Patent Application
20060140457
The present invention relates generally to a blood sampling locating device that assists a user in selecting a blood sampling site.
Blood sampling has been the most reliable way of determining blood levels of various substances. Repeat users of blood sampling devices such as diabetics have a need to frequently take a blood sample. This is typically accomplished by making a puncture with a spring loaded lancet to produce a drop or more of blood.
Puncture and sampling is performed one to four times a day or more. Repetitive sampling of the same location causes the buildup of scar tissue or callous making the use of the particular site difficult or impossible. The resulting effect on the finger is to build a callous on the finger and cause a buildup of tissue that prevents or complicates further sampling.
There is a need to provide a system of determining sampling locations that reduces the frequency of sampling at a particular location and minimizes the impact of the sampling.
However, it is difficult for a person sampling their own hands to keep definitive track of recent sampling sites.
Known solutions are memory for recalling the recently sampled sites, but this is difficult and unreliable for past days and weeks. This method does not maximize available sampling locations.
Another solution is to determine from recent punctures or soreness where the last sample was taken. This is not accurate and also does not definitively determine the last or next sampling site. The result is that the above methods under-sample a particular finger or present an additional burden to remember past and future sampling locations.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a sampling locator that makes maximum use of available sampling sites, and reduces the frequency of sampling each individual site. It is a further object of the invention to provide a sampling method that preserves the tissue of the finger.
The invention is defined by the appended claims with a specific embodiment shown in the attached drawings. For the purpose of summarizing the invention, the invention comprises a blood sampling site selector that preserves body tissue by reducing the frequency of sampling at individual locations. The site selector can be constructed from any durable material such as a block of wood or molded plastic. The selector is marked with a representation of the palm side of a hand including fingers and thumb. Each digit has at least one hole and preferably three holes spaced across the tip of the digit. The holes are suitable for receiving a peg to mark a particular hole in the finger where the marked hole corresponds to a sampling location on the finger. The present invention can be further marked with a sampling direction indicator such as an arrow. The peg is used to mark the current sampling location and to serve as a memory aid for the user. When the user is ready to take another sample, the peg remains inserted in the last sampling site. The user moves the peg to the next opening which instructs the next sampling site. The peg is preferably a bright color such as red.
In another preferred embodiment of the invention, a representation of the palm side of one hand is on presented on one side of the base and a representation of the other hand is presented on the other side of the base. This embodiment is particularly space efficient in that it presents both the right and left hands on opposite sides of the base. Where the base is formed from a wooden block or other material, the holes for the sampling sites can be drilled straight through the base. It is the nature of the shape of the human hand that the thumb and fingers will line up on opposite sides of the base and that a line drawn through the base will intersect, for example, the thumb of each hand on each side of the base.
In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the sampling locator comprises a representation of two hands in the palm up position situated side by side on the base. This embodiment of the invention allows the user to track sampling locations across all ten digits and maximize the available sampling area of the hands. The representations of the hands are labeled right hand and left hand and an arrow is included to indicate sampling direction.
The invention can be practiced with a slender peg having a slight taper or with a peg having a strong taper. A large head may be added to the peg to to facilitate handling.
The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be better understood when read with reference to the appended drawings, wherein:
The present invention is described with reference to the enclosed figures.
Arrow 20 is marked on base 10 to show the sampling progression direction and where to move peg 30 to the proximate opening. Label 22 identifies which hand is displayed. Title 24 is included to identify the device. Peg 30 is ¼ inch to 2 inches long and preferably between ½ inch and 1 inch long. Peg 30 has a width of approximately 0.1 inches.
Peg 30 is shown enlarged and is suited for placement in any opening, for example opening 13. Peg 30 is used to mark a sampling location.
Arrow 20 is marked on base 10 to show the sampling progression direction and where to move peg 30 to the proximate opening. For increased clarity, a directional arrow is not shown on the bottom surface 61, although inclusion of a directional arrow on bottom surface 61 is contemplated and hereby disclosed. Label 22 identifies which hand is displayed on surface 11. Label 66 also identifies which hand is displayed on surface 61. Title 24 is included to identify the device.
