Patent ID: 6042595
Filing Date: 2000-03-28
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
An apparatus for producing a precisely controlled incision in a bodily surface comprising:a housing;a lancet blade carried by a lancet guide assembly which includes a lancet guide arm mounted within the housing for pivotal movement and a lancet guide which guides the lancet blade through an arcuate cutting stroke during which the lancet blade extends through an opening in the housing when the lancet guide arm is pivoted between an unfired and a fired position,a trigger mechanism including a trigger arm mounted in the housing for pivotal movement between a ready-to-fire position and firing position,a spring element arranged within the housing such that it is in an unbiased condition when the trigger arm is in the ready-to-fire position and is biased as the trigger arm pivots towards the firing position;the trigger mechanism and spring element being configured such that the biased spring element is released from a catch when the trigger arm reaches the firing position; andthe spring element being arranged such that when it is released it exerts a force on the lancet guide arm which pivots the guide arm from the un-fired to the fired position and thereby moves the lancet blade through the cutting stroke.