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 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.

Abstract: A lancing device for sampling blood or other body fluid of a subject includes a reusable housing and a disposable cassette. The cassette contains a plurality of lancets held in a storage plane. An active lancet is moved transversely from the storage plane into a firing plane, into engagement with a drive mechanism for actuation to lance the subject's skin. After actuation, the used lancet is returned to the storage plane. Each lancet includes a protective endcap that is removed from the lancet just prior to use and then is replaced onto the lancet after use.

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 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 housing having an actuator mechanism and a replaceable carousel having a series of lancets. The carousel is removably received in the housing and the actuator mechanism is operable to actuate the individual lancets. In exemplary embodiments the lancing device has, amongst other features, key and detent mechanisms for orienting and securing the carousel in the housing, tangentially configured lancets for compactness, actuator alignment features for aligning the actuator with the lancets, charging mechanisms for ease in charging the lancets for launching, and shutter mechanisms for retaining the lancets in the housing after launching. Also included is a method for lancing using a lancing device according to the invention.

Abstract: A lancet having one or more portions of the shank of the lancet blade exposed for direct engagement with cooperating portion(s) of the lancet carrier of a lancing device. This direct engagement of the lancet blade with the lancet carrier provides more precise positional control of the location of the lancing site by eliminating the effect that any variation in the position of the lancet blade within the lancet body would otherwise have on the positioning of the lancet tip. Tolerance stack-up is thereby reduced and accuracy is improved, reducing the necessary sample size and minimizing pain resulting from the lancing operation.

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 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: 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.

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 voice prosthesis that is formed of a soft, elastomeric body containing a spring loaded ball valve, preferably a non-impervious, smooth ball such as a ruby ball biased by a flat helical spring against a seat mounted in a rigid cartridge. An insertion device includes a handle with expandable tip which enters and locks within the cartridge.

Abstract: A lancet having one or more portions of the shank of the lancet blade exposed for direct engagement with cooperating portion(s) of the lancet carrier of a lancing device. This direct engagement of the lancet blade with the lancet carrier provides more precise positional control of the location of the lancing site by eliminating the effect that any variation in the position of the lancet blade within the lancet body would otherwise have on the positioning of the lancet tip. Tolerance stack-up is thereby reduced and accuracy is improved, reducing the necessary sample size and minimizing pain resulting from the lancing operation.

Abstract: A method of making a spring are described. The spring is made by etching or cutting at least one spiral arm in a flat substrate leaving residual material around the arm. The intermediate residual material is either pushed or lifted to form a conical spring.