Rapid delivery and/or receiving of fluids

Abstract

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.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 367607, filed Jul. 26, 2010, entitled “Rapid Delivery and / or Withdrawal of Fluids,” by Chickering, et al. This application is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF INVENTION[0002]The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for delivering and / or receiving a substance or substances such as blood and / or drugs, with respect to subjects, e.g., at and / or beneath the skin, and in some cases, with relatively little pain.BACKGROUND[0003]Phlebotomy or venipuncture is the process of obtaining intravenous access for the purpose of intravenous therapy or obtaining a sample of venous blood. This process is typically practiced by medical practitioners, including paramedics, phlebotomists, doctors, nurses, and the like. Substantial equipment is needed to obtain blood from a subject, including the use of evacuated (vacuum) tubes, e.g., such as the Vacutainer™ (Becto...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention relates to an array of microneedles that can be used for skin penetration and fluid transfer. The technical effects of the invention include a higher density of microneedles per unit area of the array and improved material use by having the microneedles arranged in a way that maximizes the number of needles perpendicular to the layer of material. The needles are also bent away from the layer to improve their insertion into skin or other material. The arrangement of the needles includes a first plurality of needles and a second plurality of needles, with the base portions of the needles arranged at the periphery of separate closed loops. This arrangement further increases the packing density of needles.

Problems solved by technology

However, such procedures are complicated and require sophisticated training of practitioners, and often cannot be done in non-medical settings.

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