The configuration of an elongate aperture in a membrane draped over a microneedle assembly may be controlled by controlling the manner in which the aperture is formed and/or by controlling the manner in which the membrane is draped. At least a portion of the membrane may be spaced apart from a microneedle so that a gap is defined between the membrane and the microneedle. The gap may be configured for at least partially controlling the formation of the elongate aperture. The shape of the gap may optionally be at least partially defined by a pleat in the membrane. Any pleats may be aligned in a predetermined manner. The elongate aperture may be formed by a piercing member that is passed through a hole in the microneedle assembly prior to piercing the membrane. The piercing member may be a laser beam.

A blood separation and testing system for a blood sample is disclosed. The blood separation and testing system includes a blood sampling transfer device adapted to receive a blood sample, a blood separation device, and a blood testing device. The blood separation device is adapted to receive a portion of the blood sampling transfer device such that with the blood sampling transfer device received within the blood separation device and a rotational force applied to the blood sampling transfer device, a plasma portion of the blood sample is separated from a cellular portion of the blood sample. The blood testing device is adapted to receive a portion of the blood sampling transfer device to analyze the plasma portion of the blood sample and obtain test results.

The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for delivering and/or receiving a substance or substances such as blood, from subjects, e.g., from the skin and/or from beneath the skin. In one aspect, the present invention is generally 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 fluid transporter (for example, one or more microneedles), and a storage chamber having an internal pressure less than atmospheric pressure prior to receiving blood. In some cases, the device may be self-contained, and in certain instances, the device can be applied to the skin, and activated to receive blood from the subject. The device, or a portion thereof, may then be processed to determine the blood and/or an analyte within the blood, alone or with an external apparatus. For example, blood may be received from the device, and/or the device may contain sensors or agents able to determine the blood and/or an analyte suspected of being contained in the blood. In another aspect, the present invention is generally directed to arrangements of skin insertion objects such as microneedles and methods of forming and arranging skin insertion objects. 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.

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.

A lancet needle with an alignment and engagement notch, with material of the lancet body extending into the notch to more securely retain the needle to the lancet body, whereby a shorter needle can be utilized than with typical lancets. The notch optionally also provides a registration point for rotational and/or axial alignment of the needle during overmolding to form the lancet body, for example to maintain consistent positioning of the needle's beveled point.