Adjustable connector and dead space reduction

Abstract

Methods and systems for determining the concentration of one or more analytes from a sample such as blood or plasma are described. The systems described herein can be configured to withdraw a certain volume of sample from a source of bodily fluid, direct a first portion of the withdrawn sample to an analyte monitoring system and return a second portion of the sample to the patient. The analyte monitoring system can be connected to the source of bodily fluid via a connector that is configured to maintain uniform velocity across the connector and reduce the dead space volume.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An accommodating connector configured to reduce leaks and improve fluid flow between a medical device and a source of body fluid, the accommodating connector comprising:
 a first inlet/outlet;   a second inlet/outlet; and   a force-exerting structure having a stiffness;   wherein the accommodating connector is configured to connect to a mating connector that is attached to a source of bodily fluid; and   wherein the force-exerting structure is configured to exert a force on an inner portion of the mating connector in a contact region and firmly seat the first or second inlet/outlet against the inner portion of the mating connector such that a dead space between the first or second inlet/outlet and the inner portion of the mating connector is reduced.