Described here are meters and methods for sampling, transporting, and/or analyzing a fluid sample. The meters may include a meter housing and a cartridge. In some instances, the meter may include a tower which may engage one or more portions of a cartridge. The meter housing may include an imaging system, which may or may not be included in the tower. The cartridge may include one or more sampling arrangements, which may be configured to collect a fluid sample from a sampling site. A sampling arrangement may include a skin-penetration member, a hub, and a quantification member.

A reusable applicator for applying a microneedle patch to a skin of a subject which comprises a base for positioning onto the skin. The base comprises a skin-side end and a holder for holding the microneedle patch in position relative to the skin-side end. Two or more contact parts at the skin-side end can contact the skin. One or more are movable over the skin and away from the other contact 5 parts to stretch the skin at least during penetration of the skin by a microneedle of the patch. The applicator further comprises an interface for an actuator. The actuator actuates in operation a movement of the microneedle patch relative to the skin-side end to penetrate at least into the stratum corneum of the epidermis of the skin with the microneedle. A microneedle patch comprises a skin-adhesive surface for attaching the patch to the skin of a10 subject. The patch has one or more microneedles projecting from the skin-adhesive surface out of the patch. A stiffening body stiffens the patch in at least a parallel direction parallel to the skin-adhesive surface in a region of the skin-adhesive surface which includes the microneedle.

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 skin pricking device includes a housing having an opening formed in a proximal end thereof; a spring mounted lancet including a needle within a casing having body and cap parts, interconnected by a separable coupling. The cap part has a cap projecting through the opening allow a user to grip and remove the cap. The device further includes a trigger for firing the lancet. Turning the cap part moves the entire lancet, engaging a trigger stop surface on the distal body part of the lancet with a trigger catch and further biasing the trigger to block the lancet. Further turning of the cap part over a second angle relative to the housing causes the cap part to move in a proximal direction by a further, second distance, thereby axially separating the cap part from the body part, whereby the cap part can then be removed from the device.

Described here are meters and methods for sampling, transporting, and/or analyzing a fluid sample. The meters may include a meter housing and a cartridge. In some instances, the meter may include a tower which may engage one or more portions of a cartridge. The meter housing may include an imaging system, which may or may not be included in the tower. The cartridge may include one or more sampling arrangements, which may be configured to collect a fluid sample from a sampling site. A sampling arrangement may include a skin-penetration member, a hub, and a quantification member.

Described here are meters and methods for sampling, transporting, and/or analyzing a fluid sample. The meters may include a meter housing and a cartridge. In some instances, the meter may include a tower which may engage one or more portions of a cartridge. The meter housing may include an imaging system, which may or may not be included in the tower. The cartridge may include one or more sampling arrangements, which may be configured to collect a fluid sample from a sampling site. A sampling arrangement may include a skin-penetration member, a hub, and a quantification member.

A device for obtaining a blood sample, the device including a holder for receiving a sample source, the holder having an actuation portion and a port, a container engagement portion connected to the holder, and a collection container removably connectable to the container engagement portion, the container defining a collection cavity, wherein the container engagement portion allows the collection container to rotate between a first position in which the collection container is spaced from the port and a second position in which the collection container is in fluid communication with the port.

Skin stimulus arrangements are described for creating a stimulus in the skin in the vicinity of a treatment or wound site to alleviate the perception of pain. First and second textured surfaces are provided for making contact with the skin, with the surfaces being moved to create a stimulus which alleviates the perception of pain. The movement may be linear, rotary or a combination of both, and just a single textured surface may be provided.

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.

Pen-type lancing device of the re-usable type wherein a lancet body having a needle/tip is inserted; standard spring type actuator (urging member); skin touching forward face having a textured surface for pain relieve; sleeve having internal stop(s) so that the lancet does not overshoot. Also a pen-type lancing device of the re-usable type wherein a lancet body having a needle/tip is inserted; elastomer type urging member for driving the lancet; triggering means (denoted “actuating means”). Further a pen-type lancing device of the reusable type wherein a lancet body having a needle/tip is inserted; standard spring type actuator (urging member) for driving the lancet; alignment splines and cooperating alignment portion(s) for guiding the lancet movement. Even further a method of assembling a blood sampling device in which it does not matter what rotational orientation the components are assembled in.