Abstract: The subject invention provides for disc brake pads and a method of designing disc brake pads. The brake pads include a backing plate and a friction pad having a center section, an outer edge, an inner edge and a friction surface. The method includes the step of developing a finite element model of a precursor brake pad design using dimensional and material property information of the backing plate and friction pad to perform a normal mode analysis of the precursor brake pad design. The method proceeds with the step of performing the normal mode analysis using the finite element model to determine whether there is an area on the friction surface having an excitation amplitude that is greater than a threshold value of amplitude. If an area having an excitation amplitude greater than the threshold value is determined, the precursor brake pad design is modified to provide a brake pad design having a relieved portion in the area.

Abstract: The subject invention generally relates to a disc brake pad which has reduced brake squeal in response to a braking event by the incorporation of a relieved portion to the center section of a friction pad along an outer edge or inner edge thereof, or along both edges. The invention is a disc brake pad which includes a backing plate and friction pad attached to the backing plate.

Abstract: A device for sampling and/or analyzing blood or other body fluid of a subject. A housing contains a plurality of lancets and optionally includes test elements to take up a sample of blood, an evaluation system and a display. A complete system that can be handled as a single device, for example in the form of a wristwatch, includes a multiplicity of test elements and lancets, which can be brought successively to a working position to perform multiple measurements. A cassette or carrier includes multiple lancets and/or test elements, for insertion into the device.

Abstract: A lancing device and replaceable multi-lancet cartridge for use in sampling of body fluids. Sequential lancets of the cartridge are translationally retracted along a storage path, pivoted into an angularly offset firing path, and translationally propelled by a drive mechanism to lance the subject's skin.

Abstract: A sampling device (20) having a housing (24) with a lancet cartridge (22) mounted therein. The lancets (26) of the lancet cartridge (22) are interconnected by a flexible web (28). The lancet cartridge (22) is not positively engaged within the housing (24) and can be easily removed. The housing (24) has an opening (42) with an adjacent flexible or compressible fin (60) for dampening the motion of the lancet (26). The lancet cartridge (22) has at least one lancet (26) with an endcap, and the housing has a cap-removal mechanism (74) for separating the endcap from the housing (24). Anti-tampering features prevent opening of the device when the lancet cartridge (22) is oriented with a lancet (26) in a firing position.

Abstract: A sampling device having a lancing apparatus, and optionally a detector and a meter. The lancing apparatus includes a replaceable cartridge of lancets, each lancet having an independent arming and drive mechanism enabling non-sequential and/or simultaneous firing of lancets. A lancet retainer independently associated with each lancet is movable to uncover an opening through which the lancet tip passes, and to release the lancet for activation. The lancets can be actuated in any order, and multiple lancets can be simultaneously actuated, if desired.

Abstract: The invention relates to a blood analyzer (2) that comprises a device (6) for taking a blood sample, equipped with pricking elements (8, 114, 122, 232), and test means (10) for receiving a minimum amount of blood. Said test means (10) and the pricking elements (8, 114, 122, 232) are disposed on a support (50) which can be rotated with respect to the housing base (4) and can be inserted in the analyzer along with said support. The test means (10) and the pricking elements (8, 114, 122, 232) can be brought into working positions (32, 34) relative to the housing base that are different from one another by rotating the support (50).

Abstract: A lancing device has a carousel of lancets removably received in a housing. In exemplary embodiments, the lancing device includes a sterility cap positioning mechanism that removes sterility caps from the lancets for actuation and afterwards replaces the sterility caps onto the lancets. Preferably, the lancing device includes a lancet advancing mechanism that automatically advances sequential lancets of the lancet carousel for charging and actuating, and a drive mechanism for actuating the lancets. Also provided are replacement lancet carousels, which include a cylindrical carrier with axial openings and a plurality of the lancets axially oriented in the openings.

Abstract: A device (302) for sampling and/or analyzing blood or other body fluid of a subject. A housing (306) contains a plurality of lancets (308) and optionally includes test elements (324) to take up a sample of blood, an evaluation system and a display. A complete system that can be handled as a single device, for example in the form of a wristwatch, includes a multiplicity of test elements (324) and lancets (308), which can be brought successively to a working position to perform multiple measurements. A cassette or carrier (320) includes multiple lancets (308) and/or test elements (324), for insertion into the device.