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Publication Number
US-12310728-B2
Publication Date
2025-05-27
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for delivering and/or receiving a substance or substances such as blood from subjects. In one aspect, the present invention is directed to devices and methods for receiving or extracting blood from a subject, e.g., from the skin and/or from beneath the skin, using devices containing a substance transfer component (for example, one or more needles or microneedles) and a reduced pressure or vacuum chamber having an internal pressure less than atmospheric pressure prior to receiving blood. In some embodiments, the device may contain a “snap dome” or other deformable structure, which may be used, at least in part, to urge or move needles or other suitable substance transfer components into the skin of a subject. In some cases, for example, the device may contain a flexible concave member and a needle mechanically coupled to the flexible concave member such that the needle may be urged or moved into the skin using the flexible concave member. Other aspects of the present invention are directed at other devices for receiving blood (or other bodily fluids, e.g., interstitial fluid), kits involving such devices, methods of making such devices, methods of using such devices, and the like.
Core Innovation
The invention concerns a device for receiving fluid from a subject, using a device actuator to move a flexible concave member from a first configuration to a second configuration. The flexible concave member is mechanically coupled to an arrangement that includes at least one cutter for contacting the subject. Actuation also compresses a spring, while the device includes a vacuum source that mechanically creates vacuum from the vacuum source.
In response to actuation of the device actuator, the at least one cutter moves from a first position to a second position, thereby contacting the subject’s skin. The compressed spring corresponds to the actuation action, and actuation further includes causing the vacuum to be actuated to draw fluid from the subject into the device. The vacuum is mechanically created, linking the vacuum generation to the device actuation and cutter movement.
The described device architecture supports receiving drawn fluid, including optional configurations such as a collection chamber and structural features of the flexible concave member. The invention also includes configurations in which the flexible concave member can automatically return from the second configuration to the first configuration, and where a hole in the flexible concave member is used to support the fluid-receiving arrangement. Vacuum creation is implemented in the device rather than relying on externally provided vacuum.
Claims Coverage
The patent content provides two independent claims: one directed to a device and one directed to a method. Across these independent claims, five core inventive elements are emphasized: flexible concave member actuation, spring-compression-linked mechanics, cutter movement to contact skin, mechanically created vacuum to draw fluid into the device, and a skin-applied device actuation sequence.
Actuator-driven flexible concave member configuration change
A flexible concave member is moveable from a first configuration to a second configuration in response to actuation of the device actuator.
Spring compression coupled to actuator actuation
A spring is positioned such that actuation of the device actuator causes compression of the spring.
Actuator-driven cutter movement to contact skin
At least one cutter is configured to move from a first position to a second position in response to actuation of the device actuator, with the cutter contacting the subject’s skin during the method.
Mechanically created vacuum source drawing subject fluid
A vacuum source is included, wherein vacuum from the vacuum source is mechanically created, and actuation of the vacuum source causes fluid from the subject to be drawn into the device.
Skin-applied device actuation sequence in the method
A method includes applying a device to a subject’s skin and actuating the device actuator to cause the flexible concave member to move configurations, the at least one cutter to contact the subject’s skin, compression of the spring, and actuation of the vacuum source to draw subject fluid into the device.
The claims cover a skin-applied fluid-receiving device and corresponding method that combine an actuator-driven flexible concave member, spring compression, cutter movement to contact skin, and a mechanically created vacuum source that draws subject fluid into the device.
Stated Advantages
Improved control of the fluid receiving process.
Reduced pain.
Documented Applications
Collecting subject fluid using a skin-applied device that draws fluid into the device using mechanically created vacuum.
Receiving fluid into a collection chamber removably coupled to the device.
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