Sampling assembly

Abstract

An assembly for sampling bodily fluid, the assembly comprising a membrane penetration device comprising a membrane penetrating element for penetrating a bodily membrane to release a bodily fluid; and, a collector configured in a collection position to take up the released bodily fluid and retain the fluid for delivery to a test element.

1 .- 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A single use assembly for sampling bodily fluid, the assembly comprising an support member; and a collector reservoir positioned on the support member, the collector reservoir being configured to adopt a collection position to allow the collector reservoir to take up and store a sample of bodily fluid, and a delivery position to deliver the stored sample from the collector reservoir to a test element, the collector reservoir having a predefined sample volume, wherein the collector reservoir is not in fluid communication with the test element in the collection position; and wherein the collector reservoir is configured to move between the collection position and the delivery position by movement of the support member. 
     
     
         23 . The assembly according to  claim 22 , wherein the collector reservoir is adapted in the delivery position to deliver the sample to a specific, predefined position on the test element. 
     
     
         24 . The assembly according  claim 22 , wherein the collector reservoir is operatively adapted to move from the collection position to the delivery position by one or more of pivoting, sliding, rotating and translating. 
     
     
         25 . The assembly according to  claim 22 , wherein the collector reservoir is configured to take up the sample of released bodily fluid by capillary action. 
     
     
         26 . The assembly according to  claim 23 , wherein the collector reservoir comprises a tube including a ventilation aperture. 
     
     
         27 . The assembly according to  claim 24 , wherein the tube includes a collection opening and a discharge opening, and the ventilation aperture is a longitudinal slot extending from the collection opening to the discharge opening. 
     
     
         28 . The assembly according to  claim 22  wherein the collector reservoir is inhibited from moving into the delivery position by a locking mechanism until after an element has been actuated. 
     
     
         29 . The assembly according to  claim 22 , further including a retainer adapted to retain the collector reservoir. 
     
     
         30 . The assembly according to  claim 29 , wherein the retainer is selected from the group consisting of a clip engaged with the assembly, a pivotable engagement, and a cavity. 
     
     
         31 . The assembly according to  claim 22 , wherein the assembly further includes an internal storage for a solution and an actuator adapted to release the solution from the internal storage to the test element.