Patent ID: 8343075
Filing Date: 2013-01-01
Classification: A61B,A61M,B01L,G01N

Abstract:
1. A method of lancing the tissue of a patient comprising: (a) providing a tissue penetration element having a tip configured to penetrate tissue and a shaft portion and a controllable electronic driver that can achieve a desired velocity versus position profile; (b) disposing the tissue penetration element in proximity to the tissue of the patient; (c) initiating a tissue penetrating element launch phase when the tissue penetrating element moves toward the skin and a tissue contact phase when a distal end of the tissue penetrating element makes initial contact with a skin surface; (d) initiating a tissue deformation phase when the skin bends depending on its elastic properties; (e) initiating a tissue lancing phase when the tissue penetrating element hits an inflection point on the skin and begins to cut the skin and the tissue penetrating element continues cutting the skin; (f) displacing the tissue penetration element during a withdrawal stroke with an average velocity that is lower than an average velocity of the tissue penetration element during the penetration stroke with the tip remaining stationary at the position of maximum inward displacement of the patient for a predetermined time between the penetration stroke and the withdrawal stroke; and (g) removing the tip from the tissue.