Delivering and/or receiving fluids

摘要

The present invention generally relates to receiving bodily fluid through a device opening. In one aspect, the device includes a flow activator arranged to cause fluid to be released from a subject. A deployment actuator may actuate the flow activator in a deployment direction, which may in turn cause fluid release from a subject. The flow activator may also be moved in a retraction direction by a retraction actuator. In one aspect, the device may include a vacuum source that may help facilitate fluid flow into the opening of the device and/or may help facilitate fluid flow from the opening to a storage chamber. In one aspect, a device actuator may enable fluid communication between the opening and the vacuum source and the flow activator may be actuated after the enablement of fluid communication.

主权项

1. A device for receiving fluid from a subject, comprising:
a housing including a device actuator and an opening to receive fluid into the housing; a pre-packaged vacuum chamber in the housing, the vacuum chamber having a volume that is at a pressure less than ambient pressure prior to actuation of the device actuator, the vacuum chamber being fluidly coupleable to the opening via a flow path to cause fluid to be drawn into the opening and toward the vacuum chamber along the flow path; a flow control element positioned along the flow path that prevents fluid communication between the vacuum chamber and the opening prior to actuation of the device actuator, the flow control element being configured to enable fluid communication between the opening and the vacuum chamber after actuation of the device actuator and permit fluid flow from the opening toward the vacuum chamber along the flow path; a plurality of microneedles arranged in an array and arranged to be inserted into a subject to cause fluid to be released from the subject; a deployment actuator to move the plurality of microneedles in a deployment direction toward or through the opening, the deployment actuator being configured to move the plurality of microneedles in the deployment direction in response to actuation of the device actuator; and a retraction actuator to move the plurality of microneedles in a retraction direction away from the opening, the retraction actuator being configured to move the plurality of microneedles in the retraction direction in response to actuation of the device actuator.