Patent ID: 6071294
Filing Date: 2000-06-06
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A cartridge for sampling blood from the skin of a patient, comprising:(a) a cartridge case having an opening through which an actuator can extend from outside the cartridge case thereinto, wherein the cartridge case includes two surfaces on opposite sides to facilitate stacking cartridges together such that one cartridge can be slid off from a stack of cartridges onto a supporting surface such that the one cartridge can be retained thereon while the lancet is actuated to extend the lancet tip outside the cartridge case for lancing;(b) a lancet having a tip for lancing the skin, housed in the cartridge case, the lancet being drivable by the actuator to transmit force to the lancet, thereby extending the lancet tip outside the cartridge case for lancing;(c) a spring inside the cartridge case associated with the lancet for applying a force to urge the lancet into the cartridge case when the lancet tip is extended outside the cartridge case; and(d) associated with the cartridge case, a compartment for receiving blood.