Needle for body fluid tester

Abstract

An apparatus for collecting a body fluid for testing for an analyte includes a needle for penetrating a patient's skin to access the fluid within the skin. The needle has a hollow body extending from a first end to a second end. An interior surface of the body defines a fluid pathway extending between the ends. The second end is positioned to deposit fluid for testing. The first end has a beveled face on a front side of the body. The beveled face terminates at a penetration tip with the beveled face having an opening in communication with the fluid pathway. The penetration tip is burnished to a rounded shape and bent to facilitate low pain and rapid fluid collection.

1 - 11 . (Cancelled)  
     
     
         12 . A method for collecting a sample of interstitial fluid from a patient, said method comprising: 
 providing a needle having a hollow body extending from a first end to a second end with a fluid pathway extending between said ends, said first end configured to penetrate said skin and comprising a beveled face on a front side of said body, an opening within said beveled face in communication with said fluid pathway, and a bend formed on said front side and positioned on said beveled face;    penetrating said first end into and through the dermis of the skin;    accessing interstitial fluid at said opening; and    transporting said interstitial fluid through said hollow body.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising positioning said second end to deposit fluid for testing.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising absorbing said deposited fluid onto a membrane.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said testing is selected from the group consisting of calorimetric testing and electrochemical testing.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising pressurizing an area about the penetration site of the needle wherein said accessing of interstitial fluid is facilitated.