Patent ID: 6432120
Filing Date: 2002-08-13
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A lancet assembly comprising:a lancet structure comprising: a body having a proximal end and a distal end and guiding elements; a lancet with a sharp tip, attached to said body, such that the sharp tip extend from the distal end of said body; and a spring coupled to and extending from tho proximal end of said body, said spring having a proximal end and a linear axis of compression; a lancet holder comprising: an open distal end; an end wall at a proximal end; side walls extending from said end wall, said side: walls having a mating element comprising recesses in the interior of said side walls; a spring holder having: an open first end, a second end attached to said end wall; and supporting structures therebetween defining an interior space, said lancet structure received within said interior space with said sharp tip proximate said open first end, said supporting structures further provided with receiving elements for engagement with said guiding elements to allow movement of said body along the axis of compression; a triggler, inserted into said holder, said triggler comprising: a triggler end wall for closing said distal end of said holder and having an aperture wherethrough said sharp distal tip of said lancet fires when triggered; a stabilizing element, extending from said triggler end wall and inserted between said side wails and said supporting structures for sliding movement along the axis of compression said stabilizing element further limiting movement of said triggler lateral to said axis of compression, a safety catch for maintaining said triggler between standby and firing positions, wherein said safety catch comprising L shaped clips extending from two opposing sides of said triggler end wall, said L-shaped clips engaging said recesses of said mating element; and triggering elements for engagement with said guiding elements, said triggering element in the standby position maintaining said spring in a high potential energy compressed state by forcing said guiding elements toward the proximal end of said holder, said triggering elements further movable to said firing position when a compression force is applied to said triggler end wall, said triggering elements in said firing position being disengaged from said guiding elements such that said spring is released from said compressed state and the sharp distal end of said lancet structure is fired through said aperture of said triggler end wall.