 376 of cartridge 370 for slidably receiving a penetrating member 312 .
- Sample chamber 384 is defined by cartridge 370 , has an opening 398 and is associated with penetrating member 312 .
- First seal 378 covers distal port 374
- a second seal 380 covers proximal port 376 .
- tissue penetrating system 310 includes a plurality of cartridges 370 , penetrating member driver 316 , and a plurality of penetrating members 312 coupled to penetrating member driver 316 .
- Each penetrating member 312 is associated with a cartridge 370 .
- a plurality of gas-tightly sealed enclosures 400 are coupled in an array.
- Each enclosure 400 fully contains at least one of cartridge 370 .
- Enclosures 400 are configured to be advanceable on cartridge transport device 372 that individually releases cartridges 370 from sacks or enclosures 400 and loads them individually onto penetrating member driver 316 .
- the enclosures 400 may be removed by peeling back a top portion of the tape as shown in FIG. 22B .
- a plurality of penetrating members 312 each have a sharpened distal tip.
- a penetrating member driver 316 is coupled to each penetrating member 312 .
- a plurality of cartridges 370 are coupled in an array. Each cartridge 370 houses a penetrating member 312 and is configured to permit penetrating member driver 316 to engage each of penetrating members 312 sequentially.
- Each cartridge 370 has a plurality of seals positioned to provide that the sharpened distal tips remain in a sterile environment before penetrating target tissue 320 . Penetrating members 312 are launched without breaking a seal using the penetrating member.
- a plurality of cartridges 370 are provided, each having distal and proximal ports 374 and 376 , respectively.
- a plurality of penetrating members 312 are each associated with a cartridge 370 .
- Each penetrating member 312 has a sharpened distal tip and a shaft portion slidably disposed within cartridge 370 .
- the cartridges 370 may be coupled together by a connector or flexible support 403 .
- a seal 404 is formed by a fracturable material between the penetrating member 312 and each cartridge 370 . Seal 404 is positioned in at least one of distal or proximal ports 374 and 376 , respectively, of cartridge 370 .
- Cartridge transport device 372 moves each cartridge 370 to a position 405 that aligns penetrating member 312 with penetrating member driver 316 so that penetrating member 312 can be driven along a path into target tissue 320 .
- tissue penetrating system 310 includes a housing member 406 , the plurality of penetrating members 312 positioned in housing member 406 , and a tissue stabilizing member 408 , which can also be a pressure applicator, stimulating member, stimulating vibratory member that imparts motion to a tissue surface, and the like.
- tissue stabilizing member 408 can be positioned to at least partially surround an impact location of the penetrating member 312 on the target tissue 320 site.
- Tissue stabilizing member 408 can, enhance fluid flow from target tissue 320 , stretch a target tissue 320 surface, apply a vacuum to target tissue 320 , apply a force to target tissue 320 and cause target tissue 320 to press in an inward direction relative to housing member 406 , apply a stimulation to target tissue 320 , and the like.
- Tissue stabilizing member 408 can have a variety of different configurations.
- tissue stabilizer member 408 includes a plurality of protrusions 410 .
- a vacuum source 412 may be provided to assist the creation of a low pressure environment in the tissue stabilizing member 408 or along the fluid path to a sample chamber associated with the system 310 .
- the tissue stabilizing member 408 is mounted on the cartridge 370 . In other embodiments, the member 408 may be mounted on the housing 406 . The member 408 may also be pressed against the tissue site 320 and act as a pressure applicator. The member 408 may also be used against a variety of tissue including but not limited to skin or other body tissue.
- a cartridge 370 is shown with a penetrating member 312 creating a wound W in the tissue site 320 .
- a movable capillary member 420 is extended towards the wound W as indicated by arrow 422 to gather body fluid being expressed from the wound.
- the fluid may be drawn to a sample chamber 384 (not shown).
- the wound W is created and then the entire cartridge is moved to the tissue site 320 to gather body fluid from the wound W.
- the cartridge 370 moves towards the wound W relative to the housing 406 .
- Tissue penetrating systems 310 of FIGS. 22 through 37 can be utilized in a variety of different applications to detect any number of different analytes, including but not limited to glucose.
- the systems 310 may be used to measure potassium, other ions, or analytes associated with the process of glucose monitoring.
- the analyte detecting member 390 may further be adapted to measure other analytes found in body fluid.
- penetrating member 312 may be moved and positioned to be in engagement with penetrating member driver 316 .
- Penetrating member 312 is in a sterile environment, and prior to launch, the sterilizing covering, which can be a seal is removed.
- Tissue stabilizing member can apply a stimulation to a surface of the target tissue 320 prior to, and during penetration by penetration member.
- Penetrating member 312 is engaged with penetrating driving member and controllably pierces a target tissue 320 site.
- Penetrating member sensor 324 is utilized to control penetration depth and velocity of penetrating member 312 .
- Penetrating member 312 is stopped at a desired depth below a surface of target tissue 320 in order to reduce or eliminate without multiple oscillations against the surface of target tissue 320 .
- a wound is created, causing blood to flow into sample chamber 384 .
- no more than 1 ⁇ L of a body fluid is collected in sample chamber 384 .
- the cartridge of FIG. 26 may be adapted to include a distal portion with a tissue stabilizing member.
- the cartridge of FIG. 26 may be adapted for use with a vacuum device.
- the cartridge may include indexing features such as notches on the distal portion or outer radial periphery for those cartridges with a radial configuration. The notches will facilitate positioning, among other things, and may be used for movement.
- Other cartridges or tapes herein may be modified with notches or tractor holes to facilitate movement.
- User interfaces, human interfaces, and other interfaces may be added to any of the embodiments of the present invention.
- the location of the penetrating member drive device may be varied, relative to the penetrating members or the cartridge.
- the penetrating member tips may be uncovered during actuation (i.e. penetrating members do not pierce the penetrating member enclosure or protective foil during launch).
- the penetrating members may be a bare penetrating member during launch.
- the penetrating members may be bare penetrating members prior to launch as this may allow for significantly tighter densities of penetrating members.
- the penetrating members may be bent, curved, textured, shaped, or otherwise treated at a proximal end or area to facilitate handling by an actuator.
- the penetrating member may be configured to have a notch or groove to facilitate coupling to a gripper or coupler.
- the notch or groove may be formed along an elongate portion of the penetrating member.
- the coupler may be designed to create a frictional only type grip on the penetrating member.
- any open cavity housing the penetrating may be on the bottom or the top of the cartridge, with the gripper on the other side.
- sensors may be printed on the top, bottom, or side of the cavities.
- the front end of the cartridge maybe in contact with a user during lancing.
- the same driver may be used for advancing and retraction of the penetrating member.
- the penetrating member may have a diameters and length suitable for obtaining the blood volumes described herein.
- the penetrating member driver may also be in substantially the same plane as the cartridge. The driver may use a through hole or other opening to engage a proximal end of a penetrating member to actuate the penetrating member along a path into and out of the tissue.
- any of the features described in this application or any reference disclosed herein may be adapted for use with any embodiment of the present invention.
- the devices of the present invention may also be combined for use with injection penetrating members or needles as described in commonly assigned, copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/127,395 (Attorney Docket No. 38187-2551) filed Apr. 19, 2002.
- a sensor to detect the presence of foil may also be included in the lancing apparatus. For example, if a cavity has been used before, the foil or sterility barrier will be punched. The sensor can detect if the cavity is fresh or not based on the status of the barrier.
- the sterility barrier may be designed to pierce a sterility barrier of thickness that does not dull a tip of the penetrating member.
- the lancing apparatus may also use improved drive mechanisms.
- a solenoid force generator may be improved to try to increase the amount of force the solenoid can generate for a given current.
- a solenoid for use with the present invention may have five coils and in the present embodiment the slug is roughly the size of two coils. One change is to increase the thickness of the outer metal shell or windings surround the coils. By increasing the thickness, the flux will also be increased.
- the slug may be split; two smaller slugs may also be used and offset by 1 ⁇ 2 of a coil pitch. This allows more slugs to be approaching a coil where it could be accelerated. This creates more events where a slug is approaching a coil, creating a more efficient system.
- a gripper in the inner end of the protective cavity may hold the penetrating member during shipment and after use, eliminating the feature of using the foil, protective end, or other part to retain the used penetrating member.
- the housing of the lancing device may also be sized to be ergonomically pleasing.
- the device has a width of about 56 mm, a length of about 105 mm and a thickness of about 15 mm.
- some embodiments of the present invention may be used with non-electrical force generators or drive mechanism.
- the punch device and methods for releasing the penetrating members from sterile enclosures could be adapted for use with spring based launchers.
- the gripper using a frictional coupling may also be adapted for use with other drive technologies.
- the location of the penetrating member drive device may be varied, relative to the penetrating members or the cartridge.
- the penetrating member tips may be uncovered during actuation (i.e. penetrating members do not pierce the penetrating member enclosure or protective foil during launch).
- the penetrating members may be a bare penetrating member during launch. The same driver may be used for advancing and retraction of the penetrating member.
- Different analyte detecting members detecting different ranges of glucose concentration, different analytes, or the like may be combined for use with each penetrating member.
- Non-potentiometric measurement techniques may also be used for analyte detection.
- direct electron transfer of glucose oxidase molecules adsorbed onto carbon nanotube powder microelectrode may be used to measure glucose levels.
- nanoscopic wire growth can be carried out via chemical vapor deposition (CVD).
- preferred nanoscopic wires may be nanotubes. Any method useful for depositing a glucose oxidase or other analyte detection material on a nanowire or nanotube may be used with the present invention. Expected variations or differences in the results are contemplated in accordance with the objects and practices of the present invention. It is intended, therefore, that the invention be defined by the scope of the claims which follow and that such claims be interpreted as broadly as is reasonable.
Abstract
These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in a body fluid sampling system for use on a tissue site that includes an electrically powered drive force generator. A penetrating member is operatively coupled to the force generator. The force generator moves the member along a path out of a housing having a penetrating member exit, into the tissue site, stops in the tissue site, and withdraws out of the tissue site. An analyte detecting member is positioned to receive fluid from a wound created by the penetrating member. The detection member is configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in the fluid using a sample of less than 1 μL of the fluid. A user interface is configured to relay at least one of, penetrating member performance or a penetrating member setting.
Description
- This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 12/014,241 filed Jan. 15, 2008, which is a divisional of commonly assigned, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/335,215 filed Dec. 31, 2002 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,563,232), which is a continuation-in-part of commonly assigned, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/127,395 filed Apr. 19, 2002 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,025,774). This application also claims the benefit of priority from commonly assigned, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/237,261 filed Sep. 5, 2002 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,344,507). All applications listed above are fully incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
- Lancing devices are known in the medical health-care products industry for piercing the skin to produce blood for analysis. Typically, a drop of blood for this type of analysis is obtained by making a small incision in the fingertip, creating a small wound, which generates a small blood droplet on the surface of the skin.
- Early methods of lancing included piercing or slicing the skin with a needle or razor. Current methods utilize lancing devices that contain a multitude of spring, cam and mass actuators to drive the lancet. These include cantilever springs, diaphragms, coil springs, as well as gravity plumbs used to drive the lancet. The device may be held against the skin and mechanically triggered to ballistically launch the lancet. Unfortunately, the pain associated with each lancing event using known technology discourages patients from testing. In addition to vibratory stimulation of the skin as the driver impacts the end of a launcher stop, known spring based devices have the possibility of harmonically oscillating against the patient tissue, causing multiple strikes due to recoil. This recoil and multiple strikes of the lancet against the patient is one major impediment to patient compliance with a structured glucose monitoring regime.
- Another impediment to patient compliance is the lack of spontaneous blood flow generated by known lancing technology. In addition to the pain as discussed above, a patient may need more than one lancing event to obtain a blood sample since spontaneous blood generation is unreliable using known lancing technology. Thus the pain is multiplied by the number of tries it takes to successfully generate spontaneous blood flow. Different skin thickness may yield different results in terms of pain perception, blood yield and success rate of obtaining blood between different users of the lancing device. Known devices poorly account for these skin thickness variations.
- A still further impediment to improved compliance with glucose monitoring are the many steps and hassle associated with each lancing event. Many diabetic patients that are insulin dependent may need to self-test for blood glucose levels five to six times daily. The large number of steps required in traditional methods of glucose testing, ranging from lancing, to milking of blood, applying blood to the test strip, and getting the measurements from the test strip, discourages many diabetic patients from testing their blood glucose levels as often as recommended. Older patients and those with deteriorating motor skills encounter difficulty loading lancets into launcher devices, transferring blood onto a test strip, or inserting thin test strips into slots on glucose measurement meters. Additionally, the wound channel left on the patient by known systems may also be of a size that discourages those who are active with their hands or who are worried about healing of those wound channels from testing their glucose levels.
- Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide improved tissue penetrating systems, and their methods of use.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide tissue penetrating systems, and their methods of use, that provide reduced pain when penetrating a target tissue.
- Yet another object of the present invention is to provide tissue penetrating systems, and their methods of use, that provide controlled depth of penetration.
- Still a further object of the present invention is to provide tissue penetrating systems, and their methods of use, that provide controlled velocities into and out of target tissue.
- A further object of the present invention is to provide tissue penetrating systems, and their methods of use, that provide stimulation to a target tissue.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide tissue penetrating systems, and their methods of use, that apply a pressure to a target tissue.
- Yet another object of the present invention is to provide tissue penetrating systems, and their methods of use, with penetrating members that remain in sterile environments prior to launch.
- Still another object of the present invention is to provide tissue penetrating systems, and their methods of use, with penetrating members that remain in sterile environments prior to launch, and the penetrating members are not used to breach the sterile environment.
- A further object of the present invention is to provide improved tissue penetrating systems, and their methods of use, that have user interfaces.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide improved tissue penetrating systems, and their methods of use, that have human interfaces.
- Yet another object of the present invention is to provide tissue penetrating systems, and their methods of use, that have low volume sample chambers.
- Still another object of the present invention is to provide tissue penetrating systems, and their methods of use, that have sample chambers with volumes that do not exceed 1 μL.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide tissue penetrating systems, and their methods of use, that have multiple penetrating members housed in a cartridge.
- These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in a body fluid sampling system for use on a tissue site that includes an electrically powered drive force generator. A penetrating member is operatively coupled to the force generator. The force generator moves the member along a path out of a housing having a penetrating member exit, into the tissue site, stops in the tissue site, and withdraws out of the tissue site. An analyte detecting member is positioned to receive fluid from a wound created by the penetrating member. The detection member is configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in the fluid using a sample of less than 1 μL of the fluid. A user interface is configured to relay at least one of, penetrating member performance or a penetrating member setting.
- In another embodiment of the present invention, a body fluid sampling system for use on a tissue site includes an electrically powered drive force generator. A penetrating member is operatively coupled to the force generator. The force generator moves the member along a path out of a housing having a penetrating member exit, into the tissue site, stops in the tissue site, and withdraws out of the tissue site. An analyte detecting member is positioned to receive fluid from a wound created by the penetrating member. The detection member is configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in the fluid using a sample of less than 1 μL of the fluid. A human interface provides at least one output.
- In another embodiment of the present invention, a body fluid sampling system for use on a tissue site includes an electrically powered drive force generator. A penetrating member is operatively coupled to the force generator. The force generator moves the member along a path out of a housing having a penetrating member exit, into the tissue site, stops in the tissue site, and withdraws out of the tissue site. An analyte detecting member is positioned to receive fluid from a wound created by the penetrating member. The detection member is configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in the fluid using a sample of less than 1 μL of the fluid. A user interface is configured to relay at least one of, penetrating member performance or a penetrating member setting.
- In another embodiment of the present invention, a body fluid sampling system for use on a tissue site includes an electrically powered drive force generator. A penetrating member is operatively coupled to the force generator. The force generator moves the member along a path out of a housing having a penetrating member exit, into the tissue site, stops in the tissue site, and withdraws out of the tissue site. An analyte detecting member is positioned to receive fluid from a wound created by the penetrating member. The detection member is configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in the fluid using a sample of less than 1 μL of the fluid. A human interface provides at least one output.
- In another embodiment of the present invention, a body fluid sampling system for use on a tissue site includes a drive force generator. A penetrating member is operatively coupled to the force generator. The force generator moves the member along a path out of a housing having a penetrating member exit, into the tissue site, stops in the tissue site, and withdraws out of the tissue site. The drive force generator is configured to be controlled to follow a predetermined velocity trajectory into the tissue and out of the tissue. An analyte detecting member is positioned to receive fluid from a wound created by the penetrating member. The detection member is configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in the fluid using a sample of less than 1 μL of the fluid. A user interface is configured to relay at least one of, penetrating member performance or a penetrating member setting.
- In another embodiment of the present invention, a body fluid sampling system for use on a tissue site includes a drive force generator. A penetrating member is operatively coupled to the force generator. The force generator moves the member along a path out of a housing having a penetrating member exit, into the tissue site, stops in the tissue site, and withdraws out of the tissue site. The drive force generator is configured to be controlled to follow a predetermined velocity trajectory into the tissue and out of the tissue. An analyte detecting member is positioned to receive fluid from a wound created by the penetrating member. The detection member is configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in the fluid using a sample of less than 1 μL of the fluid. A human interface provides at least one output.
- In another embodiment of the present invention, a body fluid sampling system for use on a tissue site includes a drive force generator. A penetrating member is operatively coupled to the force generator. The force generator moves the member along a path out of a housing having a penetrating member exit, into the tissue site, stops in the tissue site, and withdraws out of the tissue site. A position sensor is positioned to provide an indication of a position of the penetrating member during actuation. An analyte detecting member is positioned to receive fluid from a wound created by the penetrating member. The detection member is configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in the fluid using a sample of less than 1 μL of the fluid. A user interface is configured to relay at least one of, penetrating member performance or a penetrating member setting.
- In another embodiment of the present invention, a body fluid sampling system for use on a tissue site includes a drive force generator. A penetrating member is operatively coupled to the force generator. The force generator moves the member along a path out of a housing having a penetrating member exit, into the tissue site, stops in the tissue site, and withdraws out of the tissue site. A position sensor is positioned to provide an indication of a position of the penetrating member during actuation. An analyte detecting member is positioned to receive fluid from a wound created by the penetrating member. The detection member is configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in the fluid using a sample of less than 1 μL of the fluid. A human interface provides at least one output.
- In another embodiment of the present invention, a body fluid sampling system for use on a tissue site includes a drive force generator. A penetrating member is operatively coupled to the force generator. The force generator moves the member along a path out of a housing having a penetrating member exit, into the tissue site, stops in the tissue site, and withdraws out of the tissue site. The penetrating member is an elongate member without a molded attachment. A coupler, on the force generator, is configured to engage at least a portion of the elongate portion of the penetrating member and drive the member along a path into a tissue site and withdrawn from a tissue site. An analyte detecting member is positioned to receive fluid from a wound created by the penetrating member. The detection member is configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in the fluid using a sample of less than 1 μL of the fluid. A user interface is configured to relay at least one of, penetrating member performance or a penetrating member setting.
- In another embodiment of the present invention, a body fluid sampling system for use on a tissue site includes a drive force generator. A penetrating member is operatively coupled to the force generator. The force generator moves the member along a path out of a housing having a penetrating member exit, into the tissue site, stops in the tissue site, and withdraws out of the tissue site. The penetrating member is an elongate member without a molded attachment. A coupler, on the force generator, is configured to engage at least a portion of the elongate portion of the penetrating member and drive the member along a path into a tissue site and withdrawn from a tissue site. An analyte detecting member is positioned to receive fluid from a wound created by the penetrating member. The detection member is configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in the fluid using a sample of less than 1 μL of the fluid. A human interface provides at least one output.
- In another embodiment of the present invention, a body fluid sampling system for use on a tissue site includes a drive force generator. A plurality of cartridges each contain a penetrating member. Each cartridge is coupled together to define a flexible array. A transport device moves each of the cartridges into a launch position to operatively couple the penetrating member to the force generator. An analyte detecting member is positioned to receive fluid from a wound created by the penetrating member. The detection member is configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in the fluid using a sample of less than 1 μL of the fluid. A user interface is configured to relay at least one of, penetrating member performance or a penetrating member setting.
- In another embodiment of the present invention, a body fluid sampling system for use on a tissue site includes a drive force generator. A plurality of cartridges each contain a penetrating member. Each cartridge is coupled together to define a flexible array. A transport device moves each of the cartridges into a launch position to operatively couple the penetrating member to the force generator. An analyte detecting member is positioned to receive fluid from a wound created by the penetrating member. The detection member is configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in the fluid using a sample of less than 1 μL of the fluid. A human interface provides at least one output.
- In another embodiment of the present invention, a body fluid sampling system for use on a tissue site includes a drive force generator. A penetrating member has an elongate portion without a molded attachment and is operatively coupled to the force generator. A sterility enclosure covers at least a tip of the penetrating member. The sterility enclosure is removed from the penetrating member prior to actuation of the member and positioned so that the penetrating member will not contact the enclosure during actuation. An analyte detecting member is positioned to receive fluid from a wound created by the penetrating member. The detection member is configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in the fluid using a sample of less than 1 μL of the fluid. A user interface is configured to relay at least one of, penetrating member performance or a penetrating member setting.
- In another embodiment of the present invention, a body fluid sampling system for use on a tissue site includes a drive force generator. A penetrating member has an elongate portion without a molded attachment and is operatively coupled to the force generator. A sterility enclosure covers at least a tip of the penetrating member. The sterility enclosure is removed from the penetrating member prior to actuation of the member and positioned so that the penetrating member will not contact the enclosure during actuation. An analyte detecting member is positioned to receive fluid from a wound created by the penetrating member. The detection member is configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in the fluid using a sample of less than 1 μL of the fluid. A human interface provides at least one output.
- In another embodiment of the present invention, a body fluid sampling system for use on a tissue site includes a drive force generator. A penetrating member has an elongate portion without a molded attachment and is operatively coupled to the force generator. A sterility enclosure creates a sterile environment around at least a tip of the penetrating member. The penetrating member breaches the sterile environment during actuation. An analyte detecting member is positioned to receive fluid from a wound created by the penetrating member. The detection member is configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in the fluid using a sample of less than 1 μL of the fluid. A user interface is configured to relay at least one of, penetrating member performance or a penetrating member setting.
- In another embodiment of the present invention, a body fluid sampling system for use on a tissue site includes a drive force generator. A penetrating member has an elongate portion without a molded attachment and is operatively coupled to the force generator. A sterility enclosure creates a sterile environment around at least a tip of the penetrating member. The penetrating member breaches the sterile environment during actuation. An analyte detecting member is positioned to receive fluid from a wound created by the penetrating member. The detection member is configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in the fluid using a sample of less than 1 μL of the fluid. A human interface provides at least one output.
- In another embodiment of the present invention, a body fluid sampling system for use on a tissue site includes a drive force generator. A penetrating member has an elongate portion without a molded attachment and is operatively coupled to the force generator. A sterility enclosure creates a sterile environment around at least a tip of the penetrating member. The penetrating member breaches the sterile environment during actuation. An analyte detecting member is positioned to receive fluid from a wound created by the penetrating member. The detection member is configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in the fluid using a sample of less than 1 μL of the fluid. A user interface is configured to relay at least one of, penetrating member performance or a penetrating member setting.
- In another embodiment of the present invention, a body fluid sampling system for use on a tissue site includes a drive force generator. A penetrating member has an elongate portion without a molded attachment and is operatively coupled to the force generator. A sterility enclosure creates a sterile environment around at least a tip of the penetrating member. The penetrating member breaches the sterile environment during actuation. An analyte detecting member is positioned to receive fluid from a wound created by the penetrating member. The detection member is configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in the fluid using a sample of less than 1 μL of the fluid. A human interface provides at least one output.
- In another embodiment of the present invention, a body fluid sampling system for use on a tissue site includes a drive force generator. A penetrating member is operatively coupled to the force generator. The force generator moves the member along a path out of a housing having the a penetrating member exit, into the tissue site, stops in the tissue site, and withdraws out of the tissue site. A skin stabilizer device is suitable for stretching a surface of a tissue site. The skin stabilizer at least partially surrounds the penetrating member exit. An analyte detecting member is positioned to receive fluid from a wound created by the penetrating member. The detection member is configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in the fluid using a sample of less than 1 μL of the fluid. A user interface is configured to relay at least one of, penetrating member performance or a penetrating member setting.
- In another embodiment of the present invention, a body fluid sampling system for use on a tissue site includes a drive force generator. A penetrating member is operatively coupled to the force generator. The force generator moves the member along a path out of a housing having the a penetrating member exit, into the tissue site, stops in the tissue site, and withdraws out of the tissue site. A skin stabilizer device is suitable for stretching a surface of a tissue site. The skin stabilizer at least partially surrounds the penetrating member exit. An analyte detecting member is positioned to receive fluid from a wound created by the penetrating member. The detection member is configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in the fluid using a sample of less than 1 μL of the fluid. A human interface provides at least one output.
- In another embodiment of the present invention, a body fluid sampling system for use on a tissue site includes a drive force generator. A penetrating member is operatively coupled to the force generator. The force generator moves the member along a path out of a housing having the a penetrating member exit, into the tissue site, stops in the tissue site, and withdraws out of the tissue site. A user interface transmits at least one input between a user. An analyte detecting member is positioned to receive fluid from a wound created by the penetrating member. The detection member is configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in the fluid using a sample of less than 1 μL of the fluid. A user interface is configured to relay at least one of, penetrating member performance or a penetrating member setting.
- In another embodiment of the present invention, a body fluid sampling system for use on a tissue site includes a drive force generator. A penetrating member is operatively coupled to the force generator. The force generator moves the member along a path out of a housing having the a penetrating member exit, into the tissue site, stops in the tissue site, and withdraws out of the tissue site. A user interface transmits at least one input between a user. An analyte detecting member is positioned to receive fluid from a wound created by the penetrating member. The detection member is configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in the fluid using a sample of less than 1 μL of the fluid. A human interface provides at least one output. A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the invention will become apparent by reference to the remaining portions of the specification and drawings.
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FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a controllable force driver in the form of a cylindrical electric penetrating member driver using a coiled solenoid-type configuration. -
FIG. 2A illustrates a displacement over time profile of a penetrating member driven by a harmonic spring/mass system. -
FIG. 2B illustrates the velocity over time profile of a penetrating member driver by a harmonic spring/mass system. -
FIG. 2C illustrates a displacement over time profile of an embodiment of a controllable force driver. -
FIG. 2D illustrates a velocity over time profile of an embodiment of a controllable force driver. -
FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a controlled feed-back loop. -
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a tissue penetration device having features of the invention. -
FIG. 5 is an elevation view in partial longitudinal section of the tissue penetration device ofFIG. 4 . -
FIGS. 6A-6C show a flowchart illustrating a penetrating member control method. -
FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic view of a patient's finger and a penetrating member tip moving toward the skin of the finger. -
FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic view of a patient's finger and the penetrating member tip making contact with the skin of a patient's finger. -
FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic view of the penetrating member tip depressing the skin of a patient's finger. -
FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic view of the penetrating member tip further depressing the skin of a patient's finger. -
FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic view of the penetrating member tip penetrating the skin of a patient's finger. -
FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic view of the penetrating member tip penetrating the skin of a patient's finger to a desired depth. -
FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic view of the penetrating member tip withdrawing from the skin of a patient's finger. -
FIGS. 14-18 illustrate a method of tissue penetration that may measure elastic recoil of the skin. -
FIG. 19 is a perspective view in partial section of a tissue penetration sampling device with a cartridge of sampling modules. -
FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a sampling module cartridge with the sampling modules arranged in a ring configuration. -
FIG. 21 illustrate an embodiment of a cartridge for use in sampling having a sampling cartridge body and a penetrating member cartridge body. -
FIG. 22A shows a device for use on a tissue site having a plurality of penetrating members. -
FIG. 22B shows rear view of a device for use on a tissue site having a plurality of penetrating members. -
FIG. 22C shows a schematic of a device for use on a tissue site with a feedback loop and optionally a damper. -
FIG. 23A shows an embodiment of a device with a user interface. -
FIG. 23B shows an outer view of a device with a user interface. -
FIG. 24 is a cut away view of a system for sampling body fluid. -
FIG. 25 is an exploded view of a cartridge for use with a system for sampling body fluid. -
FIG. 26 is an exploded view of a cartridge having multiple penetrating members for use with a system for sampling body fluid. -
FIGS. 27-28 show cartridges for use with a system for sampling body fluid. -
FIG. 29 shows a cutaway view of another embodiment of a system for sampling body fluid. -
FIG. 30 shows the density associated with a cartridge according to the present invention. -
FIG. 31 shows a cutaway view of another embodiment of a system for sampling body fluid. -
FIG. 32 is a cut away view of a cartridge according to the present invention. -
FIGS. 33-34 show views of a body sampling system using multiple cartridges. -
FIG. 35 shows an embodiment of the present invention with a tissue stabilizing member. -
FIG. 36 shows a cartridge according to the present invention with a tissue stabilizing member. -
FIG. 37 shows a system according to the present invention with a moveable cartridge. - The present invention provides a solution for body fluid sampling. Specifically, some embodiments of the present invention provides a penetrating member device for consistently creating a wound with spontaneous body fluid flow from a patient. The invention may be a multiple penetrating member device with an optional high density design. It may use penetrating members of smaller size than known penetrating members. The device may be used for multiple lancing events without having to remove a disposable from the device or for the user to handle sharps. The invention may provide improved sensing capabilities. At least some of these and other objectives described herein will be met by embodiments of the present invention.
- It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. It should be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a material” may include mixtures of materials, reference to “a chamber” may include multiple chambers, and the like. References cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety, except to the extent that they conflict with teachings explicitly set forth in this specification.
- In this specification and in the claims which follow, reference will be made to a number of terms which shall be defined to have the following meanings:
- “Optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described circumstance may or may not occur, so that the description includes instances where the circumstance occurs and instances where it does not. For example, if a device optionally contains a feature for analyzing a blood sample, this means that the analysis feature may or may not be present, and, thus, the description includes structures wherein a device possesses the analysis feature and structures wherein the analysis feature is not present.
- “Analyte detecting member” refers to any use, singly or in combination, of chemical test reagents and methods, electrical test circuits and methods, physical test components and methods, optical test components and methods, and biological test reagents and methods to yield information about a blood sample. Such methods are well known in the art and may be based on teachings of, e.g. Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry, 3d Ed., Sec. V, pp. 776-78 (Burtis & Ashwood, Eds., W.B. Saunders Company, Philadelphia, 1999); U.S. Pat. No. 5,997,817 to Chrismore et al. (Dec. 7, 1999); U.S. Pat. No. 5,059,394 to Phillips et al. (Oct. 22, 1991); U.S. Pat. No. 5,001,054 to Wagner et al. (Mar. 19, 1991); and U.S. Pat. No. 4,392,933 to Nakamura et al. (Jul. 12, 1983), the teachings of which are hereby incorporated by reference, as well as others. Analyte detecting member may include tests in the sample test chamber that test electrochemical properties of the blood, or they may include optical means for sensing optical properties of the blood (e.g. oxygen saturation level), or they may include biochemical reagents (e.g. antibodies) to sense properties (e.g. presence of antigens) of the blood. The analyte detecting member may comprise biosensing or reagent material that will react with an analyte in blood (e.g. glucose) or other body fluid so that an appropriate signal correlating with the presence of the analyte is generated and can be read by the reader apparatus. By way of example and not limitation, analyte detecting member may “associated with”, “mounted within”, or “coupled to” a chamber or other structure when the analyte detecting member participates in the function of providing an appropriate signal about the blood sample to the reader device. Analyte detecting member may also include nanowire analyte detecting members as described herein. Analyte detecting member may use potentiometric, coulometric, or other method useful for detection of analyte levels.
- The present invention may be used with a variety of different penetrating member drivers. It is contemplated that these penetrating member drivers may be spring based, solenoid based, magnetic driver based, nanomuscle based, or based on any other mechanism useful in moving a penetrating member along a path into tissue. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited by the type of driver used with the penetrating member feed mechanism. One suitable penetrating member driver for use with the present invention is shown in
FIG. 1 . This is an embodiment of a solenoid type electromagnetic driver that is capable of driving an iron core or slug mounted to the penetrating member assembly using a direct current (DC) power supply. The electromagnetic driver includes a driver coil pack that is divided into three separate coils along the path of the penetrating member, two end coils and a middle coil. Direct current is alternated to the coils to advance and retract the penetrating member. Although the driver coil pack is shown with three coils, any suitable number of coils may be used, for example, 4, 5, 6, 7 or more coils may be used. - Referring to the embodiment of
FIG. 1 , thestationary iron housing 10 may contain the driver coil pack with afirst coil 12 flanked byiron spacers 14 which concentrate the magnetic flux at the inner diameter creating magnetic poles. The inner insulatinghousing 16 isolates the penetratingmember 18 andiron core 20 from the coils and provides a smooth, low friction guide surface. The penetratingmember guide 22 further centers the penetratingmember 18 andiron core 20. The penetratingmember 18 is protracted and retracted by alternating the current between thefirst coil 12, the middle coil, and the third coil to attract theiron core 20. Reversing the coil sequence and attracting the core and penetrating member back into the housing retracts the penetrating member. The penetratingmember guide 22 also serves as a stop for theiron core 20 mounted to the penetratingmember 18. - As discussed above, tissue penetration devices which employ spring or cam driving methods have a symmetrical or nearly symmetrical actuation displacement and velocity profiles on the advancement and retraction of the penetrating member as shown in
FIGS. 2 and 3 . In most of the available lancet devices, once the launch is initiated, the stored energy determines the velocity profile until the energy is dissipated. Controlling impact, retraction velocity, and dwell time of the penetrating member within the tissue can be useful in order to achieve a high success rate while accommodating variations in skin properties and minimize pain. Advantages can be achieved by taking into account of the fact that tissue dwell time is related to the amount of skin deformation as the penetrating member tries to puncture the surface of the skin and variance in skin deformation from patient to patient based on skin hydration. - In this embodiment, the ability to control velocity and depth of penetration may be achieved by use of a controllable force driver where feedback is an integral part of driver control. Such drivers can control either metal or polymeric penetrating members or any other type of tissue penetration element. The dynamic control of such a driver is illustrated in
FIG. 2C which illustrates an embodiment of a controlled displacement profile andFIG. 2D which illustrates an embodiment of a the controlled velocity profile. These are compared toFIGS. 2A and 2B , which illustrate embodiments of displacement and velocity profiles, respectively, of a harmonic spring/mass powered driver. Reduced pain can be achieved by using impact velocities of greater than about 2 m/s entry of a tissue penetrating element, such as a lancet, into tissue. Other suitable embodiments of the penetrating member driver are described in commonly assigned, copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/127,395, (Attorney Docket No. 38187-2551) filed Apr. 19, 2002 and previously incorporated herein. -
FIG. 3 illustrates the operation of a feedback loop using aprocessor 60. Theprocessor 60 stores profiles 62 in non-volatile memory. Auser inputs information 64 about the desired circumstances or parameters for a lancing event. Theprocessor 60 selects adriver profile 62 from a set of alternative driver profiles that have been preprogrammed in theprocessor 60 based on typical or desired tissue penetration device performance determined through testing at the factory or as programmed in by the operator. Theprocessor 60 may customize by either scaling or modifying the profile based on additionaluser input information 64. Once the processor has chosen and customized the profile, theprocessor 60 is ready to modulate the power from thepower supply 66 to the penetratingmember driver 68 through anamplifier 70. Theprocessor 60 may measure the location of the penetratingmember 72 using aposition sensing mechanism 74 through an analog todigital converter 76 linear encoder or other such transducer. Examples of position sensing mechanisms have been described in the embodiments above and may be found in the specification for commonly assigned, copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/127,395, (Attorney Docket No. 38187-2551) filed Apr. 19, 2002 and previously incorporated herein. Theprocessor 60 calculates the movement of the penetrating member by comparing the actual profile of the penetrating member to the predetermined profile. Theprocessor 60 modulates the power to the penetratingmember driver 68 through asignal generator 78, which may control theamplifier 70 so that the actual velocity profile of the penetrating member does not exceed the predetermined profile by more than a preset error limit. The error limit is the accuracy in the control of the penetrating member. - After the lancing event, the
processor 60 can allow the user to rank the results of the lancing event. Theprocessor 60 stores these results and constructs adatabase 80 for the individual user. Using thedatabase 79, theprocessor 60 calculates the profile traits such as degree of painlessness, success rate, and blood volume forvarious profiles 62 depending onuser input information 64 to optimize the profile to the individual user for subsequent lancing cycles. These profile traits depend on the characteristic phases of penetrating member advancement and retraction. Theprocessor 60 uses these calculations to optimizeprofiles 62 for each user. In addition touser input information 64, an internal clock allows storage in thedatabase 79 of information such as the time of day to generate a time stamp for the lancing event and the time between lancing events to anticipate the user's diurnal needs. The database stores information and statistics for each user and each profile that particular user uses. - In addition to varying the profiles, the
processor 60 can be used to calculate the appropriate penetrating member diameter and geometry suitable to realize the blood volume required by the user. For example, if the user requires about 1-5 microliter volume of blood, theprocessor 60 may select a 200 micron diameter penetrating member to achieve these results. For each class of lancet, both diameter and lancet tip geometry, is stored in theprocessor 60 to correspond with upper and lower limits of attainable blood volume based on the predetermined displacement and velocity profiles. - The lancing device is capable of prompting the user for information at the beginning and the end of the lancing event to more adequately suit the user. The goal is to either change to a different profile or modify an existing profile. Once the profile is set, the force driving the penetrating member is varied during advancement and retraction to follow the profile. The method of lancing using the lancing device comprises selecting a profile, lancing according to the selected profile, determining lancing profile traits for each characteristic phase of the lancing cycle, and optimizing profile traits for subsequent lancing events.
-
FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a tissue penetration device, more specifically, a lancingdevice 80 that includes acontrollable driver 179 coupled to a tissue penetration element. The lancingdevice 80 has aproximal end 81 and adistal end 82. At thedistal end 82 is the tissue penetration element in the form of a penetratingmember 83, which is coupled to anelongate coupler shaft 84 by adrive coupler 85. Theelongate coupler shaft 84 has a proximal end 86 and adistal end 87. Adriver coil pack 88 is disposed about theelongate coupler shaft 84 proximal of the penetratingmember 83. Aposition sensor 91 is disposed about aproximal portion 92 of theelongate coupler shaft 84 and anelectrical conductor 94 electrically couples aprocessor 93 to theposition sensor 91. Theelongate coupler shaft 84 driven by thedriver coil pack 88 controlled by theposition sensor 91 andprocessor 93 form the controllable driver, specifically, a controllable electromagnetic driver. - Referring to
FIG. 5 , the lancingdevice 80 can be seen in more detail, in partial longitudinal section. The penetratingmember 83 has aproximal end 95 and adistal end 96 with a sharpened point at thedistal end 96 of the penetratingmember 83 and adrive head 98 disposed at theproximal end 95 of the penetratingmember 83. A penetrating member shaft 201 is disposed between thedrive head 98 and the sharpened point 97. The penetrating member shaft 201 may be comprised of stainless steel, or any other suitable material or alloy and have a transverse dimension of about 0.1 to about 0.4 mm. The penetrating member shaft may have a length of about 3 mm to about 50 mm, specifically, about 15 mm to about 20 mm. Thedrive head 98 of the penetratingmember 83 is an enlarged portion having a transverse dimension greater than a transverse dimension of the penetrating member shaft 201 distal of thedrive head 98. This configuration allows thedrive head 98 to be mechanically captured by thedrive coupler 85. Thedrive head 98 may have a transverse dimension of about 0.5 to about 2 mm. - A
magnetic member 102 is secured to theelongate coupler shaft 84 proximal of thedrive coupler 85 on adistal portion 203 of theelongate coupler shaft 84. Themagnetic member 102 is a substantially cylindrical piece of magnetic material having anaxial lumen 204 extending the length of themagnetic member 102. Themagnetic member 102 has an outer transverse dimension that allows themagnetic member 102 to slide easily within anaxial lumen 105 of a low friction, possibly lubricious,polymer guide tube 105′ disposed within thedriver coil pack 88. Themagnetic member 102 may have an outer transverse dimension of about 1.0 to about 5.0 mm, specifically, about 2.3 to about 2.5 mm. Themagnetic member 102 may have a length of about 3.0 to about 5.0 mm, specifically, about 4.7 to about 4.9 mm. Themagnetic member 102 can be made from a variety of magnetic materials including ferrous metals such as ferrous steel, iron, ferrite, or the like. Themagnetic member 102 may be secured to thedistal portion 203 of theelongate coupler shaft 84 by a variety of methods including adhesive or epoxy bonding, welding, crimping or any other suitable method. - Proximal of the
magnetic member 102, anoptical encoder flag 206 is secured to theelongate coupler shaft 84. Theoptical encoder flag 206 is configured to move within aslot 107 in theposition sensor 91. Theslot 107 of theposition sensor 91 is formed between afirst body portion 108 and asecond body portion 109 of theposition sensor 91. Theslot 107 may have separation width of about 1.5 to about 2.0 mm. Theoptical encoder flag 206 can have a length of about 14 to about 18 mm, a width of about 3 to about 5 mm and a thickness of about 0.04 to about 0.06 mm. - The
optical encoder flag 206 interacts with various optical beams generated by LEDs disposed on or in the positionsensor body portions position sensor 91 generates a signal that indicates the longitudinal position of theoptical flag 206 relative to theposition sensor 91 with a substantially high degree of resolution. The resolution of theposition sensor 91 may be about 200 to about 400 cycles per inch, specifically, about 350 to about 370 cycles per inch. Theposition sensor 91 may have a speed response time (position/time resolution) of 0 to about 120,000 Hz, where one dark and light stripe of the flag constitutes one Hertz, or cycle per second. The position of theoptical encoder flag 206 relative to themagnetic member 102,driver coil pack 88 andposition sensor 91 is such that theoptical encoder 91 can provide precise positional information about the penetratingmember 83 over the entire length of the penetrating member's power stroke. - An optical encoder that is suitable for the
position sensor 91 is a linear optical incremental encoder, model HEDS 9200, manufactured by Agilent Technologies. The model HEDS 9200 may have a length of about 20 to about 30 mm, a width of about 8 to about 12 mm, and a height of about 9 to about 11 mm. Although theposition sensor 91 illustrated is a linear optical incremental encoder, other suitable position sensor embodiments could be used, provided they posses the requisite positional resolution and time response. The HEDS 9200 is a two channel device where the channels are 90 degrees out of phase with each other. This results in a resolution of four times the basic cycle of the flag. These quadrature outputs make it possible for the processor to determine the direction of penetrating member travel. Other suitable position sensors include capacitive encoders, analog reflective sensors, such as the reflective position sensor discussed above, and the like. - A
coupler shaft guide 111 is disposed towards theproximal end 81 of the lancingdevice 80. Theguide 111 has aguide lumen 112 disposed in theguide 111 to slidingly accept theproximal portion 92 of theelongate coupler shaft 84. Theguide 111 keeps theelongate coupler shaft 84 centered horizontally and vertically in theslot 102 of theoptical encoder 91. - The
driver coil pack 88,position sensor 91 andcoupler shaft guide 111 are all secured to abase 113. Thebase 113 is longitudinally coextensive with thedriver coil pack 88,position sensor 91 andcoupler shaft guide 111. The base 113 can take the form of a rectangular piece of metal or polymer, or may be a more elaborate housing with recesses, which are configured to accept the various components of the lancingdevice 80. - As discussed above, the
magnetic member 102 is configured to slide within anaxial lumen 105 of thedriver coil pack 88. Thedriver coil pack 88 includes a most distalfirst coil 114, asecond coil 115, which is axially disposed between thefirst coil 114 and athird coil 116, and a proximal-mostfourth coil 117. Each of thefirst coil 114,second coil 115,third coil 116 andfourth coil 117 has an axial lumen. The axial lumens of the first through fourth coils are configured to be coaxial with the axial lumens of the other coils and together form theaxial lumen 105 of thedriver coil pack 88 as a whole. Axially adjacent each of the coils 114-117 is a magnetic disk or washer 118 that augments completion of the magnetic circuit of the coils 114-117 during a lancing cycle of thedevice 80. The magnetic washers 118 of the embodiment ofFIG. 5 are made of ferrous steel but could be made of any other suitable magnetic material, such as iron or ferrite. The outer shell 89 of thedriver coil pack 88 is also made of iron or steel to complete the magnetic path around the coils and between the washers 118. The magnetic washers 118 have an outer diameter commensurate with an outer diameter of thedriver coil pack 88 of about 4.0 to about 8.0 mm. The magnetic washers 118 have an axial thickness of about 0.05, to about 0.4 mm, specifically, about 0.15 to about 0.25 mm. - Wrapping or winding an elongate
electrical conductor 121 about an axial lumen until a sufficient number of windings have been achieved forms the coils 114-117. The elongateelectrical conductor 121 is generally an insulated solid copper wire with a small outer transverse dimension of about 0.06 mm to about 0.88 mm, specifically, about 0.3 mm to about 0.5 mm. In one embodiment, 32 gauge copper wire is used for the coils 114-117. The number of windings for each of the coils 114-117 of thedriver pack 88 may vary with the size of the coil, but for some embodiments each coil 114-117 may have about 30 to about 80 turns, specifically, about 50 to about 60 turns. Each coil 114-117 can have an axial length of about 1.0 to about 3.0 mm, specifically, about 1.8 to about 2.0 mm. Each coil 114-117 can have an outer transverse dimension or diameter of about 4.0, to about 2.0 mm, specifically, about 9.0 to about 12.0 mm. Theaxial lumen 105 can have a transverse dimension of about 1.0 to about 3.0 mm. - It may be advantageous in some
driver coil 88 embodiments to replace one or more of the coils with permanent magnets, which produce a magnetic field similar to that of the coils when the coils are activated. In particular, it may be desirable in some embodiments to replace thesecond coil 115, thethird coil 116 or both with permanent magnets. In addition, it may be advantageous to position a permanent magnet at or near the proximal end of the coil driver pack in order to provide fixed magnet zeroing function for the magnetic member (Adams magnetic Products 23A0002 flexible magnet material (800) 747-7543). - A
permanent bar magnet 119 disposed on the proximal end of thedriver coil pack 88. As shown inFIG. 5 , thebar magnet 119 is arranged so as to have one end disposed adjacent the travel path of themagnetic member 102 and has a polarity configured so as to attract themagnetic member 102 in a centered position with respect to thebar magnet 119. Note that thepolymer guide tube 105′ can be configured to extend proximally to insulate the inward radial surface of thebar magnet 119 from an outer surface of themagnetic member 102. This arrangement allows themagnetic member 119 and thus theelongate coupler shaft 84 to be attracted to and held in a zero point or rest position without the consumption of electrical energy from thepower supply 125. - Having a fixed zero or start point for the
elongate coupler shaft 84 and penetratingmember 83 may be useful to properly controlling the depth of penetration of the penetratingmember 83 as well as other lancing parameters. This can be because some methods of depth penetration control for a controllable driver measure the acceleration and displacement of theelongate coupler shaft 84 and penetratingmember 83 from a known start position. If the distance of the penetratingmember tip 96 from the target tissue is known, acceleration and displacement of the penetrating member is known and the start position of the penetrating member is know, the time and position of tissue contact and depth of penetration can be determined by theprocessor 93. - Any number of configurations for a
magnetic bar 119 can be used for the purposes discussed above. In particular, a second permanent bar magnet (not shown) could be added to the proximal end of thedriver coil pack 88 with the magnetic fields of the two bar magnets configured to complement each other. In addition, a disc magnet can be used. Disc magnet is shown disposed at the proximal end of the driver coiledpack 88 with a polymer non-magnetic disc disposed between theproximal-most coil 117 and disc magnet and positions disc magnet away from the proximal end of theproximal-most coil 117. The polymer non-magnetic disc spacer is used so that themagnetic member 102 can be centered in a zero or start position slightly proximal of theproximal-most coil 117 of thedriver coil pack 88. This allows the magnetic member to be attracted by theproximal-most coil 117 at the initiation of the lancing cycle instead of being passive in the forward drive portion of the lancing cycle. - An inner lumen of the polymer non-magnetic disc can be configured to allow the
magnetic member 102 to pass axially there through while an inner lumen of the disc magnet can be configured to allow theelongate coupler shaft 84 to pass through but not large enough for themagnetic member 102 to pass through. This results in themagnetic member 102 being attracted to the disc magnet and coming to rest with the proximal surface of themagnetic member 102 against a distal surface of the disc magnet. This arrangement provides for a positive and repeatable stop for the magnetic member, and hence the penetrating member. - Typically, when the electrical current in the coils 114-117 of the
driver coil pack 88 is off, amagnetic member 102 made of soft iron is attracted to thebar magnet 119 or disc magnet. The magnetic field of thedriver coil pack 88 and thebar magnet 119 or disc magnet, or any other suitable magnet, can be configured such that when the electrical current in the coils 114-117 is turned on, the leakage magnetic field from the coils 114-117 has the same polarity as thebar magnet 119 or disc magnet. This results in a magnetic force that repels themagnetic member 102 from thebar magnet 119 or disc magnet and attracts themagnetic member 102 to the activated coils 114-117. For this configuration, thebar magnet 119 or disc magnet thus act to facilitate acceleration of themagnetic member 102 as opposed to working against the acceleration. -
Electrical conductors 122 couple thedriver coil pack 88 with theprocessor 93 which can be configured or programmed to control the current flow in the coils 114-117 of thedriver coil pack 88 based on position feedback from theposition sensor 91, which is coupled to theprocessor 93 byelectrical conductors 94. Apower source 125 is electrically coupled to theprocessor 93 and provides electrical power to operate theprocessor 93 and power thecoil driver pack 88. Thepower source 125 may be one or more batteries that provide direct current power to the 93 processor. - Referring to
FIGS. 29A-29C , a flow diagram is shown that describes the operations performed by theprocessor 93 in controlling the penetratingmember 83 of the lancingdevice 80 discussed above during an operating cycle.FIGS. 30-36 illustrate the interaction of the penetratingmember 83 andskin 133 of the patient'sfinger 134 during an operation cycle of the penetratingmember device 83. Theprocessor 93 operates under control of programming steps that are stored in an associated memory. When the programming steps are executed, theprocessor 93 performs operations as described herein. Thus, the programming steps implement the functionality of the operations described with respect to the flow diagram ofFIG. 29 . Theprocessor 93 can receive the programming steps from a program product stored in recordable media, including a direct access program product storage device such as a hard drive or flash ROM, a removable program product storage device such as a floppy disk, or in any other manner known to those of skill in the art. Theprocessor 93 can also download the programming steps through a network connection or serial connection. - In the first operation, represented by the flow diagram box numbered 245 in
FIG. 6A , theprocessor 93 initializes values that it stores in memory relating to control of the penetrating member, such as variables that it uses to keep track of thecontrollable driver 179 during movement. For example, the processor may set a clock value to zero and a penetrating member position value to zero or to some other initial value. Theprocessor 93 may also cause power to be removed from thecoil pack 88 for a period of time, such as for about 10 ms, to allow any residual flux to dissipate from the coils. - In the initialization operation, the
processor 93 also causes the penetrating member to assume an initial stationary position. When in the initial stationary position, the penetratingmember 83 is typically fully retracted such that themagnetic member 102 is positioned substantially adjacent thefourth coil 117 of thedriver coil pack 88, shown inFIG. 5 above. Theprocessor 93 can move the penetratingmember 83 to the initial stationary position by pulsing an electrical current to thefourth coil 117 to thereby attract themagnetic member 102 on the penetratingmember 83 to thefourth coil 117. Alternatively, the magnetic member can be positioned in the initial stationary position by virtue of a permanent magnet, such asbar magnet 119, disc magnet or any other suitable magnet as discussed above with regard to the tissue penetration device illustrated inFIGS. 20 and 21 . - In the next operation, represented by the flow diagram box numbered 247, the
processor 93 energizes one or more of the coils in thecoil pack 88. This should cause the penetratingmember 83 to begin to move (i.e., achieve a non-zero speed) toward theskin target 133. Theprocessor 93 then determines whether or not the penetrating member is indeed moving. Theprocessor 93 can determine whether the penetratingmember 83 is moving by monitoring the position of the penetratingmember 83 to determine whether the position changes over time. Theprocessor 93 can monitor the position of the penetratingmember 83 by keeping track of the position of theoptical encoder flag 106 secured to theelongate coupler shaft 84 wherein theencoder 91 produces a signal coupled to theprocessor 93 that indicates the spatial position of the penetratingmember 83. - If the
processor 93 determines (via timeout without motion events) that the penetratingmember 83 is not moving, then the process proceeds to the operation represented by the flow diagram box numbered 153, where the processor deems that an error condition is present. This means that some error in the system is causing the penetratingmember 83 not to move. The error may be mechanical, electrical, or software related. For example, the penetratingmember 83 may be stuck in the stationary position because something is impeding its movement. - If the
processor 93 determines that the penetratingmember 83 is indeed moving, then the process proceeds to the operation represented by the flow diagram box numbered 257. In this operation, theprocessor 93 causes the penetratingmember 83 to continue to accelerate and launch toward theskin target 133, as indicated by thearrow 135 inFIG. 7 . Theprocessor 93 can achieve acceleration of the penetratingmember 83 by sending an electrical current to an appropriate coil 114-117 such that the coil 114-117 exerts an attractive magnetic launching force on themagnetic member 102 and causes themagnetic member 102 and the penetratingmember 83 coupled thereto to move in a desired direction. For example, theprocessor 93 can cause an electrical current to be sent to thethird coil 116 so that thethird coil 116 attracts themagnetic member 102 and causes themagnetic member 102 to move from a position adjacent thefourth coil 117 toward thethird coil 116. The processor preferably determines which coil 114-117 should be used to attract themagnetic member 102 based on the position of themagnetic member 102 relative to the coils 114-117. In this manner, theprocessor 93 provides a controlled force to the penetrating member that controls the movement of the penetrating member. - During this operation, the
processor 93 periodically or continually monitors the position and/or velocity of the penetratingmember 83. In keeping track of the velocity and position of the penetratingmember 83 as the penetratingmember 83 moves towards the patient'sskin 133 or other tissue, theprocessor 93 also monitors and adjusts the electrical current to the coils 114-117. In some embodiments, theprocessor 93 applies current to an appropriate coil 114-117 such that the penetratingmember 83 continues to move according to a desired direction and acceleration. In the instant case, theprocessor 93 applies current to the appropriate coil 114-117 that will cause the penetratingmember 83 to continue to move in the direction of the patient'sskin 133 or other tissue to be penetrated. - The
processor 93 may successively transition the current between coils 114-117 so that as themagnetic member 102 moves past a particular coil 114-117, theprocessor 93 then shuts off current to that coil 114-117 and then applies current to another coil 114-117 that will attract themagnetic member 102 and cause themagnetic member 102 to continue to move in the desired direction. In transitioning current between the coils 114-117, theprocessor 93 can take into account various factors, including the speed of the penetratingmember 83, the position of the penetratingmember 83 relative to the coils 114-117, the number of coils 114-117, and the level of current to be applied to the coils 114-117 to achieve a desired speed or acceleration. - In the next operation, the
processor 93 determines whether the cutting ordistal end tip 96 of the penetratingmember 83 has contacted the patient'sskin 133, as shown inFIG. 8 and as represented by the decision box numbered 165 inFIG. 6B . Theprocessor 93 may determine whether the penetratingmember 83 has made contact with thetarget tissue 133 by a variety of methods, including some that rely on parameters which are measured prior to initiation of a lancing cycle and other methods that are adaptable to use during a lancing cycle without any predetermined parameters. - In one embodiment, the
processor 93 determines that the skin has been contacted when theend tip 96 of the penetratingmember 83 has moved a predetermined distance with respect to its initial position. If the distance from thetip 261 of the penetratingmember 83 to thetarget tissue 133 is known prior to initiation of penetratingmember 83 movement, the initial position of the penetratingmember 83 is fixed and known, and the movement and position of the penetratingmember 83 can be accurately measured during a lancing cycle, then the position and time of penetrating member contact can be determined. - This method requires an accurate measurement of the distance between the penetrating
member tip 96 and the patient'sskin 133 when the penetratingmember 83 is in the zero time or initial position. This can be accomplished in a number of ways. One way is to control all of the mechanical parameters that influence the distance from the penetratingmember tip 96 to the patient's tissue or a surface of the lancingdevice 80 that will contact the patient'sskin 133. This could include the start position of themagnetic member 102, magnetic path tolerance,magnetic member 102 dimensions,driver coil pack 88 location within the lancingdevice 80 as a whole, length of theelongate coupling shaft 84, placement of themagnetic member 102 on theelongate coupling shaft 84, length of the penetratingmember 83 etc. - If all these parameters, as well as others can be suitably controlled in manufacturing with a tolerance stack-up that is acceptable, then the distance from the penetrating
member tip 96 to thetarget tissue 133 can be determined at the time of manufacture of the lancingdevice 80. The distance could then be programmed into the memory of theprocessor 93. If an adjustable feature is added to the lancingdevice 80, such as an adjustable lengthelongate coupling shaft 84, this can accommodate variations in all of the parameters noted above, except length of the penetratingmember 83. An electronic alternative to this mechanical approach would be to calibrate a stored memory contact point into the memory of theprocessor 93 during manufacture based on the mechanical parameters described above. - In another embodiment, moving the penetrating
member tip 96 to thetarget tissue 133 very slowly and gently touching theskin 133 prior to actuation can accomplish the distance from the penetratingmember tip 96 to thetissue 133. The position sensor can accurately measure the distance from the initialization point to the point of contact, where the resistance to advancement of the penetratingmember 83 stops the penetrating member movement. The penetratingmember 83 is then retracted to the initialization point having measured the distance to thetarget tissue 133 without creating any discomfort to the user. - In another embodiment, the
processor 93 may use software to determine whether the penetratingmember 83 has made contact with the patient'sskin 133 by measuring for a sudden reduction in velocity of the penetratingmember 83 due to friction or resistance imposed on the penetratingmember 83 by the patient'sskin 133. Theoptical encoder 91 measures displacement of the penetratingmember 83. The position output data provides input to the interrupt input of theprocessor 93. Theprocessor 93 also has a timer capable of measuring the time between interrupts. The distance between interrupts is known for theoptical encoder 91, so the velocity of the penetratingmember 83 can be calculated by dividing the distance between interrupts by the time between the interrupts. - This method requires that velocity losses to the penetrating
member 83 andelongate coupler 84 assembly due to friction are known to an acceptable level so that these velocity losses and resulting deceleration can be accounted for when establishing a deceleration threshold above which contact between penetratingmember tip 96 andtarget tissue 133 will be presumed. This same concept can be implemented in many ways. For example, rather than monitoring the velocity of the penetratingmember 83, if theprocessor 93 is controlling the penetrating member driver in order to maintain a fixed velocity, the power to thedriver 88 could be monitored. If an amount of power above a predetermined threshold is required in order to maintain a constant velocity, then contact between the tip of the penetratingmember 96 and theskin 133 could be presumed. - In yet another embodiment, the
processor 93 determinesskin 133 contact by the penetratingmember 83 by detection of an acoustic signal produced by thetip 96 of the penetratingmember 83 as it strikes the patient'sskin 133. Detection of the acoustic signal can be measured by an acoustic detector 136 placed in contact with the patient'sskin 133 adjacent a penetratingmember penetration site 137, as shown inFIG. 8 . Suitable acoustic detectors 136 include piezo electric transducers, microphones and the like. The acoustic detector 136 transmits an electrical signal generated by the acoustic signal to theprocessor 93 via electrical conductors 138. In another embodiment, contact of the penetratingmember 83 with the patient'sskin 133 can be determined by measurement of electrical continuity in a circuit that includes the penetratingmember 83, the patient'sfinger 134 and an electrical contact pad 240 that is disposed on the patient'sskin 133 adjacent thecontact site 137 of the penetratingmember 83, as shown inFIG. 8 . In this embodiment, as soon as the penetratingmember 83 contacts the patient'sskin 133, thecircuit 139 is completed and current flows through thecircuit 139. Completion of thecircuit 139 can then be detected by theprocessor 93 to confirmskin 133 contact by the penetratingmember 83. - If the penetrating
member 83 has not contacted thetarget skin 133, then the process proceeds to a timeout operation, inFIG. 6B . In the timeout operation, theprocessor 93 waits a predetermined time period. If the timeout period has not yet elapsed, then the processor continues to monitor whether the penetrating member has contacted thetarget skin 133. Theprocessor 93 preferably continues to monitor the position and speed of the penetratingmember 83, as well as the electrical current to the appropriate coil 114-117 to maintain the desired penetratingmember 83 movement. - If the timeout period elapses without the penetrating
member 83 contacting the skin, then it is deemed that the penetratingmember 83 will not contact the skin and the process proceeds to a withdraw phase, where the penetrating member is withdrawn away from theskin 133, as discussed more fully below. The penetratingmember 83 may not have contacted thetarget skin 133 for a variety of reasons, such as if the patient removed theskin 133 from the lancing device or if something obstructed the penetratingmember 83 prior to it contacting the skin. - The
processor 93 may also proceed to the withdraw phase prior to skin contact for other reasons. For example, at some point after initiation of movement of the penetratingmember 83, theprocessor 93 may determine that the forward acceleration of the penetratingmember 83 towards the patient'sskin 133 should be stopped or that current to all coils 114-117 should be shut down. This can occur, for example, if it is determined that the penetratingmember 83 has achieved sufficient forward velocity, but has not yet contacted theskin 133. In one embodiment, the average penetration velocity of the penetratingmember 83 from the point of contact with the skin to the point of maximum penetration may be about 2.0 to about 10.0 m/s, specifically, about 3.8 to about 4.2 m/s. In another embodiment, the average penetration velocity of the penetrating member may be from about 2 to about 8 meters per second, specifically, about 2 to about 4 m/s. - The
processor 93 can also proceed to the withdraw phase if it is determined that the penetratingmember 83 has fully extended to the end of the power stroke of the operation cycle of lancing procedure. In other words, the process may proceed to withdraw phase when anaxial center 141 of themagnetic member 102 has moved distal of anaxial center 142 of thefirst coil 114 as show inFIG. 5 . In this situation, any continued power to any of the coils 114-117 of thedriver coil pack 88 serves to decelerate themagnetic member 102 and thus the penetratingmember 83. In this regard, theprocessor 93 considers the length of the penetrating member 83 (which can be stored in memory) the position of the penetratingmember 83 relative to themagnetic member 102, as well as the distance that the penetratingmember 83 has traveled. - With reference again to
FIG. 6B , if theprocessor 93 determines that the penetratingmember 83 has contacted theskin 133, then theprocessor 93 can adjust the speed of the penetratingmember 83 or the power delivered to the penetratingmember 83 for skin penetration to overcome any frictional forces on the penetratingmember 83 in order to maintain a desired penetration velocity of the penetrating member. - As the velocity of the penetrating
member 83 is maintained after contact with theskin 133, thedistal tip 96 of the penetratingmember 83 will first begin to depress or tent the contactedskin 137 and theskin 133 adjacent the penetratingmember 83 to form a tented portion 243 as shown inFIG. 9 and further shown inFIG. 10 . As the penetratingmember 83 continues to move in a distal direction or be driven in a distal direction against the patient'sskin 133, the penetratingmember 83 will eventually begin to penetrate theskin 133, as shown inFIG. 11 . Once penetration of theskin 133 begins, the static force at thedistal tip 96 of the penetratingmember 83 from theskin 133 will become a dynamic cutting force, which is generally less than the static tip force. As a result in the reduction of force on thedistal tip 96 of the penetratingmember 83 upon initiation of cutting, the tented portion 243 of theskin 133 adjacent thedistal tip 96 of the penetratingmember 83 which had been depressed as shown inFIGS. 32 and 24 will spring back as shown inFIG. 11 . - In the next operation, represented by the decision box numbered 171 in
FIG. 6B , theprocessor 93 determines whether thedistal end 96 of the penetratingmember 83 has reached a brake depth. The brake depth is the skin penetration depth for which theprocessor 93 determines that deceleration of the penetratingmember 83 is to be initiated in order to achieve a desiredfinal penetration depth 144 of the penetratingmember 83 as show inFIG. 12 . The brake depth may be pre-determined and programmed into the processor's memory, or theprocessor 93 may dynamically determine the brake depth during the actuation. The amount of penetration of the penetratingmember 83 in theskin 133 of the patient may be measured during the operation cycle of the penetratingmember device 80. In addition, as discussed above, the penetration depth suitable for successfully obtaining a useable sample can depend on the amount of tenting of theskin 133 during the lancing cycle. The amount of tenting of the patient'sskin 133 can in turn depend on the tissue characteristics of the patient such as elasticity, hydration etc. A method for determining these characteristics is discussed below with regard toskin 133 tenting measurements during the lancing cycle and illustrated inFIGS. 37-41 . - Penetration measurement can be carried out by a variety of methods that are not dependent on measurement of tenting of the patient's skin. In one embodiment, the penetration depth of the penetrating
member 83 in the patient'sskin 133 is measured by monitoring the amount of capacitance between the penetratingmember 83 and the patient'sskin 133. In this embodiment, a circuit includes the penetratingmember 83, the patient'sfinger 134, theprocessor 93 and electrical conductors connecting these elements. As the penetratingmember 83 penetrates the patient'sskin 133, the greater the amount of penetration, the greater the surface contact area between the penetratingmember 83 and the patient'sskin 133. As the contact area increases, so does the capacitance between theskin 133 and the penetratingmember 83. The increased capacitance can be easily measured by theprocessor 93 using methods known in the art and penetration depth can then be correlated to the amount of capacitance. The same method can be used by measuring the electrical resistance between the penetratingmember 83 and the patient's skin. - If the brake depth has not yet been reached, then a “No” results from the
decision box 171 and the process proceeds to the timeout operation represented by the flow diagram box numbered 173. In the timeout operation, theprocessor 93 waits a predetermined time period. If the timeout period has not yet elapsed (a “No” outcome from the decision box 173), then the processor continues to monitor whether the brake depth has been reached. If the timeout period elapses without the penetratingmember 83 achieving the brake depth (a “Yes” output from the decision box 173), then theprocessor 93 deems that the penetratingmember 83 will not reach the brake depth and the process proceeds to the withdraw phase, which is discussed more fully below. This may occur, for example, if the penetratingmember 83 is stuck at a certain depth. - With reference again to the decision box numbered 171 in
FIG. 6B , if the penetrating member does reach the brake depth (a “Yes” result), then the process proceeds to the operation represented by the flow diagram box numbered 275. In this operation, theprocessor 93 causes a braking force to be applied to the penetrating member to thereby reduce the speed of the penetratingmember 83 to achieve a desired amount of finalskin penetration depth 144, as shown inFIG. 26 . Note thatFIGS. 32 and 33 illustrate the penetrating member making contact with the patient's skin and deforming or depressing the skin prior to any substantial penetration of the skin. The speed of the penetratingmember 83 is preferably reduced to a value below a desired threshold and is ultimately reduced to zero. Theprocessor 93 can reduce the speed of the penetratingmember 83 by causing a current to be sent to a 114-117 coil that will exert an attractive braking force on themagnetic member 102 in a proximal direction away from the patient's tissue orskin 133, as indicated by thearrow 190 inFIG. 13 . Such a negative force reduces the forward or distally oriented speed of the penetratingmember 83. Theprocessor 93 can determine which coil 114-117 to energize based upon the position of themagnetic member 102 with respect to the coils 114-117 of thedriver coil pack 88, as indicated by theposition sensor 91. - In the next operation, the process proceeds to the withdraw phase, as represented by the flow diagram box numbered 177. The withdraw phase begins with the operation represented by the flow diagram box numbered 178 in
FIG. 6C . Here, theprocessor 93 allows the penetratingmember 83 to settle at a position ofmaximum skin penetration 144, as shown inFIG. 12 . In this regard, theprocessor 93 waits until any motion in the penetrating member 83 (due to vibration from impact and spring energy stored in the skin, etc.) has stopped by monitoring changes in position of the penetratingmember 83. Theprocessor 93 preferably waits until several milliseconds (ms), such as on the order of about 8 ms, have passed with no changes in position of the penetratingmember 83. This is an indication that movement of the penetratingmember 83 has ceased entirely. In some embodiments, the penetrating member may be allowed to settle for about 1 to about 2000 milliseconds, specifically, about 50 to about 200 milliseconds. For other embodiments, the settling time may be about 1 to about 200 milliseconds. - It is at this stage of the lancing cycle that a software method can be used to measure the amount of tenting of the patient's
skin 133 and thus determine theskin 133 characteristics such as elasticity, hydration and others. Referring toFIGS. 37-41 , a penetratingmember 83 is illustrated in various phases of a lancing cycle withtarget tissue 133.FIG. 14 shows tip 96 of penetratingmember 83 making initial contact with theskin 133 at the point of initial impact. -
FIG. 15 illustrates an enlarged view of the penetratingmember 83 making initial contact with thetissue 133 shown inFIG. 14 . InFIG. 16 , the penetratingmember tip 96 has depressed or tented theskin 133 prior to penetration over a distance of X, as indicated by the arrow labeled X inFIG. 16 . InFIG. 17 , the penetratingmember 83 has reached the full length of the cutting power stroke and is at maximum displacement. In this position, the penetratingmember tip 96 has penetrated the tissue 133 a distance of Y, as indicated by the arrow labeled Y inFIG. 16 . As can be seen from comparingFIG. 15 withFIG. 17 , the penetratingmember tip 96 was displaced a total distance of X plus Y from the time initial contact with theskin 133 was made to the time the penetratingmember tip 96 reached its maximum extension as shown inFIG. 17 . However, the penetratingmember tip 96 has only penetrated the skin 133 a distance Y because of the tenting phenomenon. - At the end of the power stroke of the penetrating
member 83, as discussed above with regard tobox 179 ofFIG. 6C , theprocessor 93 allows the penetrating member to settle for about 8 msec. It is during this settling time that theskin 133 rebounds or relaxes back to approximately its original configuration prior to contact by the penetratingmember 83 as shown inFIG. 18 . The penetratingmember tip 96 is still buried in the skin to a depth of Y, as shown inFIG. 18 , however the elastic recoil of the tissue has displaced the penetrating member rearward or retrograde to the point of inelastic tenting that is indicated by the arrows Z inFIG. 18 . During the rearward displacement of the penetratingmember 83 due to the elastic tenting of thetissue 133, the processor reads and stores the position data generated by theposition sensor 91 and thus measures the amount of elastic tenting, which is the difference between X and Z. - Referring to
FIG. 19 , a tissuepenetration sampling device 80 is shown with thecontrollable driver 179 ofFIG. 4 coupled to asampling module cartridge 205 and disposed within adriver housing 206. Aratchet drive mechanism 207 is secured to thedriver housing 206, coupled to thesampling module cartridge 205 and configured to advance asampling module belt 208 within thesampling module cartridge 205 so as to allow sequential use of eachsampling module 209 in thesampling module belt 208. Theratchet drive mechanism 207 has adrive wheel 211 configured to engage thesampling modules 209 of thesampling module belt 208. Thedrive wheel 211 is coupled to anactuation lever 212 that advances thedrive wheel 211 in increments of the width of asingle sampling module 209. A T-slot drive coupler 213 is secured to theelongated coupler shaft 84. - A
sampling module 209 is loaded and ready for use with thedrive head 98 of the penetratingmember 83 of thesampling module 209 loaded in the T-slot 214 of thedrive coupler 213. Asampling site 215 is disposed at thedistal end 216 of thesampling module 209 disposed about a penetratingmember exit port 217. Thedistal end 216 of thesampling module 209 is exposed in amodule window 218, which is an opening in acartridge cover 221 of thesampling module cartridge 205. This allows thedistal end 216 of thesampling module 209 loaded for use to be exposed to avoid contamination of thecartridge cover 221 with blood from the lancing process. - A reader module 222 is disposed over a distal portion of the
sampling module 209 that is loaded in thedrive coupler 213 for use and has two contact brushes 224 that are configured to align and make electrical contact with analyte detecting member contacts 225 of thesampling module 209 as shown inFIG. 77 . With electrical contact between the analyte detecting member contacts 225 and contact brushes 224, theprocessor 93 of thecontrollable driver 179 can read a signal from an analytical region 226 of thesampling module 209 after a lancing cycle is complete and a blood sample enters the analytical region 226 of thesampling module 209. The contact brushes 224 can have any suitable configuration that will allow thesampling module belt 208 to pass laterally beneath the contact brushes 224 and reliably make electrical contact with thesampling module 209 loaded in thedrive coupler 213 and ready for use. A spring loaded conductive ball bearing is one example of acontact brush 224 that could be used. A resilient conductive strip shaped to press against the inside surface of the flexible polymer sheet 227 along the analyte detecting member region 228 of thesampling module 209 is another embodiment of acontact brush 224. - The
sampling module cartridge 205 has asupply canister 229 and areceptacle canister 230. The unused sampling modules of thesampling module belt 208 are disposed within thesupply canister 229 and the sampling modules of thesampling module belt 208 that have been used are advanced serially after use into thereceptacle canister 230. -
FIG. 20 illustrates a further embodiment of sampling module cartridges.FIG. 20 shows asampling module cartridge 202 in a carousel configuration withadjacent sampling modules 204 connected rigidly and withanalyte detecting members 206 from the analytical regions of thevarious sampling modules 204 disposed near aninner radius 208 of the carousel. Thesampling modules 204 of thesampling module cartridge 202 are advanced through adrive coupler 213 but in a circular as opposed to a linear fashion. -
FIG. 21 shows an exploded view in perspective of thecartridge 245, which has aproximal end portion 254 and adistal end portion 255. The penetratingmember cartridge body 246 is disposed at theproximal end portion 254 of thecartridge 245 and has a plurality of penetratingmember module portions 250, such as the penetratingmember module portion 250. Each penetratingmember module portion 250 has a penetrating member channel 251 with a penetratingmember 83 slidably disposed within the penetrating member channel 251. The penetrating member channels 251 are substantially parallel to thelongitudinal axis 252 of the penetratingmember cartridge body 246. The penetratingmembers 83 shown have adrive head 98, shaft portion 201 and sharpenedtip 96. Thedrive head 98 of the penetrating members are configured to couple to a drive coupler (not shown), such as thedrive coupler 85 discussed above. - The penetrating
members 83 are free to slide in the respective penetrating member channels 251 and are nominally disposed with the sharpenedtip 96 withdrawn into the penetrating member channel 251 to protect thetip 96 and allow relative rotational motion between the penetratingmember cartridge body 246 and thesampling cartridge body 247 as shown byarrow 256 andarrow 257 inFIG. 21 . The radial center of each penetrating member channel 251 is disposed a fixed, known radial distance from thelongitudinal axis 252 of the penetratingmember cartridge body 246 and a longitudinal axis 258 of thecartridge 245. By disposing each penetrating member channel 251 a fixed known radial distance from thelongitudinal axes 252 and 258 of the penetratingmember cartridge body 246 andcartridge 245, the penetrating member channels 251 can then be readily and repeatably aligned in a functional arrangement with penetrating member channels 253 of thesampling cartridge body 247. The penetratingmember cartridge body 246 rotates about aremovable pivot shaft 259 which has a longitudinal axis 260 that is coaxial with thelongitudinal axes member cartridge body 246 andcartridge 245. - The
sampling cartridge body 247 is disposed at thedistal end portion 255 of the cartridge and has a plurality ofsampling module portions 248 disposed radially about the longitudinal axis 249 of thesampling cartridge body 247. The longitudinal axis 249 of thesampling cartridge body 247 is coaxial with thelongitudinal axes 252, 258 and 260 of the penetratingmember cartridge body 246,cartridge 245 andpivot shaft 259. Thesampling cartridge body 247 may also rotate about thepivot shaft 259. In order to achieve precise relative motion between the penetratingmember cartridge body 246 and thesampling cartridge body 247, one or both of thecartridge bodies pivot shaft 259, however, it is not necessary for both to be rotatable about thepivot shaft 259, that is, one of thecartridge bodies pivot shaft 259. - The
sampling cartridge body 247 includes abase 261 and acover sheet 262 that covers aproximal surface 263 of the base forming a fluid tight seal. Eachsampling module portion 248 of thesampling cartridge body 247, such as thesampling module portion 248, has asample reservoir 264 and a penetrating member channel 253. Thesample reservoir 264 has a vent 965 at an outward radial end that allows thesample reservoir 264 to readily fill with a fluid sample. Thesample reservoir 264 is in fluid communication with the respective penetrating member channel 253 which extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 249 of thesampling cartridge body 247. The penetrating member channel 253 is disposed at the inward radial end of thesample reservoir 264. Still further description of the device ofFIG. 21 may be found in commonly assigned, copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/127,395 (Attorney Docket No. 38187-2551) filed Apr. 19, 2002. - Referring to
FIG. 22A , one embodiment of the present invention is atissue penetrating system 310 with a plurality of penetratingmembers 312 that each have atissue penetrating tip 314. The number of penetratingmembers 310 can vary, but numbers in the ranges of 10, 15, 25, 50, 75, 100, 500 or any other number, are suitable. Each penetratingmember 312 can be a lancet, a traditional lancet with a molded body, a needle with a lumen, a knife like element, an elongate member without molded attachments, and the like, and may have a size in the range of 20 mm to 10 mm in length and between 0.012-0.040 mm in diameter. It should be understood of course that penetrating members of a variety of different sizes useful for lancing such as those of conventional lancets may be used in other embodiments. As seen inFIG. 22A , the penetrating member may have an elongate portion with a bend near a proximal end of the member. - Each penetrating
member 312 is coupled to a penetratingmember driver 316. Suitable penetratingmember drivers 316 include but are not limited to, an electric drive force member, a voice coil drive force generator, a linear voice coil device, a rotary voice coil device, and the like. Suitable drive force generators can be found in commonly assigned, copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/127,395 (Attorney Docket No. 38187-2551) filed Apr. 19, 2002. In one embodiment, the penetrating member driver or driveforce generator 316 may be a single actuator used to advance the penetrating member and to withdraw the member. Thedriver 316 may also be used to stop the penetrating member in the tissue site. Penetratingmember driver 316 can be a non-spring actuator for drawing penetratingmember 312 in a direction back towards penetratingmember driver 316. Acoupler 318 on penetratingmember driver 316 is configured to engage at least a portion of an elongate portion of a penetratingmember 312 in order to drive the penetratingmember 312 along a path into and throughtarget tissue 320, and then withdrawn fromtarget tissue 320. - Referring now to
FIG. 22B , the tips of the penetratingmembers 312 can be uncovered when they are launched into a selectedtarget tissue 320. In one embodiment,sterility enclosures 322 are provided for covering at least the tip of each penetratingmember 312.FIG. 22B shows that the enclosure may also cover the entire lancet. In one embodiment, eachsterility enclosure 322 is removed from the penetratingmember 312 prior to actuation, launch, of penetratingmember 312 and positioned so that penetratingmember 312 does not contact the associatedsterility enclosure 322 during actuation. As seen inFIG. 22B , theenclosure 322 may be peel away to reveal the penetratingmember 312 prior to coupling of themember 312 to thedrive force generator 316. In another embodiment, each penetratingmember 312 breaches its associatedsterility enclosure 322 during launch. -
Tissue penetrating system 310 can also include one or more penetratingmember sensors 324 that are coupled to penetratingmembers 312. Examples of suitable penetratingmember sensors 324 include but are not limited to, a capacitive incremental encoder, an incremental encoder, an optical encoder, an interference encoder, and the like. Each penetratingmember sensor 324 is configured to provide information relative to a depth of penetration of a penetratingmember 312 through atarget tissue 320 surface, including but not limited to a skin surface, and the like. The penetratingmember sensor 324 may be positioned as shown inFIG. 22B . The penetratingmember sensor 324 may also be positioned in a variety of location such as but not limited to being closer to the distal end of the penetrating member, in a position as shown inFIG. 5 , or in any other location useful for providing an indication of the position of a penetratingmember 312 being driven by theforce generator 316. - In various embodiments, the penetration depth of a penetrating
member 312 through the surface of atarget tissue 320 can be, 100 to 2500 microns, 500 to 750 microns, and the like. Each penetratingmember sensor 324 can also provide an indication of velocity of a penetratingmember 312. Referring toFIG. 22C , adamper 326 can be coupled to penetratingmember driver 316.Damper 326 prevents multiple oscillations of penetratingmember 312 intarget tissue 320, particularly after penetratingmember 312 has reached a desired depth of penetration. Thedamper 326 may be placed in a variety of positions such as but not limited to being coupled to the penetrating member, being coupled to thecoupler 318, being coupled to a core or shaft in thedrive force generator 316, or at any other position useful for slowing the motion of the penetratingmember 312. - A
feedback loop 328 can also be included that is coupled to penetratingmember sensor 324. Each penetratingmember 312 sensor can be coupled to aprocessor 330 that has control instructions for penetratingmember driver 316. By way of illustration, and without limitation,processor 330 can include a memory for storage and retrieval of a set of penetratingmember 312 profiles utilized with penetratingmember driver 316.Processor 330 can also be utilized to monitor position and speed of a penetratingmember 312 as it moves infirst direction 332 to and through thetarget tissue 320. -
Processor 330 can adjust an application of force to a penetratingmember 312 in order to achieve a desired speed of a penetratingmember 312. Additionally,processor 330 can also be used to adjust an application of force applied to a penetratingmember 312 when penetratingmember 312 contacts targettissue 320 so that penetratingmember 312 penetratestarget tissue 320 within a desired range of speed. Further,processor 330 can also monitor position and speed of a penetratingmember 312 as penetratingmember 312 moves infirst direction 332 toward thetarget tissue 320. Application of a launching force to penetratingmember 312 can be controlled based on position and speed of penetratingmember 312.Processor 330 can control a withdraw force, fromtarget tissue 320, to penetratingmember 312 so that penetratingmember 312 moves insecond direction 334 away fromtarget tissue 320. -
Processor 330 can produce a signal that is indicative of a change in direction and magnitude of force exerted on penetratingmember 312. Additionally,processor 330 can cause a braking force to be applied to penetratingmember 312. - In one embodiment, in
first direction 332 penetratingmember 312 moves towardtarget tissue 320 at a speed that is different than a speed at which penetratingmember 312 moves away fromtarget tissue 320 insecond direction 334. In one embodiment, the speed of penetratingmember 312 infirst direction 332 is greater than the speed of penetratingmember 312 insecond direction 334. The speed of penetratingmember 312 infirst direction 332 can be a variety of different ranges including but not limited to, 0.05 to 60 m/sec, 0.1 to 20.0 m/sec, 1.0 to 10.0 m/sec, 3.0 to 8.0 m/sec, and the like. Additionally, the dwell time of penetratingmember 312 intarget tissue 320, below a surface of the skin or other structure, can be in the range of, 1 microsecond to 2 seconds, 500 milliseconds to 1.5 second, 100 milliseconds to 1 second, and the like. - As seen in
FIGS. 22A and 22B ,tissue penetrating system 310 can include a penetratingmember transport device 336 for moving each of penetratingmember 312 into a position for alignment with penetratingmember driver 316. Penetratingmembers 312 can be arranged in an array configuration by a number of different devices and structures defining support 338, including but not limited to, a belt, a flexible or non-flexible tape device, support channel, cog, a plurality of connectors, and the like. Support 338 can have a plurality of openings each receiving a penetratingmember 312. Suitable supports 338 may also include but are not limited to, a bandolier, drum, disc and the like. A description of supports 338 can be found in commonly assigned, copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/127,395 (Attorney Docket No. 38187-2551) filed Apr. 19, 2002; commonly assigned, copending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/437,359 filed Dec. 31, 2002; and commonly assigned, copending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/437,205 filed Dec. 31, 2002. All applications listed above are fully incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. - As illustrated in
FIG. 22( a),tissue penetrating system 310 can include a single penetratingmember driver 316 and a plurality of penetratingmembers 312. Penetratingmember driver 316 moves each penetratingmember 312 along a path out of a housing that has a penetrating member exit and then intotarget tissue 320, stopping intarget tissue 320, and then withdrawing out of thetarget tissue 320. Support 338 couples the penetratingmembers 312 to define a linear array. Support 338 is movable and configured to move each penetratingmember 312 to a launch position associated with penetratingmember driver 316. Penetratingmember driver 316 can be controlled to follow a predetermined velocity trajectory into and out oftarget tissue 320. -
Tissue penetrating system 310 can include auser interface 340 configured to relay different information, including but not limited to, skin penetrating performance, a skin penetrating setting, and the like.User interface 340 can provide a user with at a variety of different outputs, including but not limited to, penetration depth of a penetratingmember 312, velocity of a penetratingmember 312, a desired velocity profile, a velocity of penetratingmember 312 intotarget tissue 320, velocity of the penetratingmember 312 out oftarget tissue 320, dwell time of penetratingmember 312 intarget tissue 320, a target tissue relaxation parameter, and the like.User interface 340 can include a variety of components including but not limited to, areal time clock 342, one ormore alarms 344 to provide a user with a reminder of a next target penetrating event is needed, auser interface processor 346, and the like. -
User interface 340 can provide a variety of different outputs to a user including but not limited to, number of penetratingmembers 312 available, number of penetratingmembers 312 used, actual depth of penetratingmember 312 penetration ontarget tissue 320, stratum corneum thickness in the case where thetarget tissue 320 is the skin and an area below the skin, force delivered ontarget tissue 320, energy used by penetratingmember driver 316 to drive penetratingmember 312 intotarget tissue 320, dwell time of penetratingmember 312, battery status oftissue penetrating system 310, status oftissue penetrating system 310, the amount of energy consumed bytissue penetrating system 310, or any component oftissue penetrating system 310, speed profile of penetratingmember 312, information relative to contact of penetratingmember 312 withtarget tissue 320 before penetration by penetratingmember 312, information relative to a change of speed of penetratingmember 312 as in travels intarget tissue 320, and the like. -
User interface 340 can include adata interface 348 that couplestissue penetrating system 310 to supportequipment 350 with an interface, the internet, and the like. The data interface 348 may also be coupled to theprocessor 93.Suitable support equipment 350 includes but is not limited to, a base station, home computer, central server, main processing equipment for storing analyte, such as glucose, level information, and the like. -
Data interface 348 can be a variety of interfaces including but not limited to, Serial RS-232, modem interface, USB, HPNA, Ethernet, optical interface, IRDA, RF interface, Bluetooth interface, cellular telephone interface, two-way pager interface, parallel port interface standard, near field magnetic coupling, RF transceiver, telephone system, and the like. -
User interface 340 be coupled to amemory 352 that stores, a target tissue parameter,target tissue 320 penetrating performance, and the like. Thememory 352 may also be connected toprocessor 93 and store data from theuser interface 340. - In one embodiment,
memory 352 can store, the number of target tissue penetrating events, time and date of the last selected number of target tissue penetrating events, time interval between alarm and target tissue penetrating event, stratum corneum thickness, time of day, energy consumed by penetratingmember driver 316 to drive penetratingmember 312 intotarget tissue 320, depth of penetratingmember 312 penetration, velocity of penetratingmember 312, a desired velocity profile, velocity of penetratingmember 312 intotarget tissue 320, velocity of penetratingmember 312 out oftarget tissue 320, dwell time of penetratingmember 312 intarget tissue 320, a target tissue relaxation parameter, force delivered ontarget tissue 320 by any component of tissue penetrating device, dwell time of penetratingmember 312, battery status oftissue penetrating system 310,tissue penetrating system 310 status, consumed energy bytissue penetrating system 310 or any of its components, speed profile of penetratingmember 312 as it penetrates and advances throughtarget tissue 320, a tissue target tissue relaxation parameter, information relative to contact of penetratingmember 312 withtarget tissue 320 before penetration by penetratingmember 312, information relative to a change of speed of penetratingmember 312 as in travels in and throughtarget tissue 320, information relative to consumed analyte detecting members, and information relative to consumed penetratingmembers 312. - In one embodiment,
processor 330 is coupled to and receives any of a different type of signals fromuser interface 340.User interface 340 can respond to a variety of different commands, including but not limited to audio commands, and the like.User interface 340 can include a sensor for detecting audio commands. Information can be relayed to a user oftissue penetrating system 310 by way of an audio device,wireless device 329, and the like. - In another embodiment as seen in
FIG. 23( b), tissue penetrating device includes ahuman interface 354 with at least one output. Thehuman interface 354 is specific for use by humans while auser interface 340 may be for any type of user, with user defined generically.Human interface 354 can be coupled toprocessor 330 and penetratingmember sensor 324.Human interface 354 can be a variety of different varieties including but not limited to, LED, LED digital display, LCD display, sound generator, buzzer, vibrating device, and the like. - The output of
human interface 354 can be a variety of outputs including but not limited to, a penetration event by penetratingmember 312, number of penetratingmembers 312 remaining, time of day, alarm, penetratingmember 312 trajectory waveform profile information, force of last penetration event, last penetration event, battery status oftissue penetrating system 310, analyte status, time to change cassette status, jamming malfunction,tissue penetrating system 310 status, and the like. -
Human interface 354 is coupled to ahousing 356.Suitable housings 356 include but are not limited to a, telephone, watch, PDA, electronic device, medical device, point of care device, decentralized diagnostic device and the like. Aninput device 358 is coupled to housing.Suitable input devices 358 include but are not limited to, one or more pushbuttons, a touch pad independent of the display device, a touch sensitive screen on a visual display, and the like. - A
data exchange device 360 can be utilized for couplingtissue penetrating system 310 to supportequipment 350 including but not limited to, personal computer, modem, PDA, computer network, and the like.Human interface 354 can include areal time clock 362, and one ormore alarms 364 that enable a user to set and use for reminders for the next target tissue penetration event.Human interface 354 can be coupled to ahuman interface processor 366 which is distinct fromprocessor 330.Human interface processor 366 can include a sleep mode and can run intermittently to conserve power.Human interface processor 366 includes logic that can provide an alarm time set for a first subset of days, and a second alarm time set for a second subset of days. By way of example, and without limitation, the first subset of days can be Monday through Friday, and the second subset of days can be Saturday and Sunday. - Human interface 354 can be coupled to a memory 368 for storing a variety of information, including but not limited to, the number of target tissue penetrating events, time and date of the last selected number of target tissue penetrating events, time interval between alarm and target tissue penetrating event, stratum corneum thickness when target tissue 320 is below the skin surface and underlying tissue, time of day, energy consumed by penetrating member driver 316 to drive penetrating member 312 into target tissue 320, depth of penetrating member 312 penetration, velocity of penetrating member 312, a desired velocity profile, velocity of penetrating member 312 into target tissue 320, velocity of penetrating member 312 out of target tissue 320, dwell time of penetrating member 312 in target tissue 320, a target tissue relaxation parameter, force delivered on target tissue 320, dwell time of penetrating member 312, battery status of tissue penetrating system 310 and its components, tissue penetrating system 310 status, consumed energy, speed profile of penetrating member 312 as it advances through target tissue 320, a target tissue relaxation parameter, information relative to contact of a penetrating member 312 with target tissue 320 before penetration by penetrating member 312, information relative to a change of speed of penetrating member 312 as in travels in target tissue 320, information relative to consumed sensors, information relative to consumed penetrating members 312.
- As illustrated in
FIG. 24 ,tissue penetrating system 310 can include a penetratingmember driver 316 and a plurality ofcartridges 370. Eachcartridge 370 contains a penetratingmember 312. Thecartridges 370 can be coupled together in an array, which can be a flexible array. Acartridge transport device 372moves cartridges 370 into a launch position that operatively couples a penetratingmember 312 to penetratingmember driver 316. A support couplescartridges 370 to define an array. A plurality ofsterility enclosures 322 can be provided to at least cover tips of penetratingmembers 312. Sterility enclosure 322 (shown in phantom) is removed from their associated penetratingmembers 312 prior to launch of the penetratingmember 312. The enclosure may be peeled away (not shown) in a manner similar to that as seen inFIG. 22B , with theenclosure 322 on one tape surface being peeled away. Theenclosure 322 may be a blister sack, a sack tightly formed about eachcartridge 370, or other enclosure useful for maintaining a sterile environment about thecartridge 370 prior to actuation or launch. Theenclosure 322 may contain theentire cartridge 370 or some portion of thecartridge 370 which may need to remain sterile prior to launch. During launch, enclosure orsterility barrier 322 can be breached by a device other than penetratingmember 312, or can be breached by penetratingmember 312 itself. An analyte detection member, sensor, may be positioned to receive fluid from a wound created by the penetratingmember 312. The member may be on thecartridge 370 or may be on thedevice 80. - Referring to
FIGS. 24 and 25 , one embodiment oftissue penetrating system 310 includescartridge transport device 372 and a plurality ofcartridges 370. Eachcartridge 370 is associated with a penetratingmember 312.Cartridge transport device 372 moves eachcartridge 370 to a position to align the associated penetratingmember 312 with penetratingmember driver 316 to drive penetratingmember 312 along a path intotarget tissue 320. In one embodiment as seen inFIG. 25 , eachcartridge 370 has at least one of adistal port 374 and aproximal port 376. Afirst seal 378 is positioned at distal or proximal ports. As seen inFIG. 25 , theseal 378 may be placed at the distal port.First seal 378 is formed of a material that is fractured by penetratingmember 312 before it is launched. Asecond seal 380 can be positioned at the other port. It will be appreciated that only one or both of distal andproximal ports cartridge 370 can include only oneport member 312 extending longitudinally through the lumen in thecartridge 370 is not shown. Theseals cartridge 370. During actuation, theseals Seal 378 may be also be positioned to cover the distal port orexit port 374 without being sealed against the penetrating member (i.e. covering the port without touching the penetrating member). Athird seal 381 may be positioned to cover an entrance to samplechamber 384. Theseal 381 may be configured to be broken when the penetratingmember 312 is actuated. A stillfurther seal 381A may be placed in the lumen. The tip of a penetrating member may be located at any position along the lumen, and may also be at or surrounded by one of theseals - Referring still to
FIG. 25 , acover sheet 383 may be a flexible polymer sheet as described in commonly assigned, copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/127,395 (Attorney Docket No. 38187-2551) filed Apr. 19, 2002. It should be understood of course that the sheet may be made of a variety of materials useful for coupling ananalyte detecting member 390. This allows theanalyte detecting member 390 to be sterilized separately from thecartridge 370 and assembled together with the cartridge at a later time. This process may be used on certainanalyte detecting members 390 that may be damaged if exposed to the sterilization process used on thecartridge 370. Of course, some embodiments may also have theanalyte detecting member 390 coupled to thecartridge 370 during sterilization. Thecover sheet 383 may also form part of the seal to maintain a sterile environment about portions of the penetrating member. In other embodiments, the lumen housing penetrating member may be enclosed and not use asheet 383 to help form a sterile environment. In still further embodiments, thesheet 383 may be sized to focus on coveringsample chamber 384. - As illustrated in
FIG. 26 ,cartridge 370 has at least oneport 374. A plurality of penetratingmembers 312 are incartridge 370. Althoughcartridge 370 is shown inFIG. 26 to have a linear design, thecartridge 370 may also have a curved, round, circular, triangular, or other configuration useful for positioning a penetrating member for use with a drive force generator. A seal 382 is associated with each penetratingmember 312 in order to maintain each penetratingmember 312 in a sterile environment incartridge 370 prior to launch. Prior to launch, seal 382 associated with the penetratingmember 312 to be launched is broken. In one embodiment, a punch (not shown) is used to push down on the seal 382 covering theport 376 of thecartridge 370. This breaks the seal 382 and also pushes it downward, allowing the penetrating member to exit the cartridge without contacting the seal 382. The timing of the breaking of the seal 382 may be varied so long as the penetrating member remains substantially sterile when being launched towards thetissue site 320. In other embodiments, theport 376 may have aseal 383 that protrudes outward and is broken off by the downward motion of the punch. One ormore sample chambers 384 are included incartridge 370. In one embodiment, each penetratingmember 312 has an associatedsample chamber 384. In one embodiment, illustrated inFIG. 27 , penetratingmember 312 is extendable through anopening 386 of its associatedsample chamber 384. In some embodiments, aseal 387 may be included in thesample chamber 384.Seals 382 and 387 may be made from a variety of materials such as but not limited to metallic foil, aluminum foil, paper, polymeric material, or laminates combining any of the above. The seals may also be made of a fracturable material. The seals may be made of a material that can easily be broken when a device applies a force thereto. The seals alone or in combination with other barriers may be used to create a sterile environment about at least the tip of the penetrating member prior to lancing or actuation. - With reference now to the embodiment of
FIG. 28 , eachsample chamber 384 may have an opening 388 for transport of a body fluid into thesample chamber 384. The size ofsample chambers 384 inFIGS. 26 through 28 can vary. In various embodiments,sample chambers 384 are sized to receive, no more than 1.0 μL of the body fluid, no more than 0.75 μL of the body fluid, no more than 0.5 μL of the body fluid, no more than 0.25 μL of the body fluid, no more than 0.1 μL of the body fluid, and the like. It will be appreciated thatsample chambers 384 can have larger or smaller sizes. - An
analyte detecting member 390 may associated with eachsample chamber 384. Theanalyte detecting member 390 may be designed for use with a variety of different sensing techniques as described in commonly assigned, copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/127,395 (Attorney Docket No. 38187-2551) filed Apr. 19, 2002.Analyte detecting member 390 can be positioned insample chamber 384, at an exterior ofsample chamber 384, or at other locations useful for obtaining an analyte.Analyte detecting member 390 can be in a well 392, or merely be placed on a support. - In one embodiment,
analyte detecting member 390 includes chemistries that are utilized to measure and detect glucose, and other analytes. In another embodiment,analyte detecting member 390 is utilized to detect and measure the amount of different analytes in a body fluid or sample. In various embodiments,analyte detecting member 390 determines a concentration of an analyte in a body fluid using a sample that does not exceed a volume of, 1 μL of a body fluid disposed insample chamber 384, 0.75 μL of a body fluid disposed insample chamber 384, 0.5 μL of a body fluid disposed insample chamber 384, 0.25 μL of a body fluid disposed insample chamber 384, 0.1 μL of a body fluid disposed insample chamber 384, and the like. For example and not by way of limitation, thesample chamber 384 may be of a size larger than the volumes above, but theanalyte detecting member 390 can obtain an analyte reading using the amounts of fluid described above. - As illustrated in
FIG. 29 ,tissue penetrating system 310 can include ahousing member 394, a penetratingmember 312 positioned inhousing member 394, andanalyte detecting member 390 coupled to asample chamber 384.Analyte detecting member 390 is configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in a body fluid using with a variety of different body fluid, sample, volumes. In various embodiments, the volume is less than 1 μL of body fluid disposed insample chamber 384, 0.75 of body fluid disposed insample chamber 384, 0.5 of body fluid disposed insample chamber 384, 0.25 of body fluid disposed insample chamber 384, 0.1 of body fluid disposed insample chamber 384 and the like. Each tip of a penetratingmember 312 is configured to extend through an opening ofsample chamber 384. A plurality of penetratingmembers 312 can be positioned inhousing member 394.Housing member 394 can be the same ascartridge 370.Cartridge 370 can have distal andproximal ports cartridges 370 can be provided, each associated with a penetratingmember 312. - Referring to
FIG. 30 , each penetratingmember 312 has a packing density, or occupied volume, incartridge 370. In various embodiments, the packing density of each penetratingmember 312 incartridge 370 can be no more than, 5.0 cm3/penetratingmember 312, 4.0 cm3/penetratingmember 312, 3.0 cm3/penetratingmember 312, 2.0 cm3/penetratingmember 312, 1.0 cm3/penetratingmember 312, 0.75 cm3/penetratingmember 312, 0.5 cm3/penetratingmember 312, 0.25 cm3/penetratingmember 312, 0.1 cm3/penetratingmember 312, and the like. In other words, the volume required for each penetrating member does not exceed 5.0 cm3/penetratingmember 312, 4.0 cm3/penetratingmember 312, 3.0 cm3/penetratingmember 312, 2.0 cm3/penetratingmember 312, 1.0 cm3/penetratingmember 312, 0.75 cm3/penetratingmember 312, 0.5 cm3/penetratingmember 312, 0.25 cm3/penetratingmember 312, 0.1 cm3/penetratingmember 312, and the like. So, as seen inFIG. 30 , if the total package volume of the cartridge is defined as X and the cartridge includes Y number of penetratingmembers 312, penetratingmembers 312 and test area, orother unit 395, the volume for each unit does not exceed 5.0 cm3/unit, 4.0 cm3/unit, 3.0 cm3/unit, 2.0 cm3/unit, 1.0 cm3/unit, 0.75 cm3/unit, 0.5 cm3/unit, 0.25 cm3/unit, 0.1 cm3/unit, and the like. - In various embodiments, each penetrating
member 312 and its associatedsample chamber 384 have a combined packing density of no more than about 5.0 cm3, 4.0 cm3, 3.0 cm3, 2.0 cm3, 1.0 cm3, 0.75 cm3, 0.5 cm3, 0.25 cm3, 0.1 cm3, and the like. - With reference now to
FIG. 31 ,tissue penetrating system 310 can have afirst seal 378 formed atdistal port 374 and asecond seal 380 formed atproximal port 376 ofcartridge 370. Prior to launching of penetratingmember 312,distal seal 378 andsecond seal 380 maintain a distal tip of penetratingmember 312 andsample chamber 384 in a sterile environment.Second seal 380 is breached, and penetratingmember 312 is then launched. - As illustrated in
FIG. 32 , a plurality oflumens 396 can be positioned betweendistal port 374 andproximal port 376 ofcartridge 370 for slidably receiving a penetratingmember 312.Sample chamber 384 is defined bycartridge 370, has an opening 398 and is associated with penetratingmember 312.First seal 378 coversdistal port 374, and asecond seal 380 coversproximal port 376. - In another embodiment as shown in
FIG. 33 ,tissue penetrating system 310 includes a plurality ofcartridges 370, penetratingmember driver 316, and a plurality of penetratingmembers 312 coupled to penetratingmember driver 316. Each penetratingmember 312 is associated with acartridge 370. A plurality of gas-tightly sealedenclosures 400 are coupled in an array. Eachenclosure 400 fully contains at least one ofcartridge 370.Enclosures 400 are configured to be advanceable oncartridge transport device 372 that individually releasescartridges 370 from sacks orenclosures 400 and loads them individually onto penetratingmember driver 316. Theenclosures 400 may be removed by peeling back a top portion of the tape as shown inFIG. 22B . - In another embodiment, a plurality of penetrating
members 312 each have a sharpened distal tip. A penetratingmember driver 316 is coupled to each penetratingmember 312. A plurality ofcartridges 370 are coupled in an array. Eachcartridge 370 houses a penetratingmember 312 and is configured to permit penetratingmember driver 316 to engage each of penetratingmembers 312 sequentially. Eachcartridge 370 has a plurality of seals positioned to provide that the sharpened distal tips remain in a sterile environment before penetratingtarget tissue 320. Penetratingmembers 312 are launched without breaking a seal using the penetrating member. - Referring now to
FIG. 34 , a plurality ofcartridges 370 are provided, each having distal andproximal ports members 312 are each associated with acartridge 370. Each penetratingmember 312 has a sharpened distal tip and a shaft portion slidably disposed withincartridge 370. As seen inFIG. 34 , thecartridges 370 may be coupled together by a connector orflexible support 403. Aseal 404 is formed by a fracturable material between the penetratingmember 312 and eachcartridge 370.Seal 404 is positioned in at least one of distal orproximal ports cartridge 370.Cartridge transport device 372 moves eachcartridge 370 to a position 405 that aligns penetratingmember 312 with penetratingmember driver 316 so that penetratingmember 312 can be driven along a path intotarget tissue 320. - In another embodiment of the present invention as seen in
FIG. 35 ,tissue penetrating system 310 includes ahousing member 406, the plurality of penetratingmembers 312 positioned inhousing member 406, and atissue stabilizing member 408, which can also be a pressure applicator, stimulating member, stimulating vibratory member that imparts motion to a tissue surface, and the like.Tissue stabilizing member 408 can be positioned to at least partially surround an impact location of the penetratingmember 312 on thetarget tissue 320 site.Tissue stabilizing member 408 can, enhance fluid flow fromtarget tissue 320, stretch atarget tissue 320 surface, apply a vacuum to targettissue 320, apply a force to targettissue 320 and causetarget tissue 320 to press in an inward direction relative tohousing member 406, apply a stimulation to targettissue 320, and the like.Tissue stabilizing member 408 can have a variety of different configurations. In one embodiment,tissue stabilizer member 408 includes a plurality ofprotrusions 410. In some further embodiments, avacuum source 412 may be provided to assist the creation of a low pressure environment in thetissue stabilizing member 408 or along the fluid path to a sample chamber associated with thesystem 310. In some embodiments, thetissue stabilizing member 408 is mounted on thecartridge 370. In other embodiments, themember 408 may be mounted on thehousing 406. Themember 408 may also be pressed against thetissue site 320 and act as a pressure applicator. Themember 408 may also be used against a variety of tissue including but not limited to skin or other body tissue. - Referring now to
FIGS. 36 and 37 , acartridge 370 is shown with a penetratingmember 312 creating a wound W in thetissue site 320. InFIG. 36 , amovable capillary member 420 is extended towards the wound W as indicated byarrow 422 to gather body fluid being expressed from the wound. The fluid may be drawn to a sample chamber 384 (not shown). InFIG. 37 , the wound W is created and then the entire cartridge is moved to thetissue site 320 to gather body fluid from the wound W. In some embodiments, thecartridge 370 moves towards the wound W relative to thehousing 406. -
Tissue penetrating systems 310 ofFIGS. 22 through 37 , can be utilized in a variety of different applications to detect any number of different analytes, including but not limited to glucose. Thesystems 310 may be used to measure potassium, other ions, or analytes associated with the process of glucose monitoring. Theanalyte detecting member 390 may further be adapted to measure other analytes found in body fluid. - In a still further embodiment, penetrating
member 312 may be moved and positioned to be in engagement with penetratingmember driver 316. Penetratingmember 312 is in a sterile environment, and prior to launch, the sterilizing covering, which can be a seal is removed. Tissue stabilizing member can apply a stimulation to a surface of thetarget tissue 320 prior to, and during penetration by penetration member. Penetratingmember 312 is engaged with penetrating driving member and controllably pierces atarget tissue 320 site. Penetratingmember sensor 324 is utilized to control penetration depth and velocity of penetratingmember 312. Penetratingmember 312 is stopped at a desired depth below a surface oftarget tissue 320 in order to reduce or eliminate without multiple oscillations against the surface oftarget tissue 320. A wound is created, causing blood to flow intosample chamber 384. In various embodiments, no more than 1 μL of a body fluid is collected insample chamber 384. - A number of different preferences, options, embodiment, and features have been given above, and following any one of these may results in an embodiment of this invention that is more presently preferred than a embodiment in which that particular preference is not followed. These preferences, options, embodiment, and features may be generally independent, and additive; and following more than one of these preferences may result in a more presently preferred embodiment than one in which fewer of the preferences are followed.
- While the invention has been described and illustrated with reference to certain particular embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations, changes, modifications, substitutions, deletions, or additions of procedures and protocols may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Any of the embodiments of the invention may be modified to include any of the features described above or feature incorporated by reference herein. For example, the cartridge of
FIG. 26 may be adapted to include a distal portion with a tissue stabilizing member. The cartridge ofFIG. 26 may be adapted for use with a vacuum device. The cartridge may include indexing features such as notches on the distal portion or outer radial periphery for those cartridges with a radial configuration. The notches will facilitate positioning, among other things, and may be used for movement. Other cartridges or tapes herein may be modified with notches or tractor holes to facilitate movement. User interfaces, human interfaces, and other interfaces may be added to any of the embodiments of the present invention. - With any of the above embodiments, the location of the penetrating member drive device may be varied, relative to the penetrating members or the cartridge. With any of the above embodiments, the penetrating member tips may be uncovered during actuation (i.e. penetrating members do not pierce the penetrating member enclosure or protective foil during launch). With any of the above embodiments, the penetrating members may be a bare penetrating member during launch. With any of the above embodiments, the penetrating members may be bare penetrating members prior to launch as this may allow for significantly tighter densities of penetrating members. In some embodiments, the penetrating members may be bent, curved, textured, shaped, or otherwise treated at a proximal end or area to facilitate handling by an actuator. The penetrating member may be configured to have a notch or groove to facilitate coupling to a gripper or coupler. The notch or groove may be formed along an elongate portion of the penetrating member. The coupler may be designed to create a frictional only type grip on the penetrating member.
- With any of the above embodiments, any open cavity housing the penetrating may be on the bottom or the top of the cartridge, with the gripper on the other side. In some embodiments, sensors may be printed on the top, bottom, or side of the cavities. The front end of the cartridge maybe in contact with a user during lancing. The same driver may be used for advancing and retraction of the penetrating member. The penetrating member may have a diameters and length suitable for obtaining the blood volumes described herein. The penetrating member driver may also be in substantially the same plane as the cartridge. The driver may use a through hole or other opening to engage a proximal end of a penetrating member to actuate the penetrating member along a path into and out of the tissue.
- Any of the features described in this application or any reference disclosed herein may be adapted for use with any embodiment of the present invention. For example, the devices of the present invention may also be combined for use with injection penetrating members or needles as described in commonly assigned, copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/127,395 (Attorney Docket No. 38187-2551) filed Apr. 19, 2002. A sensor to detect the presence of foil may also be included in the lancing apparatus. For example, if a cavity has been used before, the foil or sterility barrier will be punched. The sensor can detect if the cavity is fresh or not based on the status of the barrier. It should be understood that in optional embodiments, the sterility barrier may be designed to pierce a sterility barrier of thickness that does not dull a tip of the penetrating member. The lancing apparatus may also use improved drive mechanisms. For example, a solenoid force generator may be improved to try to increase the amount of force the solenoid can generate for a given current. A solenoid for use with the present invention may have five coils and in the present embodiment the slug is roughly the size of two coils. One change is to increase the thickness of the outer metal shell or windings surround the coils. By increasing the thickness, the flux will also be increased. The slug may be split; two smaller slugs may also be used and offset by ½ of a coil pitch. This allows more slugs to be approaching a coil where it could be accelerated. This creates more events where a slug is approaching a coil, creating a more efficient system.
- In another optional alternative embodiment, a gripper in the inner end of the protective cavity may hold the penetrating member during shipment and after use, eliminating the feature of using the foil, protective end, or other part to retain the used penetrating member. Some other advantages of the disclosed embodiments and features of additional embodiments include: same mechanism for transferring the used penetrating members to a storage area; a high number of penetrating members such as 25, 50, 75, 100, 500, or more penetrating members may be put on a disk or cartridge; molded body about a penetrating member becomes unnecessary; manufacturing of multiple penetrating member devices is simplified through the use of cartridges; handling is possible of bare rods metal wires, without any additional structural features, to actuate them into tissue; maintaining extreme (better than 50 micron-lateral- and better than 20 micron vertical) precision in guiding; and storage system for new and used penetrating members, with individual cavities/slots is provided. The housing of the lancing device may also be sized to be ergonomically pleasing. In one embodiment, the device has a width of about 56 mm, a length of about 105 mm and a thickness of about 15 mm. Additionally, some embodiments of the present invention may be used with non-electrical force generators or drive mechanism. For example, the punch device and methods for releasing the penetrating members from sterile enclosures could be adapted for use with spring based launchers. The gripper using a frictional coupling may also be adapted for use with other drive technologies.
- Still further optional features may be included with the present invention. For example, with any of the above embodiments, the location of the penetrating member drive device may be varied, relative to the penetrating members or the cartridge. With any of the above embodiments, the penetrating member tips may be uncovered during actuation (i.e. penetrating members do not pierce the penetrating member enclosure or protective foil during launch). The penetrating members may be a bare penetrating member during launch. The same driver may be used for advancing and retraction of the penetrating member. Different analyte detecting members detecting different ranges of glucose concentration, different analytes, or the like may be combined for use with each penetrating member. Non-potentiometric measurement techniques may also be used for analyte detection. For example, direct electron transfer of glucose oxidase molecules adsorbed onto carbon nanotube powder microelectrode may be used to measure glucose levels. In all methods, nanoscopic wire growth can be carried out via chemical vapor deposition (CVD). In all of the embodiments of the invention, preferred nanoscopic wires may be nanotubes. Any method useful for depositing a glucose oxidase or other analyte detection material on a nanowire or nanotube may be used with the present invention. Expected variations or differences in the results are contemplated in accordance with the objects and practices of the present invention. It is intended, therefore, that the invention be defined by the scope of the claims which follow and that such claims be interpreted as broadly as is reasonable.
Claims (33)
1. An injection device for injecting an agent to a tissue site under a skin surface, comprising:
an electronic drive force generator;
a penetrating member having an elongate portion operatively coupled to said force generator;
a processor coupled to the electronic drive force generator, the processor including a user profile of a user in a memory for setting penetration parameters of a penetrating member to create a successful injection of the agent;
an audio device configured to relay information to a user of the system and to receive audio input from a user, the audio input in operation being configured to modify the user profile based on additional audio user input; and
a user interface coupled to the processor, the user interface including or being coupled to one or more alarms to provide a user with a reminder that a injection event is needed.
2. The device of claim 1 , wherein a user provides user input information to improve the user's profile.
3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the processor in operation performs a calculation to optimize user profiles.
4. The device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a database that stores information and statistics for each user.
5. The device of claim 4 , wherein the database stores user profiles and user uses of the device.
6. The device of claim 1 , further comprising:
an internal clock that allows generation of a time stamp for injection events.
7. The device of claim 6 , wherein the internal clock tracks injection events.
8. The device of claim 1 , wherein the device prompts the user for additional information.
9. The device of claim 1 , wherein a user profile is modifiable.
10. The device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a database that stores information and statistics for each user and each profile that a particular user uses.
11. The device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a sterility barrier covering at least a portion of the penetrating member.
12. The device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a feedback loop coupled to the processor to provide signals.
13. The device of claim 1 , wherein the processor includes an integrated memory.
14. The device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a signal generator coupled to the processor.
15. The device of claim 1 , further comprising:
an amplifier coupled to the processor.
16. The device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a position sensor coupled to the processor.
17. A body fluid sampling system for use on a tissue site, the system comprising:
an electronic drive force generator;
a penetrating member having an elongate portion operatively coupled to said force generator;
a coupler that couples the electronic drive force generator with the penetrating member;
an analyte detecting member positioned to receive fluid from a wound created by said penetrating member, said analyte detecting member configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in the fluid using a sample of less than 1 μL of the fluid;
a processor coupled to the electronic drive force generator, the processor including a user profile of a user in a memory for setting penetration parameters of a penetrating member to create an injection of the agent at desired agent volume;
an audio device configured to relay information to a user of the system and to receive audio input from a user, the audio input in operation being configured to modify the user profile based on additional audio user input; and
a human interface coupled to the processor, the human interface including or coupled to one or more alarms to provide a user with a reminder that a next target penetrating event is needed.
18. The device of claim 17 , wherein a user provides user input information to improve the user's profile.
19. The device of claim 17 , wherein the processor in operation performs a calculation to optimize user profiles.
20. The device of claim 17 , further comprising:
a database that stores information and statistics for each user.
21. The device of claim 20 , wherein the database stores user profiles and user uses of the device.
22. The device of claim 17 , further comprising:
an internal clock that allows generation of a time stamp for injection events.
23. The device of claim 22 , wherein the internal clock tracks injection events.
24. The device of claim 17 , wherein the device prompts the user for additional information.
25. The device of claim 17 , wherein a user profile is modifiable.
26. The device of claim 17 , further comprising:
a database that stores information and statistics for each user and each profile that a particular user uses.
27. The device of claim 17 , further comprising:
a sterility barrier covering at least a portion of the penetrating member.
28. The device of claim 17 , further comprising:
a feedback loop coupled to the processor to provide signals.
29. The device of claim 17 , wherein the processor includes an integrated memory.
30. The device of claim 17 , further comprising:
a signal generator coupled to the processor.
31. The device of claim 17 , further comprising:
an amplifier coupled to the processor.
32. The device of claim 17 , further comprising:
a position sensor coupled to the processor.
33. A body fluid sampling system for use on a tissue site, the system comprising:
a drive force generator;
a penetrating member having an elongate portion without a molded attachment and operatively coupled to said force generator;
a sterility enclosure creating a sterile environment around at least a tip of said penetrating member, said penetrating member breaching said sterile environment during actuation;
an analyte detecting member positioned to receive fluid from a wound created by said penetrating member, said detection member configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in the fluid using a sample of less than 1 μL of the fluid; and
a human interface providing at least one output.
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US7563232B2 (en) | 2009-07-21 |
US20030199791A1 (en) | 2003-10-23 |
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