Lancing device with reuse prevention mechanism

Abstract

A lancing device including a spring-driven lancet translationally mounted within a housing. The lancet has at least one resilient finger extending outwardly therefrom and engageable within a cooperating recess formed in the housing to prevent re-use of the lancing device. A depth-adjustment knob is optionally included for contacting the housing to limit the travel of the lancet and thereby control the depth of penetration.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 353,917, filed Jan. 31, 2002, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates generally to the field of lancing devices for sampling of blood or other body fluids, and more particularly to a single-use lancing device that prevents re-use. [0004] 2. Description of Related Art [0005] Samples of blood must sometimes be collected from a human or animal subject. For example, many diabetics must periodically monitor their blood glucose level by collecting a small blood sample from their fingertip, forearm, or other body part, and chemically testing the blood sample. Small blood samples are also commonly collected prior to accepting a donor=s blood at blood drives, to determine the donor=s blood type and to screen potential donor...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] Briefly described, in its preferred embodiments, the present invention relates generally to an improved lancing device. In example embodiments, the lancing device of the present invention prevents reuse after a single lancing action to prevent potential bloodborne disease transmission. In addition, example embodiments of the device of the present invention permit the user to adjust the penetration depth of the lancet.

Problems solved by technology

However, many known depth-adjustment mechanisms are complex to manufacture and use, and / or have multiple components engaged between the lancet tip and the depth control element, thereby limiting the accuracy of depth control due to tolerance Astacking@.

Re-use of a lancing device on different subjects, unintentionally or otherwise, could result in infection of the subsequent subjects through this transmission mechanism.

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