Sensor module with enhanced capillary flow

Abstract

A sensor module is disclosed herein. The sensor module includes a main housing defining an analysis zone within the housing. The sensor module also includes a skin piercing member mounted within the main housing. The skin piercing member is movable relative to the main housing between a retracted position and an extended position. The main housing of the sensor module defines a fluid sample flow passage that extends from a sampling end of the main housing to the analysis zone. The fluid sample flow passage includes a funnel structure through which the skin piecing member extends when in the extended position. The fluid sample flow passage also includes capillary flow enhancing slots that extend outwardly from opposite sides of the funnel structure.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A sensor module comprising:
 a main housing defining an analysis zone within the housing;   a skin piercing member mounted within the main housing, the skin piercing member being movable relative to the main housing between a retracted position and an extended position;   first and second electrodes positioned at the analysis zone, at least one of the electrodes including analyte sensing chemistry, the analysis zone being sealed to limit a degree to which the sensing chemistry is exposed to air.   
     
     
         3 . The sensor module of  claim 2 , further comprising a fluid sample flow passage that extends from an exterior of the main housing to the analysis zone. 
     
     
         4 . The sensor module of  claim 3 , where the skin piercing member passes through the fluid sample flow passage when in the extended position. 
     
     
         5 . The sensor module of  claim 4 , further comprising a sealing member affixed to the exterior of the main housing which covers the fluid sample flow passage. 
     
     
         6 . The sensor module of  claim 5 , wherein the skin piercing member pierces the sealing member when the skin piercing member is moved to the extended position. 
     
     
         7 . A sensor module comprising:
 a main housing defining an analysis zone within the housing, the main housing having a sampling end;   a skin piercing member mounted within the main housing, the skin piercing member being movable relative to the main housing between a retracted position and an extended position, the skin piecing member moving along a first axis as the skin piercing member moves between the retracted and extended positions;   a fluid sample flow passage that extends from the sampling end of the main housing to the analysis zone, wherein the skin piercing member passes through the fluid sample flow passage when in the extended position; and   elongated electrodes positioned at the analysis zone, the elongated electrodes being aligned along second axes; the second axes being offset from the first axis and the second axes being transverse with respect to a plane that includes the first axis.   
     
     
         8 . The sensor module of  claim 7 , wherein the electrodes include conductive fibers. 
     
     
         9 . A sensor module comprising:
 a main housing defining an analysis zone within the housing;   a skin piercing member mounted within the main housing, the skin piercing member being movable relative to the main housing between a retracted position and an extended position, the skin piecing member moving along a first axis as the skin piercing member moves between the retracted and extended positions;   a fluid sample flow passage that extends from the sampling end of the main housing to the analysis zone, wherein the skin piercing member passes through the fluid sample flow passage when in the extended position; and   the skin piercing member including a base end anchored to a slide member that is mounted within an elongated slot defined by the main housing, wherein the slide member is mounted to slide along a length of the slot within the main housing.