A vacuum assisted lancing system for blood extraction 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 surrounding the vacuum chamber. The system can include structure for selectively commencing dissipation of the vacuum and a fixed or adjustable depth controller. A method of manipulating a surface for blood extraction can include coupling the lancing system to the surface, blocking the opening, creating a vacuum, moving the 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.

An arrangement for producing a sample of body fluid from a wound opening created in a skin surface at a sampling site includes: a housing, the housing comprising a first opening; a skin interface member disposed in the first opening, the skin interface member comprising an inner member having a second opening, and an outer member at least partially surrounding the inner member and attached to the first opening; and at least one skin-penetration member configured and arranged to project within the second opening. Arrangements having alternatively constructed skin interface members are also described.

Provided is a blood sampler including a needle for piercing a user's skin and a sampler body for receiving and holding a test strip in place during blood sampling and testing. When the test strip is inserted into the sampler body, the sampler body aligns one end of the test strip with the needle such that the blood sampled through the needle ends up on the test strip, while keeping the other end of the test strip exposed outside the sampler body such that a blood sample analyzer can be connected to the test strip without removing the test strip from the sampler body. The blood sampler and the test strip collectively form a cartridge, which can be inserted into a launcher for launching the blood sampling cartridge towards the user's skin to facilitate blood sampling.

Systems and methods for autonomous intravenous needle insertion are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, a system for autonomous intravenous insertion include a robot arm, one or more sensors pivotally attached to the robot arm for gathering information about potential insertion sites in a subject arm, a medical device pivotally attached to the robot arm, and a controller in communication with the sensors and the robot arm, wherein the controller receives the information from the sensors about potential insertion sites, and the controller selects a target insertion site and directs the robot arm to insert the medical device into the target insertion site.

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.

Systems and methods for autonomous intravenous needle insertion are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, a system for autonomous intravenous insertion include a robot arm, one or more sensors pivotally attached to the robot arm for gathering information about potential insertion sites in a subject arm, a medical device pivotally attached to the robot arm, and a controller in communication with the sensors and the robot arm, wherein the controller receives the information from the sensors about potential insertion sites, and the controller selects a target insertion site and directs the robot arm to insert the medical device into the target insertion site.

A microneedle and a chip are disclosed for extraction fluids. The microneedle is provided on a substrate and comprises an elongated body extending from a distal end with a bevel to a proximal end on the substrate along a longitudinal axis. The elongated body comprises a capillary bore extending in a longitudinal direction thereof and defines a fluid path. The proximal end is integrally connected with the substrate and the capillary bore is in fluid communication with a fluid channel of the substrate. The cross-sectional area of the capillary bore in the distal end is larger than the cross-sectional area of the capillary bore in the proximal end.

A microneedle and a chip are disclosed for extraction of fluids. The microneedle (101) provided on a substrate (102), comprises an elongated body (503) extending from a distal end (504) with a bevel (505) to a proximal end (506) on the substrate along a longitudinal axis; the elongated body comprises a capillary bore (507) extending in a longitudinal direction thereof and defines a fluid path (508); the proximal end is integrally connected with the substrate and the capillary bore is in fluid communication with a fluid channel (309) of the substrate. The cross-sectional area of the capillary bore in the distal end is larger than the cross-sectional area of the capillary bore in the proximal end.

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.

A collection device (10) which directs a flow of blood into a container (14) and provides a controlled blood flow path that ensures blood flow from a collection site to a collection container is disclosed.