Abstract: Described is an activation/retraction mechanism for a lancing device that has a pusher that includes a first biasing member arranged to displace the pusher in a distal direction; and a lancet holder that includes a lancet for penetrating the skin of a subject, and a second biasing member arranged to displace the lancet holder in a proximal direction. The lancet holder and the pusher are arranged in a housing so that a distal end of the pusher engages a proximal end of the lancet holder to push the lancet holder in a distal direction when the first biasing member displaces the pusher distally. The distal end of the pusher and the proximal end of the lancet holder are arranged to disengage from each other when the pusher has been displaced distally a predetermined length from its initial position.

Abstract: An activation/retraction mechanism for a lancing device comprising a pusher (10; 20; 30; 40; 50) comprising a first biasing member arranged to displace the pusher in a distal direction; and a lancet holder comprising a lancet for penetrating the skin of a subject, and a second biasing member arranged to displace the lancet holder in a proximal direction; wherein the lancet holder and the pusher are arranged in a housing of the lancing device in such a way that a distal end of the pusher engages a proximal end of the lancet holder to push the lancet holder in a distal direction when the first biasing member displaces the pusher distally. The distal end of the pusher and the proximal end of the lancet holder are arranged to disengage from each other when the pusher has been displaced dis-tally a predetermined length from its initial position, whereby the lancet holder may re-turn to its initial position under influence of the second biasing member.