A device for extracting an interstitial fluid sample from the skin of a mammal subject is disclosed. The device comprises at least one micro-needle comprising a tip portion configured to be inserted into the skin of the mammal subject, and a passage configured to transport the interstitial fluid from the skin to a retaining material arranged in a channel of a body of the device. The retaining material is fluidically connected to the passage and configured to absorb and store the interstitial fluid sample transported by the passage. A holder configured to receive such a device is also disclosed.

The present disclosure generally relates to receiving bodily fluid through a device opening. In one aspect, the device includes an interface that facilitates piercing of skin and/or withdrawal of fluid from the skin. The skin may be subjected to vacuum from a vacuum source.

A device which, in a shallow region including the epidermal layer or the dermal layer, can administer a target even in extremely small amounts. This includes a puncture needle which, in a flat puncture unit for puncturing the shallow region, has a groove and a through-hole which constitute a recess that extends through part of or the entire thickness of the puncture unit; and a casing which houses the puncture needle so as to allow the puncture needle to advance. By part or all of a flow agent containing the drug being arranged in the groove and the through-hole, the drug is positioned with respect to the puncture unit. The device is designed such that a flow agent in the amount of 10-1000 nL is dosed in the shallow region per puncture.

Provided is a blood component sampling cassette which can be efficiently manufactured at low cost compared to a conventional cassette, a method for manufacturing the blood component sampling cassette, a blood sampling circuit set and a blood component sampling system. The blood component sampling cassette includes a cassette main body having a plurality of flow paths including an introduction line, a blood component transfer line and a retransfusion line. The cassette main body includes a first sheet and a second sheet which are formed of a soft material compatible with autoclave sterilization. The first sheet and the second sheet are overlaid in a thickness direction and bonded to each other. A plurality of flow paths is formed between the first sheet and the second sheet.

Medical devices and methods thereof for determining bacterial infections in blood. The medical devices and methods thereof can utilize a coating including an antibody conjugated to a reporter protein configured to indicate a bacterial infection in a patient's blood by way of an antigen thereof. Exemplary medical devices include, but are not limited to, a catheter assembly, an AV fistula needle set, an extension set for either a catheter assembly or an AV fistula needle set, and a hemodialysis tubing set. The medical devices and methods thereof can utilize immunochromatographic separation of the antibody and an antigen-antibody complex to indicate a bacterial infection in a patient's blood.

A blood sequestration device includes an inlet path, an outlet path, a sequestration chamber, and a sampling channel. The sequestration chamber is connected with the inlet path by a junction and is configured to receive a first portion of blood through the inlet path. The sequestration chamber has a vent that allows air to be displaced by the first portion of blood, the junction being configured to inhibit a return to the inlet path of any of the first portion of blood received by the sequestration chamber. The sampling channel is connected between the inlet path and the outlet path, and configured to convey subsequent amounts of blood between the inlet path and the outlet path after the first amount of blood is received by the sequestration chamber.

A mono-layer electrode sensor suitable for a multitude of electrophysiology testing applications is disclosed. The electrode sensor can include a mono-layer of conductive film shaped with a soft-form geometry that is modifiable to a targeted size tailored to a patient. The conductive film includes a sensing area that is complementary to a size and morphology of a body structure of the patient. The conductive film can have a connector coupled to the sensor, and the skin adherent side can have a bio-compatible hydrogel coated there over including a non-conductive material formed over the connector portion of the conductive film.

A microneedle structure, a manufacturing method therefor, and a manufacturing apparatus therefor are presented. The microneedle structure manufacturing method according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises the steps of: a) injecting, into a lower mold comprising a microneedle intaglio, a polymer solution containing a biocompatible polymer; and b) coupling a shape control mold, which comprises a protrusion, to the lower mold such that one end of the protrusion of the shape control mold is impregnated with the biocompatible polymer solution injected into the microneedle intaglio.

A flow of air including a fungal spore is directed to a collection cartridge. The fungal spore is trapped within the collection cartridge. The fungal spore is illuminated with ultraviolet (UV) light and a camera shutter associated with a camera sensor is opened for a time period. The camera sensor is allowed to collect light emitted from the fungal spore during a first portion of the time period. After the first portion of the time period has elapsed, a first burst of visible light originating from a first position is directed towards the fungal spore during a second portion of the time period. A second burst of visible light originating from a second position is directed towards the fungal spore. After the second portion of the time period has elapsed, the camera shutter is closed to generate an image. The image is analyzed to obtain a shape of the fungal spore.

A sample collection device for collecting a blood sample of a patient, the sample collection device including a first partially deformable shell and a second at least partially pierceable shell with a pre-packaged vacuum sealed between the first shell and the second shell. The second shell may additionally hold a sample container and an automatic mechanical cutting mechanism including a rotatable cutting blade and an actuator spring, the actuator spring being actuatable by pressing the first shell, thereby releasing and rotating the cutting blade. By pressing the first shell, the pre-packaged vacuum is released to a collection opening of the second shell such that the vacuum effects a suction effect so that blood coming out of the incision created by the rotatable cutting blade leaks into the sample container.