A finger receptacle having an elongated, flexible sleeve having a length defined between a proximal end and a distal end, the sleeve further comprising a support base, a ceiling and a top surface defining a longitudinal axis X, whereby the sleeve is adapted to bias toward a radially contracted state and when urged into a radially expanded state effects a radial compression action about the length to releasably secure a finger within the receptacle; and at least one angled projection extending from the ceiling and top surface at the distal end of the sleeve, the at least one angled projection angled inwardly from the longitudinal axis X of the ceiling and adapted to contact a nail of the finger releasably secured in the sleeve at the distal end of the receptacle to effect a second compression action. The invention further related to devices of blood capture and blood collection and those that incorporate said receptacle or a finger compression sleeve.

An applicator for applying a microneedle patch to a skin of a subject, comprising a base having a skin-side end and a holder for holding the microneedle patch. Two or more contact parts are movable over the skin and away from each other to stretch the skin. The applicator further comprising an interface for an actuator. The actuator actuates a movement of the microneedle patch relative to the skin-side end to penetrate at least into the stratum corneum of the epidermis of the skin with the microneedle. A microneedle patch comprising a skin-adhesive surface for attaching the patch to the skin of a subject. The patch has one or more projecting microneedles. A stiffening body stiffens the patch in at least a parallel direction parallel to the skin-adhesive surface in a region of the skin-adhesive surface which includes the microneedle.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A skin pricking device includes a housing having an opening formed in a proximal end thereof; a spring mounted lancet including a needle within a casing having body and cap parts, interconnected by a separable coupling. The cap part has a cap projecting through the opening allow a user to grip and remove the cap. The device further includes a trigger for firing the lancet. Turning the cap part moves the entire lancet, engaging a trigger stop surface on the distal body part of the lancet with a trigger catch and further biasing the trigger to block the lancet. Further turning of the cap part over a second angle relative to the housing causes the cap part to move in a proximal direction by a further, second distance, thereby axially separating the cap part from the body part, whereby the cap part can then be removed from the device.

A blood sample collection device can provide for collection, storage, amplification, and analysis of a blood sample in a simple, disposable device. The device can include a collection zone for drawing (e.g., via a needle array) or receiving a blood sample, a processing zone for storing and processing blood cells of the blood sample, and a filtration zone for selectively directing the blood cells of the blood sample to an array of wells within the processing zone while leading blood plasma away from the array of wells. Within the wells, which may be prepared to include materials for amplification and various assays, the blood cells can undergo amplification. Externally applied light and/or heat can facilitate amplification. A transparent or translucent window or portion of the collection device can allow an analysis device to take measurements of the array of wells without removing the sample.

A vacuum assisted lancing system can include a tubular body having a vacuum chamber, a lancing mechanism configured to removably couple with a lance, a vacuum mechanism including a piston slideably coupled within the body, a release mechanism for selectively holding the vacuum mechanism in an energized state and an opening for allowing fluid communication between the vacuum chamber and an atmosphere. A method of manipulating a surface for blood extraction can include coupling a lancing system to the surface, blocking an opening, creating a vacuum, moving a lance coupler from a first position distal from the surface to a second position proximal to the surface, maintaining the vacuum for a period of time and commencing dissipation of the vacuum by unblocking the opening.

A biological fluid collection device that includes a housing and a cartridge that is removably receivable within a portion of the housing is disclosed. The biological fluid collection device of the present disclosure allows for collection of capillary blood from a finger stick and provides a closed system that reduces the exposure of a blood sample. In one embodiment, a cartridge of the present disclosure also provides fast mixing of a blood sample with a sample stabilizer. In another embodiment, a cartridge of the present disclosure provides automatic plasma separation of the blood sample. Advantageously, once the cartridge is filled with a sample aid removed from the housing, the cartridge can be used for a variety of important purposes.