Systems and methods for a sample fluid collection device

Abstract

A fluid collection device comprising a body comprising a capsule interface, and a capsule configured to interface with the body via the capsule interface and configured to hold a sample receiving chip. The sample receiving chip comprises a substrate that receives an aliquot volume of a sample fluid, wherein the substrate is operatively shaped to receive the aliquot volume of sample fluid through capillary action, and a sample region of the substrate, sized such that the volume of the sample fluid is sufficient to operatively cover a portion of the sample region, whereupon energy properties of the sample fluid can be transduced to produce a sample fluid reading.

1 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A tear fluid collection device configured to collect an aliquot volume of less than 20 uL of tear fluid from a subject, comprising
 a) a body;   b) a tear collection interface (TCI) card configured to attach to the body and receive the aliquot volume, comprising:
 i. a tip portion that extends beyond the body sufficiently to allow the TCI card to receive the aliquot volume; 
 ii. a substrate configured to receive the aliquot volume and having a sample region which transfers energy to the aliquot volume and is sized such that the aliquot volume operatively covers a portion of the sample region; and 
   c) a removable sheath configured to attach to the TCI card.   
     
     
         26 . The collection device of  claim 25 , wherein the collection device is configured to collect the aliquot volume from an inferior tear meniscus of the subject. 
     
     
         27 . The fluid collection device of  claim 25 , wherein the TCI card comprises a vent hole. 
     
     
         28 . The collection device of  claim 25 , wherein the tip portion of the TCI card has a width and shape sufficient to soften contact of the tip portion with an eye. 
     
     
         29 . The collection device of  claim 25 , wherein the tip portion of the TCI card extends approximately 0.5 millimeters beyond the body. 
     
     
         30 . The collection device of  claim 25 , wherein the sample region includes a plurality of electrodes disposed to contact the aliquot volume. 
     
     
         31 . The collection device of  claim 30 , wherein the plurality of electrodes is arranged in an array. 
     
     
         32 . The collection device of  claim 30 , further comprising a plurality of conductive connection lines coupled to the plurality of electrodes for transferring energy to and from the aliquot volume. 
     
     
         33 . The collection device of  claim 25 , wherein the tear fluid reading indicates osmolarity of the tear fluid. 
     
     
         34 . The collection device of  claim 25 , wherein the body comprises an auditory or visual indicator configured to indicate when the TCI card receives the aliquot volume. 
     
     
         35 . The collection device of  claim 25 , wherein the sheath isolates a portion of the TCI card. 
     
     
         36 . The collection device of  claim 25 , wherein the sheath isolates the tip portion of the TCI card. 
     
     
         37 . The collection device of  claim 25 , wherein the sheath isolates the tip portion of the TCI card from physical damage or recontamination. 
     
     
         38 . The collection device of  claim 25 , wherein the sheath further comprises a tab configured to allow the sheath to be removed from the TCI card. 
     
     
         39 . The collection device of  claim 25 , wherein the sheath is removed by pulling from the TCI card.