Abstract: Described is a lancet cartridge for drawing blood samples from the finger of a patient which includes a first housing for receiving a lancet disk having a plurality of radially extending lancets, each lancet having a tooth projecting from the end thereof, and a second housing engageable with the first housing, the housings being rotatable with respect to each other, the one housing includes a ramp for receiving the end of the lancets whereby the lancet is elevated when the cartridge housing is rotated. A platform is positioned in one of the housings to receive the lancet as it is elevated by the ramp to thereby place the lancet in a cocked position. The second housing member includes at least one opening through which the end of the lancets can project to pierce the patient's finger. A trigger is positioned to be activated when a finger is placed in the opening to release the cocked lancet from the platform and pierce the patient's finger.