Abstract: A lancing device and method for self-collecting a sample of body fluid by penetrating a body tissue at a sampling site. The invention includes a housing geometry configured for ease of use at different sampling sites on the body, even by persons having reduced dexterity and/or poor vision. Depth of penetration is selectively controlled by adjusting the stroke range of a spring-driven lancet carrier. A pressure applicator is included for stimulating flow of the body fluid. A transparent portion permits observation of the sampling site.

Abstract: A lancet comprises a handle (1) made of plastic material with a needle (2), where the tip (3) of the needle (2) is >covered by a sheath (4) moulded together with the handle (1). The handle (1) includes at least one hole expositing the needle (2). The part of the needle (2) positioned in at least one hole (5) of the handle (1) is crooked.

Abstract: Adjustable length element includes a first member having threads and a second member having threads. The adjustable length member also includes at least one protrusion on one of the first member and the second member, with the at least one protrusion being capable of engaging and disengaging at least one stop associated with the threads of the other of the first member and the second member as the first member and the second member are rotated relative to each other. A lancet device includes a housing, a needle holding member in the housing for holding a lancet, a biasing element for biasing the needle holding member toward an extended position, and a trigger for releasing the needle holding member from a retracted position. The lancet device also includes a cap for covering the housing and for positioning the lancet device relative to a skin surface, the cap including a first cap member having threads and a second cap member having threads.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lancing apparatus (A) which includes a lancet (3) which is movable to advance in a first direction from a deeper portion in a housing (2) toward a front end of a cylindrical member (8) and an analysis component (4) disposed in the cylindrical member (8). The analysis component (4) is movable in a second direction opposite to the first direction upon receiving a force in the second direction. When skin (S) bulges, the analysis component (4) moves in the second direction following the bulging of the skin, whereby blood (b) bleeding from the skin (S) is properly introduced to the analysis component (4).

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a component measuring instrument with which a predetermined component in blood can be measured securely and in a short time.

Abstract: A sample of a body fluid such as blood or interstitial fluid is obtained from a body by lancing a portion of a user's skin, preferably in an area other than a finger tip, to form an incision. After the needle has been removed from the incision, a force is applied to depress the skin in a manner forming a ring of depressed body tissue in surrounding relationship to the incision, causing the incision to bulge and the sides of the incision to open, whereby body fluid is forced out through the opening of the incision. A stimulator member is mounted to an end of a lancet-carrying housing for applying the force. The stimulator member can be movable relative to the housing, and can be either heated or vibrated to promote movement of the body fluid.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to lancing elements for use in drawing bodily fluids out of a patient and, more particularly, to an improved lancing element including first and second elements positioned relative to each other such that an incision formed by the first element is held open by the second element and bodily fluids are pulled up the lancing element by surface tension on the first and second lancing elements.

Abstract: A disposable lancing device is disclosed, which may not return to its initial state after projection of a lancet, thereby preventing infectious possibility due to voluntary reuse of the device.

Abstract: A lancing device (A) includes a lancing adjustment mechanism for adjusting the lancing depth of a lancet (L) into a target portion (99) by operating an operation member (20c). The lancing adjustment mechanism is designed to provide a nonlinear relationship between the lancing depth of the lancet (L) into the target portion (99) and the operation amount of the operation member (20c). With this arrangement, it is possible to suitably adjust bleeding at the lanced portion, thereby improving the operationality of the lancing device (A).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mounter (3) integrally provided with a lancing element (47B) and analyzer. The mounter (3) includes a lancing member (47) provided with the lancing element (47B), a first member (4) including an accommodation portion (40) for holding the lancing member (47), and a second member (5) formed separately from the first member (4) for holding the analyzer (6). The accommodation portion (40) includes an accommodation space (43) communicatable with the outside through a first opening (43a) and a second opening (43b). The lancing member (47) is held and hermetically sealed in the accommodation space (43) by closing the first opening (43a) and the second opening (43b) with a first seal member (44a) and a second seal member (44b).

Abstract: A lancet suited for use in drawing blood or other bodily fluid, wherein the lancet is provided with a region where a chemical reagent resides, the chemical reagent including one or more agents that react with at least one constituent of the bodily fluid to ascertain information about the bodily fluid from which it was drawn, the lancet has a body and a head that is provided with a relatively sharp tip for penetrating the skin of the person, the tip is provided with at least one channel or groove in fluid communication with the area where the chemical reagent is positioned, the channel or groove transports the fluid from the tip to the area where the chemical reagent is positioned, the channels extend between the tip of the lancet and the recess, an electroconductive ink is positioned on the lancet wherein the ink is patterned into electrical contacts, part of which extend into the area where the chemical reagent is deposited and a part of which extend to a location away from the area where the chemical reagen

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 bodily fluid sampling device includes a flexible test strip, a lancet, and a deflection mechanism. The test strip is biased to be positioned over the incision site formed by the lancet. The deflection mechanism positions the test strip away from the incision site during lancing so as to allow the lancet to have clear access to the incision site. Due to the flexible nature of the test strip, after lancing the incision, the test strip returns to the original position so as to collect fluid from the incision.

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 catheter is provided for delivering implants including therapeutic agents to tissues. The catheter is advanceable intra-luminally to place the implants. In one embodiment, the implants include a liquid carrier and therapeutic agent for infusion into the tissue. In another embodiment, a solid carrier includes the therapeutic agent. In yet another embodiment, the implant is formed in situ.

Abstract: An integrated lancing test strip includes a pair of blade members that each have a lancing tip that are configured to lance skin. A pair of spacer members connect the blade members together such that the blade members define an internal capillary. A test strip is positioned along the internal capillary, and the test strip is configured to test analyte levels in the bodily fluid. During use, the lancing tips form one or more incisions in the skin. The fluid from the incisions is drawn via capillary action through the internal capillary and onto the test strip.

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 body fluid sampling system is provided for use on a tissue site. In one embodiment, the system comprises a cartridge; a penetrating member driver; a plurality of penetrating members arranged in a radial configuration on the cartridge wherein sharpened distal tips of the penetrating members point radially outward; wherein an active one of the penetrating members may be operatively coupled to the penetrating member driver, the penetrating member driver moving the active one along a path out of a housing having a penetrating member exit, into the tissue site, stopping in the tissue site, and withdrawing out of the tissue site; and a plurality of analyte detecting members, wherein at least one of the analyte detecting members is positioned to receive fluid from a wound created by the active one of the penetrating members, wherein the detecting members are not pierced by the active one of the penetrating members.

Abstract: A blood sampling device designed to divert attention from the pain involved in the puncture of the skin tissue by increasing comfort when lancing the skin by affecting the sensation and perception of pain. Projections on the distal end of a skin pricker contact the skin surface to confuse the nerves in the area of the prick to make the prick less noticeable.

Abstract: A system and method of contouring a perimeter surface of a vertebral body. The invention includes positioning a reference mechanism relative to one or more vertebral bodies. In one embodiment, the reference mechanism is positioned relative to the disc space between adjacent vertebral bodies. The reference mechanism may have a variety of forms, including mechanical, computerized, and visual. A bone removal mechanism is aligned with the reference mechanism to contour the vertebral body or bodies. A predetermined relationship exists between the bone removal mechanism and the reference mechanism. The predetermined relationship provides for the bone removal mechanism to contour the vertebral body or bodies in a precise fashion.

Abstract: A single-use lancet device is provided for drawing capillary blood samples. The device includes a body having an upper portion and a lower portion and a trigger carried by the upper portion of the body. The trigger is movable between a first raised position wherein the device is cocked and a second depressed position wherein the device is fired. A needle assembly is provided which is movable between a cocked position and a striking position. A free-floating drive spring is provided for moving the needle assembly from its cocked position to its striking position. A bounceback spring is integrally molded with the needle assembly and includes a pair of generally V-shaped spring arms. A trigger bar has a first position wherein it holds the needle assembly in its cocked position, and the trigger bar has a second position wherein it allows the needle assembly to move to its striking position as the drive spring expands.

Abstract: A device is provided for use with a body fluid sampling device for extracting bodily fluid from an anatomical feature. The device comprises a cartridge having a plurality of cavities. The device may include a plurality of penetrating members each at least partially contained in the cavities of the cartridge wherein the penetrating members are slidably movable to extend outward from openings on the cartridge to penetrate tissue. The device may also include a plurality of analyte detecting members and a plurality of chambers. Each chamber may be associated with one of the cavities, the chambers positioned along an outer periphery of the cartridge, wherein at least one of said analyte detecting members forms a portion of one wall of one of said plurality of chambers. In one embodiment, the device may also include a fluid spreader positioned over at least a portion of said analyte detecting member to urge fluid toward one of the detecting members.

Abstract: A body fluid sampling device for extracting bodily fluid from an anatomical feature is provided. The device comprises a penetrating member driver for driving a penetrating member to create a wound to extract said bodily fluid; a light source positioned to indicate a point of sampling where said wound will be created, said light source indicating said point of sampling with a beam of light. The light source may be selected from one of the following: an LED, incandescent, fluorescent, or electroluminescent light source.

Abstract: Blood removal system for removing blood for diagnostic purposes including a housing, a lancet guide, and a lancet drive with a drive spring. The lancet drive comprises a cocking device, in order to tension the drive spring, a drive rotor that is driven by the drive spring, and an output-side coupling mechanism, by means of which the rotational movement of the drive rotor is converted into the puncturing movement.

Abstract: In one aspect, a body fluid sampling device is provided using a penetrating member to extract fluid from an anatomical feature. The device comprises a penetrating member actuator for moving the penetrating member inbound towards the anatomical feature and a non-spring based, penetrating member retractor for moving the penetrating member outbound away from the anatomical feature. The penetrating member actuator may be adapted to move the penetrating member at a velocity greater than a velocity achieved by the penetrating member retractor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for obtaining and measuring constituents in a sample of body fluid. The apparatus includes a member which is sized to penetrate into at least the dermal layer of skin to collect a sample of body fluid located within the dermal layer.

Abstract: A lancet body 15 is molded around a needle or blade, in which the inner end of the needle body which is unsharpened has an L-shape bend at the unsharpened end. The bend, when embedded in the plastic which forms the body of the lancet, secures the needle against removal. The method involves the bending substantially perpendicularly of the unsharpened end of the lancet needle or blade to be substantially perpendicular with the elongate body of the blade. The needle or blade is placed within a jig interiorly of the plastic mold. The jig includes spaced opposed clamps and a single orienting support to the bent portion of the needle. The body of the lancet is relieved in many areas to reduce material cost and has a molded tab cover eliminating a loose part such as a separate cover.

Abstract: A blood sampling device has a lancet (2) captive within a housing (1), to be released from a rearward primed position by pressing a trigger (18) on the side of the housing. A spring (3) shoots the lancet (2) forwards, momentarily to project its tip. The lancet (2) is initially held by a hooked tongue (25, 28) that latches behind a transverse web (10, 11) within the housing, the trigger action dislodging that engagement. The tongue (25) either springs back after release and so will abut the trigger (18) or the front of the web (10) if pushed back in an attempt to re-latch, or it will stay permanently deformed and thus be unable to re-engage the web (10). Alternatively, the trigger (18) may slice off the hook (28), making re-use impossible.

Abstract: A lancing device (A) includes an auxiliary member (8) located on a side of the tip end portion of a lancet (L). By moving the auxiliary member (8), the dimension (s) of the tip end of the lancet (L) projecting from the tip end portion (8a) of the auxiliary member (8) can be varied. The variation of the dimension (S) makes it possible to stick the lancet (L) into the skin (99) of a user precisely by an intended amount.

Abstract: A lancet for a skin pricker has needle (3) encased, apart from its tip (4), in a plastics body (1) that tip may initially be encased in a breakaway cap (5) integrally moulded with the body (1). The needle (3) is made from a cylindrical blank reduced to a smaller diameter near one end, whose free extremity is sharpened to form the tip (4). The transitional step or shoulder (11) between different diameter portions (9, 10) is within the plastics body (1), preventing the needle (3) moving forwards relative to that body. The reduction can be achieved by centreless cylindrical grinding, rolling or turning.

Abstract: A lancet body 15 is molded around a needle or blade, in which the inner end of the needle body which is unsharpened has an L-shape bend at the unsharpened end. The bend, when embedded in the plastic which forms the body of the lancet, secures the needle against removal. The method involves the bending substantially perpendicularly of the unsharpened end of the lancet needle or blade to be substantially perpendicular with the elongate body of the blade. The needle or blade is placed within a jig interiorly of the plastic mold. The jig includes spaced opposed clamps and a single orienting support to the bent portion of the needle. The body of the lancet is relieved in many areas to reduce material cost and has a molded tab cover eliminating a loose part such as a separate cover.

Abstract: A cap for a lancing device for lancing dermal tissue is provided. The cap includes a cap body having a proximal end for connecting to the distal end of the housing of the lancing device and a contact ring attached to the distal end of the cap body. The contact ring includes an opening for a portion of the lancet of the lancing device to pass therethrough. The contact ring has a multi-contoured surface oriented generally about an axis distinct from the axis of motion of the lancet. The multi-contoured surface is designed to pressure the dermal tissue to facilitate expression of a fluid sample after lancing the dermal tissue. The fluid sample can include blood, interstitial fluid, or both.

Abstract: A sample of a body fluid such as blood or interstitial fluid is obtained from a body by lancing a portion of a user's skin, preferably in an area other than a finger tip, to form an incision. After the needle has been removed from the incision, a force is applied to depress the skin in a manner forming a ring of depressed body tissue in surrounding relationship to the incision, causing the incision to bulge and the sides of the incision to open, whereby body fluid is forced out through the opening of the incision. A stimulator member is mounted to an end of a lancet-carrying housing for applying the force. The stimulator member can be movable relative to the housing, and can be either heated or vibrated to promote movement of the body fluid.

Abstract: A device for use with a gripper is provided. A cartridge is provided that defines a plurality of cavities. A plurality of penetrating members are at least partially contained in the cavities of the cartridge. The penetrating members are slidably movable to extend outward from the cartridge to penetrate tissue. Each cavity has a longitudinal opening that provides access to an elongate portion of the penetrating member. A sterility barrier is coupled to the cartridge. The sterility barrier covers a plurality of the longitudinal openings. The sterility barrier is configured to be moved so that the elongate portion is accessed by the gripper without touching the barrier.

Abstract: A lancet driver is provided wherein the driver exerts a driving force on a lancet during a lancing cycle and is used on a tissue site. The driver comprises of a drive force generator for advancing the lancet along a path into the tissue site, and a sensor configured to detect lancet position along said path during the lancing cycle.

Abstract: A lancet device including a housing with an at least partially open interior, a cocking seat moveably coupled with the housing and structured to define an open interior therewith, a lancet with a piercing tip moveably disposed within the open interior, and a biasing assembly engaging the lancet. The cocking seat is structured to engage the lancet and move the lancet against a force of the biasing assembly so as to increase a potential energy of the biasing assembly. A release element is provided to at least partially disengage the lancet from the cocking seat such that the potential energy of the biasing assembly moves the lancet relative to the cocking seat and drives the piercing tip of the lancet at least temporarily into a piercing orientation.

Abstract: A lancet body 15 is molded around a needle or blade, in which the inner end of the needle body which is unsharpened has an L-shape bend at the unsharpened end. The bend, when embedded in the plastic which forms the body of the lancet, secures the needle against removal. The method involves the bending substantially perpendicularly of the unsharpened end of the lancet needle or blade to be substantially perpendicular with the elongate body of the blade. The needle or blade is placed within a jig interiorly of the plastic mold. The jig includes spaced opposed clamps and a single orienting support to the bent portion of the needle. The body of the lancet is relieved in many areas to reduce material cost and has a molded tab cover eliminating a loose part such as a separate cover.

Abstract: System for withdrawing body fluid from a body part in particular the finger pad, comprising a compression unit that can be deformed when the body part is pressed against it and increases the internal pressure in a region of the body part, and a withdrawal device. Deformation of the compression unit partially converts the primary pressing movement into a secondary movement which leads to an increase in the internal pressure in a region of the body part. The invention also comprises a system for stimulating the outflow of body fluid using a deformable compression unit.

Abstract: A lancet needle for lancing finger tips and other sites on a body to draw small samples of blood has a multisided body. The body has one end that has a portion at an angle to define a sharp edge adapted to lance a finger tip or other body site.

Abstract: Abstract: A lancing device, an embodiment of which controls the advancement and retraction of a lancet by monitoring the position of the lancet in conjunction with a lancet controller which incorporates a feedback loop for modulating the lancet driver to follow a predetermined tissue lancing profile.

Abstract: A fluid sampling apparatus is provided that in accordance with the present invention. The apparatus includes a housing defining a chamber, a lancet positioned in the chamber and including an end formed to create a fluid collection incision, and a light source positioned in the chamber. The light source is formed to emit a light beam of a pre-determined wavelength and for a time sufficient to seal the incision.

Abstract: A device for puncturing the skin of a patient. The device includes first and second protrusions, each protrusion puncturing the skin when pressed against the skin. The first and second protrusions are arranged such that the first protrusion punctures the skin at a location less than a predetermined distance from the second protrusion. The distance is chosen to be less than the discriminatable distance between distinct pain perception points in the patient, such that the patient perceives a single puncture when the first and second protrusions puncture the skin. In one embodiment of the invention, the device includes a base lip that applies a lateral force to the skin when the base lip is pressed against the skin. In this embodiment, the protrusions are pressed into the skin as the base lip is pressed against the skin.

Abstract: A blood withdrawal system for withdrawing blood for diagnostic purposes including a lancing device having a housing with an opening and a support surface, and a lancet holder movably mounted in the opening including a lancet and a bearing member that rests on the support surface. The device further includes a trigger unit which, when moved linearly, causes a rotational movement to initiate a lancing process.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are provided for cutting the skin, accessing and collecting physiological sample therein, and measuring a characteristic (e.g., an analyte concentration, of the sampled physiological sample). The subject devices are in the form of a tester or test element which includes a biosensor and preferably only one blade member that is removed in location from the biosensor. The placement of the blade or micro-blade element may vary, but is most preferably located to provide clearance from a user's finger during biological sample collection in connection with the biosensor. The testers are preferably configured to be stacked in a magazine for successive firing by a meter configured to automatically actuate sample acquisition and reading. Systems and methods in connection with the subject testers are also provided.

Abstract: A lancet driver is provided wherein the driver exerts a driving force on a lancet during a lancing cycle and is used on a tissue site. The driver comprises of a drive force generator for advancing the lancet and a processor coupled to the drive force generator capable of changing the direction and magnitude of force exerted on the lancet during the lancing cycle. The driver further includes a human interface on the housing providing at least one output for communicating with the patient.

Abstract: A device for use with a penetrating member driver to penetrate tissue is provided. A plurality of penetrating members are coupled to a single cartridge and are operatively couplable to the penetrating member driver. The penetrating members are movable to extend radially outward from the cartridge to penetrate tissue. A plurality of analyte sensors are coupled to the single cartridge and are positioned on the cartridge to receive body fluid from a wound in the tissue created by the penetrating member.

Abstract: A skin penetrating system has a housing member and a plurality of penetrating members positioned in the housing member. A tissue stabilizing device is coupled to the housing member. A user interface is configured to relay at least one of, skin penetrating performance or a skin penetrating setting.

Abstract: A tissue penetration device includes a penetrating member driver and a cartridge. A plurality of penetrating members are integrated with the cartridge. Each penetrating member is coupled to the penetrating member driver when advanced along a path into a tissue target. A penetrating member sensor is coupled to the plurality of penetrating members. The penetrating member sensor is configured to provide information relative to a depth of penetration of a penetrating member through a skin surface.

Abstract: A tissue penetration device includes a penetrating member driver, a cartridge, and a plurality of penetrating members integrated with the cartridge. Each of a penetrating member is coupled to the penetrating member driver when advanced along a path into a tissue target. A user interface is configured to relay at least one of, skin penetrating performance or a skin penetrating setting.

Abstract: A tissue penetrating system includes a plurality of penetrating members each having a tip. A penetrating member driver is coupled to the plurality of penetrating members. Each tip of a penetrating member is uncovered during launch of the penetrating member by the penetrating member driver. A support is provided with a plurality of openings. Each opening receives a penetrating member.