The invention provides a transcutaneous medical device (502, 250, 150, 600) comprising a lower surface adapted for application towards the skin of a subject, attaching means (571, 272, 161) for securing the lower surface relative to the skin, and a transcutaneous device (530, 182, 213, 651) adapted to penetrate the skin of the subject. The transcutaneous device is mounted for movement between an extended position in which the transcutaneous device projects relative to the lower surface and a retracted position in which the transcutaneous device is retracted relative to the lower surface. The medical device further comprises release means (550, 275, 162) which can be operated from a first state through an intermediate state to a second state, whereby operation of the release means from the first to the intermediate state causes the transcutaneous device to be moved from the extended position to the retracted position, and operation of the release means from the intermediate to the second state causes release of the attaching means.