An apparatus comprising a vibrating finger device useful in a medical setting includes a device body configured to fit on a finger of a wearer, a vibrating unit, a touch sensitive sensor, and a control module including a computerized processor. The control module includes programming configured to monitor an activation input to the device, determine the monitored activation input to indicate a threshold desired vibration activation input, and activate a vibration cycle within the vibrating unit based upon the determination.

A handheld lancing device having anesthetic feature includes a housing removably retaining a disposable lancet. A carriage suspended within the housing by an isolation assembly may receive the lancet. A motor in mechanical communication with the lancet produces vibrations transmitted to contact surface, which vibrate a target lancing site prior to and during piercing. The target site is vibrated for a predetermined period of time before deploying the lancet. The isolation assembly permits movement of the carriage and/or lancet within the housing in one direction while limiting movement in other directions, and further dampens the vibrations of the motor from the housing held by the user. A force sensor detects force applied by the pressing of the contact surface against the skin of the patient. An indicator(s) perceivable to the user identifies when predefined positions of the lancet are reached for initiating vibration then triggering the lancet.

A device for extracting a body fluid and testing a predetermined analyte or property of the fluid is provided. The device comprises a hollow needle having a channel linking a base end and a tip, a collection chamber having an input end in fluid communication with the channel, a testing chamber, a solution chamber and a flow control. The collection chamber comprises a capillary wick configured to transport at least a fraction of the body fluid away from the input end. The testing chamber comprises a testing unit including a reacting material configured to react to a predetermined analyte or property of the fluid and the solution chamber comprises a buffer solution. A flow control is also provided for a transfer of the buffer solution from the solution chamber to the collection chamber and a transfer of the body fluid from the collection chamber to the testing chamber.

An apparatus comprising a vibrating finger device useful in a medical setting includes a device body configured to fit on a finger of a wearer, a vibrating unit, a touch sensitive sensor, and a control module including a computerized processor. The control module includes programming configured to monitor an activation input to the device, determine the monitored activation input to indicate a threshold desired vibration activation input, and activate a vibration cycle within the vibrating unit based upon the determination.

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.

A device is used in combination with a fluid pressure source and a replaceable sampling tube having a pointed cannula section and a hollow for capillary blood collection. The device is provided with: a body defining a bore extending along an axis; a first flow path in fluid communication with the fluid pressure source; a rotor fitting in the bore and being capable of spinning in both directions about the axis; a boss section extending along the axis and so dimensioned as to rotatably support the sampling tube coaxially with the axis and expose the cannula section out of the boss section; and a detachable fastening binding the sampling tube to the rotor so as to set the sampling tube into rotation concentric with the axis and establish fluid communication between the first flow path and the hollow of the sampling tube.

A means and a method is disclosed to diminish or eliminate the pain associated with a sharp object penetrating the skin, during such procedures as an injection, biopsy, or deriving a blood sample. To this end, repeated tapping, pressing, or rubbing or vibrating is performed over the skin at or near the site of penetration of the sharp object in conjunction with applying electricity on the skin. The invention discloses a method of using a skin-puncturing means, with enhanced features, to provide local anesthesia at the site of penetration of a sharp object.

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.

A device and method for collecting blood from a mammalian digit, the device including a rigid cradle portion structured and arranged to retain the digit, a first biasing device releasably attachable to the cradle portion, a housing portion releasably connectable to the cradle portion, and a plurality of vibrating motors located beneath the cradle portion within the housing portion, such that vibrations translated to the digit enhance blood collection, such that the first biasing device constricts blood flow to the collection point on the digit, causing blood to pool therein, and low frequency and/or high amplitude vibrations cause vasodilation, encouraging blood flow through the capillaries at the collection point.