Abstract: A lancet for use with a lancing device, the lancet having a body with releasable engagement features for engagement with a cooperating portion of a lancing device, a sharp needle, and a removable endcap. A coupling portion of the lancet has a non-circular profile. The endcap includes a receptacle for covering the sharp lancet tip after use, and a sheath portion with relief openings to reduce bending of the needle during manufacture or during removal of the endcap.

Abstract: An integrated lancet and testing striplet for measuring a body analyte level in a health care regimen includes a skin piercing member and an analyte sensor coupled together.

Abstract: A return spring arrangement for a lancet (6) is provided by a pair of undulating plastic webs (14) formed integrally with the lancet. The undulations of the two webs (14) are shown out of phase with one another. These webs (14) are flexible and thus are caused to concertina when the tips (15) of the webs hit the interior of a lancet holder on release of a drive spring. The energy stored within the collapsed webs (14) is then released to drive the lancet back within the lancet holder. This positive return of the lancet ensures that a needle (5) will retract safely into the lancet holder, after operation, and does not rely on the spring being locked into the lancet holder and onto the lancet.

Abstract: A lancing system comprising a lancet with a handle portion and a needle bearing portion, the needle bearing portion retaining a thin needle protected by a safety cap. The safety cap includes first and second chambers, where the first chamber acts as a sheath and the second chamber having a surface positioned to compromise the structure of the needle when the needle bearing portion of the lancet body is inserted into the second chamber.

Abstract: The biological test kit is a device for drawing and, optionally, testing biological samples. The biological test kit is an array of Lancets set in wells in a rigid base. Each lancet well is covered by a protective cover which when deformed permits the lancet to puncture a user or other patient. In one embodiment the biological test kit employs distinct covers for each lancet and in another the covers are formed from sheet material formed into blisters which cover the lancet.

Abstract: The present invention includes a system for withdrawing body fluids. The system includes a drive unit having a plunger which is moved from a resting position into a lancing position in order to carry out a lancing process and a lancing unit containing a lancet with a needle. The plunger and lancet are coupled together by a form fit in order to carry out a lancing process. The invention additionally concerns a method for temporarily extending a needle from a device for withdrawing body fluid as well as a lancing unit that can be attached to the drive unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and a device for piercing a body part and determining whether a sufficient volume of blood has been withdrawn. A lancing element is rapidly inserted into a body part in a forward phase and retracted quickly to a lesser puncturing depth. Subsequently, the lancing element is retracted slower than during the first retraction movement and the distance retracted during the second retraction is shorter than the first retraction movement. During the second retraction movement, body fluid is collected in a collection phase by a capillary structure of the lancing element. Contact between the lancing element and the body fluid is detected after the forward phase at the beginning and the end of a waiting period.

Abstract: A tissue penetration device and method of using same. The tissue penetration device may optionally include sampling and analyzing functions, which may be integrated. An embodiment provides control of a lancet used for sampling blood. Electric field coils or solenoids may drive the lancet using electromagnetic force. Advancement and retraction of a lancet may be controlled by a feedback loop monitoring the position and velocity of the lancet embodiments of the lancet driver can be configured to follow a predetermined tissue lancing profile. Embodiments of the invention include a lancet and method for using a lancet to maintain the patency of the wound tract once the lancet has cut into the skin.

Abstract: A lancet integrated test element tape includes a plurality of lancet integrated test elements. The lancet integrated test elements each include a lancet configured to form an incision in tissue and a test element configured to analyze body fluid from the incision in the tissue. A cartridge includes a supply compartment configured to store an unused section of the tape. The tape is folded within the supply compartment to limit damage to the lancet integrated test elements. The cartridge can further include a waste compartment in which a used section of the tape is stored. An indexing mechanism moves the tape between the supply and waste compartments.

Abstract: An agent injection device is provided that is capable of injecting an agent to a known predetermined tissue depth. An injection member has an elongate injection shaft with an outlet port configured to dispense an agent at a controllable time. A controllable driver is coupled to the elongate injection shaft and is configured to drive the injection member into target tissue. A velocity control system is in communication with the controllable driver and is configured to control the velocity of the elongate injection shaft.

Abstract: A unique technique for maintaining the sterility and integrity of a lancet tip. One or more lancet tips are sandwiched between a first web and a second web of material to protect the sterility of the lancet tips. The first and second webs are heat fused together to form a structure that covers and encapsulates the lancet tips to protect the integrity of the lancet tips. The structure is cut to form individual protective caps to detachably cover each of the lancet tips.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for obtaining body fluid, in particular blood, comprising a lancing element having a tip for puncturing the skin of a body part and an actuator coupled with the lancing element for a forward and backward movement of the lancing element, where the lancing element can be inserted into the skin up to an optionally adjustable puncture position. The actuator is adapted to drive the lancing element forwardly to a penetration speed of at most 0.7 m/s when the lancing element penetrates the skin.

Abstract: Lancets comprising a piercing element for puncturing the skin of a patient, a test region containing detection reagents for determining an analyte concentration of a body fluid sample, a capillary structure arranged in the piercing element for transporting a body fluid sample to the test region, and a sterile protection element, which encloses the tip of the piercing element. The capillary structure is blocked in a section surrounded by the sterile protection element. Also provided are methods for producing a lancet, comprising: producing a piercing element, which on the upper side has an upwardly open capillary structure; covering a section of the upper side of the piercing element and blocking the capillary channel in this section using a first material; covering a section of the underside using a second material; sterilizing the piercing element; and attaching a test region containing detection reagents to the piercing element.

Abstract: To provide a puncture needle cartridge which can prevent a used lancet from being reused. A puncture needle cartridge includes a puncture needle holder configured to be cylindrical, placed on an outer circumferential surface of a lancet body, and provided with an opening through which a puncture needle is allowed to protrude, and a protective cap adapted to cover and protect the opening and configured to be separable from the puncture needle holder. The protective cap includes a base adapted to cover the opening when the protective cap is joined and a pair of raised walls which protrude from the base toward the puncture needle holder and whose tip portions are placed facing each other.

Abstract: A skin pricking lancet (101) comprising a needle (104), a body (102) for holding the needle (104) and a cap (103) for shielding at least the tip of the needle (104). At least one cap engagement formation (106) is formed on the body (102), and at least one body engagement formation (108) is formed on the cap (103). The body engagement formation (106) is configured to form a releasable mechanical interlock with the cap engagement formation (108), thereby securing the cap (103) to the body (102) in the shielded position.

Abstract: There is provided a lancet device comprising a pricking part and a pressing part. In the lancet device of the present invention, the pricking part is comprised of a needle shaft component equipped with a pricking needle, a driving shaft component, and an intermediate shaft component therebetween, the needle shaft component, the driving shaft component and the intermediate shaft component being connected to each other via a joint component. When a pricking operation is performed, the driving shaft component of the pricking part is at least partly rotated by being pressed by a pressing action of the pressing part, and thereby the intermediate shaft component of the pricking part is displaced causing the needle shaft component to move in a pricking direction.

Abstract: A supply of lancets for a multi-use lancing device are carried by a tape and sequentially brought from a storage position to an activating position by advancing the tape around a bend. The lancets are non-circular in cross-section along their longitudinal lengths, and in their activating position they extend from the tape such that their sharp tips are available for lancing tissue. The carrying tape can be arranged in reel-to-reel format in a housing having a lancing opening. The lancets can be integral with the tape and activated to move the lancet through the lancing opening by moving the tape along its tape path or by translating a dedicated service loop of the tape. The lancets can also be independent from the tape and activated through the lancing opening by a separate lancing actuator. A test media can be included on the carrying tape and the housing can contain a sensor to yield an integrated lancing and testing device.

Abstract: A skin penetrating system is provided with a drive force generator and a disposable housing member. A plurality of penetrating members are positioned in the disposable housing member. Each penetrating member is coupled to the drive force generator. A plurality of analyte detecting members are each associated with a penetrating member and are positioned in the disposable housing member. Each analyte detecting member is positioned in a sample chamber with a volume of less than 1 ?L, The sample chambers have openings for transport of a body fluid into the sample chamber. Each analyte detecting member is configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in a body fluid using a sample of less than 1 ?L of a body fluid disposed in the sample chamber. A user interface is configured to relay at least one of, skin penetrating performance or a skin penetrating setting.

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: In combination, a blood glucose testing meter comprising a slot for receiving a test strip, a display, one or more control devices, and a battery compartment and a lancing device for releasable coupling to the blood glucose test meter over the battery compartment. The lancing device releasably couples directly to the testing meter over the battery compartment. Optionally, the lancing device is mounted to a mounting clip releasably coupled to the testing meter over the battery compartment. The lancing device comprises a housing, a lancet opening disposed at one end of the housing, an energizing member for charging the lancing device, and a release button for activating a lancet within the lancing device.

Abstract: The invention concerns a test device, in particular for blood sugar tests, comprising a lancing element which is provided with a lancing component for producing a skin puncture, and a protecting element shielding the lancing element at least in the area of the lancing component. According to the invention it is proposed that the lancing element has a collecting structure for collecting body fluid from the skin puncture and that the protecting element comprises a protecting foil to cover the collecting structure and a holding body for holding the protecting foil on the lancing element.

Abstract: A tissue penetration device and method of using same. The tissue penetration device may optionally include sampling and analyzing functions, which may be integrated. An embodiment provides control of a lancet used for sampling blood. Electric field coils or solenoids may drive the lancet using electromagnetic force. Advancement and retraction of a lancet may be controlled by a feedback loop monitoring the position and velocity of the lancet embodiments of the lancet driver can be configured to follow a predetermined tissue lancing profile. Embodiments of the invention include a lancet and method for using a lancet to maintain the patency of the wound tract once the lancet has cut into the skin.

Abstract: A lancing device having a housing with a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal axis. The lancing device also has a lancet carrier translationally supported with respect to the housing. The lancet carrier has a proximal end and a distal end. The lancing device additionally has a charging mechanism and/or an ejection mechanism adapted to pivot into the lancing device for engaging portions of the lancet carrier to perform the same.

Abstract: A lancing device is adapted for use in firing a lancet into the skin of a patient to acquire a blood sample and, subsequent thereto, calculating and displaying the concentration of glucose in the acquired sample. In one embodiment, the device comprises a lancet and a torsion spring coupled to the lancet through a lancet holder. The torsion spring includes inner, middle and outer rings which are concentrically configured, a plurality of activation spring arms which connect the middle and outer rings and a plurality of return spring arms which connect the inner and middle rings. In use, the plurality of activation and return spring arms can be independently transformed between energized and de-energized states using a single, button-shaped mechanism. Rotation of the mechanism is used to energize the activation and return spring arms.

Abstract: A lancet is pressed against a puncture needle cartridge while fitting a puncture needle loading inlet of the lancet to the axis of a puncture needle on the puncture needle cartridge. In order to facilitate the operation, one of plural puncture needles, arranged in parallel, is tilted up from its initial position at a predetermined angle, and the puncture needle is guided into a puncture needle holding rod of the lancet. Simultaneously, the puncture needle is pressed up to a position where the rear end part of the needle pushes the bottom surface of a puncture needle loading chamber of the puncture needle holding rod, whereby the puncture needle is loaded. When discarding a used puncture needle, the puncture needle is inserted into a lancet guide member of the puncture needle cartridge, whereby the puncture needle is reliably captured to be discarded.

Abstract: A blood test device by which the amount of plumped skin at a puncture site for conducting a blood test or collecting blood can be controlled so that a blood component can be accurately measured. The blood test device includes: a housing; an inner tube provided in one side of the housing; a reciprocating unit which reciprocates within the inner tube; a blood collection needle connected to the reciprocating unit; a blood sensor facing to the blood collection needle and being located at the tip of the inner tube; a measurement circuit to which a signal is fed from the blood sensor; and a negative pressure unit driven by the measurement circuit. An outer tube, that is a tube covering the inner tube, has an opening in the tip side of the inner tube, is capable of moving relative to the inner tube, and is provided so as to return to a definite relative position. The negative pressure provider can apply a negative pressure to the inside of the outer tube.

Abstract: A tissue penetrating system has a housing member. A plurality of penetrating members are positioned in the housing member. A tissue stabilizing member is coupled to the housing. 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 lancet-separable lancet device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: a lancet holder having a lancet seat to mount a lancet at one end and a separation hole at the other end; an operating mechanism disposed at the other end of the lancet holder so that the lancet holder is loaded and released by traveling along a predetermined path; a housing receiving the operating mechanism and having one end coupled to the lancet holder; an operation switch connected to the operating mechanism and operating the operating mechanism by pressing it; a cover covering one end of the housing and having a through-hole at the center through which a lancet needle of the lancet instantaneously protrudes; and a lancet separation mechanism disposed at the other side of the lancet holder and separating the lancet from the lancet holder by being inserted into the separation hole of the lancet holder.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lancet holder that can smoothly and accurately hold all of lancets with different cross-sections and diameters and can keep them vertical, and a lancet device including the lancet holder. To this end, a lancet holder according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a holder body having a lancet seat at one end to mount a lancet and receiving the lancet and elastic fixing portions arranged in pairs to face each other on the inner side of the holder body so that the lancet received in the holder body is vertically held, and elastically fixing the lancet.

Abstract: A sensor and a lancet are integrated with each other. A thin strip-shaped sensor and a lancet are integrated so that the lancet moves in parallel, along a longitudinal direction of the sensor. A measuring device to which an integrated lancet and sensor is attached is provided with a function of driving the attached lancet.

Abstract: A single-use lancet cartridge for inserting into a multi-use lancet driver assembly of a meter housing includes an elongated lancet housing with an open end, a lancet within the lancet housing and movable between a retracted and resting orientation to a piercing orientation through the open end, and a re-use prevention component that is a rotated drive wing incorporated within the lancet cartridge and oriented to cooperatively engage with a driver piston of the multi-use lancet driver assembly only one time thereby preventing the lancet from being moved into a piercing orientation a second time.

Abstract: The invention comprises: a cylindrical main body case (1) having a puncture aperture (5) on the lower end side; a needle holder (9) provided on the puncture aperture (5) side inside the main body case (1); an elastic object (15) for moving the needle holder (9) to the puncture aperture (5) side; and an elastic object (25) for pulling the needle holder (9), moved to the puncture aperture (5) side by the elastic object (15), back to the upper end side inside the main body case (1), where a rotator (20) which rotates around a rotation shaft (21) fixed to the main body case (1), and where the rotator (20) is coupled with a coupling portion (14) of the needle holder (9) on one of both sides of the rotator (20) with the rotation shaft (21) interposed therebetween and is coupled with the elastic object (25) on the other side.

Abstract: The invention relates to a lancing system for collecting samples of a body liquid having a receptacle for accommodating a lancet supply strip with a plurality of lancets, arranged transversely to the lengthwise direction of the lancet supply strip, a feed mechanism for transporting a lancet supply strip, placed in the receptacle, to move the lancets of the lancet supply strip one after the other to a puncturing position, and a lancing drive for causing a lancet, which occupies a puncturing position, to perform a puncturing movement. The lancing system is characterized by a bending mechanism for bending a section of the lancet supply strip in lengthwise direction of the lancet supply strip and for thereby separating a lancet tip of a lancet from the lancet supply strip for a puncturing action.

Abstract: A supply of lancets for a multi-use lancing device are carried by a tape and sequentially brought from a storage position to an activating position by advancing the tape around a bend. The lancets are non-circular in cross-section along their longitudinal lengths, and in their activating position they extend from the tape such that their sharp tips are available for lancing tissue. The carrying tape can be arranged in reel-to-reel format in a housing having a lancing opening. The lancets can be integral with the tape and activated to move the lancet through the lancing opening by moving the tape along its tape path or by translating a dedicated service loop of the tape. The lancets can also be independent from the tape and activated through the lancing opening by a separate lancing actuator. A test media can be included on the carrying tape and the housing can contain a sensor to yield an integrated lancing and testing device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a compression device for stimulating the efflux of a body fluid from a body part. The device has a compression unit with a pressure-application region made of a deformable material, the region being formed to generate a repulsive force between the body part and the compression unit. The repulsive force passes through a force maximum then decreases to serve as an indication that the body part is guided sufficiently firmly and far enough onto the compression unit.

Abstract: The invention concerns an analytical device containing a lancet comprising a lancet needle and a lancet body, the lancet needle being movable relative to the lancet body and the lancet body being composed, at least in the area of the tip of the lancet needle, of an elastic material in which the tip of the lancet needle is embedded, and an analytical test element which is permanently connected to the lancet body. In addition the invention concerns an analytical device containing a lancet comprising a lancet needle and a lancet body which is in the form of a hollow body in the area of the tip of the lancet needle and surrounds the tip of the lancet needle, the lancet needle being movable relative to the lancet body and the hollow body being composed at least partially of an elastic material, and an analytical test element which is permanently connected to the lancet body. Finally the invention concerns a process for manufacturing such an analytical device.

Abstract: A lancing device having a housing with a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal axis. The lancing device also has a lancet carrier translatably supported with respect to the housing. The lancet carrier has a proximal end and a distal end. The lancing device additionally has a depth-control mechanism with a positioning tab adapted to engage the housing, and a tether secured with respect to the positioning tab and the lancet carrier.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a syringe (1) for use in spectroscopy to identify drugs within the syringe (8). The syringe comprises a optical window section (8) either integral with or attached to the syringe (1). The optical window section (8) has predetermined physical and optical properties that allows radiation to pass through in a known manner to facilitate spectroscopy.

Abstract: A lancing device (X) comprising a first moving member (32) holding a lancing member (11) moved from a standby position to a puncturing position in a puncturing direction (N1), for puncturing a target portion by the lancing member (11). The lancing device (X) further comprises a second moving member (31) connected to the first moving member (32), for controlling the movement of the first moving member (32) upon the movement of the second moving member, and also comprises an impact absorbing means (23A) for absorbing impact that is caused when the first and the second moving members (31), (32) come to stop on puncture operation. The impact absorbing means (23A) includes an elastic member (23Ab) for absorbing impact by elastic deformation.

Abstract: A puncture needle cartridge includes a puncture needle holder configured to be cylindrical, placed on an outer circumferential surface of a lancet body, and provided with an opening through which a puncture needle is allowed to protrude, and a protective cap adapted to cover and protect the opening and configured to be separable from the puncture needle holder. The protective cap includes a base adapted to cover the opening when the protective cap is joined and a pair of raised walls which protrude from the base toward the puncture needle holder and whose tip portions are placed facing each other. Tip portions of the raised walls pinch the puncture needle holder by spreading against elastic deformation when the protective cap is joined to the puncture needle holder, and when the protective cap is separated from the puncture needle holder, a space between the tip portions becomes smaller than outside diameter of the puncture needle holder due to elastic deformation.

Abstract: An insertion system having a base unit for placing on the body of a patient and an insertion device that can be coupled to the base unit, wherein the insertion device comprises an insertion needle holder for holding an insertion needle and a drive mechanism for displacing the insertion needle holder in a pricking direction. According to the invention, the insertion device comprises a locking mechanism causing locking of the drive mechanism in an active state and being set to an inactive state in which the locking is released by coupling the insertion device to the base unit.

Abstract: A lancet having a conical body incorporating multiple lancet gauge levels defining specific penetration depths to generate varying sample production. The conical body has a narrow tip and a large base, and may be formed of a polymeric material.

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 skin pricking apparatus including a casing 1, a lancet 15 located within the casing, a firing button 9 arranged to transfer a user applied force to the lancet 15 to drive the lancet through the casing 1, and lancet retaining element 12, 13, 23a,b arranged to substantially prevent movement of the lancet 15 through the casing 1 until the user applied force exceeds a predefined threshold force.

Abstract: A method of masking pain resulting from a lancing system can include moving a first portion and a second portion of a lancing assembly in a first direction, stopping the first portion from further moving in the first direction, thereby causing a first vibration, allowing the first portion to move in a second direction while the second portion continues moving in the first direction, and lancing a surface with the first portion while the first vibration is occurring. A system for lancing a surface and masking resulting pain may include a device body having an end adapted to sealingly engage the surface, structure for creating a first portion of a vacuum, structure for causing a vibration, and a lancing mechanism adapted to lance the surface while the first portion of the vacuum and the vibration are acting on the surface.

Abstract: A lancing system can include a device body having a lancing end, a lancing mechanism including a lancing shaft slideably coupled with the lancing end of the body, a main shaft slideably coupled with the body and having an actuating end disposed inside the body, a piston coupled to the main shaft and disposed within the body, a spring coupled to the piston, a release mechanism adapted to selectively couple with the main shaft, and a depth controller removably coupled to the lancing end of the body. A method can include coupling a lance having a needle and a base to the lancing shaft, choosing to use a depth controller having a spacer with a top surface and an opening, engaging a lancing surface with the depth controller, actuating the lancing mechanism, penetrating the lancing surface, and contacting the top surface of the spacer with the base.

Abstract: A lancing system can include a device body having a sealing device coupled to a lancing end, a lancing shaft slideably coupled to the lancing end, a lancing spring coupled to the lancing shaft, a release mechanism, a main shaft slideably coupled with a free end of the device body in communication with the release mechanism, a piston coupled to the main shaft, a vacuum spring coupled to the piston, and a shaft coupler having at least two separable portions for removably coupling the lancing shaft to the main shaft. The system can include a lance tool having an insertion portion and a removal portion. A method can include creating a first portion of a vacuum, lancing a surface, and creating a second portion of a vacuum.

Abstract: A lancet cartridge is provided with a skin contact section that is held in the interior of a lancet holder and that includes a second pricking opening. A first pricking opening is formed to a size such that a skin contact section can be accommodated therein. Upon pressing in the pricking direction, the skin contact section is accommodated in the first pricking opening, and the leading end section of a pricking member protrudes through the second pricking opening.

Abstract: A lancing device comprises a housing, a trigger button, a drive spring and a protective cap. The housing forms an aperture and an opening opposite thereof. A lancet partially extends through the aperture. The trigger button is located near the opening. At least a portion of the trigger button is external to the housing. The drive spring is attached to and connects the lancet and the trigger button. The drive spring moves the lancet from the cocked position to the puncture position. The protective cap is removeably attached to the lancet opposite the drive spring and engages the housing when the cap is removeably attached to the lancet. The cap prevents the drive spring from moving the lancet to the puncture position prior to removing the cap from the lancet.

Abstract: A puncture instrument includes a movable body movably disposed in a case, and a needle unit held by the movable body and having a needle. When a distal end face of the movable body is brought into abutment against a region to be punctured and the case is advanced toward the region to be punctured, the case is advanced together with the needle unit, and the tip end of the needle becomes protruded from the movable body and punctures the region to be punctured. An arm of the needle unit is abutted against and turned about a fulcrum member, thereby withdrawing the needle rearwardly.