Systems, methods, and devices for sampling bodily fluid

Abstract

A fluid sampling system is disclosed comprising a fluid drawing device and a fluid sampling device. In one embodiment, the fluid sampling device comprises a base portion having a canula, a handle, and a ridge extending around at least a portion of an outer surface; and a top portion having a flange adapted to engage said ridge to couple the top portion to the base portion. In another embodiment, the fluid sampling device comprises a base portion having a canula, a handle, a mounting portion, and a test strip coupled to the base portion at least partially within the mounting portion. In yet another embodiment, the fluid sampling device comprises a test strip housing for receiving an end of a test strip therein. Extending from an end of the test strip housing is a blunt canula.

1 . A fluid sampling device comprising:
 a blunt canula with a lumen extending therethrough;   a platform in fluid communication with said lumen of said blunt canula, said platform comprising a mounting portion having opposing retaining walls; and   a fluid monitoring device coupled to said mounting portion of said platform, said fluid monitoring device being in fluid communication with said lumen of said blunt canula.   
     
     
         2 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein said platform further comprises an aperture and a groove adjacent said aperture, said aperture being in fluid communication with said lumen of said blunt canula. 
     
     
         3 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein said fluid monitoring device comprises a test strip having electrical connections to facilitate analysis of a fluid sample received by said fluid sampling device. 
     
     
         4 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein said fluid monitoring device is coupled to said mounting portion of said platform with at least one of an adhesive and a mechanical fastener. 
     
     
         5 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein said fluid monitoring device is integrally formed with said platform. 
     
     
         6 . The medical device of  claim 1 , further comprising a housing that is adapted to protect from damage and prevent contamination of said blunt canula, said platform, and said fluid monitoring device, said housing comprising:
 a substrate that lies adjacent said platform and said fluid monitoring device;   a railing extending from said substrate; and   a cover coupled to said railing, said cover substantially encloses said blunt canula to prevent contamination of said blunt canula prior to use.   
     
     
         7 . The medical device of  claim 6 , wherein said cover of said housing is formed of a resilient material adapted to extend around said blunt canula after use. 
     
     
         8 . A method for sampling a bodily fluid, comprising the steps:
 providing a fluid sampling device, said fluid sampling device comprising:   a blunt canula having a lumen extending therethrough, said blunt canula being adapted for insertion into a sample port of a central line;   a base portion in fluid communication with said blunt canula, said base portion comprising a mounting portion and an aperture, each of said mounting portion and said aperture being in fluid communication with said lumen of said blunt canula; and   means for detecting properties of a fluid sample coupled to said base portion at least partly within said mounting portion, said means for detecting being in fluid communication with said lumen of said blunt canula;   inserting said blunt canula into said sample port to create fluid communication between said central line and said lumen of said blunt canula to enable fluid within said central line to flow into said fluid sampling device; and analyzing the fluid sample received within said fluid sampling device.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising the step of drawing a bodily fluid into said central line prior to inserting said blunt canula into said sample port. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein analyzing the fluid sample comprises associating said means for detecting properties of a fluid sample with a glucometer. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said base portion comprises a handle portion having an alignment member to facilitate alignment of said blunt canula with said sample port of said central line. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said means for detecting properties of a fluid sample comprises a test strip. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said mounting portion comprises opposing side walls and an end wall, said opposing side walls and said end wall being arranged to correspond to the shape of said test strip. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising a top portion adapted to be coupled to said base portion with said test strip disposed therebetween, said base portion having a retention wall to assist in maintaining said test strip in a desired position. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said test strip comprises a vent and said mounting portion comprises a groove, said vent and said groove cooperate to remove excess air from said test strip. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said blunt canula comprises a valve. 
     
     
         17 . A medical device comprising:
 a fluid sampling device adapted to be in fluid communication with a sample port of an intravenous tube, said fluid sampling device comprising:   a test strip adapted to receive a fluid sample;   a test strip receptacle having an interior portion adapted to receive at least a portion of said test strip therein; and   a blunt canula extending from an end of said test strip receptacle, said blunt canula having a lumen extending therethrough, said lumen being in fluid communication with said interior portion of said test strip receptacle and said test strip.   
     
     
         18 . The medical device of  claim 17 , wherein said test strip receptacle further comprises a groove adapted to assist in venting air from said test strip to enable said test strip to ready absorb a fluid sample. 
     
     
         19 . The medical device of  claim 17 , wherein a longitudinal axis of said blunt canula is generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of said test strip receptacle. 
     
     
         20 . The medical device of  claim 17 , wherein the test strip is coupled within said interior portion of said test strip receptacle with an adhesive.