Abstract: A system is provided for withdrawing small amounts of body fluid from an animal or human. The system includes a holder and a disposable lancing unit attached to the holder. The lancing unit also includes an open capillary channel for transporting the body fluid and piercing the skin.

Abstract: System for withdrawing small amounts of body fluid comprising a drive unit which has a holder which is moved from a first into a second position when the drive unit is activated, and a disposable lancing unit which has a holding area that is removably positioned in the holder, the proximal end of an elongate capillary structure comprising at least one capillary channel for transporting body fluid being connected to the holding area and the distal end of the capillary structure being suitable for piercing skin, wherein the distal end of the capillary structure is located outside the skin when the holder is arranged in a first position and in the second position is inserted into the skin up to the puncture depth, characterized in that the at least one capillary channel is open to the outside in an area which comprises at least a part of the longitudinal extension of the capillary structure.