Methods for collecting body fluid

Abstract

A body fluid is collected for testing for an analyte contained within the body fluid. The fluid is collected in an apparatus including a reservoir for receiving and collecting a flow of body fluid from a discharge end of a conduit. A capillary test space is in fluid flow communication with the reservoir. The capillary test space is positioned to be in contact with the fluid in the reservoir after the fluid has accumulated to a predetermined transfer volume of fluid. The capillary test space is sized to wick the fluid from the reservoir when the fluid contacts the capillary test space.

1 - 8 . (canceled)  
     
     
         9 . An apparatus for use with a test strip and for collecting a body fluid for testing for an analyte contained within said body fluid, said apparatus comprising: 
 a reservoir for receiving and collecting a flow of body fluid from a discharge end of a conduit; and    a test strip opposing surface for contacting a surface of said test strip wherein, when said test strip is in contact with said test strip opposing surface, a capillary test space is formed there between wherein said capillary test space is positioned to be in fluid communication with said reservoir and sized to wick a transfer volume of said body fluid from said reservoir when said fluid in said reservoir attains said transfer volume.    
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said test strip opposing surface defines at least one step wherein said capillary test space is defined between said surface of said test strip and said at least one step.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein a space having an enlarged volume is provided on each side of said at least one step.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said test strip comprises at least one electrode positioned opposing said at least one step.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said test strip opposing surface defines two steps separated by a hydrophobic volume wherein a first capillary test space is defined between said test strip surface and a first step and a second capillary test space is defined between said test strip surface and a second step.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein said test strip comprises a first electrode positioned opposing said first step and a second electrode positioned opposing said second step, wherein the configuration of said test strip opposing surface provides for the wetting of said first electrode by said transfer volume of body fluid prior to the wetting of said second electrode by said transfer volume.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein said hydrophobic volume comprises a ramped surface.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein said ramped surface is U-shaped.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein one or both of the reservoir and capillary test space are filled with an absorbent material.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein: 
 said reservoir includes first and second spaced-apart ends;    said discharge end of said conduit is disposed adjacent said first end; and    said capillary test space is disposed adjacent said second end.    
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein a volume of said reservoir between said first and second ends of said reservoir is sized to be at least as great as said transfer volume.  
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein said reservoir has a size and geometry providing a surface tension which assures said fluid is retained within said reservoir.  
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 9  further comprising an enlarged volume adjacent said reservoir wherein said enlarged volume is greater than the volume of said reservoir.  
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 21  wherein said enlarged volume is defined by a hydrophobic material.  
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 9  further comprising a groove comprising a shape corresponding to the outer periphery of the test strip.  
     
     
         24 . An apparatus for use with a test strip and for collecting a body fluid for testing for an analyte contained within said body fluid, said apparatus comprising: 
 a conduit comprising a fluid access end and a fluid discharge end, said conduit configured for wicking said body fluid from said access end to said discharge end; and    a test strip opposing surface for contacting a surface of said test strip wherein, when said test strip is in contact with said test strip opposing surface, a capillary test space is formed there between wherein said capillary test space is proximal to said conduit discharge end and sized to wick a transfer volume of said body fluid from said conduit when said fluid in said conduit attains said transfer volume.