US6623501B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Reusable ceramic skin-piercing device
Assignee: Abbott Diabetes Care Inc
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Filing: 2001-04-05
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Granted: 2003-09-23
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Expires: 2021-04-05
Abstract
Abstract A reusable ceramic skin-piercing device. The skin-piercing device is capable of piercing the skin so as to make a sample of biological fluid available for an assay. In one embodiment, the skin-piercing device includes a skin-piercing element which is heated prior to use to a sufficiently high temperature to kill or deactivate pathogenic microorganisms. The device is heat-sterilized, being heated by passing an electrical current through a resistive element in thermal contact with the heat-conducting ceramic piercer. In another embodiment, the skin-piercing device includes a sleeve of elastomeric material with a sterilizing agent disposed in contact with the skin-piercing element. The sterilizing agent sterilizes the skin-piercing element after use. The skin-piercing element is made of a hard refractory ceramic material. The ceramic material is optionally a composite, for example, a composite of a ceramic material and a metal, or multiple ceramic materials.
Inventors
- 👤 Adam Heller
- 👤 James L. Say
- 👤 Jeffery V. Funderburk
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 22:51
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/15; A61B5/150007; A61B5/150206; A61B5/150312; A61B5/15032; A61B5/150015; A61B5/150022; A61B5/150328; A61B5/150374; A61B5/150381; A61B5/150442; A61B5/150458; A61B5/150534; A61B5/150633; A61B5/150694; A61B5/150702; A61B5/151; A61B5/15101; A61B5/15103; A61B5/15105
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of collecting a blood sample, the method comprising: providing a skin-piercing device comprising a housing, a ceramic blade movable into and out from the housing, and a resistive region in thermal contact with the blade; sterilizing the skin-piercing device by: (a) passing a current through the resistive region, and (b) heating the blade; piercing a skin of a patient, and collecting a blood sample after piercing the skin.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of collecting a blood sample, the method comprising: providing a skin-piercing device comprising a housing, a ceramic blade movable into and out from the housing, and a resistive region in thermal contact with the blade; sterilizing the skin-piercing device by: (a) passing a current through the resistive region, and (b) heating the blade; piercing a skin of a patient, and collecting a blood sample after piercing the skin.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of collecting a blood sample comprises: collecting a blood sample of less than 5 μL.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises: after collecting the blood sample, again sterilizing the skin-piercing device.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of collecting a blood sample, the method comprising: providing a skin-piercing device comprising: (a) a ceramic blade, and (b) a resistive region in thermal contact with the blade; sterilizing the skin-piercing device by: (a) passing a current through the resistive region, (b) heating the blade, and (c) then cooling the blade; piercing a skin of a patient with the cooled blade, and collecting a blood sample after piercing the skin.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of collecting a blood sample, the method comprising: providing a skin-piercing device comprising: (a) a ceramic blade, and (b) a resistive region in thermal contact with the blade; sterilizing the skin-piercing device by: (a) passing a current through the resistive region, (b) heating the blade, and (c) then cooling the blade; piercing a skin of a patient with the cooled blade, and collecting a blood sample after piercing the skin.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 4 , wherein the step of collecting a blood sample comprises: collecting a blood sample of less than 5 μL.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 4 , the method further comprises: after collecting the blood sample, again sterilizing the skin-piercing device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 4 , wherein the method comprises: providing a skin-piercing device comprising at least two conductors spaced apart from each other and configured and arranged for contact with the resistive region.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-09-22 | 2007-03-24 | 2007-09-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-09-22 | 2011-03-24 | 2011-09-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-09-22 | 2015-03-24 | 2015-09-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |