Abstract: A sensor dispensing instrument adapted to handle a sensor pack containing a plurality of sensors and to perform a test using one of the sensors. The sensor dispensing instrument includes an outer housing and a mechanical mechanism contained therein for rotating the sensor pack and ejecting one of the sensors from the sensor pack and through a sensor slot on the housing. The sensor dispensing instrument also includes a sensor actuator to engage with a sensor disposed in the sensor slot, and a sensor release that is movable to disengage the sensor actuator from the sensor disposed in the sensor slot and permit the discharge of the sensor.

Abstract: A lancing device comprising a movable parallelogram-shaped rack. The rack rotates a linearly fixed pinion which drives a slider-crank system. The slider-crank system in turn drives a lance holder. The parallelogram-shaped rack defines one or more predetermined paths along which the pinion moves. The lance holder is prevented from being extended beyond a predetermined depth when the pinion reaches a predetermined position along the one or more predetermined paths. The pinion is mechanically stopped from further progress by intersecting two legs of the parallelogram-shaped rack. Teeth of the rack may be modified to reduce the change the pinion may jam in the rack.

Abstract: A sensor dispensing instrument adapted to handle a sensor pack containing a plurality of sensors and to perform a test using one of the sensors. The sensor dispensing instrument includes an outer housing and a mechanical mechanism contained therein for rotating the sensor pack and ejecting one of the sensors from the sensor pack and through a sensor slot on the housing. The sensor dispensing instrument also includes a sensor actuator to engage with a sensor disposed in the sensor slot, and a sensor release that is movable to disengage the sensor actuator from the sensor disposed in the sensor slot and permit the discharge of the sensor.

Abstract: A sensor dispensing instrument adapted to handle a sensor pack containing a plurality of sensors and to perform a test using one of the sensors. The sensor dispensing instrument includes an outer housing and a mechanical mechanism contained therein for rotating the sensor pack and ejecting one of the sensors from the sensor pack and through a sensor slot on the housing. The sensor dispensing instrument also includes a sensor actuator to engage with a sensor disposed in the sensor slot, and a sensor release that is movable to disengage the sensor actuator from the sensor disposed in the sensor slot and permit the discharge of the sensor.

Abstract: A lancing device comprising a movable parallelogram-shaped rack. The rack rotates a linearly fixed pinion which drives a slider-crank system. The slider-crank system in turn drives a lance holder. The parallelogram-shaped rack defines one or more predetermined paths along which the pinion moves. The lance holder is prevented from being extended beyond a predetermined depth when the pinion reaches a predetermined position along the one or more predetermined paths. The pinion is mechanically stopped from further progress by intersecting two legs of the parallelogram-shaped rack. Teeth of the rack may be modified to reduce the chance the pinion may jam in the rack.

Abstract: A sensor dispensing instrument adapted to handle a sensor pack containing a plurality of sensors and to perform a test using one of the sensors. The sensor dispensing instrument includes an outer housing and a disk drive mechanism contained therein for rotating the sensor pack and ejecting one of the sensors from the sensor pack and through a sensor opening on the housing. The disk drive mechanism of the sensor dispensing instrument is operated by pressing a button which activates a motor. The motor moves a disk drive pusher in a first direction to rotate the sensor pack, and then moves the disk drive pusher in a second direction to eject a sensor from the sensor cavity and through the sensor opening.

Abstract: A lancing device comprising a movable parallelogram-shaped rack. The rack rotates a linearly fixed pinion which drives a slider-crank system. The slider-crank system in turn drives a lance holder. The parallelogram-shaped rack defines one or more predetermined paths along which the pinion moves. The lance holder is prevented from being extended beyond a predetermined depth when the pinion reaches a predetermined position along the one or more predetermined paths. The pinion is mechanically stopped from further progress by intersecting two legs of the parallelogram-shaped rack. Teeth of the rack may be modified to reduce the chance the pinion may jam in the rack.

Abstract: A pressure ring for a lancing device for holding open a skin puncture while collecting a blood sample includes a collar that fits onto the end of a lancing device. A skirt is provided on the collar and a flared portion depends from the skirt. At least one axial slit is formed in the skirt. The pressure ring is made of a flexible material such as polypropylene such that when the lancing device with a pressure ring is placed on a person's skin and pressure is applied, the slits spread apart stretching the skin for a puncture by a lance in the lancing device. Once a puncture has been made, the pressure ring holds the puncture wound open to allow bleeding. Removing the lancing device from the puncture site releases the skin allowing the puncture wound to close.

Abstract: A sensor dispensing instrument adapted to handle a sensor pack containing a plurality of sensors and to perform a test using one of the sensors. The sensor dispensing instrument includes an outer housing and a disk drive mechanism contained therein for rotating the sensor pack and ejecting one of the sensors from the sensor pack and through a sensor opening on the housing. The disk drive mechanism of the sensor dispensing instrument is operated by pressing a button which activates a motor. The motor moves a disk drive pusher in a first direction to rotate the sensor pack, and then moves the disk drive pusher in a second direction to eject a sensor from the sensor cavity and through the sensor opening.

Abstract: A test strip is provided for use in the determination of the concentration of an a chemical in blood. The test strip comprises a plurality of microneedles and a test area. Each microneedle is adapted to puncture skin and to draw blood. The test area is in fluid communication with the microneedles. The test area contains a reagent adapted to produce a reaction indicative of the concentration of the chemical in blood.

Abstract: A lance is provided for puncturing skin and producing a sample of blood. The lance comprises a spring having a first end and a second end disposed between a needle and a base wherein the first end of spring is coupled to the base and the second end of the spring is coupled to the needle.

Abstract: A sensor dispensing instrument adapted to handle a sensor pack containing a plurality of sensors and to perform a test using one of the sensors. The sensor dispensing instrument includes an outer housing and a mechanical mechanism contained therein for rotating the sensor pack and ejecting one of the sensors from the sensor pack and through a sensor slot on the housing. The sensor dispensing instrument also includes a sensor actuator to engage with a sensor disposed in the sensor slot, and a sensor release that is movable to disengage the sensor actuator from the sensor disposed in the sensor slot and permit the discharge of the sensor.

Abstract: A sensor dispensing instrument adapted to handle a sensor pack containing a plurality of sensors and to perform a test using one of the sensors. The sensor dispensing instrument includes an outer housing and a mechanical mechanism contained therein for rotating the sensor pack and ejecting one of the sensors from the sensor pack and through a sensor slot on the housing. The mechanical mechanism of the sensor dispensing instrument is operated by first moving a disk drive pusher in a first direction to rotate the sensor pack, and then moving the disk drive pusher in a second direction to eject a sensor from the sensor cavity and through the sensor slot.

Abstract: A pressure ring for a lancing device for holding open a skin puncture while collecting a blood sample includes a collar that fits onto the end of a lancing device. A skirt is provided on the collar and a flared portion depends from the skirt. At least one axial slit is formed in the skirt. The pressure ring is made of a flexible material such as polypropylene such that when the lancing device with a pressure ring is placed on a person's skin and pressure is applied, the slits spread apart stretching the skin for a puncture by a lance in the lancing device. Once a puncture has been made, the pressure ring holds the puncture wound open to allow bleeding. Removing the lancing device from the puncture site releases the skin allowing the puncture wound to close.

Abstract: A test strip is provided for use in the determination of the concentration of an a chemical in blood. The test strip comprises a plurality of microneedles and a test area. Each microneedle is adapted to puncture skin and to draw blood. The test area is in fluid communication with the microneedles. The test area contains a reagent adapted to produce a reaction indicative of the concentration of the chemical in blood.

Abstract: A lance is provided for puncturing skirt and producing a sample of blood. The lance comprises a spring having a first end and a second end disposed between a needle and a base wherein the first end of spring is coupled to the base and the second end of the spring is coupled to the needle.

Abstract: A sensor for use in a sensor dispensing instrument so that fluids can be tested when the sensor is ejected from within a sensor cavity of a sensor pack sealed by a foil. The sensor has a generally flat, rectangular shape, is formed by a base and a lid, and has perpendicularly extending longitudinal and transverse axes. A notch in a rear end of the sensor is engaged by a knife blade within the sensor dispensing instrument as the sensor is being ejected through the foil. A front testing edge of the lid overhangs a front testing edge of the base of the sensor. One side edge of the sensor adjacent the front edges of the base and lid is beveled at about a 25.degree. angle. The front base edge extends from the beveled side portion across the entire remaining width of the sensor at an angle of approximately 10.degree. with respect to the transverse axis. A portion of the front lid edge extends from the beveled side portion across a significant portion of the width of the sensor at an angle of about 15.degree.

Abstract: The present invention is a lancing device with an automatic cocking feature. The automatically cocking lancing device utilizes a firing burton loaded with a firing button spring and a drive spring connecting the firing button to a plunger. As the user presses the firing burton and compresses the firing burton spring, the user also moves the plunger until the plunger engages a latching mechanism. The latching mechanism holds the plunger in a latched position, and, as the user continues pressing the firing button, the user compresses the drive spring connected to the plunger. Before firing, the drive spring is compressed enough such that the biasing force of the drive spring is sufficient to cause the plunger to strike and drive a lancet into the user's finger. At that point, the pressing of the firing button causes the lancing device to fife. The plunger unlatches and drives the lancet into the user's finger under the biasing force of the drive spring.

Abstract: The removal of excess fluid from a test strip should be performed in a consistent manner to provide consistent results. To eliminate user variability introduced by manual blotting techniques, the device of the present invention wipes fluid from a test strip as the test strip is passed beneath a blade. The one-piece device is made of plastic so that it may be manufactured inexpensively and disposed of after use. The wiping device can also be integrated with an end cap, so that the wiping device can be attached to the end of an instrument, such as a lancet. To obtain a blood sample, for instance, the user inserts a test strip into the wiping device, where it is held while the blood sample is taken. The user deposits the blood sample onto the test strip and pulls the test strip through the wiping device. The blade removes a portion of the blood sample to provide a consistent wiping action which is not influenced by user variability.