Body fluid sampling arrangements

Abstract

An arrangement for producing a sample of body fluid from a wound opening created in a skin surface at a sampling site includes at least one skin-penetration member having a first end configured to pierce the surface of the skin, and a inner lumen in communication with the first end; at least one actuator operatively associated with the at least one skin-penetration member; and at least one catalyst device configured to cause perfusion of body fluid at the sampling site; wherein the at least one actuator is configured to locate the at least one skin-penetration member so as to obstruct the wound opening while transporting body fluid through the inner lumen. Associated methods are also described.

1 .- 37 . (canceled) 
     
     
         38 . A method of sampling body fluid comprising:
 driving a skin-penetration member into a skin surface at a sampling site thereby creating a wound opening by moving a spring actuator from a pre-cocked position to a neutral rest position;   obstructing the wound opening with the skin-penetration member; and   transporting body fluid through an inner lumen of the skin-penetration member while the spring actuator is in the neutral rest position.   
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , further comprising positioning a footprint over the sampling site prior to driving the skin-penetration member into the skin surface. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 38 , further comprising applying a catalyst to the sampling site. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein driving the skin-penetration member into the skin surface, obstructing the wound opening, transporting body fluid, and applying the catalyst are part of a testing sequence, the method further comprising a user manually initiating the testing sequence. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the catalyst is automatically applied to the sampling site upon initiation of the testing sequence. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 42 , further comprising automatically deactivating the catalyst after a predetermined period of time has elapsed. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the catalyst is vacuum pressure. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the spring actuator is a torsional spring. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the skin-penetration member is coupled to a hub comprising a reagent pad, and wherein transporting body fluid comprises delivering body fluid from the inner lumen to the reagent pad. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the spring actuator is coupled to the hub. 
     
     
         48 . A method of sampling body fluid comprising:
 driving a skin-penetration member into a skin surface at a sampling site thereby creating a wound by moving a spring actuator from a pre-cocked position to a neutral rest position;   positioning an end of the skin-penetration member in the wound; and   transporting body fluid through an inner lumen of the skin-penetration member while the spring actuator is in the neutral rest position.   
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 48 , further comprising positioning a footprint over the sampling site prior to driving the skin-penetration member into the skin surface. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 48 , further comprising applying a catalyst to the sampling site. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein driving the skin-penetration member into the skin surface, positioning an end of the skin-penetration member in the wound, transporting body fluid, and applying the catalyst are part of a testing sequence, the method further comprising a user manually initiating the testing sequence. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein the catalyst is automatically applied to the sampling site upon initiation of the testing sequence. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 52 , further comprising automatically deactivating the catalyst after a predetermined period of time has elapsed. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein the catalyst is vacuum pressure. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the spring actuator is a torsional spring. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the skin-penetration member is coupled to a hub comprising a reagent pad, and wherein transporting body fluid comprises delivering body fluid from the inner lumen to the reagent pad. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein the spring actuator is coupled to the hub. 
     
     
         58 . A method of sampling body fluid comprising:
 actuating a skin-penetration member by releasing a spring actuator from a pre-cocked position, wherein once released, the spring actuator moves to a neutral rest position and drives the skin-penetration member into a skin surface at a sampling site thereby creating a wound opening;   allowing the skin-penetration member to obstruct the wound opening; and   transporting body fluid through an inner lumen of the skin-penetration member.   
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 58 , further comprising positioning a footprint over the sampling site prior to driving the skin-penetration member into the skin surface. 
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 58 , further comprising applying a catalyst to the sampling site. 
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 58 , wherein actuating the skin-penetration member, allowing the skin-penetration member to obstruct the wound opening, transporting body fluid, and applying the catalyst are part of a testing sequence, the method further comprising a user manually initiating the testing sequence. 
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 61 , wherein the catalyst is automatically applied to the sampling site upon initiation of the testing sequence. 
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 62 , further comprising automatically deactivating the catalyst after a predetermined period of time has elapsed. 
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 63 , wherein the catalyst is vacuum pressure. 
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 58 , wherein the spring actuator is a torsional spring. 
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 58 , wherein the skin-penetration member is coupled to a hub comprising a reagent pad, and wherein transporting body fluid comprises delivering body fluid from the inner lumen to the reagent pad. 
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein the spring actuator is coupled to the hub.