Diagnostic system

Abstract

A composite diagnostic system comprising a support member having a membrane penetration element; a bodily fluid collection point positioned for collection of a bodily fluid released by application of the membrane penetration element to a user's body; a test material positioned in the support member such that in use the bodily fluid is brought into contact with the test material.

1 . A composite diagnostic system comprising a support member having:
 a membrane penetration element;   a bodily fluid collection point positioned for collection of a bodily fluid released by application of the membrane penetration element to a user's body;   a test material positioned in the support member such that in use the bodily fluid is brought into contact with the test material.   
     
     
         2 . A composite diagnostic system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the test material comprises a test strip positioned in the composite diagnostic system. 
     
     
         3 . A composite diagnostic system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the test material comprises a test cassette positioned in the composite diagnostic system. 
     
     
         4 . A composite diagnostic system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the test material comprises a cartridge. 
     
     
         5 . A composite diagnostic system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the test material comprises an integrated circuit positioned within the diagnostic system. 
     
     
         6 . A composite diagnostic system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the test material comprises a reagent tube. 
     
     
         7 . A composite diagnostic system as defined in any of the preceding claims, wherein the test material is removably positioned within the diagnostic system. 
     
     
         8 . A composite diagnostic system as defined in any of the preceding claims, wherein the piercing arrangement comprises a lancet or lancing system comprising a lancet tip, the lancet being moveable between a rest position in which the lancet tip is situated within the support member and an actuated position in which the lancet tip extends beyond the support member. 
     
     
         9 . A composite diagnostic system as defined in  claim 8 , the system further comprising a lancet activator, wherein the lancet is moveable between the rest position and the actuated position by actuation of the lancet activator. 
     
     
         10 . A composite diagnostic system as defined in  claim 8  or  9 , wherein the lancet is removably connected with the support member. 
     
     
         11 . A composite diagnostic system as defined in  claim 8  or  9 , wherein the lancet is incorporated into the support member. 
     
     
         12 . A composite diagnostic system as defined in  claim 9 , wherein the lancet activator is connected with the support member. 
     
     
         13 . A composite diagnostic system as defined in any of the preceding claims, wherein the system further comprises reservoir adapted to contain a physiologically acceptable solution, the reservoir being adapted such that in use the physiologically acceptable solution is brought into contact with the test material along with the bodily fluid. 
     
     
         14 . A composite diagnostic system as defined in  claim 13 , wherein the reservoir is incorporated into the support member. 
     
     
         15 . A composite diagnostic system as defined in  claim 13  or  14 , the support member further comprising a solution delivery actuator, actuation of the solution delivery actuator causing the physiologically acceptable solution to be delivered to the test material. 
     
     
         16 . A composite diagnostic system as defined in any one of  claims 13 - 16 , wherein the physiologically. acceptable solution is a buffer. 
     
     
         17 . A composite diagnostic system as defined in any of the preceding claims, the system further comprising a swab locator located in the support member and adapted for associating an alcohol swab with the system. 
     
     
         18 . A composite diagnostic system as defined in  claim 17 , wherein the swab locator comprises indicia or a depression. 
     
     
         19 . A composite diagnostic system as defined in any of the preceding claims, the system further comprising a drying pad locator positioned in the support member for associating a drying pad with the system. 
     
     
         20 . A composite diagnostic system as defined in any of the preceding claims, the system further comprising an adhesive bandage locator in the support member, adapted for associating an adhesive bandage with the system. 
     
     
         21 . A composite diagnostic system as defined in  claim 20  wherein the adhesive bandage locator comprises a slit extending into the support. 
     
     
         22 . A composite diagnostic system as defined in any of the preceding claims, the system further comprising indicia denoting a method of using the system. 
     
     
         23 . A composite diagnostic system as defined in any of the preceding claims, wherein the system is sized to be hand-held. 
     
     
         24 . A composite diagnostic system as defined in any of the preceding claims, wherein the system is adapted to be held in a single hand. 
     
     
         25 . A composite diagnostic system as defined in any of  claims 1 - 22 , wherein a portion of the body comprising the membrane penetration element and bodily fluid collection point is detachable from a portion of the body comprising the test material. 
     
     
         26 . A composite diagnostic system adapted to be handheld and comprising two or more of a membrane penetration element, a bodily fluid collection point positioned for collection of a bodily fluid released by application of the membrane penetration element to a user's body and a test material positioned in the support member such that in use the bodily fluid is brought into contact with the test material. 
     
     
         27 . A composite diagnostic system as defined in any of the preceding claims, further comprising an interface element adapted to allow the system to interface with diagnostic equipment. 
     
     
         28 . A composite diagnostic system as defined in  claim 27 , wherein the interface element comprises a removable portion of the system adapted to engage with diagnostic equipment. 
     
     
         29 . A composite diagnostic system as defined in  claim 28 , wherein the removable portion comprises the test material. 
     
     
         30 . A composite diagnostic system as defined in  claim 27  wherein the interface element comprises an opening adapted to allow diagnostic equipment to interface with the system. 
     
     
         31 . A composite diagnostic system as defined in  claim 30 , wherein the opening is positioned such that the test material can interface with the diagnostic equipment through the opening.