The invention involves a method for focusing light comprising the steps of: projecting at least one pulse of light onto the surface of the skin of a patient; collecting at least a portion of the light that is reflected from the skin of the patient; projecting the collected, reflected light onto a detector; and adjusting the projection of the pulsed light onto the surface of the skin of the patient in such a manner that the signal projected onto the detector is optimized. When the light pulse is properly focused, e.g., when it is characterized by the best focus, it can be used to provide energy to form an opening in the skin of the patient. When more than one pulse of light is required to form an opening in the skin of the patient, aligning the light prior to each pulse will improve the efficiency of formation of the opening. In general, the method for aligning and focussing is the same as the method for focusing, with the difference being that aligning further includes steps for moving the spot of light formed by the light so that it strikes the surface of the skin at or near the position on the surface of the skin of the patient at which the previous spot of light struck the skin.
Performing selective photothermolysis of sub-cutaneous tissue by using a plurality of beams of narrow band electro-magnetic radiation, where each of the beams have energy that is insufficient to heat the tissue that they strike to a temperature high enough to destroy such tissue, but by directing the individual beams to overlap at the target sufficient heat is generated to destroy the target tissue.
Method and apparatus for communicating with a sealed electronic device via the electronic device's existing data ports for programming, testing configuration or diagnosis of the electronic device such as a transmitter unit for use in a data monitoring and management system such as analyte monitoring and management system is provided.
A device for use with a penetrating member driver to penetrate tissue is provided. A plurality of penetrating members are coupled to a single cartridge and are operatively couplable to the penetrating member driver. The penetrating members are movable to extend radially outward from the cartridge to penetrate tissue. A plurality of analyte sensors are coupled to the single cartridge and are positioned on the cartridge to receive body fluid from a wound in the tissue created by the penetrating member.
A tissue penetration device and method of using same. The tissue penetration device may optionally include sampling and analyzing functions, which may be integrated. An embodiment provides control of a lancet used for sampling blood. Electric field coils or solenoids may drive the lancet using electromagnetic force. Advancement and retraction of a lancet may be controlled by a feedback loop monitoring the position and velocity of the lancet embodiments of the lancet driver can be configured to follow a predetermined tissue lancing profile. Embodiments of the invention include a lancet and method for using a lancet to maintain the patency of the wound tract once the lancet has cut into the skin.
A tissue penetration device and method of using same that may include a lancet module or sampling module. The sampling module may optionally be in a cartridge configuration and include sampling and analyzing functions, which may be integrated.
