Abstract: A lancet device and associated method used for obtaining a blood sample from a patient. The lancet includes a safety housing adapted to be placed against some area of the patient's skin, such as a finger. A slotted aperture is formed through the safety housing in the region of the housing placed against the skin. An invertible spring member is disposed within the safety housing. The invertible spring member is a curved structure that automatically inverts into a generally oppositely curved orientation when the invertible spring member is flattened by a predetermined degree. The cutting blade used to make the incision is coupled to the invertible spring member within the safety housing. A manipulative element supports the invertible spring member and blade within the safety housing. The manipulative element is held at a set position in relation to the safety housing until a threshold force is applied to the manipulative element.

Abstract: A stopper assembly for a test tube or similar article comprised of an inner elastomeric stopper and an outer semi-rigid cap member that protects the inner elastomeric stopper and assists in the manual manipulation of the inner elastomeric stopper and provides enhanced visible color coding through the combination of colored stoppers and caps. The elastomeric stopper is dimensioned to fit within the open end of a test tube with an interference fit. The lower end of the elastomeric stopper has grooves disposed across its outer surface. When the lower end of the stopper is inserted into the open end of the test tube, gases are permitted to pass through the grooves, and the test tube is vented to its surrounding environment. The upper end of the elastomeric stopper does not include venting grooves.

Abstract: A lancet device uses a planar blade that implements an incision in the skin of a patient using a slicing action. There is a blade support arm pivotably secured within a hollow housing. The pivot connection between the blade support arm and the housing is formed by a pivot pin which extends from the housing and is positioned in a slot receptacle formed on the blade support arm. The pivot pin is free to reciprocally move within the slot receptacle as the blade support arm pivot about the pivot pin. The rotation of the blade support arm about the pivot pin is implemented by a bias spring. The path traversed by the blade support arm as it pivots is controlled by a groove located on the interior surface of the housing which engages a projection that extends from the blade support arm. As such, when the support arm pivots from a first position to a second position, the projection on the blade support arm traverses the groove in the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing a coagulation time test on a sample of blood wherein the blood is deposited in a fluid reservoir and disposable cuvette. Within the cuvette is formed a capillary conduit have at least one restricted region. The cuvette is inserted into a testing machine which engages the cuvette and draws blood from the fluid reservoir into the capillary conduit. The blood is then caused to reciprocally move within the capillary conduit whereby the blood is forced to traverse the restricted region. The testing machine measures the time required each time the blood is caused to traverse the restricted region. When a measured time is a predetermined percentage longer than an immediately preceding time, coagulation is considered to have occurred and the overall coagulation time is displayed to the operator.