Abstract: A lancing device includes an advance-and-eject mechanism with a positioning member for manipulating a series of interconnected lancets. The advance-and-eject mechanism includes an actuator, a control channel, a cam-and-follower mechanism, one or more axial-contact members, and one or more angular-contact members. Actuating the actuator relative to the control channel imparts rotational and axial forces on the positioning member, and the cam-and-follower mechanism selectively restricts rotational and/or axial motion of the positioning member to induce first-stage rotation, second-stage translation, third-stage rotation, and fourth-stage translation.

Abstract: A system and method for carrying out the withdrawal of body fluid with as little body fluid as possible visible to the user at the end of the process. The present invention provides a pressure piece for exerting pressure on a body part. The pressure piece is moved relative to a support for the body part, and in the final phase of fluid withdrawal, the compressive or resistive force of the pressure piece on the body part is reduced in order to avoid the escape of body fluid from the puncture site. The support results in a defined positioning of the body part that rests against it for the lancing process, whereas the relative movement of the pressure piece enables an additional increase in pressure and thus an improved collection of fluid.

Abstract: An arrangement includes a housing, a plurality of sampling and analysis sites contained within the housing, each of the sampling and analysis sites having a skin-penetration member having a first end configured to pierce the skin, and an inner lumen in communication with the first end, an actuator operatively associated with the skin-penetration member, and an analyte quantification member in fluid communication with the inner lumen of the skin-penetration member. Integrated devices including such arrangements are also described.

Abstract: A lancet holder includes a holder body having a lancet seat at one end to mount a lancet and receiving the lancet and elastic fixing portions arranged in pairs to face each other on the inner side of the holder body so that the lancet received in the holder body is vertically held, and elastically fixing the lancet.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for automatically preparing transmission electron microscopy (TEM) samples for examination by depositing extremely small samples onto a grid without need for a blotting step. A sample liquid droplet is formed at the end of a capillary, wherein a portion of the liquid is transferred to the TEM sample grid by contact. The excess volume in the liquid droplet is then retracted by an adjacent capillary. After a predetermined time interval, the retraction capillary is moved toward the drop of the sample to remove the excess volume. As compared to a conventional machine, where the blotting procedure can deform the structure of the molecule of interest, the present invention utilizes a very low shear rate for removal of the excess sample fluid.

Abstract: A method for producing an analytical magazine is proposed. The analytical magazine is designed to receive a plurality of analytical aids in a plurality of chambers. The method comprises the following steps: providing at least one first component of the analytical magazine, wherein the first component comprises a plurality of receptacles; providing a plurality of analytical aids, wherein the analytical aids are connected to one another and preferably oriented with respect to one another by at least one holding element; introducing the analytical aids into the receptacles; and separating the analytical aids from the holding element.

Abstract: A fingernail drill has a drill bit and a tip which is capable of drilling through a thickness of a fingernail. The tip extends longitudinally outwards from an abutment integrally formed with the drill bit, and the drill cannot drill past the abutment. The distance from the abutment to a distal end of the tip is such that the drill can drill through the thickness of the fingernail but cannot damage tissue under the fingernail. A kit is provided that includes the fingernail drill and a dispenser for dispensing a substance through a hole drilled by the fingernail drill.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for measuring an analyte in a host. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for transcutaneous measurement of glucose in a host.

Abstract: A puncturing instrument includes a cylindrical main body case having a puncture aperture on a lower end side; a needle holder provided on a puncture aperture side inside the cylindrical main body case; a first elastic object for moving the needle holder to the puncture aperture side; and a second elastic object for pulling the needle holder back to an upper end side inside the cylindrical main body case, from a state in which the needle holder is moved to the puncture aperture side by the first elastic object. A rotator rotates around a rotation shaft fixed to the cylindrical main body case, and is coupled with a coupling portion of the needle holder on a first one of two sides of the rotator with the rotation shaft interposed therebetween and is coupled with the second elastic object on a second one of the two sides of the rotator.

Abstract: A lancet cartridge is provided with a skin contact section that is held in the interior of a lancet holder and that includes a second pricking opening. A first pricking opening is formed to a size such that a skin contact section can be accommodated therein. Upon pressing in the pricking direction, the skin contact section is accommodated in the first pricking opening, and the leading end section of a pricking member protrudes through the second pricking opening.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for filtering a liquid sample, wherein first capillary-driven filtration occurs and, after initial filling, pressure-operated filtration is performed by applying a vacuum or a positive pressure.

Abstract: Lancet device includes a housing, a removable front cap mounted to the housing, a lancet holding member, and a trigger. A system is utilized for placing the lancet device in a trigger-set or armed position. A depth adjustment system includes a member that is at least partially rotatably mounted and that has an axis of rotation arranged substantially perpendicular to a center axis of the lancet holding member. An ejection system is utilized for at least one of preventing axial movement of the lancet holding member and removing or ejecting a lancet from the lancet holding member.

Abstract: There is provided a lancet comprising a lancet body, a lancet cap and a pricking component. In the lancet, the lancet body and the lancet cap are made of resin and the pricking component is made of metal. The pricking component is situated in both of the lancet body and the lancet cap, and the tip of the pricking component is covered with the lancet cap. The lancet body of the lancet is thin except for a rim portion of the body, and the rim portion of the lancet body has such a form that the rim portion extends symmetrically from the thinned portion of the lancet body.

Abstract: A lancet assembly includes a lancet, a lancet engaging part, and a lancet case housing the lancet and the lancet engaging part. In the lancet assembly of the present invention, the lancet engaging part and the lancet cap are disposed such that they are capable of making contact with each other. When the lancet engaging part is forced to move forward with respect to the lancet in a pricking direction, the lancet cap is pressed by the lancet engaging part, and thereby the bridging component is broken so that the lancet cap is separated from the lancet body. When the lancet engaging part is forced to further move forward, the separated lancet cap moves to the position off a pricking pathway of the pricking component within the lancet case.

Abstract: A storage assembly is removably connectable to a drug delivery device. A first chamber is disposed in the housing. A plurality of penetrating members are stored in the first chamber. A second chamber is disposed in the housing for storing the plurality of penetrating members after being used in an injection. A transfer drum disposed in the housing transfers one of the penetrating members from the first chamber to an injection position and from the injection position to the second chamber following an injection.

Abstract: A lancing device includes a housing (10, 12) for receiving in use a replaceable lancet (34) introduced into said housing, a drive (58, 59) actuable to drive the lancet momentarily to project its tip from the housing, and a nose portion (14) having an aperture through which said lancet projects when fired. The nose portion is threadedly engaged (78, 81) with the forward end (10) of the housing to allow the penetration depth of said lancet tip to be pre-set, and is resiliently deformable between a position in which it is locked against rotation and a position in which it is free to rotate.

Abstract: A tube assembly, system and method for biological sample collection. In one embodiment, the tube assembly of the present disclosure includes a first tube, a second tube, a mechanism for securing the first and second tubes. The securing mechanism orients the first ends of the first and second tubes in a manner such that the first end of the second tube extends beyond the first end of the first tube to create an interstitial space between the outer diameter of the first tube and the inner diameter of the second tube.

Abstract: An arrangement for producing a sample of body fluid from an opening created in a skin surface at a sampling site including a cartridge with a plurality of compartments and a plurality of sampling sites, and a detector assembly. Each sampling site includes a skin-penetration member having a first end configured to pierce the surface of the skin and an inner lumen in communication with the first end, a spring actuator operatively associated with the skin-penetration member, and a needle hub connecting the skin-penetration member and the spring actuator. The needle hub includes a reagent pad and the spring actuator is configured to drive the skin-penetration member to form the wound opening. Each compartment at least partially encloses the skin-penetration member, the spring actuator, and the needle hub of a respective sampling site.

Abstract: A puncture needle cartridge (2) comprises: a columnar lancet body (6) having a puncture needle on the front end side and a puncture instrument mount (5) on the rear end side; a protective cap (13) covering the puncture needle and having a shape extending toward the front end; a skin contact part (10) placed in front of the tip of the puncture needle, having a planar shape perpendicular to the puncture needle, and formed with a through hole to put the protective cap (13) through; an elongate plate-like extension (9) extending from the skin contact part (10) toward the rear end; and an elastic object (8) for coupling the extension (9) to the lancet body (6) and making the tip of the puncture needle be biased to be located in the rear end side behind the skin contact part (10).

Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering and/or receiving a substance or substances, such as blood, from subjects. In one embodiment, devices and methods for receiving blood from a subject employ devices including a substance transfer component (such as one or more microneedles), and a storage chamber having an internal pressure less than atmospheric pressure prior to receiving blood. In certain embodiments, substances may be received from and/or delivered to the subject with relatively little pain. The pain may be assessed, for example, using pain scales such as the WONG BAKER FACES Pain Scale. The device may be self-contained, applied to the skin, and activated to receive blood from the subject. The device, or a portion thereof, may be processed to determine the blood and/or an analyte within the blood using sensors or agents in the device or an external apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device for sampling blood by capillarity for separating a plasma phase of the blood from the cell phase. The device is a strip and includes a filter having a membrane with no clumping agents, a prefilter for spreading blood over the surface of the membrane; and an absorbent paper downstream from the filter. The membrane is dimensioned to cover only a part of the surface of the prefilter and the migration of blood by capillarity within the prefilter takes place essentially lengthwise relative to the strip before blood comes into contact with the membrane.

Abstract: A lancet device includes a housing, a trigger, a system for placing the lancet device in a trigger-set or armed position, and a multi-lancet unit comprising a plurality of lancets arranged one in front of the other and positioned in the housing. Each lancet includes a front end, a needle which extends from the front end, and a rear end. The front end of at least one of the plurality lancets is removably connected to the rear end of another of the plurality of lancets. A method of puncturing a surface of skin using the lancet device includes arranging the lancet device adjacent against a user's skin and triggering the lancet device so that one of the plurality of lancet is caused to penetrate the user's skin.

Abstract: A sampling system for collecting a liquid sample, having at least one analytic auxiliary means is proposed. The sampling system has a coupling element for coupling onto the analytic auxiliary means and at least one drive unit for driving a movement of the coupling element from a rest position into a deflected position. The drive unit comprises an energy transducer which is designed to generate a rotational movement with different rotational directions. The drive unit furthermore has a coupling device with at least one rotational-direction sensitive element, wherein the coupling device is designed to couple the energy transducer to a first system function in a first rotational direction, and to couple said transducer to a second system function which differs from the first system function in a second rotational direction which differs from the first rotational direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for insertion of a medical device in the skin of a subject is provided, as well as methods of inserting medical devices.

Abstract: An improved safe and convenient disposable automatic lancet, comprising a housing (1), a needle core (2), a spring (3) and a protective rod (4), wherein, a pressing arm of a trigger button (10) is divided into a first pressing leg (11) and a second pressing leg (19), and the first pressing leg (11) is used for triggering an elastic arm in a locking structure to form a press-type trigger structure, and the second pressing leg (19) fits with a safety sleeve (20) and a press-down channel (17) to achieve a safety function of the trigger button (10); a barb (12) on the second pressing leg (19) fits with a self-locking hook (13) on the housing (1) so as to achieve a self-locking function after one press. In order to shorten the exposed needle length of a needle body on the needle core (2), in the automatic lancet, the distance between the second pressing leg (19) and the needle tip (7) is designed to be less than the distance between the first pressing leg (11) and the needle tip (7).

Abstract: A lancing system comprising a lancet with a handle portion and a needle bearing portion, the needle bearing portion retaining a thin needle protected by a safety cap. The safety cap includes first and second chambers, where the first chamber acts as a sheath and the second chamber having a surface positioned to compromise the structure of the needle when the needle bearing portion of the lancet body is inserted into the second chamber.

Abstract: A gripper device for use in a lancet device for generating a sample of a body fluid. In the lancet device, a plurality of lancets can be provided in succession on a carrier element in an application position. The gripper device is equipped to seize one lancet at a time in the application position and carry out a piercing movement using the lancet. The gripper device includes at least one stop element, which is equipped to stop the lancet in the application position and temporarily prevent further movement of the carrier element. The gripper device further includes at least one positioning element, which is equipped to position the lancet during the piercing movement in a direction transverse to a piercing direction. The gripper device can further include at least one counter-gripper, which is equipped to cooperate with the stop element whereby the lancet can be held with a form fit.

Abstract: A lancet wheel having a rim with a plurality of lancets extending radially inward from the rim is dropped in a circular frame having a plurality of spokes forming a plurality of chambers for facilitating drop-in assembly of the modular lancet wheel with the frame. A test ring having a plurality of test sections is assembled on the frame such that one test section is located adjacent each lancet to form an integrated cartridge. Each lancet includes a lancet tip defining a capillary groove sized to collect a body fluid sample from the incision via capillary action. The lancet tip exits the chamber to form the incision in skin, the capillary groove collects the body fluid sample, the lancet tip retracts into the chamber, and a portion of the lancet contacts the test section to transfer the sample from the capillary groove to the test section to analyze the sample.

Abstract: Systems, devices, techniques and methods are disclosed for implementing an actuator mechanism of an analyte testing device. In one aspect, a method to test an analyte includes advancing an analyte sensor from a first position within a sensor cartridge of an analyte testing device to a second position that exposes at least a portion of the analyte sensor outside of the device, advancing a lancet projecting component from an initial position to a cocked position for a subsequent projection of a lancet, in which the advancing the analyte sensor and the advancing the lancet projecting component are initiated by a single operation, projecting the lancet to expose at least a portion of the lancet outside of the device, receiving a testing sample including an analyte at the exposed portion of the analyte sensor, processing the testing sample to determine a parameter of the analyte, and ejecting the analyte sensor from the device.

Abstract: A lancing device includes a main body and a replaceable lancet. A front cover is detachably mounted to a front end of the main body and formed by a shell and a positioning member connected inside the shell for receiving the lancet. A shock absorber is mounted in between the shell and the positioning member. When the lancet is fired by a built-in percussion unit of the main body to move forward, the front end of the lancet collides with a stop portion of the positioning member, and the lancet stops movement and instantaneously retracts. Meanwhile, most or all of the vibrational energy generated when the front end of the lancet collides with the positioning member can be absorbed by the shock absorber. In this way, the vibration in the process of the blood sampling can be reduced to further minimize the pain felt by the testee.

Abstract: An integrated-testing system includes a meter, a lancing device and a storage case. The meter includes a housing, a display and a processor. The storage case holds the meter and the lancing device in a relatively fixed position to each other. The meter and the lancing device are maintained in the storage case in the relatively fixed position until a fluid sample is desired, at which time a first portion of the lancing device is advanced to a position external to the storage case to obtain the fluid sample and a second portion of the lancing device remains relatively fixed in the storage case while the fluid sample is obtained.

Abstract: A puncturing system for obtaining a sample of body fluid comprises a magazine that comprises a lancet carrier that carries several lancets, a puncturing device comprising a compartment for the magazine, an incremental advancing mechanism for moving the lancets successively to a puncturing position, and a puncturing drive for accelerating one of the lancets that is positioned in the puncturing position in a puncturing motion. The magazine comprises a coupling facility with a receptacle for the lancet carrier. The receptacle is mobile with respect to a magazine housing The lancets that are carried by the lancet carrier can be moved relative to the receptacle by actuating the incremental advancing mechanism The receptacle is adapted to couple the puncturing drive to one of the lancets positioned in the puncturing position for transmitting a driving force generated by the puncturing drive during a puncture to the lancet positioned in the puncturing position.

Abstract: The present application relates to an apparatus for eliciting a blood sample. The apparatus has a housing having an aperture. A shaft extends in the housing and a testing member is mounted on the shaft which rotates with the shaft. A lancing member is pivotably mounted to the testing member and a lancet protrudes from the lancing member. The lancing member is arranged to pivot relative to the testing member from a retracted position to a skin penetrating position in which the lancet extends into or through the aperture when the testing member is rotated so that the lancing member is coincident with the aperture.

Abstract: The ultrasonic probe comprises an ultrasonic transducer section in which a plural of ultrasonic transducers arranged in a row in the scanning direction, an acoustic lens and a low attenuation medium, and further comprises a probe shell housing the ultrasonic transducer section, acoustic lens, and low attenuation medium. In the probe shell, the low attenuation medium is located at the top end (contact surface with a subject to be examined) of the ultrasonic probe, and the low attenuation medium, acoustic lens, and ultrasonic transducer section are located in order. In this way, the ultrasonic waves transmitted from the ultrasonic transducer section are converged by the acoustic lens and transmitted outside the probe shell through the low attenuation medium. The reflection waves from the subject to be examined are received by the ultrasonic transducer section through the low attenuation medium.

Abstract: A lancing device includes an advance-and-eject mechanism with a positioning member for manipulating a series of interconnected lancets. The advance-and-eject mechanism includes an actuator, a control channel, a cam-and-follower mechanism, one or more axial-contact members, and one or more angular-contact members. Actuating the actuator relative to the control channel imparts rotational and axial forces on the positioning member, and the cam-and-follower mechanism selectively restricts rotational and/or axial motion of the positioning member to induce first-stage rotation, second-stage translation, third-stage rotation, and fourth-stage translation.

Abstract: A tip (41) for use with a lancing device (11). A wall extends upwardly from a base and forms a substantially saddle-shaped distal surface for interfacing with a patient's skin. An opening (43) extends entirely through the tip. The tip (41) is movably received by a pressure sleeve assembly. The pressure sleeve assembly includes a housing (37) and a pressure sleeve movable between first and second positions. A spring (35) is connected between the housing (37) and the pressure sleeve. A lancet (21) is rigidly fixed to the housing (37) and is covered when the pressure sleeve is in the first position and exposed through the substantially saddle-shaped distal surface (42) of the tip (41) when the pressure sleeve is in the second position. The substantially saddleshaped distal surface (42) gathers the patient's skin toward the center of the tip to facilitate expressing blood from a lanced site.

Abstract: A disposable lancing device including: a lancet housed in a housing and urged by a spring member such that a puncture member provided at a distal end of the lancet is adapted to extend out from the housing so as to carry out a puncturing operation; a locking ring disposed within the housing such that the lancet is allowed to displace in an extension direction through the locking ring; a locking protrusion provided to the lancet and adapted to be engaged by the locking ring so as to hold the lancet in a puncture-ready position located deep in the housing with the spring member being compressed; and an operating member adapted to carry out the puncturing operation by rotating the locking ring so as to disengage the locking protrusion from the locking ring and displace the lancet in the extension direction by means of the spring member.

Abstract: A lancet structure for making an incision at a skin site and transporting an amount of blood from the incision away from the skin site and methods of utilizing and making such a lancet structure are disclosed. The lancet structure may comprise an elongated body having a first surface and a second surface, a skin penetrating end for making the incision, a through bore extending from the first surface to the second surface, and a blood transport portion extending from the skin penetrating end to the through bore along the first surface. The blood transport portion is configured to transport the amount of blood away from the skin site via a capillary force to the through bore, and the through bore is configured to transport the blood to the second surface.

Abstract: A lancet includes a lancet body having a distal end portion of a puncturing member protruding from the front end portion thereof, and a cap that houses and protects the distal end portion of the puncturing member that protrudes before use, wherein the front end portion of the lancet body and the rear end portion of the cap are integrated in substantially adjoining state with each other via a weakened portion. One of the end face at the front end portion of the lancet body and the end face at the rear end portion of the cap that opposes the former has protrusions, and the top ends of the protrusions define an imaginary plane that extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the puncturing member, and the other end face defines the flat surface that extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the puncturing member.

Abstract: A puncture needle cartridge including a puncture needle, a lancet body adapted to cover part or all of a tip of the puncture needle, a cylindrical puncture needle holder disposed on an outer surface of the lancet body to permit the lancet body to move in an axial direction of the puncture needle; and a protective cap that is separable from the puncture needle holder. The protective cap includes a base adapted to cover an opening in the puncture needle holder, a shaft protruding from the base, and arms mounted on the shaft and configured to abut an inner circumferential surface of the opening in the puncture needle holder by spreading in the opening. A space between tips of the arms is larger than an inside diameter of the opening in the puncture needle holder, and is reduced by elastic deformation when the arms are housed in the opening.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a housing, a testing member rotatably mounted in the housing, a lancet protruding from an edge of the testing member and having a piercing end, and a cover configured to cover at least the piercing end of the lancet and to be displaced from the piercing end of the lancet during actuation of the testing member.

Abstract: Methods for intra-mold sterilization of a plastic-embedded metal component of a product, such as a medical lancet having a metal needle embedded within a plastic lancet body. For example, a lancet needle is retained within a mold, plastic is injected to encapsulate the needle, and a specified minimum temperature is maintained for a specified minimum cycle time. In example forms, the specified minimum mold temperature is at least about 370 degrees Fahrenheit and the specified minimum cycle time is at least about 10 seconds.

Abstract: A body fluid sampling system for use on a tissue site includes a single drive force generator. A plurality of penetrating members are operatively coupled to the force generator. The force generator moves each of the members along a path out of a housing with a penetrating member exit, into the tissue site, stops in the tissue site, and withdraws out of the tissue site. A flexible support member couples the penetrating members to define a linear array. The support member is movable and configured to move each of the penetrating members to a launch position associated with the force generator.

Abstract: Lancet device that includes a body. A front cover includes a skin engaging end that includes a lancet opening through which a lancet needle extends. A holding member is movably mounted within the body. The holding member includes a front end and a rear end. The front end is configured to receive a lancet. A main spring is disposed between the front and rear ends of the holding member. A first stop surface is arranged on a front portion of the holding member. A second stop surface is axially retained to a front portion of the body. At least partial rotation of the front cover causes the skin engaging end to move axially relative to the second stop surface.

Abstract: A lancet device includes a hollow housing defining a cavity and having a proximal end and a distal end and a slider slidable at least partially within the cavity along a longitudinal axis from an outward position to a pushed position. The slider extends outside of the cavity beyond the proximal end when it is in the outward position. A needle holder holding a needle is rotatable about and translatable along the longitudinal axis when moved from an initial position to an extended position. When the needle holder is in the initial position, the slider is in the outward position. When the needle holder is in the extended position, the lance extends beyond the proximal end. Sliding of the slider to the pushed position enables a first biasing member to urge the needle holder toward the extended position. A second biasing member can be present in the lancet device.

Abstract: A lancer device that enables a user to draw blood from a patient and discard the used lancet without touching it. The device also has an adjustable tip for selecting the depth of stylet penetration into the patient and a triggering mechanism that utilizes a yoke latch and a leaf spring to discharge the lancet. The lancer also has a dampening feature to reduce vibrations when the lancet is moving.

Abstract: A lancing system comprising a lancing elements carrier tape carrying a plurality of lancing elements, a tape transport unit for moving the lancing elements consecutively into a usage position by transporting the lancing elements carrier tape, a lancing drive for causing a lancing element located in the usage position to perform a lancing movement, and test elements with detection reagents for analyzing a body fluid sample obtained by a puncture is presented. Additionally, a test elements carrier tape is provided, which carries the test elements. The lancing elements carrier tape and the test element carrier tape are located on top of one another with tape sections that carry unused test elements or unused lancing elements.

Abstract: A medical device for reducing the force necessary to penetrate living being tissue using a variety of reciprocating motion actuators, including piezoelectric, voice coil, solenoids, pneumatics or fluidics. The reciprocating actuator drives a penetrating member, such as a needle, through the tissue at a reduced force while the device detects the passage of the penetrating member through the tissue. Upon passage of the penetrating member through the tissue, electrical power to the reciprocating actuator is automatically terminated. One exemplary method for detecting this passage is via a fluid-containing syringe that is coupled to a channel within the penetrating member. Once the penetrating member tip has passed through the living tissue, the fluid within the syringe no longer experiences any pressure and a plunger within the syringe displaces indicating passage of the penetrating member tip.

Abstract: A lancing device (e.g., pen) having an integrated thermoelectric (e.g., Peltier) cooler. The lancing device includes an elongated heat accumulator having a lumen along which a piston having a lancet thereon translates back and forth. A Peltier device and a cooling ring are thermally interconnected to one end of the heat accumulator and include central apertures through which the lancet can extend. The lancing device also includes an integrated battery and microcontroller for supplying and regulating power to the Peltier device. Upon a current being sent through the Peltier device, a cold side of the Peltier device and hence the cooling ring gives up thermal energy and reduces in temperature. The cooling ring can then be placed about a body tissue (e.g., skin) for a period of time (e.g., 3-5 seconds) to desensitize the body tissue, and then the lancet can be fired to puncture the body tissue.

Abstract: A lancet device including a lancet having a puncturing element disposed within a two-piece housing including a rear housing and a forward housing. Relative axial movement of the rear housing toward the forward housing directly drives the lancet to a puncturing position wherein the puncturing element extends through the forward housing. During such relative axial movement, a drive structure applies a driving force against the lancet and disengages from the lancet based on deflecting structure in the housing, thereby releasing the driving force applied to the lancet. A retention member then retracts the lancet back within the housing, with the drive structure maintained disengaged from the lancet to prevent re-use.