Patent ID: 8043317
Filing Date: 2011-10-25
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. An apparatus, comprising: a plunger having a thickened region; a lancet for piercing skin, the lancet having at least two holding elements gripping the thickened region of the plunger in between; the holding elements each having a hook that face one another towards, wherein the hooks face the plunger, and wherein the holding elements grip around the thickened region of the plunger in a form-fitting manner; a sleeve in which the lancet is slidably received, the sleeve having an internal region, wherein the internal region presses the holding elements towards one another to grip the plunger between the holding elements when the plunger pushes the lancet in a lancing direction to pierce the skin; the internal region of the sleeve having a length to maintain the grip of the holding elements against the plunger when the plunger moves in a retracting direction to permit active withdrawal of the lancet from the skin, wherein the internal region presses the holding elements to grip around the thickened region of the plunger as the holding elements slide along the length of the internal region; the holding elements being resiliently biased away from one another; and the sleeve having a second region that is larger than the internal region to allow the holding elements to spread apart for disengaging the lancet from the plunger after the lancet is withdrawn from the skin, wherein the holding elements are disengaged from the plunger when the holding elements are in the second region.