In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a device for obtaining biological tissue. In some embodiments, the device can include a first row of a plurality of hollow tubes; a second row of a plurality of hollow tubes, adjacent the first row of hollow tubes; a third row of a plurality of hollow tubes, adjacent the second row of hollow tubes, the first, second and third rows forming an array of hollow tubes; wherein each hollow tube can include at least one point at the distal end of the hollow tube, the plurality of rows forming a two dimensional array of hollow tubes; wherein an inner diameter of the at least one tube is less than about 1 mm, the distal end of each of the hollow tubes is configured to be inserted into a biological tissue donor site to remove a portion of tissue therefrom when each of the hollow tubes is withdrawn from the donor site.

An apparatus for insertion of a medical device in the skin of a subject is provided, as well as methods of inserting medical devices. Embodiments include removing a substantially cylindrical cap from an inserter to expose a substantially cylindrical sleeve, removing a cover from a substantially cylindrical container holding sensor components, and fitting the sensor components into the inserter.

A non-coring needle for use in accessing an implanted medical device is disclosed. The non-coring needle is configured so as to include a compact bevel face relative to standard non-coring needles. In one embodiment, the non-coring needle comprises a hollow cannula that defines a lumen and terminates at a sharpened distal tip. The cannula includes a proximal portion and a bent distal portion. The distal portion defines a bevel face extending proximally from the distal tip, and the bevel face includes the lumen distal opening. The bevel face defines an open angle of at least about one degree with respect to a longitudinal axis of the proximal portion of the cannula. The bevel face is also laterally offset from the proximal portion of the cannula by an offset distance of no more than about 0.010 inch. A portion of the bevel face is dulled to prevent access port septum coring.

An apparatus for performing phlebotomy through a peripheral intravenous line. The apparatus includes an introducer and a catheter configured to advance the catheter through a peripheral intravenous line. A y-adapter with a port of larger diameter is configured to receive the catheter and place in fluid communication with the peripheral intravenous line. When advanced the catheter is configured to transport a bodily fluid (i.e. blood) to a volume outside of the body.

A system and method for preparing a diagnostic fluid sample for use with a fluid assay system. The method comprises the steps of: amplifying the fluid sample to increase the number of cells subject to being tested; drawing a first volume of the fluid sample into a first syringe of a dual-barrel syringe and dispensing the first volume of the fluid sample through a media filter. The method further comprises the steps of placing the bacteria-laced filter into a lysis module; dispensing a first portion of a lysis buffer into the lysis module from the second syringe of the dual-barrel syringe; and dispensing a second portion of the lysis buffer through the media filter into a disposable cartridge of a fluid assay system.

An apparatus includes a catheter, an introducer having a first member and a second member, a locking mechanism coupled to a distal end of the first member and configured to couple the introducer to a peripheral intravenous line, and an actuator coupled to the catheter. The actuator is configured to move from a first configuration, in which the catheter is disposed within the introducer, toward a second configuration to move the second member to a distal position relative to the first member. A portion of a guide of the second member being distal to the first member when the second member is in the distal position. The actuator is configured to move relative to the second member to be placed in the second configuration when the second member is in its distal position such that the catheter is disposed within and extending past an end of the peripheral intravenous line.

The present invention is directed to devices including one or more hollow needles and a transducing wire disposed within at least one needle. In particular instances, arrays of such needles can be employed. Methods for fabricating and using such devices are also disclosed herein.

A microneedle device comprising a hollow microneedle protruding from the rim of an outer open holder can be used for the extraction of interstitial fluid (ISF). Dermal ISF can be extracted with the microneedle device with minimal pain and no blistering for human subjects. Extracted ISF volumes are sufficient for determining transcriptome and proteome signatures. Similar profiles in ISF, serum, and plasma samples, suggest that ISF can be a proxy for direct blood sampling. This minimally-invasive microneedle device enables real-time health monitoring applications using extracted ISF.

A sensor module is disclosed herein. The sensor module includes a skin piercing member carried by the carrier. The skin piercing member has a skin piercing end positioned opposite from a base end. The skin piercing member defines a lumen that extends along the central longitudinal axis from the skin piercing end toward the base end and the lumen having a lumen axis. The sensor module also includes a blood sample analysis zone located entirely within the lumen of the skin piercing member and a capillary flow stop for stopping capillary flow at a predetermined location within the lumen of the skin piercing member. The sensor module includes an elongated working electrode positioned within the lumen. The working electrode has a length that extends along the lumen axis where at least a section of the working electrode is positioned within the analysis zone. The working electrode includes sensing chemistry.