A method of enhancing the permeability of a biological membrane, including the skin or mucosa of an animal or the outer layer of a plant to a permeant is described utilizing microporation of selected depth and optionally one or more of sonic, electromagnetic, mechanical and thermal energy and a chemical enhancer. Microporation is accomplished to form a micropore of selected depth in the biological membrane and the porated site is contacted with the permeant. Additional permeation enhancement measures may be applied to the site to enhance both the flux rate of the permeant into the organism through the micropores as well as into targeted tissues within the organism.

Disclosed herein are systems and methods for visualizing a target anatomical site of a patient using one or more imagers. The method can include placing multiple imagers on multiple locations at an anatomical site. The method can further include generating separate image data sets from the multiple images and combining the image data sets to generate a volumetric imaging data of the anatomical site. The volumetric imaging data can include all anatomical features within the target anatomical site. A visualization system for medical imaging can include transducers on the imagers to visualize the target anatomical site. The system can further include a processor to combine the image data sets to generate the volumetric imaging data set. The system can further include a display device to display the volumetric imaging data set.

Disclosed herein are systems and methods for visualizing a target anatomical site of a patient using one or more imagers. The method can include placing multiple imagers on multiple locations at an anatomical site. The method can further include generating separate image data sets from the multiple images and combining the image data sets to generate a volumetric imaging data of the anatomical site. The volumetric imaging data can include all anatomical features within the target anatomical site. A visualization system for medical imaging can include transducers on the imagers to visualize the target anatomical site. The system can further include a processor to combine the image data sets to generate the volumetric imaging data set. The system can further include a display device to display the volumetric imaging data set.

Disclosed herein is an apparatus for inserting a needle and a method for cannulation of a blood vessel. The apparatus can include a targeting assembly to identify a target location and an insertion path for the needle. The apparatus can further include a frame and insertion assembly to hold and place the needle. A user interface can be provided to provide feedback to an operator. The apparatus can include an adjustable band that engages a body portion of the patient. The method can include placing and securing the frame to the body portion. The method can further include locating the target location and inserting the needle through a target area.

A device (1) for obtaining a biological sample that includes a blood collection device (10) and a vibration device (80) removably attachable to the blood collection device that provides pain relief is disclosed. The vibration device of the present disclosure provides pain relief to a patient by vibrating the blood collection device. The vibration device can be attached to the blood collection device before it is placed onto a finger to provide pain relief during the finger lancing as well as to aid blood flow from the finger into a collection container during the collection process.

The present disclosure provides a lancing device that includes a lancet for piercing a user's skin and a lancing device body to drive the lancet. An actuator included in the lancing device body can drive the lancet to perform a linear reciprocating motion multiple times upon a single activation. Accordingly, the lancet may pierce the user's skin multiple times upon a single activation.

In one aspect, the dual bevel needle can include a hollow tube having a proximal end, a distal end, a first lateral side, and a second lateral side opposite the first lateral side; a first needle point at the distal end of the hollow tube; a second point at the distal end of the hollow tube; a first bevel on each of the first lateral side and the second lateral side, the first bevel comprising a first bevel angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the tube; and a second bevel on each of the first lateral side and the second lateral side, the second bevel having a second bevel angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the tube, wherein the first and second bevels each form a portion of an ellipse, the ellipse having an inner cutting edge and terminating in the first and second needle points at the distal end of the tube, the second bevel angle being shallower than the first bevel angle, the second bevel being located adjacent the proximal end of the first bevel, and the inner cutting edge converging to a narrow heel.

An imaging method may include: emitting a first laser to a target body and receiving a first photoacoustic signal returned from the target body; determining a first photoacoustic image of the target body according to the first photoacoustic signal; emitting a second laser to the target body and receiving a second photoacoustic signal returned from the target body, wherein a wavelength of the second laser is different from that of the first laser; determining a second photoacoustic image of the target body according to the second photoacoustic signal; and determining a blood oxygen image of the target body according to the first photoacoustic image and the second photoacoustic image, wherein the blood oxygen image comprises parameters relate to blood vessels of a target tissue and parameters relate to blood vessels within a preset range at a periphery of the target tissue in the target body.

In one aspect, the dual bevel needle can include a hollow tube having a proximal end, a distal end, a first lateral side, and a second lateral side opposite the first lateral side; a first needle point at the distal end of the hollow tube; a second point at the distal end of the hollow tube; a first bevel on each of the first lateral side and the second lateral side, the first bevel comprising a first bevel angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the tube; and a second bevel on each of the first lateral side and the second lateral side, the second bevel having a second bevel angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the tube, wherein the first and second bevels each form a portion of an ellipse, the ellipse having an inner cutting edge and terminating in the first and second needle points at the distal end of the tube, the second bevel angle being shallower than the first bevel angle, the second bevel being located adjacent the proximal end of the first bevel, and the inner cutting edge converging to a narrow heel.

Described here are meters and methods for sampling, transporting, and/or analyzing a fluid sample. The meters may include a meter housing and a cartridge. In some instances, the meter may include a tower which may engage one or more portions of a cartridge. The meter housing may include an imaging system, which may or may not be included in the tower. The cartridge may include one or more sampling arrangements, which may be configured to collect a fluid sample from a sampling site. A sampling arrangement may include a skin-penetration member, a hub, and a quantification member.