Patent Publication Number: US-2022233117-A1

Title: Blood sampling device, system, and method

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     A high level of interest exists in the healthcare community and industry for improving the technologies of sensing and monitoring glucose levels. Today, most glucose sensors use an electrochemical method. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure provides a blood sampler that includes a needle for piercing a user&#39;s skin and a sampler body for receiving a test strip and holding the test strip in place during the blood sampling and testing. When the test strip is inserted into the sampler body of the blood sampler, the sampler body aligns one end of the test strip with the needle such that the blood sampled through the needle ends up on the test strip while keeping the other end of the test strip exposed outside the sampler body such that a blood sample analyzer can be connected to the test strip without having to remove the test strip from the sampler body. In the present disclosure, the blood sampler and the test strip are collectively referred to as a blood sampling cartridge. 
     The present disclosure also provides a blood sampling cartridge launcher. The launcher includes an opening for receiving the blood sampling cartridge and a launching mechanism for launching the blood sampling cartridge towards the user&#39;s skin to sample the user&#39;s blood. When the blood sampling cartridge is inserted into the launcher and launched, the needle on the blood sampling cartridge pierces the user&#39;s skin, and blood is collected onto the test strip through the needle. The launcher may include a hinge, which allows the launcher to be in one of at least two hinge positions. In one hinge position, the blood sampling cartridge is aligned with the launching mechanism and the test strip is enclosed inside the launcher. This first hinge position allows the test strip to be protected inside the launcher, and allows the blood sampling cartridge to be launched for sampling the user&#39;s blood. In another hinge position, the blood sampling cartridge is not aligned with the launching mechanism and the test strip is exposed outside the opening of the launcher. This second hinge position allows the blood sampling cartridge to be inserted into or removed from the launcher, and allows a blood sample analyzer to be connected to the test strip while the blood sampling cartridge is still inserted into the launcher. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the drawings of various implementations, which are intended to illustrate and not to limit the invention. The drawings comprise the following figures in which: 
         FIG. 1A  illustrates a configuration of a blood sampling cartridge and a blood sampling cartridge launcher, according to an example implementation; 
         FIG. 1B  illustrates a configuration of a blood sampling cartridge launcher accommodating a blood sampling cartridge therein, according to an example implementation; 
         FIG. 2A  illustrates an example in which a user holding a cartridge launcher against the user&#39;s finger; 
         FIG. 2B  illustrates an example in which the user of  FIG. 2A  has actuated the launching mechanism with the user&#39;s thumb, causing the blood sampling cartridge inside the launcher to move towards the user&#39;s finger; 
         FIG. 3A  illustrates the components of a blood sampling cartridge and a blood sampling cartridge launcher, according to an example implementation; 
         FIG. 3B  illustrates an example of a needle, according to an example implementation; 
         FIG. 4A  illustrates components of a blood sampling cartridge, according to an example implementation; 
         FIG. 4B  illustrates a needle and a surrounding component in a blood sampling cartridge, according to an example implementation; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a flowchart depicting a method for making the blood sampling cartridge, according to an example implementation; 
         FIG. 6A  illustrates an example of relative positions of the needle and the sampler body, according to example implementations; 
         FIG. 6B  illustrates another example of relative positions of the needle and the sampler body, according to an example implementation; 
         FIG. 6C  illustrates another example of relative positions of the needle and the sampler body, according to an example implementation; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a top view and a bottom view of a blood sampling cartridge, according to an example implementation; and 
         FIG. 8  illustrates another example of a needle, according to an example implementation; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates one end of a blood sampling cartridge launcher, according to an example implementation. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a configuration of a blood sampling cartridge inside a blood sampling cartridge launcher in a hinged position, according to an example implementation; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a configuration of a blood sampling cartridge inside a blood sampling cartridge launcher in a hinged position, according to an example implementation; 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a configuration of a blood sampling cartridge inside a blood sampling cartridge launcher in a hinged position and a blood sample analyzer for connecting to a test strip of the blood sampling cartridge, according to an example implementation; 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a configuration of a blood sampling cartridge and a gun-type blood sampling cartridge launcher, according to an example implementation; 
         FIG. 14  illustrates a flowchart depicting a method for operating a blood sampling cartridge, a launcher, and a blood sample analyzer external to the launcher, according to an example implementation; and 
         FIG. 15  illustrates a flowchart depicting a method for operating a blood sampling cartridge, a launcher, and a blood sample analyzer integrated into the launcher, according to an example implementation. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Implementations of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures. The terminology used in the description presented herein is not intended to be interpreted in any limited or restrictive manner, simply because it is being utilized in conjunction with a detailed description of certain specific implementations of the invention. Furthermore, implementations of the invention may comprise several novel features, no single one of which is solely responsible for its desirable attributes or which is essential to practicing the inventions herein described. 
     I. Introduction 
     Glucose Measurement 
     Diabetes patients need to monitor the glucose level in their blood stream. One method is continuous glucose monitoring using a glucose electrode inserted into the body. Another method is a finger prick blood test. 
     Finger Prick Blood Test 
     The finger prick blood test involves a user pricking a finger with a piercing device and contacting the drop of blood formed on the skin with a test strip. After contacting the drop of blood that has formed on the user&#39;s skin with the test strip, the user inserts the test strip into a glucose analyzer. In response, the glucose analyzer provides a reading that indicates the user&#39;s blood glucose level. For a type-1 diabetes patient, such a finger prick blood test is recommended 4-10 times a day. 
     Finger Pricking is Painful 
     The finger prick method tears a relatively big opening in the patient&#39;s finger to provide a sufficient amount of blood for testing. This causes a lot of pain to the patient, multiple times a day. For some patients, the amount of pain can be too much to bear. 
     Finger Pricking is Cumbersome 
     The finger prick blood test involves multiple steps: (1) getting ready all the required tools including the piercing device, test strip, and glucose analyzer; (2) gripping the piercing device and piercing the skin; (3) setting down the piercing device; (4) bringing the test strip in contact with the drop of blood that has formed at the pierced site on the skin; and (5) inserting the test strip into the glucose analyzer. In some cases, the patient may insert the test strip into the glucose analyzer before bringing the test strip in contact with the blood. However, the process of inserting the test strip into the glucose analyzer and contacting the blood with the test strip still requires two separate steps. Performing these multiple steps may be cumbersome. For some older patients, the process may not be easy to perform. 
     II. Overview 
     Blood Sampling Cartridge 
     The present disclosure provides a blood sampling cartridge that can be used to collect blood from underneath a user&#39;s skin for immediate or in situ blood testing.  FIG. 1A  illustrates a configuration  100  including a blood sampling cartridge  101  (also referred to herein as the “cartridge”) according to one example implementation. The cartridge  101  includes a blood sampler  104  (also referred to herein as a sampler) and a test strip  102  that has been inserted into the blood sampler  104 . As shown in  FIG. 1A , the blood sampler  104  includes a needle for piercing the user&#39;s skin and a sampler body having an interior space for accommodating the test strip  102  therein. 
     Cartridge Launcher 
     The configuration  100  of  FIG. 1A  also includes a blood sampling cartridge launcher  106  (also referred to herein as the “launcher”) according to one example implementation. The launcher  106  is designed to be loaded with a blood sampling cartridge such as the cartridge  101  and launch the loaded blood sampling cartridge towards the user&#39;s skin to sample blood. 
     Cartridge Launcher in Loaded State 
       FIG. 1B  illustrates a configuration  200  in which the cartridge  101  has been loaded in the launcher. In the configuration  200 , the needle of the cartridge  101  is hidden inside the launcher  106  and is not be visible to the user. In the example of  FIG. 1B , the launcher  106  would launch the cartridge  101  towards the left such that the needle protrudes through a needle hole (not shown) provided on that left end of the launcher  106  for piercing the user&#39;s skin. 
     Operating Launcher to Launch Cartridge 
     A user might use the cartridge  101  and the launcher  106  for blood sampling and testing as follows: the user loads one cartridge  101  into the launcher  106  to arrive at the configuration  200  illustrated in  FIG. 1B ; then, the user holds the launcher  106  in the configuration  200  against a target site from which blood will be drawn, such as her fingertip, such that the tip (e.g., a skin-contacting tip  202  shown in  FIG. 1B ) of the launcher  106  touches the skin at the target site (this is shown in  FIG. 2A ); and subsequently, the user actuates the launcher  106  to cause the cartridge  101  to be launched towards the skin at the target site (this is shown in  FIG. 2B ). 
     Blood Withdrawal 
     After the cartridge  101  has been launched, the needle on the cartridge  101  pierces the skin and extracts blood from underneath her skin. The blood travels through the needle to an interior space provided inside the blood sampler  104  in which the test strip  102  is located. The extracted blood then comes in contact with the test strip  102 . While this withdrawal of blood is taking place, the user may keep the skin-contacting tip  202  in contact with the subject&#39;s skin (e.g., for 1 second, 2 seconds, or any other time period between 1-10 seconds). The user and the subject may be the same person or entity. Alternatively, the user and the subject may be different persons or entities. 
     Blood Testing 
     The test strip  102  can subsequently be analyzed by a glucose analyzer to provide the user with a reading of the user&#39;s blood glucose level. In some implementations, the cartridge  101  and launcher  106  are used to test for a material other than glucose. 
     Illustration of Cartridge and Launcher Usage 
     As discussed above,  FIGS. 2B and 2C  illustrate how a user might hold the launcher  106  when using the cartridge  101  and the launcher  106  to sample her blood, for example, to check her blood glucose levels.  FIG. 2A  shows the user gripping the launcher  106  and holding the needle end of the launcher  106  against her finger.  FIG. 2B  shows the user having pressed a launch button provided on the launcher  106  to launch the cartridge  101  towards her finger, which causes the needle provided on the cartridge  101  to pierce the skin on the user&#39;s finger. As a result, blood is withdrawn from underneath the user&#39;s skin through the needle into the blood sampler  104  (and onto the test strip  101 ). 
     III. Blood Sampling Cartridge 
     Components of Blood Sampling Cartridge 
     Now that some features of the general operation of the cartridge  101  and launcher  106  have been described, the individual components of the cartridge  101  are described in greater detail below with reference to  FIGS. 3A-7 . Such components include the test strip  102  and the sampler body  104 . 
     III.a. Test Strip 
     Construction of Test Strip 
     One component of the cartridge  101  is the test strip  102 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3A  according to one example implementation, the test strip  102  has an elongated body that includes a blood contact portion  102 A at one end, an analyzer connection portion  102 B at the other end, and an intermediate portion  102 C located between the two portions. 
     Blood Contact Portion 
     In implementations, the blood contact portion  102 A of the test strip  102  includes one or more electrodes specifically designed for detecting a chemical entity contained in blood. For determining glucose levels, the blood contact portion  102 A includes a glucose-sensing electrode (not shown) for oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction with glucose molecules. In some implementations, the glucose sensing electrode includes a glucose-specific enzyme. In other implementations, no enzyme is included in the glucose-sensing electrode. The blood contact portion  102 A may include one or more additional electrodes for electrochemical reactions for detecting glucose levels. For chemical entities other than glucose, the blood contacting portion  102 A includes an electrode for redox reactions with such other chemical entities. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand specific configurations and materials of the electrodes for glucose and other chemical entities. 
     Analyzer Connection Portion 
     In implementations, the analyzer connection portion  102 B of the test strip  102  includes contact terminals (not shown) to electrically contact counterpart terminals of a blood sample analyzer. In one example implementation, each contact terminal of the analyzer connection portion  102 B corresponds to one of the multiple electrodes formed in the blood contact portion  102 A. The analyzer connection portion  102 B may be specially designed to connect to only specific blood sample analyzer models or specific adaptors. Alternatively, the analyzer connection portion  102 B may be connectable to generic and/or universal analyzer models of one or more types. The analyzer connection portion  102 B is also referred to herein as an electric contact terminal portion. 
     Intermediate Portion 
     In implementations, the intermediate portion  102 C of the test strip  102  includes wiring that electrically connects the electrodes in the blood contact portion  102 A to the corresponding contact terminals in the analyzer connection portion  102 B. 
     Commercially Available Test Strips 
     In some implementations, the test strip  102  is a commercially available off-the-shelf test strip. For such off-the-shelf test strips, the sampler body  104 B is designed and sized such that when the blood contact portion  102 A of the test strip  102  is inserted into the interior space of the blood sampler  104 , the blood contact portion  102 A can reach an area within the interior space where the blood extracted through the needle of the blood sampler  104  is collected. In other implementations, the test strip  102  is specially designed to fit the blood sampler  104  and to be compatible with the blood sampler  104 . 
     Alternative Shapes of Test Strip 
     Although the test strip  102  is illustrated in  FIG. 3A  as having a straight, elongated body, in other implementations, the test strip can have another shape. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand other variations in the design of the test strip. One of ordinary skill in the art would also understand that the locations of the blood contact portion and/or the analyzer connection portion may vary depending on the design of the test strip. 
     III.b. Blood Sampler 
     Blood Sampler 
     Another component of the cartridge  101  is the blood sampler  104 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3A  according to one example implementation, the blood sampler  104  includes a sampler body  104 B and a needle  104 A fixed to the sampler body. 
     III.b.(i) Needle 
     Needle 
     The needle  104 A is to pierce skin and withdraw blood from underneath the subject&#39;s skin. The needle has an elongated body extending between a distal end portion for piercing the subject&#39;s skin and a proximal end portion attached to the sampler body.  FIG. 3B  illustrates a close-up  310  of the distal end portion of an example of the needle  104 A. As illustrated, the distal end portion may be cut to provide a sharp tip that gradually gets thinner. 
     Blood-Flowing Channel 
     The needle  104 A provides a blood-flowing channel extending between the distal end portion and the proximal end portion. As illustrated, the needle  104 A has a generally cylindrical shape having a hollow channel inside (as shown in  FIG. 3B ) for flowing blood from the distal end portion to the proximal end portion (not illustrated in  FIG. 3B ). In another implementation, the needle  104 A of  FIG. 8  has a half-cut construction as if the cylindrical body of the needle  310  of  FIG. 3B  is cut in half along its longitudinal direction. The half-cut construction provides a blood-flowing channel that is open along the longitudinal direction. The term “half-cut construction” refers to any needle constructions that have a blood-flowing channel that is open along the longitudinal direction even if it is not in fact “cut” from a hollow, cylindrical shape and also if it does not have exact one half of a cross-section of a hollow, cylindrical shape. 
     Hydrophilic Channel 
     In implementations, the blood-flowing channel provides a hydrophilic surface for capillary action to cause the blood withdrawn through the needle to flow toward the proximal end of the blood-flowing channel. 
     Material and Making of Needle 
     The needle  104  can be made of a variety of metallic materials, which is well known in the art. A hollow, cylindrical needle is typically manufactured by rolling a metallic sheet. Alternatively, a needle can be made by of polymeric materials injection molding. Bio-compatible polymers having structural strength can be used to produce a needle. To provide more structural strength, one or more coatings can be added on surfaces of a polymeric needle. 
     Shape of Needle 
     As described above, the needle  104 A can be a hollow tube. An example of a hollow tube needle is shown in  FIG. 3B . In other implementations, the needle  104 A is a half-cut tube. An example of a half-cut tube needle is shown in  FIG. 8 . In other implementations, the cross-section of the needle  104 A is a shape other than a full circle (hollow tube) or a half circle (half-cut tube) such as a three-quarters of a circle, a quarter of a circle, an ellipse, to name a few. 
     Thickness of Needle 
     Generally, reducing the size of the outer diameter of the needle reduces the likelihood that the user will experience pain. To reduce or minimize pain, the blood sampler  104  includes a needle that is 30-gauge or above (e.g., inner diameter less than or equal to 150 micrometers, outer diameter less than equal to 300 micrometers), in one example implementation. Such a needle has an increased chance of avoiding or reducing contact with pain spots underneath the user&#39;s skin while having a large enough inner diameter to withdraw blood from underneath the user&#39;s skin to the blood collection space in the sampler body  104 B. 
     Length of Needle 
     The length of the needle  104 A is sized such that, when the blood sampler  104  is launched towards the user&#39;s skin, the needle  104 A penetrates the user&#39;s skin deeply enough to extract blood from underneath the user&#39;s skin. In some implementations, the length of the needle  104 A may be sized such that the penetration depth is in the range of 2 mm to 5 mm, in one example implementation. 
     Materials of Needle Different from Sampler Body 
     The needle  104 A may be made of a different material than that used for the sampler body  104 B. In some implementations, the needle  104  is made of stainless steel. In other implementations, the needle  104 A is made of glass or silicon dioxide. In yet other implementations, the needle  104 A is made of plastic or other polymers. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand other types of materials that can also be used for the needle  104 A. 
     Materials of Needle Same as Sampler Body 
     The needle  104 A may be made of the same material(s) used for the sampler body  104 B. In some implementations, the needle  104 A and the sampler body  104 B are both made of stainless steel. In other implementations, the needle  104 A and the sampler body  104 B are both made of glass or silicon dioxide. In yet other implementations, the needle  104 A and the sampler body  104 B are both made of plastic or other polymers. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand other types of materials that can also be used for the needle  104 A and the sampler body  104 B. 
     Inner Surface of Needle is Hydrophobic 
     In some implementations, the inner surface of the needle  104 A is hydrophobic, in one example implementation. For example, the inner surface may have a hydrophobicity value that is greater than a threshold value. In such implementations, the inner surface of the needle  104 A may be applied a hydrophilic coating, causing the coated inner surface to be hydrophilic (or to have a hydrophobicity value less than the threshold value). For example, the inner surface may be coated using the TiO 2  coating technology of Positive Coatings, a Swiss company. As another example, the inner surface may be coated using the Dursox® method of SilcoTek® Corporation, which involves creating, via chemical vapor deposition (CVD), a chemically protective hydrophilic barrier of amorphous silicon and oxygen. However, in other cases, the hydrophilic coating may be applied using other hydrophilic coating methods, as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. In yet other implementations, a hydrophilic coating is not provided to the inner surface of the needle  104 A. 
     Inner Surface of Needle is Hydrophilic 
     In some implementations, the inner surface of the needle  104 A is hydrophilic, in one example implementation. For example, the inner surface may have a hydrophobicity value that is less than a threshold value. In some of such implementations, a hydrophilic coating described in the preceding paragraph is not provided to the inner surface of the needle  104 A. The hydrophilic nature of the inner surface causes blood at the distal end of the needle  104 A to be pulled up through the needle  104 A and into the blood collection space of the sampler body  104 B by capillary action. In some other implementations, a hydrophilic coating described in the preceding paragraph is applied to the inner surface of the needle  104 A despite the inner surface being hydrophilic (e.g., to reduce the hydrophobicity value). 
     III.b.(ii) Sampler Body 
     Sampler Body 
     Another component of the sampler  104  is the sampler body  104 B. The sampler body  104 B can be made of plastic, although in other implementations, the sampler body  104 B can be made of other materials. As described herein, the sampler body  104 B includes an interior space (also referred to herein as inner space) for accommodating the test strip  102 . As shown in  FIG. 3A , the proximal end portion of the needle  104 A is attached to the sampler body  104 B. 
     Interior Space of Sampler Body 
     The interior space of the sampler body  104 B is formed and defined by inner surfaces of the sampler body  104 B. The interior space is in fluid communication with the blood-flowing channel of the needle  104 A. Also, the interior space accommodates a leading portion of the test strip  102 , including the blood contact portion  102 A. 
     Blood Collection Area 
     In implementations, the interior space is designed to allow the blood that is flowing into the interior space to immediately contact the blood contact portion  102 A of the test strip  102  without having to flow through additional channels. The interior space includes a blood collection area in which the blood contact portion  102 A of the test strip  102 B is located when the test strip  102  is fully inserted or engaged with the sampler body  104 B. The blood collection area is located at or next to the proximal end of the needle  104 A into which the blood withdrawn through the needle  104 A flows as the blood comes out of the proximal end of the blood-flowing channel. There may be a gap or distance between the proximal end of the blood-flowing channel and the blood collection area but without a structure that would block or impede the flow of the blood from the proximal end to the blood collection area. Accordingly, when the test strip is fully inserted into the sampler body  104 B, the blood withdrawn through the needle  104 A reaches the blood contact portion  102 A of the test strip  102  as the blood exits the proximal end of the blood-flowing channel of the needle  104 A (e.g., without having to flow through another channel). 
     Guide for Sliding Test Strip 
     In implementations, the sampler body  104 B includes a guide structure to guide sliding of the test strip  102  into the sampler body  104 B. The guide is elongated generally along an axis along which the needle  104 A attached to the sampler body  104 B extends. Accordingly, the elongated body of the test strip  102  is to slide into the sampler body  104 B so that the blood contact portion  102 A of the test strip  104 B can easily reach the blood collection area of the interior space. The guide structure may include the side walls and/or the top/bottom walls that make up the interior space (e.g., top-facing surface  408  and side walls  409  in  FIG. 4A ) or provided around or near the interior space (e.g., guide members  1304  in  FIG. 13 ). In some implementations, the side walls and/or the top/bottom walls that make up the guide structure may include one or more opening or hollow portions (e.g., as shown in  FIG. 13 , where the top- and bottom-facing surfaces of the sampler body  104 B have large holes that span most of the top- and bottom-facing surfaces). 
     Construction of Sampler Body 
     In one example implementation, the needle  104 A and the sampler body  104 B are made and assembled as shown in  FIG. 4A . In the example of  FIG. 4A , the sampler body  104 B is assembled by combining two pieces of plastic: a top piece  402  and a bottom piece  404 . In the example of  FIG. 9 , the bottom piece  404  includes a recess defined by a top-facing surface  408  and side walls  409  generally perpendicular to the top-facing surface  408 . In other implementations, the recess may be provided in one or both of the top piece  402  and the bottom piece  404  to provide the interior space of the sampler body  104 B when the pieces are assembled.  FIG. 4A  also shows a needle attachment piece  406  used to attach the needle  104 A to the sampler body  104 B. The needle attachment piece  406  is described in greater detail below. 
     Inner Surfaces of Interior Space Operate as Test Strip Guide 
     When the sampler body  104 B is assembled, the interior space thereof is defined by the bottom-facing surface (not shown in  FIG. 4A ) of the top piece  402 , the top-facing surface  408  of the bottom piece  404 , and the side walls  409  of the bottom piece  404 . One or more of these four surfaces alone or collectively (i) guide the test strip  102  as the test strip  102  is inserted into the interior space of the sampler body  104 B and (ii) prevent the test strip  102  from turning, rotating, or otherwise moving away from the axis of the needle  104 A, thereby operating as a test strip guide. 
     III.b.(iii) Relationship between Needle and Sampler Body 
     Attaching Needle to Sampler Body 
     As shown in  FIG. 4A , the needle  104 A can be first attached to an intermediary piece (the needle attachment piece  406  of  FIG. 4A ), and the intermediary piece can then be combined with the sampler body  104 B. Alternatively, the needle  104 A can be attached to the sampler body  104 B without such an intermediary piece. The needle attachment piece  406  may have a shape corresponding to a groove or space provided in one or both of the upper piece  402  and the bottom piece  404 . A close-up of the needle  104 A and the needle attachment piece  402  is shown in  FIG. 4B . 
     Shape of Sampler Body 
     In the example of  FIG. 4A , the portion of the sampler body  104 B that would accommodate the needle  104 A (e.g., the portion occupied by the needle attachment piece  406 ) is narrower than the portion of the sampler body  104 B that would accommodate the test strip  102  (e.g., the remaining portion of the sampler body  104 B not occupied by the needle attachment piece  406 ). In other implementations, the latter portion may be narrower or those portions may have the same or similar widths. 
     Needle Made Integrally with Sampler Body 
     In some implementations, the needle  104 A and the sampler body  104 B are made integrally using the same process (e.g., as opposed to being made separately and combined). For example, the needle  104 A and the sampler body  104 B are made by making a top piece and a bottom piece, where the top piece makes up the top half of the needle  104 A and the top half of the sampler body  104 B, and the bottom piece makes up the bottom half of the needle  104 A and the bottom half of the sampler body  104 B. The two pieces can be attached to each other to form the needle  104 A and the sampler body  104 B. 
     Position of Needle&#39;s Proximal End within Sampler Body 
       FIGS. 6A-6C  illustrate example positions of the needle  104 A relative to the sampler body  104 B including the interior space. In  FIG. 6A , the proximal end (e.g., the end that is closer to the interior space of the sampler body  104 B) of the needle  104 A is aligned with the end of the sampler body  104 B (e.g., the end opposite to that having the opening for receiving the test strip  102 ), and a blood collection area  602  includes the channel between the proximal end of the needle  104 A and the interior space of the sampler body  104 B and also a portion of the interior space of the sampler body  104 B. In  FIG. 6B , the proximal end of the needle  104 A is placed between the end of the sampler body  104 B and the test strip  102 , and the blood collection area  602  includes a portion of the channel between the proximal end of the needle  104 A and the interior space of the sampler body  104 B and also a portion of the interior space of the sampler body  104 B. In  FIG. 6C , the proximal end of the needle  104 A is in contact with (or almost in contact with) the test strip  102 , and the blood collection area  602  includes a portion of the interior space of the sampler body  104 B. Although not shown, the proximal end of the needle  104 A may be placed inside the interior space such that the needle  104 A overlaps with the test strip  102 , for example, when viewed from the direction from which the examples of  FIGS. 6A-6C  are shown. In such a case, the blood collection area includes a portion of the interior space of the sampler body  104 B at or near the proximal end of the needle  104 A. 
     Blood Collection Space within Sampler 
     The space between the needle  104 A and the interior space of the sampler body  104 B of  FIG. 6A  may be referred to herein as the blood collection space. In some implementations, the blood collection space may include a portion of the interior space into which blood withdrawn from the user flows. 
     Needle Elongation Aligned with Blood Collection Space 
     As shown in  FIGS. 6A-6C , the needle  104 A is positioned such that the proximal end of the needle  104 A points to the blood collection space. 
     Pressure Holes on Sampler Body 
     In some implementations, to facilitate the extraction of the user&#39;s blood through the needle  104 A, the sampler body  104 B may include one or more holes that can equalize or reduce the pressure in the interior space of the sampler body  104 B.  FIG. 7  shows two sets of pressure holes (e.g., circular holes  1102  and elongated holes  1104 ) on top and bottom views of the cartridge  101 . 
     III.b.(iv) Assembly and Characteristics of Cartridge 
     Flowchart for Assembling Blood Sampler Cartridge 
       FIG. 5  is a flowchart for assembling the cartridge  101 , according to an implementation of the present disclosure. One or more of the steps illustrated in  FIG. 5  may be performed by a user manufacturing, supplying, or selling the cartridge  101 , by a machine performing the assembly, and/or by an end user using the cartridge  101  (e.g., patient). For convenience, the method  500  is described as performed by a user. The method  500  can include fewer, more, or different blocks than those illustrated in  FIG. 5  and/or one or more blocks illustrated in  FIG. 5  may be modified, omitted, or switched without departing from the spirit and scope of the description. For example blocks  502 - 508  may be combined (e.g., by providing a sampler  104 ). 
     Provide Needle 
     At block  502 , the user provides the needle  104 A. 
     Provide Top Piece of Sampler Body 
     At block  504 , the user provides the top piece  402  of the sampler body  104 B. 
     Provide Bottom Piece of Sampler Body 
     At block  506 , the user provides the bottom piece  404  of the sampler body  104 B. 
     Combine Top and Bottom Pieces with Needle 
     At block  508 , the user combines the top piece  402  with the bottom piece  404  with the needle  104 A positioned therebetween. 
     Provide Test Strip 
     At block  510 , the user provides the test strip  102 . 
     Insert Test Strip 
     At block  512 , the user inserts the test strip  102  into the interior space of the sampler body  104 B. At block  514 , the method  500  may end. 
     Insertion and Usage of Test Strip 
     When the test strip  102  is inserted into the blood sampler  104  (thereby forming the cartridge  101 ), the blood contact portion  102 A is located inside the interior space of the blood sampler  104  for contacting blood when blood is withdrawn through the needle of the blood sampler  104 . The analyzer connection portion  102 B, in one example implementation, can be inserted into a blood sample analyzer to analyze the blood collected on the blood contact portion  102 A. 
     Person(s) Assembling Cartridge 
     In some implementations, the cartridge  101  is assembled (i.e. test strip  102  is inserted into the blood sampler  104 ) by the manufacturer (or supplier or seller) prior to being sold to the end user (e.g., patient or clinician). In other implementations, the cartridge  101  is assembled by the end user, by inserting the blood contact portion  102 A of the test strip  102  into the interior space in the sampler body  104 B, prior to using the cartridge  101 . In yet other implementations, the sampler  104  is assembled by the manufacturer (or supplier or seller) and the end user inserts the test strip  102  into the sampler  104  to complete the cartridge  101 . For example, the end user may be provided with the sampler  104  and the test strip  102  as a package, and the end user may assemble the cartridge  101 . Alternatively, the end user may obtain the sampler  104  and the test strip  102  from separate sources and assemble the cartridge  101 . 
     Shape and Size of Blood Contact Portion 
     In the cartridge  101  of  FIG. 1A , the blood contact portion  102 A is fully inserted into the blood sampler  104 . Accordingly, the blood contact portion  102 A has a shape and size that allows the blood contact portion  102 A to enter the opening provided on the sampler body  104 B (e.g., on the right side end of the sampler body  104 B in  FIG. 3A ) and fit inside the interior space of the blood sampler  104 . 
     Full Insertion of Test Strip: Stopper 
     In some implementations, to fully insert the test strip  102  into the interior space of the sampler body  104 B, the user inserts the tip of the test strip  102  at which the blood contact portion  102 A is provided, and pushes the test strip  102  deeper into the interior space of the sampler body  104 B until the test strip  102  has traveled a threshold depth into the interior space. For example, the threshold depth is when the tip of the test strip  102  has reached the deepest end of the interior space (e.g., where blood collection area is provided). In this example, the deepest end of the interior space works as a stopper designed to stop the test strip  102  from further traveling deeper into the interior space when the blood contact portion  102 A of the test strip  102  has reached the blood collection area of the interior space. 
     Full Insertion of Test Strip: Locking Mechanism 
     As another example, the threshold depth is when a protrusion or locking mechanism provided on the test strip  102  (e.g., the line between the blood contact portion  102 A and the intermediate portion  102 C in  FIG. 3A ) has reached and/or surpassed the counterpart recess or locking mechanism provided inside the interior space of the sampler body  104 B (e.g., a step  604  shown in  FIGS. 6A-6C ). For example, the roughly square portion inside the interior space of the sampler body  104 B between the step  604  and the blood collection area  602  is designed to accommodate and lock in the corresponding roughly square portion of the test strip  102  on which the blood contact portion  102 A is provided). In this example, once the locking mechanism of the test strip has crossed the locking mechanism of the interior space, the test strip  102  has been fully inserted into the interior space and locked into a position where the blood contact portion  102 A is in the blood collection area and/or has reached the proximal end of the needle  104 A. Although the square shape was used for the locking mechanism, another shape may be used to provide the same locking functionality. The step  604  prevents the test strip  102  from backing out of the interior space once it has engaged with the counterpart locking mechanism provided on the test strip  102 . 
     Blood Contact Portion of Test Strip Reaches Blood Collection Space when Inserted 
     In some implementations, when the test strip  102  has been fully inserted into the sampler body  104 B, the proximal end of the needle  104 A is in contact with the blood contact portion  102 A of the test strip  102  such that the blood at the proximal end of the needle  104 A reaches the blood contact portion  102 A of the test strip  102  by capillary action. In other implementations, when the test strip  102  has been fully inserted into the sampler body  104 B, the proximal end of the needle  104 A is not in contact with the blood contact portion  102 A of the test strip  102  but close enough to the blood contact portion  102 A of the test strip  102  such that the blood at the proximal end of the needle  104 A reaches the blood contact portion  102 A of the test strip  102  by capillary action. 
     Insertion of Test Strip via Guide 
     Once slid into the sampler body  104 B guided by the guide structure provided in the sampler body  104 B, the tip of the blood contact portion  102 A reaches the proximal end of the needle  104 A or reach the blood collection area that is in fluid communication with the proximal end of the needle  104 A. This design allows the blood extracted from underneath the user&#39;s skin through the needle  104 A to reach the blood contact portion  102 A (directly or via the inner space provided therebetween), and thereby eliminates the need to manually bring the test strip  102  in contact with the drop of blood that has formed on the user&#39;s skin, as done in the finger prick method described above. 
     Needle Elongation Aligned with Test Strip 
     As shown in  FIGS. 6A-6C , the interior space is designed such that the blood contact portion  102 A of the test strip  102 , when inserted into the interior space, points to and reaches the blood collection space inside the sampler body  104 B. 
     Analyzer Connection Portion Exposed Outside Interior Space of Sampler 
     As shown in  FIG. 1A , the interior space of the sampler body  104 B can be deep enough to cover about half of the test strip  102 . For example, when the test strip  102  has been fully inserted into the interior space, the blood contact portion  102 A may be inside the sampler body  104 B (e.g., in the interior space provided therein) while the analyzer connection portion  102 B is outside the sampler body  104 B. Thus, event after the blood contact portion  102 A has been inserted into the sampler body  104 B, the analyzer connection portion  102 B remains outside the sampler body  104 B. Alternatively, in other implementations, when the test strip  102  has been fully inserted into the sampler body  104 B, both of the blood contact portion  102 A and the analyzer connection portion  102 B are inside the sampler body  104 B. 
     Exposed Analyzer Connection Portion Allows Convenient Sampling and Testing 
     The depth of the interior space of the sampler body  104 B allows a blood sample analyzer to be connected to the analyzer connection portion  102 B while the blood contact portion  102 A is still inside the sampler body  104 B. This design of the sampler body  104 B allows both the blood sampling and the blood testing to occur without requiring the user to move (or otherwise maneuver) the test strip  102 . In contrast, in the finger prick method described above, after blood is withdrawn and a drop of blood is formed on the user&#39;s skin, the user is required to bring the test strip to the drop of blood to collect blood onto the test strip by touching the drop of blood with the test strip. 
     Locking Mechanism Inside Sampler Body 
     Inside the sampler body  104 B, a locking mechanism may be provided for locking the test strip  102  inside the sampler body  104 B. Once the test strip  102  is locked into the sampler body  104 B by the locking mechanism, removing the test strip  102  from the sampler body  104 B requires a much greater amount of force than that used to insert the test strip  102  into the sampler body  104 B. The test strip  102  may include a corresponding groove or protrusion that may be caught by the locking mechanism. 
     Snug Fit of Test Strip Inside Sampler Body 
     In some implementations, the width of the blood contact portion  102 A does not allow the test strip  102  to be wiggled within the interior space of the sampler body  104 B and the axis of the test strip  102  remains aligned with the axis of the sampler body  104 B as long as the blood contact portion  102 A is inside the sampler body  104 B. In some implementations, the height of the blood contact portion  102 A is design such that the top surface and the bottom surface are both touching the walls of the interior space of the sampler body  104 B (e.g., so that the locking mechanism can be properly engaged). 
     Removing Test Strip from Blood Sampler 
     As shown in  FIG. 3A , the test strip  102  can be removed from the blood sampler  104 . The user may hold the analyzer connection portion  102 B of the test strip  102  and pull the test strip  102  away from the blood sampler  104  to remove the test strip  102  from the blood sampler  104 . The sampler body  104 B of the blood sampler  104  may include a locking mechanism that requires the test strip  102  to be pulled away from the sampler body  104 B with a threshold amount of force (e.g., greater than that required to insert the test strip  102  into the sampler body  104 B) in order to be removed from the sampler body  104 B. After the test strip  102  has been removed from the blood sampler  104 , the blood contact portion  102 A of the test strip  102  may still have the blood collected via the needle  104 A of the blood sampler  104 . Alternatively, in other implementations, the test strip  102  is not removable from the blood sampler  104  by pulling on the test strip  102 . 
     Disposable Cartridge 
     The cartridge  101  may be designed to be disposed after a single use (e.g., after collecting blood on the test strip and testing the collected blood). In some implementations, the sampler body  104 B is designed such that the removal of the test strip  102  from the sampler body  104 B damages the blood contact portion  102 A of the test strip  102  such that a test strip reader or a blood sample analyzer can no longer take measurements from the blood collected on the blood contact portion  102 A (or such that the test strip  102  cannot be used again). For example, the locking mechanism provided inside the interior space may damage the test strip  102  as the test strip  102  is forcibly pulled out of the interior space. In other implementations, the sampler body  104 B of the blood sampler  104  is not designed to damage the test strip  102  in such a manner. 
     IV. Launcher 
     Components of Blood Sampling Cartridge Launcher 
     Now that some features of the components of the cartridge  101  have been described, the individual components of the launcher  106  are described in greater detail below with reference to  FIGS. 1B, 3A, and 9-15 . 
     Launcher 
     Turning back to  FIG. 3A , in one example implementation, the launcher  106  includes a cartridge holder  106 A, a launching mechanism  106 B, a protrusion  106 C, and a needle hole  106 D. The cartridge holder  106 A is used for receiving and holding the cartridge  101 . The launching mechanism  106 B is used for launching the cartridge  101  towards the user&#39;s skin. The protrusion  106 C is for positioning the cartridge  101  within the cartridge holder  106 A for launching. The needle hole  106 D is used for letting the needle  104 A through. 
     Cartridge Holder 
     The cartridge holder  106 A is used for receiving and holding the cartridge  101 . The cartridge holder  106 A has an opening into which the sampler body  104 B of the cartridge  101  can be inserted. 
     Cartridge Guide 
     The cartridge guide (not labeled) includes one or more guide surfaces that guide the sampler body  104 B as the sampler body  104 B slides into the opening provided by the cartridge holder  106 A. 
     Launching Mechanism 
     The launching mechanism  106 B is used for launching the cartridge  101  towards the user&#39;s skin. 
     Protrusion 
     The protrusion  106 C is for positioning the cartridge  101  within the cartridge holder  106 A for launching. In some implementations, the protrusion  106 C stops the sampler body  104 B before the sampler body  104 B reaches the deepest end of the interior space inside the cartridge holder  106 A. 
     Needle Hole on Skin-Contacting Tip of Launcher 
     The needle hole  106 D (also referred to herein as a through hole) is used for letting the needle  104 A of the cartridge  101  through. The width (or inner diameter) of the hole is greater than the width (or outer diameter) of the needle  104 A. As another example,  FIG. 9  shows a needle hole  1202  provided at the skin-contacting tip  202  of the launcher  106 . 
     Protrusions on Skin-Contacting Tip of Launcher 
       FIG. 9  shows protrusions  1204  (e.g., the pointy objects shown around the needle hole  1202  in  FIG. 9 ). Having such protrusions  1204  touch the user&#39;s skin prior to the needle  104 A entering the user&#39;s skin may lessen the pain associated with the needle  104 A perceived by the user. 
     Hidden Needle Projects Upon Actuation 
     After loading of the cartridge  101  into the launcher  106  but before launching the cartridge  101 , the distal end of the needle  104 A does not project through the hole. When the cartridge  101  is launched by the launching mechanism  106 B, the distal end of the needle  104 A projects through the hole towards and into the user&#39;s skin. In some implementations, in response to the user&#39;s actuation of the launching mechanism  106 B, the distal end of the needle  104 A projects about 2 mm to 5 mm outside the hole, in one example implementation. 
     Cartridge Loading Space Inside Launcher 
     The user can insert the cartridge  101  into the cartridge holder  106 A, with the needle  104 A end first.  FIG. 1B  illustrates a configuration  110  in which the cartridge  101  has been inserted into the cartridge holder  106 A of the launcher  106 . 
     Guide inside Cartridge Loading Space 
     The cartridge holder  106 A includes, in one example implementation, a guide that guides the manner in which the cartridge  101  is inserted into the launcher  106  and also guides the manner in which the cartridge is launched towards the target site. The guide allows the needle  104 A to be aligned with the needle hole provided at the end of the launcher  106  when the cartridge  101  has been inserted into the launcher  106 , and allows the needle  104 A to be launched through the needle hole along the axis of the launcher  106  (direction in which the user has aimed the launcher  106 ). 
     Stopper Inside Cartridge Loading Space 
     The cartridge holder  106 A includes, in one example implementation, a stopper that stops the cartridge  101  after the cartridge  101  has been inserted into the cartridge holder  106 A by a threshold or predetermined depth. In some implementations, the threshold depth is one that allows the cartridge  101  to be within the reach of the launching mechanism  106 B and also allows some room between the deepest end of the cartridge loading space and the cartridge  101  such that the cartridge  101  can still be launched towards the deepest end of the cartridge loading space (and the needle  104 A towards the needle hole) when the user actuates the launching mechanism  106 B. The cartridge  101  may include a corresponding groove or protrusion that may be caught by the stopper. 
     Example of Stopping Mechanism 
     One example of such a stopping mechanism is shown in  FIG. 3A  as the protrusion  106 C, which corresponds to a counterpart recess (not labeled) provided on the bottom surface of the sampler body  104  in  FIG. 3A . In this example, when the recess provided on the sampler body  104  engages with the protrusion  106 C upon insertion of the sampler body  104  into the opening  106 A of the launcher  106 , the sampler body  104  is stopped by the engagement of the recess and the protrusion  106 C from being inserted deeper into the opening  106 A (unless a threshold amount of force is applied in the direction into the opening  106 A). When the sampler body  104  is stopped, there is remaining space between the deepest end of the opening  106 A (e.g., near the needle hole  106 D) and the portion of the sampler body  104  that has been inserted deepest into the opening  106 A. This remaining space allows the sampler body  104  to be projected even deeper into the opening  106 A for allowing the needle  104 A to be moved through the needle hole  106 D and pierce the subject&#39;s skin for withdrawing blood from underneath the subject&#39;s skin. 
     Launching Mechanism of Launcher 
     In some implementations, the launching mechanism  106 B is manually operated by pressing on the button shown in  FIGS. 2A and 3A  such that the needle  104 A moves as much as the button is moved. In other implementations, the launching mechanism  106 B is spring loaded such that when the button is pressed with a sufficient amount of force to be actuated, the needle  104 A instantaneously launches into the user&#39;s skin with the same amount of force regardless of how much force applied on the button for how long. 
     Cartridge Pusher on Launching Mechanism 
     In some implementations, the launching mechanism  106 B includes a cartridge pusher that pushes the cartridge  101  deeper into the cartridge holder  106 A. When the cartridge  101  has been inserted into the cartridge holder  106 A, the end of the sampler body  104 B (e.g., the end opposite to the needle  104 A) is in contact with the cartridge pusher. In some implementations, in response to the user actuating the launching mechanism  106 B, the cartridge pusher pushes the sampler body  104 B without touching the test strip  102  inserted into the cartridge  101 . For example, the cartridge pusher may push outer portions of the surface of the sampler body  104 B that is facing away from the needle  104 A that are not blocked or occupied by the test strip  102 . 
     Removing Cartridge from Launcher 
     The user may hold the cartridge  101  and pull out the cartridge  101  from the cartridge holder  106 A while the test strip  102  is still inserted into the cartridge  101 . The cartridge holder  106 A may include a locking mechanism that requires the cartridge  101  to be pulled away from the cartridge holder  106 A with a threshold amount of force (e.g., greater than that required to insert the cartridge  101  into the cartridge holder  106 A) in order to be removed from the cartridge holder  106 A. When the cartridge  101  has been removed from the launcher  106 , the needle  104 A that was used to pierce the user&#39;s skin may still be attached to the cartridge  101 , and the blood contact portion  102 A of the test strip  102  may have the user&#39;s blood thereon. 
     Retraction of Needle Back into Launcher 
     In some implementations, the launcher  106  is designed such that when the cartridge  101  is launched by the launcher  106 , the needle  104 A of the cartridge  101  enters the user&#39;s skin, withdraws blood, and retracts back to the original position. In other implementations, the launcher  106  is designed such that when the cartridge  101  is launched by the launcher  106 , the needle  104 A of the cartridge  101  enters the user&#39;s skin and stays at least partially under the user&#39;s skin until the needle  104 A is pulled out manually by the user (e.g., by pulling the launcher  106  away from the user&#39;s skin). 
     Hinged Launcher 
     In some implementations, the launcher  106  has a hinge (as shown in  FIGS. 1-6 ). In other implementations, the launcher  106  does not have a hinge (e.g., as shown in  FIG. 13 ). 
     Hinged Launcher in Straight/Locked Position 
     In  FIG. 1B , the blood sampling cartridge is in its straight position (may also be referred to as locked position). In the straight position, the cartridge  101  inside the opening of the launcher  106  is locked into the opening of the launcher  106  and is not slidably removable from the blood sampling cartridge  101  because in the straight position, the launching mechanism  106 B is blocking the cartridge  101  and is locking the cartridge  101  in the cartridge holder  106 A of the launcher  106 . 
     Cavity for Accommodating Test Strip in Straight Position 
     While the launcher  106  is in the straight position, the analyzer connection portion  102 B of the test strip  102  is accommodated in a cavity created in the launcher  106  such that the analyzer connection portion  102 B of the test strip  102  is protected from inadvertent contact by the user. 
     Hinged Launcher in Partially Hinged Position 
       FIG. 10  illustrates the launcher  106  in a partially hinged position in which the launching mechanism is no longer aligned with the opening of the blood sampling cartridge and is no longer blocking the opening of the launcher  106 . When the launcher  106  is in the partially hinged position, the blood sampling cartridge  101  can be inserted into and/or removed from the opening of the launcher  106 . In the hinged position, the launcher  106  exposes the analyzer connection portion of the test strip  102  of the cartridge  101  so that a blood sample analyzer can be connected thereto. 
     Blood Sample Analyzer 
     A blood sample analyzer can be connected to the analyzer connection portion  102 B of the test strip while the launcher  106  is in the hinged position as shown in  FIG. 12 . Alternatively, a blood sample analyzer may be integrated into the launcher  106  and may be connected to the analyzer connection portion  102 B while the launcher  106  is in the straight position as shown in  FIG. 1B . 
     Blood Testing Facilitated by Launcher 
     In addition to launching the cartridge  101  into the user&#39;s skin for purposes of collecting the user&#39;s blood onto the test strip  102 , the launcher  106  facilitates the testing of the blood sample collected onto the test strip  102 . For example, as shown in  FIGS. 4-6 , the launcher  106  may be designed (e.g., designed to include a hinge mechanism) such that a blood sample analyzer can be connected to the analyzer connection portion  102 B of the test strip  102  without having to remove the cartridge  101  from the launcher  106  (e.g., by converting the launcher  106  into a hinged position). As another example, the launcher  106  may include an integrated blood sample analyzer that connects to the analyzer connection portion  102 B either (i) even before the cartridge  101  is launched to collect blood from the user (e.g., the gun launcher shown in  FIG. 13 ) or (ii) in response to user activation after the cartridge  101  is launched and blood is withdrawn. 
     Analyzer External to Launcher 
     In some implementations, a blood sample analyzer is not connected to the analyzer connection portion  102 B of the test strip  102  at the time the needle  104 A of the cartridge  101  enters the user&#39;s skin. Instead, the user may connect a blood sample analyzer to the analyzer connection portion  102 B of the test strip  102  after blood has been collected onto the blood contact portion  102 A of the test strip  102 . In such implementations, piercing the user&#39;s skin and collecting the user&#39;s blood onto the test strip  102  may be done in response to the user&#39;s actuation of the launch button on the launcher  106 , and subsequently, the blood collected onto the test strip  102  may be tests in response to the user performing another action (e.g., connecting the blood sample analyzer to the analyzer connection portion  102 B of the test strip  102  and/or actuating a button on the blood sample analyzer). 
     Flowchart for Operating Cartridge, Launcher, and External Analyzer 
       FIG. 14  is a flowchart for operating the cartridge  101  and the launcher  106 , according to an implementation of the present disclosure. The steps illustrated in  FIG. 14  may be performed by a patient operating the blood sampling cartridge  101  and the launcher  106  to monitor his or her glucose levels. For convenience, the method  800  is described as performed by a user. The method  800  can include fewer, more, or different blocks than those illustrated in  FIG. 14  and/or one or more blocks illustrated in  FIG. 14  may be modified, omitted, or switched without departing from the spirit and scope of the description. 
     Inserting Blood Sampling Cartridge into Launcher 
     At block  802 , the user inserts the cartridge  101  into the launcher  106  while the launcher  106  is in the hinged position. 
     Transform Launcher into Straight Position 
     At block  804 , the user transforms the launcher  106  into the straight position to align the launching mechanism  106 B with the needle  104 A. 
     Sample Blood in Straight Position 
     At block  806 , the user samples blood while the launcher  106  is in the straight position by actuating the launching mechanism  106 B. 
     Transform Launcher into Hinged Position 
     At block  808 , the user transforms the launcher  106  into the hinged position to expose the analyzer connection portion  102 B of the test strip  102 . 
     Connect to Blood Sample Analyzer in Hinged Position 
     At block  810 , the user connects a blood sample analyzer to the analyzer connection portion  102 B of the test strip  102  while the launcher  106  is in the hinged position. At block  812 , the method  800  may end. 
     Display Analyzer Reading 
     After the sampled blood has been analyzed by the analyzer, a reading (e.g., blood glucose level) may be displayed on a display of the analyzer. 
     Analyzer Integrated into Launcher 
     In some implementations, a blood sample analyzer is connected to the analyzer connection portion  102 B of the test strip  102  at the time the needle  104 A of the cartridge  101  enters the user&#39;s skin such that blood collected onto the blood contact portion  102 A is immediately tested by the blood sample analyzer without further action by the user. In such implementations, after piercing the user&#39;s skin, no additional user action is needed to extract and test the blood. For example, by actuating the launch button on the launcher  106  while the blood sampling cartridge  101  is loaded onto the launcher  106  and while the launcher  106  is aimed at the user&#39;s skin, the user may be able to pierce her skin, collect blood onto the test strip, and perform tests on the collected blood. 
     Flowchart for Operating Cartridge, Launcher, and Integrated Analyzer 
       FIG. 15  is a flowchart for operating the cartridge  101 , the launcher  106 , and a blood sample analyzer integrated into the launcher  106 , according to an implementation of the present disclosure. The steps illustrated in  FIG. 15  may be performed by a patient operating the cartridge  101 , launcher  106 , and the integrated analyzer to monitor his or her glucose levels. For convenience, the method  1500  is described as performed by a user. The method  1500  can include fewer, more, or different blocks than those illustrated in  FIG. 15  and/or one or more blocks illustrated in  FIG. 15  may be modified, omitted, or switched without departing from the spirit and scope of the description. 
     Inserting Blood Sampling Cartridge into Launcher 
     At block  1502 , the user inserts the cartridge  101  into the launcher  106  while the launcher  106  is in the hinged position. 
     Transform Launcher into Straight Position 
     At block  1504 , the user transforms the launcher  106  into the straight position to align the launching mechanism  106 B with the needle  104 A. 
     Sample Blood in Straight Position 
     At block  1506 , the user samples blood while the launcher  106  is in the straight position by actuating the launching mechanism  106 B. 
     Activate Integrated Analyzer 
     At block  1508 , the user activates the integrated analyzer while the launcher  106  is in the straight position to perform blood sample testing on the sampled blood. At block  1510 , the method  1500  may end. 
     Automatic Activation of Analyzer 
     In another implementation, the integrated analyzer does not require activation to perform the blood sample testing, and automatically initiates the blood sample once the user&#39;s blood has been collected onto the test strip  102 . 
     Display Analyzer Reading 
     After the sampled blood has been analyzed by the analyzer, a reading (e.g., blood glucose level) may be displayed on a display of the analyzer. 
     V. Additional Use Cases, Implementations, and Considerations 
     Additional Sampler Use Case: Blood Sample Transport 
     In some implementations, the sampler  104  is used without a test strip. For example, the user&#39;s blood is extracted through the needle  104 A and collected inside the interior space of the sampler  104 . The sampler  104  including the user&#39;s blood is then used to perform testing on the blood sample collected inside the interior space of the sampler  104  using a blood analyzer (e.g., by the same user at the same site), or to transport the user&#39;s blood to a different location (e.g., off-site location and/or by a different operator) for subsequent testing at a later time. 
     Additional Sampler Use Case: Drug Delivery 
     In some implementations, the sampler  104  is used to deliver a drug through the needle into the user&#39;s body. For example, the interior space of the sampler  104  may not have a test strip  102  inserted therein and instead be filled with a drug or another type of liquid to be delivered to the user&#39;s body. After the sampler  104  is inserted into the launcher  106  and launched towards the user&#39;s skin, the needle  104 A pierces the user&#39;s skin and delivers the drug from the interior space of the sampler  104  into the user&#39;s body. In such cases, the sampler body  104 B may not include an opening (e.g., other than the opening through the needle). Alternatively, the sampler body  104 B may include an opening described herein (e.g., opening into which the test strip  102  is described as being inserted). 
     Non-Glucose Applications 
     In addition to blood glucose testing, the blood sampling cartridge  101  and the launcher  106  may be used in connection with other types of blood sampling and testing such as cholesterol testing, nicotine testing, HIV testing, and the like. 
     Example Implementations (EIs) 
     Some enumerated example implementations (EIs) are provided in this section, without limitation. 
     EI 1: A blood sampling cartridge comprising: a blood test strip extending between a first end and a second end along a longitudinal axis thereof, the blood test strip comprising (i) a blood contact portion at or adjacent the first end and (ii) an electric contact terminal portion at or adjacent the second end; a blood sampler comprising a sampler body and a needle fixed to the sampler body; the needle configured to withdraw blood from underneath a subject&#39;s skin and to cause the withdrawn blood to flow to the sampler body and comprising a distal end and a proximal end; and the sampler body comprising a front end and a back end along a longitudinal axis thereof, the sampler body further comprising an inner space and a back opening formed at or toward the back end, wherein the needle is fixed to the sampler body such that the proximal end of the needle is located inside the sampler body and in fluid communication with the inner space, wherein the back opening configured to receive the first end of the blood test strip for inserting the first end of the blood test strip into the inner space, wherein the sampler body further comprises a guide extending along the longitudinal axis of the sampler body and configured to guide traveling of the blood test strip in a first direction of the longitudinal axis from the back end toward the front end, wherein the inner space further comprises a blood collection area located at or adjacent the proximal end of the needle into which blood withdrawn through the needle flows out of the proximal end of the needle, wherein the sampler body comprises a stopper configured to stop the blood test strip from further traveling in the first direction when the blood contact portion of the blood test strip reaches the blood collection area of the inner space, at which the blood test strip is fully inserted into the inner space, wherein the sampler body and the blood test strip are configured such that, when the blood test strip is fully inserted into the inner space, the electric contact terminal portion of the blood test strip remains exposed outside the back opening. 
     EI 2: The blood sampling cartridge of any preceding EI or any combination of the preceding EIs, wherein the needle comprises a channel with hydrophilic surfaces configured to cause capillary action to cause the blood to flow toward the proximal end. 
     EI 3: The blood sampling cartridge of any preceding EI or any combination of the preceding EIs, wherein the sampler body comprises at least one through hole for providing fluid communication between the inner space and outside the sampler body such that air pressure within the inner space is released through the at least one through hole as blood withdrawn through the needle flows into the inner space. 
     EI 4: The blood sampling cartridge of any preceding EI or any combination of the preceding EIs, wherein the sampler body comprises a needle attachment piece to which a portion of the needle is fixed, a first piece and a second piece that are integrated together, wherein the needle attachment piece is received at a predetermined location between the first piece and the second piece, wherein the first piece and the second piece together define the inner space. 
     EI 5: The blood sampling cartridge of any preceding EI or any combination of the preceding EIs, wherein the sampler body further comprises a mechanism configured to engage with a counterpart mechanism of the blood test strip for inhibiting the blood test strip from being pulled out of the inner space in a second direction opposite to the first direction after the blood test strip has been fully inserted into the inner space. 
     EI 6: The blood sampling cartridge of any preceding EI or any combination of the preceding EIs, wherein the sampler body further comprises a mechanism configured to damage the blood test strip when the blood test strip from is pulled out of the inner space in a second direction opposite to the first direction after the blood test strip has been fully inserted into the inner space. 
     EI 7: The blood sampling cartridge of any preceding EI or any combination of the preceding EIs, wherein the blood test strip is fully inserted into the inner space, and the blood contact portion of the blood test strip is at the blood collection area of the inner space such that blood withdrawn through the needle is to immediately contact the blood contact portion of the blood test strip. 
     EI 8: A method of making the blood sampling cartridge of any preceding EI or any combination of the preceding EIs, the method comprising: providing the blood test strip; providing the blood sampler comprising the sampler body and the needle fixed to the sampler body; inserting the first end of the blood test strip through the back opening of the sampler body; and subsequently continuing to insert the blood test strip into the sampler body by pushing the blood test strip further into the back opening generally in the first direction until the blood test strip is stopped. 
     EI 9: An apparatus for launching the blood sampling cartridge of any preceding EI or any combination of the preceding EIs, the apparatus comprising: a first body elongated along a first axis and comprising: a skin-contacting tip located at a front end of the first body along the first axis and comprising a through hole, a rear opening located at a rear end of the first body along the first axis and configured to receive the blood sampling cartridge, and a cartridge guide formed inside the first body and configured to guide traveling of the blood sampler of the blood sampling cartridge, subsequent to insertion via the rear opening, in a first direction of the first axis from the rear end toward the front end; and a second body elongated along a second axis and comprising an actuator configured to exert force along the second axis, wherein the first body and the second body are hingedly connected to hingedly move between a straight configuration and a bent configuration, wherein the first axis and the second axis are aligned in the straight configuration, whereas the first axis and the second axis are not aligned in the bent configuration, wherein, in the straight configuration, the second body blocks the rear opening of the first body such that the blood sampling cartridge cannot be inserted into the cartridge guide in the straight configuration, wherein, in the bent configuration, the first axis and the second axis are not aligned, and the second body does not block the rear opening of the first body such that the blood sampling cartridge is insertable into the cartridge guide through the rear opening of the first body in the bent configuration, wherein, upon inserting the blood sampling cartridge into the cartridge guide through the rear opening in the bent configuration, the distal end of the needle stays within the first body, wherein, in the straight configuration with the blood sampling cartridge inserted into the cartridge guide, the actuator of the second body is configured to exert force on the sampler body of the blood sampling cartridge along the second axis to cause the blood sampling cartridge to travel in the first direction along the cartridge guide so that the distal end of the needle advances in the first direction through the through hole of the skin-contacting tip of the first body. 
     EI 10: The apparatus of any preceding EI or any combination of the preceding EIs, wherein the second body further comprises a blood analyzer comprising a counterpart electric contact terminal portion configured to electrically connect to the electric contact terminal portion of the blood test strip. 
     EI 11: The apparatus of any preceding EI or any combination of the preceding EIs, wherein the counterpart electric contact terminal portion is configured to slide along the second axis of the second body for engaging with the electric contact terminal portion of the blood test strip when the apparatus is in the straight configuration. 
     EI 12: The apparatus of any preceding EI or any combination of the preceding EIs, wherein the apparatus in the straight configuration is configured for gripping with one hand, wherein the actuator comprises a push button formed on the second body for pressing with a finger of the hand and a mechanism configured to transfer force from pressing the push button to the sampler body of the blood sampling cartridge. 
     EI 13: The apparatus of any preceding EI or any combination of the preceding EIs, wherein the actuator comprises a spring-loaded actuator comprising a spring mechanism configured to store spring energy for generating the force for exertion on the sampler body, wherein the second body further comprises a trigger configured to initiate a release of the spring energy. 
     EI 14: The apparatus of any preceding EI or any combination of the preceding EIs, wherein the spring mechanism is configured to store the spring energy in response to the first body and the second body hingedly moving from the bent configuration to the straight configuration such that the trigger is ready to initiate the release of the spring energy upon turning to the straight configuration. 
     EI 15: The apparatus of any preceding EI or any combination of the preceding EIs, wherein the blood sampling cartridge is inserted into the cartridge guide of the first body, wherein the electric contact terminal portion of the blood test strip remains exposed outside the back opening of the sampler body of the blood sampling cartridge. 
     EI 16: A method of sampling blood, the method comprising: providing the blood sampling cartridge of any preceding EI or any combination of the preceding EIs, in which the blood test strip is fully inserted into the inner space; providing the apparatus of any preceding EI or any combination of the preceding EIs; inserting the blood sampling cartridge into the cartridge guide through the rear opening of the first body while the apparatus is in the bent configuration in which the second body does not block the rear opening of the first body, wherein, upon inserting the blood sampling cartridge into the cartridge guide through the rear opening in the bent configuration, the distal end of the needle is positioned between the rear opening and the through hole of the first body; subsequently configuring the apparatus into the straight configuration; holding the apparatus in the straight configuration with one hand; positioning the skin-contacting tip at the front end of the first body against the subject&#39;s skin; and causing the actuator to exert force on the sampler body of the blood sampling cartridge to cause the blood sampling cartridge to travel in the first direction and the distal end of the needle to advance through the through hole of the skin-contacting tip for piercing into the subject&#39;s skin, such that blood is withdrawn from underneath the subject&#39;s skin the blood flows through the needle by capillary action to the blood collection area of the inner space and reaches the blood contact portion of the blood test strip in the inner space. 
     EI 17: The method of any preceding EI or any combination of the preceding EIs, wherein throughout the steps of the method, the electric contact terminal portion of the blood test strip remains outside the back opening of the sampler body of the blood sampling cartridge. 
     EI 18: The method of any preceding EI or any combination of the preceding EIs, further comprising: subsequent to causing the actuator to exert force on the sampler body, maintaining the skin-contacting tip in contact with the subject&#39;s skin for a period between one second and 10 seconds for completing the withdrawal of the blood. 
     EI 19: The method of any preceding EI or any combination of the preceding EIs, further comprising: subsequent to causing the actuator to exert force on the sampler body, distancing the apparatus from the subject&#39;s skin; subsequently, reconfiguring the apparatus into the bent configuration, in which the blood test strip stays inserted in the cartridge guide and the electric contact terminal portion of the blood test strip remains outside the sampler body of the blood sampling cartridge; and further subsequently, inserting the electric contact terminal portion into a blood analyzer for testing. 
     EI 20: The method of any preceding EI or any combination of the preceding EIs, wherein the second body further comprises a blood analyzer comprising comprises a counterpart electric contact terminal portion configured to electrically connect to the electric contact terminal portion of the blood test strip, wherein the counterpart electric contact terminal portion is configured to slide along the second axis of the second body, wherein the method further comprises: subsequent to causing the actuator to exert force on the sampler body, distancing the apparatus from the subject&#39;s skin; subsequently while the apparatus is still in the straight configuration, sliding the counterpart electric contact terminal portion in the first direction to electrically connect the counterpart electric contact terminal portion to the electric contact terminal portion for analyzing the blood withdrawn from underneath the subject&#39;s skin; and causing the blood analyzer to analyze the blood and provide an analysis result. 
     Other Considerations 
     Although the implementations of the inventions have been disclosed in the context of certain implementations and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present inventions extend beyond the specifically disclosed implementations to other alternative implementations and/or uses of the inventions and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. In addition, while a number of variations of the inventions have been shown and described in detail, other modifications, which are within the scope of the inventions, will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art based upon this disclosure. It is also contemplated that various combinations or subcombinations of the specific features and aspects of the implementations may be made and still fall within one or more of the inventions. Accordingly, it should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed implementations can be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the disclosed inventions. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the present inventions herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed implementations described above, and that various changes in form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as set forth in the following claims.