Abstract: A blood lancet device for taking blood for diagnostic purposes, having a housing with an exit opening for the lancet, a lancet guide for guiding the puncturing and return movement of the lancet, a spring drive for movement of the lancet and a stop by means of which the lancet is held in a position remote from the part of the body from which blood is to be taken. In the region of the exit opening for the lancet, a release element is present in the housing, the release element being in operative connection with the stop.

Abstract: A device for positioning and firmly holding a test strip for optical-medical measurements, comprising a housing with a reception opening having a stop at the inner end for the test strip and a window which is positioned opposite the test zone of the test strip when it is inserted into the reception opening and it lies against the stop. The device also comprises a pressing mechanism acting substantially at right-angles on the rear side of the test strip, which pressing mechanism, when inserting a test strip, is in a rest position remote from the test strip and, when the test strip is lying against the stop, is adapted to move into a pressing position in which it presses the test strip against the window, the pressing force of said pressing mechanism being substantially uniform in the positions corresponding to various thicknesses of the test strips.