Patent ID: 7025774
Filing Date: 2006-04-11
Classification: A61B,A61M,B01L,G01N

Abstract:
1. A method of lancing the skin of a patient to bring a blood sample to a tissue surface, the method comprising: (a) providing a tissue penetration element having a tip configured to penetrate tissue; (b) disposing the tissue penetration element in proximity to the tissue of the patient; (c) driving the tissue penetration element distally towards the tissue of the patient; (d) making contact between the tip and the tissue of the patient; (e) advancing the tip into the tissue during a penetration stroke to a position of maximum inward displacement; (f) displacing the tissue penetration element proximally over a withdrawal stroke at an average velocity that is substantially lower than an average velocity of the tissue penetration element during the penetration stroke, wherein the average velocity of the tissue penetration element during the penetration stroke is about 100 to about 1000 times greater than the average velocity of the tissue penetration member during the withdrawal stroke; and (g) withdrawing the tissue penetration element during a withdrawal stroke at a maximum velocity of up to about 0.02 meters per second.