Lancet Release Mechanism
A lancing device comprises a lancet assembly and a lancet holder. The lancet assembly has a groove formed thereon. The lancet holder forms a central aperature adapted to receive the lancet assembly. The lancet holder includes a ridge extending into the central aperture. The ridge is adapted to engage the groove of the lancet assembly. The lancet holder is adapted to move the lancet assembly between a resting position, a cocking position, and a puncture position.
The present invention relates generally to diagnostic instruments and, more particularly, to a lancet-release mechanism for a lancing device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe quantitative determination of analytes in body fluids is of great importance in the diagnoses and maintenance of certain physiological abnormalities. For example, lactate, cholesterol and bilirubin should be monitored in certain individuals. In particular, determining glucose in body fluids is important to diabetic individuals who must frequently check their blood glucose levels to regulate the glucose intake in their diets.
One method of obtaining a body fluid sample, such as a whole blood sample, is to use a lancing device. The whole blood sample may then be used to determine the glucose concentration of an individual. Existing lancing devices use a lancet to pierce the tissue of the skin, allowing a blood sample to form on the skin's surface. Typically, lancing devices hold the lancet within them when the lancet is not in use, so as to shield the user from injury as well as to assist in preventing or inhibiting contamination.
Existing lancing devices require two-handed operation, are dangerous, or are ineffective in releasing the lancet. Two-handed operation requires that one hand hold the lancing device while the other hand removes the lancet. This is inconvenient to many users as the lancet is small, and may cause safety problems as the lancet could pierce the user's skin inadvertently. This can cause the user pain and may also transmit diseases. Some one-handed designs eject the lancet too hard such that ejecting the lancet becomes dangerous if the lancet is not re-shielded. Still other one-handed designs do not eject the lancet effectively, as the lancet is not released from the lancet holder even after the user depresses the release mechanism. Yet other one-handed designs have complicated release mechanisms internally, such that if a user drops the lancing device, the release mechanism may jam and no longer eject the lancet from the lancing device.
It would be desirable to have a lancing device and a method for using a lancing device that addresses these issues.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAccording to one embodiment of the present invention a lancing device is disclosed. The lancing device comprises a lancet assembly and a lancet holder. The lancet assembly has a groove formed thereon. The lancet holder forms a central aperture adapted to receive the lancet assembly. The lancet holder includes a ridge extending into the central aperture. The ridge is adapted to engage the groove of the lancet assembly. The lancet holder is adapted to move the lancet assembly between a resting position, a cocking position, and a puncture position.
According to another embodiment of the present invention a lancing device is disclosed. The lancing device is similar to the above-described lancing device except that the lancet holder includes a groove while the lancet assembly has a ridge formed thereon.
According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a lancing device is disclosed. The lancing device comprises a main housing and a moveable housing. The main housing encloses a portion of a lancing mechanism and has an endcap support located on a testing end of the main housing. The lancing mechanism includes a lancet holder forming a central aperture adapted to receive a lancet assembly having a groove located thereon. The lancet holder is attached to a shaft with a drive spring surrounding a portion of the shaft. The drive spring is located between the lancet holder and a portion of the main housing opposite the testing end. The lancet holder includes a ridge extending into the central aperture. The lancing mechanism is adapted to move between a resting position, a cocking position, and a puncture position. The movable housing is adjacent the main housing. The movable housing is adapted to move between a resting position and a cocking position. The moveable housing has an internal surface enclosing a portion of the shaft of the lancing mechanism. The ridge of the lancet holder extends into the central aperture and engages the groove of the lancet assembly.
The above summary of the present invention is not intended to represent each embodiment, or every aspect, of the present invention. Additional features and benefits of the present invention are apparent from the detailed description and figures set forth below.
The present invention is directed to a lancet-release mechanism for incorporation into a stand-alone lancing device or into a lancing device that is incorporated into a meter or similar testing device. The lancing device is adapted to receive a lancet for use in drawing a body fluid from a test subject. The body fluid generally contains at least one analyte that may then be examined to determine its concentration in the body fluid sample.
Lancing devices and lancets may be used to produce a blood or body fluid sample from a test subject. This sample may then be analyzed with a meter and test strip, or similar devices, to determine the concentration of the analyte to be examined. Examples of the types of analytes that may be collected with a lancing device include glucose, lipid profiles (e.g., cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL and HDL), microalbumin, hemoglobin A1c, fructose, lactate, or bilirubin.
Turning now to the drawings and initially to
According to one embodiment, the lancing device 10 also includes a cantilever beam 26 (
According to another embodiment of the present invention, the lancing device 10 also includes a release button 27 (
To use the lancing device 10, the movable housing 14 is pulled away from the main housing 12 to move an internal lancing mechanism 29 (as best illustrated in
Turning now to
The movable housing 14 has a pair of elongate spring trays 48 integrally formed therewith. A return spring 50 is disposed within each of the spring trays 48, a first end of each return spring 50 being disposed against an internal surface of the spring tray 48 and a second end of each return spring 50 being disposed against a spring stop 52 integrally formed with the main housing 12. The spring stops 52 extend into the spring trays 48 through an elongate slot 54 (see
A damping arm 60 and a retaining arm 62 are disposed adjacent opposite sides of the lancet holder 36. The damping arm 60 has a first end 64 that is hold within a retaining structure 66 integrally formed with the main housing 12. A second pointed end 68 of the damping arm 60 is disposed adjacent a corrugated surface 70 formed on an outside portion of the lancet holder 36. The retaining arm 62 has a first end 72 that is held within a retaining structure 74 integrally formed with the main housing 12. A second pointed end 76 of the retaining arm 62 is disposed adjacent an angled stop member 78. The lower side of the retaining arm 62 rests on a support member 80. The arms 60, 62 are biased inwardly towards the lancet holder 36 so that they make contact with the respective outer sides of the lancet holder 36.
Referring to
The lancet holder 36 is guided between its resting and cocked positions by a guide rib 82 (
To perform a puncture on a test subject's skin, the endcap 18 is attached to the lancing device 10. The lancet holder 36 may be in the cocked position at the time the endcap 18 is attached or may be cocked once the endcap 18 is in position. The endcap 18 is then placed firmly against the skin where the puncture is to be made, and the pushbutton 22 is depressed. Depressing the pushbutton 22 causes an angled release arm (not shown), integrally formed with the bottom of the pushbutton 22 and which passes through an aperture (not shown) in the main housing 12, to force the retaining arm 62 away from the lancet holder 36. Thus, the lancet holder 36 is no longer prevented from moving in the direction of Arrow B by the contact of the angled stop member 78 with the pointed end 76 of the retaining aim 62. A spring mechanism—for example, an elastically deformable foam material—may be disposed between the pushbutton 22 and a portion of the main housing 12 to bias the pushbutton 22 to its non-actuated position.
Upon release of the lancet holder 36 as described above, the drive spring 42 will force the lancet holder 36 in the direction of Arrow B until the sharp point of the lance 34 (
As the lancet holder 36 moves from its puncture position back to its resting position shown in
The cantilever beam 26 (or release button 27, illustrated in
Turning now to
The lancet holder 36 includes a plurality of protuberances 92a,b that extend therefrom. The protuberances 92a,b are located proximate the edges of a gap 96 that is located between a first portion 98a and a second portion 98b of the lancet holder 36. In one embodiment, the protuberances 92a,b are formed by a buildup of material added during the molding process. The protuberances 92a,b are attached to, or formed on, the lancet holder 36 such that, when the cantilever beam 26 (
Referring also to
Referring also to
Turning now to
Turning now to
A release button 160 extends through an aperture 162 formed in the main housing 112. The release button 160 is allowed to slide within the aperture 162 as the lancing device 110 is moved between a resting position, a cocked position, and a firing position. The release button 160 is included in a lancet-release mechanism 126 and extends from a beam 132 attached to a lancet holder 136. The lancet holder 136 includes a first portion 146a and a second portion 146b partially separated by a plurality of gaps 196a,b. The lancet holder 126 forms a central aperture 158 adapted to receive the lancet assembly 30. The lancet-release mechanism 126 is attached to the first portion 146a of the lancet holder 136, opposite the release button.
To release a lancet assembly 30 from the lancet holder 136 once it has been received, the release button 160 is depressed in the direction of the main housing 112 (illustrated by Arrow D in
Turning now to
The plurality of release buttons 260a,b extends through a respective aperture 262a,b formed in the main housing 212. The release buttons 260a,b are allowed to slide within the apertures 262a,b as the lancing device 210 is moved between a resting position, a cocked position, and a firing position. The release buttons 260a,b are included in a lancet-release mechanism and each extend from a respective beam 232a,b attached to a lancet holder 236. The lancet holder 236 includes a first portion 246a and a second portion 246b partially separated by a plurality of gaps 296a,b. The lancet holder 226 forms a central aperture 258 adapted to receive the lancet assembly 30. The beam 232a is attached to the first portion 246a of the lancet holder 236, opposite the release button, while the beam 232b is similarly attached to the second portion 246b.
To release a lancet assembly 30 from the lancet holder 236 once it has been received, the release buttons 260a,b are depressed in the direction of the main housing 212 (illustrated by Arrows E in
Turning now to
The groove 350 and the ridges 348a,b can be triangular in shape, as illustrated, or may be any other complimentary or similar shapes so as to engage each other. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a groove is formed in the lancet holder while a corresponding ridge is formed on the lancet assembly.
By utilizing the ridges 348a,b to engage the groove 350, the frictional contact required between the lancet assembly 330 and the lancet holder 336 can be reduced or increased. Where the frictional contact is reduced, the enlargement of the central aperture 358 necessary to freely release the lancet assembly 330 can be reduced. As should be understood from the above, the lancet holder 336 and lancet assembly 330 can be utilized individually within a lancing device or may be used in conjunction with the above disclosed release mechanisms or any other type of lancet release mechanism.
ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENT AA lancing device comprising:
-
- a lancet assembly having a groove formed thereon; and
- a lancet holder forming a central aperture adapted to receive the lancet assembly, the lancet holder including a ridge extending into the central aperture, the ridge adapted to engage the groove of the lancet assembly, the lancet holder adapted to move the lancet assembly between a resting position, a cocking position, and a puncture position.
The lancing device of Alternative Embodiment A, wherein the groove and ridge are adapted to reduce the frictional contact between the lancet holder and the lancet assembly.
ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENT CThe lancing device of Alternative Embodiment A, wherein the groove and ridge are adapted to increase the frictional contact between the lancet holder and the lancet assembly.
ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENT DA lancing device comprising:
-
- a lancet assembly having a ridge formed thereon; and
- a lancet holder forming a central aperture adapted to receive the lancet assembly, the lancet holder including a groove formed thereon along the central aperture, the groove adapted to engage the ridge of the lancet assembly, the lancet holder adapted to move the lancet assembly between a resting position, a coercing position, and a puncture position.
The lancing device of Alternative Embodiment D, wherein the groove and ridge are adapted to reduce the frictional contact between the lancet holder and the lancet assembly.
ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENT FThe lancing device of Alternative Embodiment D, wherein the groove and ridge are adapted to increase the frictional contact between the lancet holder and the lancet assembly.
ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENT GA lancing device comprising:
-
- a main housing enclosing a portion of a lancing mechanism, the main housing having an endcap support located on a testing end of the main housing, the lancing mechanism including a lancet holder forming a central aperture adapted to receive a lancet assembly having a groove located thereon, the lancet holder being attached to a shaft with a drive spring surrounding a portion of the shaft, the drive spring being located between the lancet holder and a portion of the main housing opposite the testing end, the lancet holder including a ridge extending into the central aperture, the lancing mechanism being adapted to move between a resting position, a cocking position, and a puncture position; and
- a movable housing adjacent the main housing, the movable housing being adapted to move between a resting position and a cocking position, the moveable housing having an internal surface enclosing a portion of the shaft of the lancing mechanism,
- wherein the ridge of the lancet holder extends into the central aperture and engages the groove of the lancet assembly.
The lancing device of Alternative Embodiment G, wherein the only engagement between the lancet assembly and the lancet holder is the engagement between the ridge and the groove.
ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENT IThe lancing device of Alternative Embodiment G, wherein the lancet assembly is released from the lancet holder by disengaging the ridge of the lancet holder from the groove of the lancet assembly.
ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENT JThe lancing device of Alternative Embodiment G, wherein the ridge extending into the central aperture of the lancet holder is a triangular ridge.
While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments are shown by way of example in the drawings and are described in detail. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but to the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A lancing device comprising:
- a lancet assembly having a groove formed thereon; and
- a lancet holder forming a central aperture adapted to receive the lancet assembly, the lancet holder including a ridge extending into the central aperture, the ridge adapted to engage the groove of the lancet assembly, the lancet holder adapted to move the lancet assembly between a resting position, a cocking position, and a puncture position.
2. The lancing device of claim 1, wherein the groove and ridge are adapted to reduce the frictional contact between the lancet holder and the lancet assembly.
3. The lancing device of claim 1, wherein the groove and ridge are adapted to increase the frictional contact between the lancet holder and the lancet assembly.
4. A lancing device comprising:
- a lancet assembly having a ridge formed thereon; and
- a lancet holder forming a central aperture adapted to receive the lancet assembly, the lancet holder including a groove formed thereon along the central aperture, the groove adapted to engage the ridge of the lancet assembly, the lancet holder adapted to move the lancet assembly between a resting position, a cocking position, and a puncture position.
5. The lancing device of claim 4, wherein the groove and ridge are adapted to reduce the frictional contact between the lancet holder and the lancet assembly.
6. The lancing device of claim 4, wherein the groove and ridge are adapted to increase the frictional contact between the lancet holder and the lancet assembly.
7. A lancing device comprising:
- a main housing enclosing a portion of a lancing mechanism, the main housing having an endcap support located on a testing end of the main housing, the lancing mechanism including a lancet holder forming a central aperture adapted to receive a lancet assembly having a groove located thereon, the lancet holder being attached to a shaft with a drive spring surrounding a portion of the shaft, the drive spring being located between the lancet holder and a portion of the main housing opposite the testing end, the lancet holder including a ridge extending into the central aperture, the lancing mechanism being adapted to move between a resting position, a cocking position, and a puncture position; and
- a movable housing adjacent the main housing, the movable housing being adapted to move between a resting position and a cocking position, the moveable housing having an internal surface enclosing a portion of the shaft of the lancing mechanism,
- wherein the ridge of the lancet holder extends into the central aperture and engages the groove of the lancet assembly.
8. The lancing device of claim 7, wherein the only engagement between the lancet assembly and the lancet holder is the engagement between the ridge and the groove.
9. The lancing device of claim 7, wherein the lancet assembly is released from the lancet holder by disengaging the ridge of the lancet holder from the groove of the lancet assembly.
10. The lancing device of claim 7, wherein the ridge extending into the central aperture of the lancet holder is a triangular ridge.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 3, 2006
Publication Date: Jun 12, 2008
Inventors: Weiping Zhong (Granger, IN), Tieming Ruan (Granger, IN), Derek Lok (Granger, IN)
Application Number: 11/885,619
International Classification: A61B 5/151 (20060101);