Lancet cartridge

A lancet cartridge is provided with a skin contact section that is held in the interior of a lancet holder and that includes a second pricking opening. A first pricking opening is formed to a size such that a skin contact section can be accommodated therein. Upon pressing in the pricking direction, the skin contact section is accommodated in the first pricking opening, and the leading end section of a pricking member protrudes through the second pricking opening.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a lancet cartridge that is used during collection of body fluids for use in a handy measuring instrument or the like.

2. Description of the Related Art

Compact measuring instruments are used for measuring the amount of components, for instance, glucose or cholesterol, in body fluids. A small amount of body fluid is necessary for measurement using these handy measuring instruments. For instance, in order to collect a small amount of a body fluid, a pricking instrument is used wherein a disposable lancet is fitted to a main body having a lancet-ejecting mechanism, after which an end cap is fitted to the leading end of the main body. A pricking opening is provided in the leading end of the end cap. The leading end of the end cap is pressed against the skin of the test subject, and the main body is operated; thereby, the leading end section of the lancet is caused to protrude through the pricking opening, and to prick the skin of the test subject, to collect the body fluid as a result. The following conventional approaches are adopted in order to secure a body fluid amount that is sufficient for measurement, upon collection of a body fluid using such a pricking instrument.

For instance, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-046612 discloses the feature of preparing multiple end caps having dissimilar sizes, in order to modify the depth of the leading end section of the lancet that penetrates the skin. Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-237089 discloses the feature of preparing a plurality of end caps having leading end shapes that conform to the shape of collection sites, to enable appropriate collection of a body fluid at a plurality of dissimilar collection sites, for instance the fingertip, the forearm and the like.

If blood sampling is performed using a pricking instrument that is shared among a plurality of test subjects, problems of hygiene arise in that body fluids become adhered to the leading end of the end cap, and in that the leading end section of the pricking member, with the body fluid adhered thereto, becomes exposed. In order to solve the above problems, for instance, WO 2009/041110 discloses a lancet cartridge in which a lancet is integrally housed in a lancet holder. The lancet holder, having a pricking opening formed at the leading end, has the same function as the aforementioned end cap, but is disposed of together with the lancet, even if a body fluid is adhered to the leading end. Also, the lancet is housed in the lancet holder, except during pricking. Therefore, the leading end section of the lancet having a body fluid adhered thereto does not come into contact with an operator or the like. Therefore, the lancet cartridge is appropriate for preventing contamination and the like.

In such lancet cartridges, the lancet is ordinarily housed in the lancet holder, and hence it is difficult to visually check whether the lancet cartridge is a used one or not. In order to solve this problem, the lancet cartridge disclosed in WO 2009/041110 is configured in such a manner that when fitted to the pricking instrument, a small projection provided in the lancet becomes exposed through a slit that is provided in the lancet holder. It becomes possible thereby to check visually, from outside, whether the lancet cartridge is a used one or not.

However, the abovementioned conventional technology leaves room for improvement as regards the features below.

In a conventional lancet cartridge, first of all, the small protrusion exposed on the side face of the lancet holder is of reduced size, and hence it is not found that it is possible to visually check, from outside and in an easy manner, whether the lancet cartridge is a used one or not. In the conventional lancet cartridge, secondly, the lancet and the lancet holder are formed integrally with each other. Therefore, it is not possible to replace a lancet holder by another lancet holder of dissimilar shape, in order to secure a body fluid amount that is sufficient for measurement, as in the pricking instruments disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-046612 and Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-237089.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a problem of the present invention, which was arrived at in the light of the above considerations, to provide, firstly, a lancet cartridge such that it is possible to visually check from outside, in an easy manner, whether the lancet cartridge is a used one or not, and to provide, secondly, a lancet cartridge in which the shape of the leading end of a lancet holder can be easily modified, so that a body fluid amount that is sufficient for measurement can be secured as a result.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention relies on the following technical means.

A lancet cartridge, provided with: a lancet that moves along a pricking track in a pricking direction and that has a pricking member having a leading end section for pricking skin, and a main body section to which a rear end section of the pricking member is fixed; and a lancet holder that accommodates the lancet and that has a first pricking opening at a leading end, the lancet cartridge further having: a skin contact section, held in the interior of the lancet holder, and having a second pricking opening, wherein the first pricking opening is formed to a size such that the skin contact section can be accommodated therein, the lancet cartridge being configured so that when the skin contact section is pressed in the pricking direction, the skin contact section is accommodated in the first pricking opening, and the leading end section of the pricking member protrudes through the second pricking opening.

In the above configuration, the skin contact section is accommodated in the first pricking opening by the point in time at which pricking preparation is over. The skin contact section is large enough to be visible from outside. Accordingly, this allows discriminating easily whether the lancet cartridge according to the present invention has already been used or not.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there are further provided: a protective section that is connected to the skin contact section and that covers the leading end section of the pricking member; and a coupling section that connects the protective section and the main body section so as to cover the periphery of the pricking member; wherein when the protective section is pressed in the pricking direction together with the skin contact section, in a state where the main body section is fixed to the lancet holder, the coupling section breaks and the protective section separates from the main body section, and moreover the leading end section of the pricking member becomes exposed, and subsequently when the protective section and the skin contact section are pressed in the pricking direction, the protective section moves off the pricking track of the pricking member, and the second pricking opening is disposed on the pricking track.

In the above configuration, the skin contact section is accommodated in the first pricking opening by the point in time at which pricking preparation is over. The skin contact section is large enough to be visible from outside. Accordingly, this allows discriminating easily whether the lancet cartridge according to the present invention has already been used or not. Also, the leading end section of the pricking member can protrude through the second pricking opening, without the protective section standing in the way.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the skin contact section can be removed from the first pricking opening and the leading end section of the pricking member protrudes through the first pricking opening in a case where the skin contact section is removed.

In the above configuration, it becomes possible to easily modify the shape of the leading end of the lancet holder that is pressed against the skin of the blood sampling subject. As a result, blood can be appropriately collected at a plurality of dissimilar collection sites, and there can be secured a sufficient body fluid amount for measurement. Also, the leading end section of the pricking member protrudes through the first pricking opening in a case where the skin contact section is removed. For instance, the first pricking opening is formed to be relatively larger than the second pricking opening. Accordingly, the first pricking opening enables the skin of the blood sampling subject to be thrust deeper into the lancet holder than is the case in the second pricking opening. As a result, the leading end section of the pricking member pricks the skin at a deeper point, and a greater amount of body fluid can be collected than when using the second pricking opening. Thus, a sufficient body fluid amount for measurement can be secured by selecting the first pricking opening or the second pricking opening, as the case may require.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the skin contact section or the protective section has a lug section to be gripped upon the removal.

In the above configuration, the skin contact section can be easily removed through gripping of the lug section. This makes for easy changeover from the second pricking opening to the first pricking opening.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a slit is provided in the lancet holder, and the lug section protrudes through the slit when the skin contact section or the protective section is pressed in the pricking direction.

Erroneous operation when the lancet cartridge is not yet in use can be prevented thanks to above configuration.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the skin contact section or the protective section has a cleavable weak section; such that the skin contact section can be removed by cleaving of the weak section.

The above configuration allows easily modifying, through simple cleavage of the weak section, the shape of the leading end of the lancet holder through which there protrudes the leading end section of the pricking member. As a result, the size of the pricking opening can be modified, the leading end of the lancet holder can be imparted with a shape according a plurality of dissimilar collection sites, and the body fluid can be appropriately collected in an amount sufficient for measurement.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the skin contact section is formed of a lamination of a plurality of skin contact sections stacked in the pricking direction and the second pricking opening is formed so as to become smaller as the skin contact sections are disposed closer to the leading end, such that the size of the second pricking opening can be selected by sequentially cleaving the skin contact sections from a skin contact section on the leading end side.

The above configuration allows selecting a skin contact section having an appropriate size of the second pricking opening, as the case may require. The collection amount of body fluid can be finely adjusted as a result.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the skin contact section is formed of a lamination of a plurality of skin contact sections stacked in the pricking direction, the skin contact sections having dissimilar shapes according to pricking sites.

The above configuration allows easily modifying the shape of the leading end of the lancet holder to a shape that conforms to the shape of the pricking site. As a result, the body fluid can be appropriately collected at a plurality of dissimilar collection sites, and there can be secured a sufficient body fluid amount for measurement.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the skin contact section is formed of a plurality of plate-like members plurally partitioned by the weak section so as to surround the second pricking opening, in a plan view, such that the size of the second pricking opening can be selected by sequentially cleaving the plurality of plate-like members from a plate-like member on the inward side.

In the above configuration the size of the second pricking opening can be adjusted in stages through removal of the plate-like members. The collection amount of body fluid can be finely adjusted as a result.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the skin contact section is shaped as a spiral centered on the second pricking opening, and the weak section is formed at a predetermined location of the spiral, such that the size of the second pricking opening can be selected by sequentially cleaving weak sections from a weak section on the inward side of the spiral.

In the above configuration, the size of the second pricking opening can be adjusted in stages through sequential removal of the spiral portion from the center. The collection amount of body fluid can be finely adjusted as a result.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the description of embodiments of the invention set forth below with reference to accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are explained next with reference to accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1toFIG. 4illustrate one example of a lancet cartridge in which the present invention is used. The purpose of a lancet cartridge A1, which is used by being fitted to a pricking instrument1, is to collect blood, as the measurement target of a compact blood glucose monitor (not shown), from a fingertip or the like. The lancet cartridge A1may be used by diabetes patients by themselves or in hospitals.

AsFIG. 1shows, the lancet cartridge A1is used by being fitted to the pricking instrument1. The pricking instrument1comprises, for instance, a fitting section10and an eject button11. A pricking mechanism (not shown) is provided in the interior. The fitting section10is a portion at which the lancet cartridge A is fitted. The eject button11is a button used upon ejection of a below-described lancet3. To prepare ejection in the process whereby the lancet cartridge A1is fitted to the pricking instrument1, a protective cap removal member (not shown), which is a part of the pricking mechanism, and a plunger (not shown) are thrust into the interior of the lancet cartridge A1. In the interior of the pricking instrument1, meanwhile, ejection is prepared, for instance, through build-up of an elastic force through compression of a spring for pricking (not shown).

As illustrated inFIG. 2andFIG. 3, the lancet cartridge A1is provided with a lancet holder2and a lancet3. In the explanation hereafter, directions such as the vertical direction and the like correspond to directions as depicted in the drawings.

The purpose of the lancet holder2is to house and hold, in the interior thereof, the below-described lancet3. After use, the lancet3is discarded while housed in the lancet holder2. The lancet holder2is formed by injection molding using a synthetic resin as a material. Specific examples of the synthetic resin include, for instance, polyethylene, polypropylene and the like. The color of the lancet holder2is different from that of the lancet3. The lancet holder2is colored in light grey, while the lancet3is colored in pink. Thereby, the position of the lancet3in the lancet holder2can be readily checked visually from the outside. The combination of colors of the lancet holder2and the lancet3may be any combination, so long as the different colors can be easily told apart from each other. As illustrated inFIG. 3, the lancet holder2comprises a rear end opening20a, stopper sections21, slope sections22, a leading end23, a first pricking opening23a, a slit24, and protrusions25.

The rear end opening20ais formed at a rear end20of the lancet holder2. The lancet3is inserted through the rear end opening20aduring assembly of the lancet cartridge A1. The abovementioned protective cap removal member and plunger are thrust into the lancet holder2, through the rear end opening20a, during fitting of the lancet cartridge A1to the pricking instrument1.

The stopper sections21are portions against which there abut abutting sections40aof wing sections40that are provided in a main body section4of the lancet3, as described below. The pair of stopper sections21is provided on the inner face of side wall sections26at the left and right of the lancet holder2. The motion of a pricking member5in the pricking direction N1, after use as described below, is limited through abutting of the abutting sections40aagainst the stopper sections21. As a result, a tip5aof the pricking member5is prevented from becoming exposed to the exterior through a first pricking opening23aor a second pricking opening71athat are described below.

The pair of slope sections22is provided, contiguously to the pair of stopper sections21, on the inner face of the side wall sections26of the lancet holder2, facing in the pricking direction N1. The slope sections22have respective slope faces22athat tilt downward as they extend in the pricking direction N1. A below-described protective cap7of the lancet3moves along the slope faces22awhen pressed from behind.

The leading end23is a portion that is pressed against the skin of the blood sampling subject. The below-described first pricking opening23ais formed at substantially the central section of the leading end23. The peripheral section of the first pricking opening23ais formed planarly at the leading end23. Needless to say, the shape of the peripheral section of the first pricking opening23amay be any shape, so long as blood sampling can take place appropriately, and may be a curved shape that conforms to the blood sampling site, for instance, the fingertips, palms, forearms, earlobes and the like.

The first pricking opening23ais formed at the leading end23of the lancet holder2, as described above. The first pricking opening23ais formed to such a size as allows accommodating the below-described skin contact section71that is provided in the protective cap7of the lancet3. As described below, the tip5aof the pricking member5is configured so as to protrude through the first pricking opening23awhen the protective cap7is removed from the lancet holder2.

The slit24is provided at a bottom wall section27in the lancet holder2, in the vicinity of the leading end23. The purpose of the slit24is to enable a below-described lug section70b, which is provided in the protective cap7of the lancet3, to protrude outside the lancet holder2.

The protrusions25are provided on the inner face of the bottom wall section27of the lancet holder2in the vicinity of the leading end23. The purpose of the protrusions25is to prevent the protective cap7from coming off out of the lancet holder2via the first pricking opening23a, through locking of the protective cap7that has moved up to the vicinity of the leading end23.

The purpose of the lancet3, which is housed inside the lancet holder2, is to prick the skin, for instance of the fingertip or the like, of the blood sampling subject. The lancet3is molded by insert molding, wherein the below-described pricking member5is embedded in a synthetic resin material. Specific examples of the synthetic resin include, for instance, polyethylene, polypropylene or the like. As illustrated inFIG. 3andFIG. 4, the lancet3has a main body section4, a pricking member5, a coupling section6and the protective cap7.

The main body section4, to which the rear end section of the pricking member5is fixed, moves along the pricking track V1in the pricking direction N1, to prick the skin of the test subject. The main body section4comprises the wing sections40and an engagement section41.

The wing sections40are configured in such a manner that, after pricking, the tip5aof the pricking member5is exposed through the first pricking opening23aor the below-described second pricking opening71a. The pair of wing sections40is provided in such a manner the wing sections40spread gradually outward in the rearward direction, symmetrically with respect to the pricking member5as the center axis. Displacement of the pricking member5in the pricking direction N1is restricted through abutting of the pair of wing sections40against the stopper sections21. At the leading end thereof, the pair of wing sections40has abutting sections40athat abut the stopper sections21. The wing sections40are formed to be deformable, such that during pricking, the wing sections40are thrust inward by the protective cap removal member of the pricking instrument1that is thrust into the lancet holder2through the rear end opening20a. As a result, the abutting sections40ado not abut the stopper sections21, and the main body section4can move up to the leading end23. The wing sections40spread out again, by virtue of an outward elastic force, when the lancet cartridge A1is removed from the pricking instrument1.

The engagement section41is a portion of the main body section4that engages with the plunger in the pricking instrument1when the lancet cartridge A1is fitted to the pricking instrument1. The pricking instrument1can eject as a result the main body section4in the pricking direction N1.

The purpose of the pricking member5is to protrude outside the lancet holder2, through the first pricking opening23aor the second pricking opening71a, and to make an incision in the skin of the subject for sample collection. The pricking member5is made of metal. The specific material of the pricking member5is stainless steel. The pricking member5may be any member, so long as it allows appropriate incisions to be made on the skin of the subject for sample collection, and may be formed out of a metal other than stainless steel, or out of a synthetic resin. The pricking member5may be shaped in the form of a needle or a blade. The rear end section of the pricking member5is fixed to the main body section4. The pricking member5is configured so as to slide along the pricking track V1at all times. The tip5aof the pricking member5is sharpened by polishing. The tip5aof the pricking member5is covered by the protective cap7, by way of the below-described coupling section6.

The purpose of the coupling section6, which is a member interposed between the main body section4and the protective cap7, is to keep the pricking member5sterile. The coupling section6is configured so as to break when the protective cap7is pressed from behind by the protective cap removal member of the pricking instrument1. The coupling section6is formed to be thin-walled around the pricking member5, so as to break more readily.

The purpose of the protective cap7is to prevent bending of the cutting edge of the pricking member5and to preserve sterility, by covering the cutting edge of the pricking member5. The protective cap7comprises a protective section70and a skin contact section71. The protective section70of the protective cap7is connected to the main body section4via the coupling section6, and covers the cutting edge of the pricking member5. The protective section70is a substantially planar member that extends, on the left and right, with the pricking member5as a center axis. The protective section70is positioned on the pricking track V1of the pricking member5. Therefore, the pricking member5cannot move in the pricking direction N1, on the pricking track V1, even with the protective section70removed. The protective section70has a pair of sledge sections70aon both side faces. The purpose of the sledge sections70ais to enable the protective cap7to be appropriately held in, and move smoothly along, the lancet holder2. The sledge sections70ahave respective pressing sections70acfor enabling the protective cap removal member of the pricking instrument1to press the protective cap7in the pricking direction N1. The protective section70and the skin contact section71become pressed in the pricking direction N1when the pressing sections70acare pressed from behind. When the protective cap7is pressed from behind, with the main body section4fixed in the lancet holder, the coupling section6breaks, and the protective cap7separates from the main body section4and moves in the pricking direction N1. Thereupon, upper tapered sections70aaof the sledge sections70amove along the slope faces22a, and, accordingly, the protective cap7moves obliquely downward, in the pricking direction N1. The protective section70moves thus off the pricking track V1of the pricking member5.

The skin contact section71is a plate-like member erected at the leading end of the protective section70, in a direction that intersects the pricking direction N1. More specifically, the skin contact section71is provided so as to be perpendicular to the pricking direction N1. The skin contact section71becomes accommodated in the first pricking opening23awhen the protective cap7moves in the pricking direction N1. The second pricking opening71ais provided at substantially the central section of the skin contact section71. At the time before use, i.e. before fitting to the pricking instrument1, the second pricking opening71ais positioned above the pricking track V1, spaced apart from the latter. The second pricking opening71ais configured in such a manner so as to reach a position that is crossed by the pricking track V1when the protective cap7moves up to the position of the first pricking opening23aas the protective cap7moves along the slope faces22a. By being now free of obstacles, the tip5aof the pricking member5can move along the pricking track V1in the pricking direction N1, and can protrude through the second opening71a. A peripheral section of the second pricking opening71aof the skin contact section71is formed to a planar shape. Needless to say, the shape of the peripheral section of the second pricking opening71amay be any shape, so long as blood sampling can take place appropriately, and may be a curved shape that conforms to the blood sampling site, for instance, the fingertips, palms, forearms, earlobes and the like.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, the lug section70bis provided at the lower face the protective section70. At a time before use, the lug section70bsupports the protective cap7in the lancet holder2. The lancet cartridge A1is configured in such a manner that the lug section70bprotrudes out of the lancet holder2through the slit24, when the lancet cartridge A1is fixed to the pricking instrument1and the protective cap7moves to the vicinity of the leading end23. The protective cap7is prevented from coming off the first pricking opening23athrough engagement of bottom tapered sections70abof the sledge sections70awith the protrusions25.

The engagement between the bottom tapered sections70aband the protrusions25can be released, such that the protective cap7can be removed from the lancet holder2, through gripping of the lug section70b, and sliding of the lug section70bin the pricking direction N1along the slit24. In this case, the pricking member5protrudes through the first pricking opening23a.

The operation of the lancet cartridge A1is explained next with reference toFIG. 5toFIG. 9.

Firstly, when the lancet cartridge A1is inserted in the fitting section10of the pricking instrument1, the protective cap removal member thrusts into the lancet cartridge A1, and presses the pressing sections70acof the lancet3. As a result of this pressing, the protective cap7moves in the pricking direction N1, as illustrated inFIG. 5. At this time, the main body section4remains fixed in the lancet holder2, and hence the coupling section6breaks and the tip5aof the pricking member5becomes exposed. Meanwhile, although not illustrated in the figures, the plunger of the pricking instrument1engages with the engagement section41. At this point in time, the protective section70is on the pricking track V1of the pricking member5, and the second pricking opening71ais off the pricking track V1.

Next, when the protective cap7is further pressed in the pricking direction N1, as illustrated inFIG. 6, the skin contact section71becomes accommodated in the first pricking opening23a, and plugs the first pricking opening23a. The upper tapered sections70aaslide herein along the slope faces22a, and hence the protective cap7moves obliquely downward as denoted by arrow N2. As a result, the protective section70moves off the pricking track V1of the pricking member5, while the second pricking opening71amoves along the pricking track V1. Herein, the protective cap7is prevented from coming off the lancet holder2through engagement of the bottom tapered sections70abof the sledge sections70a, in the protective cap7, with the protrusions25. The lug section70bprotrudes out of the lancet holder2through the slit24.

When the eject button11of the pricking instrument1is pressed next, the plunger is ejected by virtue of the elastic force of the abovementioned spring for pricking. As a result, the main body section4moves in the pricking direction N1, as illustrated inFIG. 7. The pricking member5that is fixed to the main body section4moves also along the pricking track V1in the pricking direction N1. As a result, the tip5aof the pricking member5protrudes through the second pricking opening71a, and the skin of the blood sampling subject is pricked. At this time, the pair of wing sections40is thrust inward by the protective cap removal member of the pricking instrument1, and the main body section4is brought to a state of being capable of moving in the pricking direction N1, without abutting of the abutting sections40aagainst the stopper sections21.

In a case where an appropriate blood sampling amount cannot be obtained with the tip5aof the pricking member5protruding through the second pricking opening71a, the protective cap7is removed off the leading end23of the lancet holder2in a state where the lancet cartridge A1is fitted to the pricking instrument1, as illustrated inFIG. 8. Specifically, the lug section70bis gripped and caused to slide in the pricking direction N1along the slit24; thereby, the lock between the protrusions25and the bottom tapered sections70abof the sledge sections70ais lifted, and the protective cap7is removed off the lancet holder2. As a result, the tip5aof the pricking member5protrudes now through the first pricking opening23a.

As illustrated inFIG. 9, the main body section4moves in the pricking direction N1when the eject button11of the pricking instrument1is pressed. The tip5aof the pricking member5protrudes through the first pricking opening23aand pricks the skin of the blood sampling subject. The first pricking opening23ais formed to be larger than the second pricking opening71a, and thus the skin of the blood sampling subject thrusts deeper into the lancet holder2. The blood sampling amount increases since pricking is accordingly deeper.

During use, the skin contact section71of the protective cap7in the present embodiment is disposed so as to plug the first pricking opening23a, as described above. The skin contact section71is large enough to be visible from outside. Accordingly, this allows discriminating easily whether the lancet cartridge A1has already been used or not. Re-use of a used lancet cartridge A1can therefore be easily prevented. By the point in time at which the pricking preparation is over, the protective section70is off the pricking track V1of the pricking member5, and the second pricking opening71ais disposed on the pricking track V1. Therefore, the tip5aof the pricking member5can protrude through the second pricking opening71a, without the protective section70standing in the way.

In the lancet cartridge A1the lancet holder2and the lancet3have dissimilar colors. Therefore, it is possible to easily discriminate whether the lancet cartridge is a used one or not.

When the lancet cartridge A1is in use, firstly the skin contact section71moves to the leading end23that is pressed against the skin of the blood sampling subject. Accordingly, the likelihood of contamination while not yet in use is low. The lancet cartridge A1is therefore advantageous in terms of securing hygiene.

The lancet cartridge A1is configured so that the protective cap7can be removed from the lancet holder2. Therefore, it becomes possible to easily modify the shape of the leading end23of the lancet holder2that is pressed against the skin of the blood sampling subject. As a result, blood can be appropriately collected at a plurality of dissimilar collection sites, and a blood amount can be secured that is sufficient for measurement. The lancet cartridge is configured in such a manner that, when the protective cap7is removed, the tip5aof the pricking member5protrudes through the first pricking opening23a. For instance, the first pricking opening23ais formed to be relatively larger than the second pricking opening71a. Accordingly, the first pricking opening23aenables the skin of the blood sampling subject to be thrust deeper into the lancet holder2than is the case in the second pricking opening71a. As a result, the tip5aof the pricking member5pricks the skin at a deeper point, and a greater amount of blood can be collected, than when using the second pricking opening71a. Thus, a sufficient blood amount for measurement can be secured by selecting the first pricking opening23aor the second pricking opening71aas the case may require. Therefore, the blood sampling amount can be adjusted in cases where the pricking depth of the pricking instrument1cannot be successfully adjusted, even if the lancet cartridge A1has a mechanism for adjusting the pricking depth.

The protective cap7of the lancet cartridge A1has the lug section70bfor gripping upon removal of the protective cap7. As a result, the protective cap7can be easily removed through gripping of the lug section70b. This makes for easy changeover from the second pricking opening71ato the first pricking opening23a.

The lug section70bis configured so as to protrude firstly through the slit24that is provided in the bottom section27of the lancet holder2when the lancet cartridge A1is inserted into the fitting section10of the pricking instrument1. As a result, the protective cap7can be easily removed through gripping and sliding of the lug section70balong the slit24. Erroneous operation when the lancet cartridge is not yet in use can be thus prevented, since the protective cap7is configured in such a manner that the lug section70bprotrudes firstly through the slit24when the protective cap7is pressed in the pricking direction N1.

FIG. 10AandFIG. 10Billustrate another embodiment of a lancet cartridge according to the present invention. Identical or similar embodiments in the figures are denoted with reference numerals identical to those of the embodiment above. The same applies to other embodiments below.

The basic configuration of the lancet cartridge A2is identical to that of the lancet cartridge A1explained above, but differs as regards of the configuration for removing the skin contact section71A.

In the lancet cartridge A2, a protective cap7A comprises a perforation71Aa and a lug section71Ab. As illustrated inFIG. 10A, the perforation71Aa is provided at the boundary between the protective section70and the skin contact section71A. The portion of the perforation71Aa is less strong than the periphery thereof, so that the former can break easily. The perforation71Aa corresponds to an example of the weak section of the present invention. The lancet cartridge A2is provided with the lug section71Ab on top of the skin contact section71A. The lug section71Ab protrudes through a slit24A that is formed on a top wall section28of the lancet holder2, and the lancet cartridge A2slides through the slit24A and moves to the leading end23when the lancet cartridge A2is fitted to the pricking instrument1. The skin contact section71A can be cleaved along the perforation71Aa and can be removed, as illustrated inFIG. 10B, by moving the lug section71Ab in the direction indicated by the arrow. The first pricking opening23athat is housed in the protective cap7A appears thereupon as a result.

The present embodiment allows modifying easily the shape of the leading end23, of the lancet holder2, through which there protrudes the tip5aof the pricking member5. As a result, the size of the pricking opening can be modified, the leading end23of the lancet holder2can be imparted with a shape according a plurality of dissimilar collection sites, and blood can be appropriately collected in an amount sufficient for measurement.

FIG. 11AandFIG. 11Billustrate another embodiment of a lancet cartridge according to the present invention. A lancet cartridge A3has a configuration for removing a skin contact section71B that is different from that of the above-described lancet cartridge A1.

In the lancet cartridge A3, as shown inFIG. 11A, the skin contact section71B of the protective cap7B is made up of a plurality of plate-like members71Bc,71Bd partitioned by perforations71Ba,71Bb so as to surround a second pricking opening71a, in a plan view. The perforations71Ba,71Bb correspond to an example of the weak section of the present invention. The plate-like members71Bc,71Bd can be sequentially cleaved from the inward side, as illustrated inFIG. 11AandFIG. 11B. Firstly, the plate-like member71Bc is cleaved along the perforation71Ba, and is removed. As a result, the second pricking opening71ais replaced by a second pricking opening71Be. Next, the plate-like member71Bd is cleaved along the perforation71Bb, and is removed, to reveal as a result the first pricking opening23a.

In the present embodiment, the second pricking openings71a,71Be can be selected through sequential removal of the plurality of plate-like members71Bc,71Bd. That is, the size of the pricking opening can be adjusted in stages. The collection amount of blood can be finely adjusted as a result.

FIG. 12AandFIG. 12Billustrate another embodiment of a lancet cartridge according to the present invention. A lancet cartridge A4has a configuration for removing a skin contact section71C that is different from that of the above-described lancet cartridge A1.

As illustrated inFIG. 12A, a skin contact section71C of a protective cap7C in the lancet cartridge A4is shaped as a spiral centered on the second pricking opening71a. The spiral is formed by a perforation71Ca. Perforations71Cb,71Cc,71Cd are formed at a predetermined location of the spiral. In the lancet cartridge A4, the size of the second pricking opening is selected in stages through sequential cleaving of the perforations71Cb,71Cc,71Cd, from the inward side of the spiral. The perforations71Ca,71Cb,71Cc,71Cd correspond to an example of the weak section of the present invention. As illustrated inFIG. 12AandFIG. 12B, firstly, the second pricking opening71ais replaced by a second pricking opening71Cg through removal of a fragment71Ce from the perforation71Cb up to the perforation71Cc. Next, a fragment71Cf is removed through cleaving from the perforation71Cd up to a perforation (not shown) that is formed at the boundary between the skin contact section71C and the protective section70; the first pricking opening23ais revealed as a result.

In the present embodiment, the size of the second pricking opening can be adjusted in stages through sequential removal of the spiral portion from the center. The collection amount of blood can be finely adjusted as a result.

FIG. 13AandFIG. 13Billustrate another embodiment of a lancet cartridge according to the present invention. A lancet cartridge A5has a configuration for removing skin contact sections71Da,71Db,71Dc that is different from that of the above-described lancet cartridge A1.

As illustrated inFIG. 13A, the lancet cartridge A5is provided with a protective cap7D in which a plurality of skin contact sections71Da,71Db,71Dc is stacked in the pricking direction N1. Second pricking openings71Dg,71Dh,71Di of the plurality of skin contact sections71Da,71Db,71Dc are formed so as to become smaller as the skin contact sections stand closer to the leading end23. The skin contact sections71Da,71Db,71Dc have, at the rear, respective V-grooves71Dd,71De,71Df. The V-grooves71Dd,71De,71Df correspond to an example of the weak section in the present invention. As illustrated inFIG. 13AandFIG. 13B, the skin contact sections71Da,71Db,71Dc are configured so as to be removable, sequentially from the leading end side, through cleaving at the sites of the V-grooves71Dd,71De,71Df. The size of the second pricking opening can be selected thereby in the lancet cartridge A5. The skin contact sections71Da,71Db,71Dc may be configured to have dissimilar shapes in accordance with the pricking site, instead of being configured to have dissimilar sizes of the second pricking openings71Dg,71Dh,71Di.

In the present embodiment, a skin contact section having a second pricking opening of appropriate size can be selected, as the case may require, from among the plurality of skin contact sections71Da,71Db,71Dc. The collection amount of blood can be finely adjusted as a result. It becomes thus possible to secure a sufficient blood amount for measurement, since blood collection can be performed appropriately at a plurality of dissimilar collection sites, in cases where the shape of the leading end23of the lancet holder2is to be modifiable to a shape that conforms to the shape of the pricking site.

FIG. 14illustrates another embodiment of a lancet cartridge according to the present invention. A lancet cartridge A6differs from the lancet cartridge A1explained above as regards the following features. Specifically, a movable skin contact member8is provided instead of the protective cap7. The configuration of the slope sections22A is also different herein. Further, the lancet cartridge A6is provided with a leading end sealing material9aand a rear end sealing material9b. The slit24is omitted.

The lancet cartridge A6has a pair of slope sections22A on the inner faces of the left and right side wall sections26of the lancet holder2. The slope sections22A are provided contiguously to the stopper sections21, in the pricking direction N1, and have slope faces22Aa. When pressed from behind, the below-described movable skin contact member8moves along the slope faces22Aa. The rear portions of the slope sections22A are configured in such a manner that below-described sledge sections80aof the movable skin contact member8can mate between the slope faces22Aa and the bottom wall section27. The sledge sections80aare configured so as to be movable by virtue of upward-slanting steps22Ab that are provided at portions on the pricking direction N1side of the slope sections22A.

The movable skin contact member8is a portion that comes into contact with the skin of the blood sampling subject during blood sampling. The color of the movable skin contact member8is different from that of lancet holder2. For instance, the movable skin contact member8is colored in pink, and the lancet holder2is colored in light grey. With the lancet cartridge A6not yet in use, the movable skin contact member8is disposed in the interior of the lancet holder2. The lancet cartridge A6moves in the pricking direction N1when fitted to the pricking instrument1. As a result, the movable skin contact member8becomes visible from outside. The movable skin contact member8is provided with a slide section80and a skin contact section81.

The slide section80is provided for the purpose of enabling the movable skin contact member8to slide smoothly in the lancet holder2. As illustrated inFIG. 14, the slide section80is a plate-like member that is disposed so as to be parallel to the bottom wall section27of the lancet holder2. The bottom face of the slide section80is configured so as to slide over a rail section29that is provided in the inner face of the bottom wall section27.

The protective section80has the pair of sledge sections80aon both side faces. The purpose of the sledge sections80ais to enable the movable skin contact member8to be appropriately held in the lancet holder2and to move smoothly. The sledge sections80ahave pressing sections80acfor the purpose of enabling the pricking mechanism of the pricking instrument1to press the movable skin contact member8in the pricking direction N1. The slide section80and the skin contact section81become pressed in the pricking direction N1when the pressing sections80acare pressed from behind. Before fitting to the pricking instrument1, the sledge sections80amate between the bottom wall section27and the slope faces22Aa of the slope sections22A, and become fixed in the interior of the lancet holder2. When the lancet cartridge A6is inserted in the fitting section10of the pricking instrument1, the pressing sections80acof the sledge sections80aare pressed from behind, and mating between the sledge sections80aand the slope faces22Aa is released. As described above, the upward-slanting steps22Ab are provided in the slope faces22Aa of the slope sections22A. Therefore, the movable skin contact member8can move freely when pressed up to that position. When the slope faces22Aa are pressed next, the movable skin contact member8moves up to the position of the leading end23of the lancet cartridge A6. When the movable skin contact member8moves up to the position of the leading end23of the lancet cartridge A6, lower tapered sections80abof the sledge sections80aengage with the protrusions25. As a result, the movable skin contact member8stops at the position of the leading end23of the lancet cartridge A6.

The skin contact section81is a plate-like member erected at the leading end of the slide section80, in a direction that intersects the pricking direction N1. More specifically, the skin contact section81is provided so as to be perpendicular to the pricking direction N1. The skin contact section81is configured so as to be accommodated in the first pricking opening23awhen the movable skin contact member8moves in the pricking direction N1. The second pricking opening81ais provided at substantially the central section of the skin contact section81. The second pricking opening81ais configured in such a manner so as to reach a position that is crossed by the pricking track V1when the second pricking opening81amoves up to the position of the first pricking opening23a. The tip5aof the pricking member5moves along the pricking track V1in the pricking direction N1, and can protrude through the second pricking opening81a.A peripheral section of the second pricking opening81aof the skin contact section81is formed to a planar shape. Needless to say, the shape of the peripheral section of the second pricking opening81amay be any shape, so long as blood sampling can take place appropriately, and may be a curved shape that conforms to the blood sampling site, for instance, the fingertips, palms, forearms, earlobes and the like.

The purpose of the leading end sealing material9ais to plug the first pricking opening23a. The purpose of the rear end sealing material9bis to plug the rear end opening20a.No slit24is provided in the lancet holder2. The leading end sealing material9aand the rear end sealing material9bare stripped off upon fitting of the lancet cartridge A6to the pricking instrument1. The tip5aof the pricking member5is uncovered in the lancet cartridge A6. As a result, the tip5aof the pricking member5can be kept sterile, since the interior of the lancet holder2is sealed off.

The operation of the lancet cartridge A6is explained next with reference toFIG. 15AandFIG. 15B.

As illustrated inFIG. 15A, when the movable skin contact member8is pressed in the pricking direction N1, the skin contact section81becomes accommodated in the first pricking opening23a, and plugs the first pricking opening23a. At this time, the movable skin contact member8is prevented from coming off the lancet holder2through engagement of the lower tapered sections80abof the sledge sections80awith the protrusions25.

In a case where an appropriate blood sampling amount cannot be obtained in that the tip5aof the pricking member5protrudes through the second pricking opening81a, the movable skin contact member8is removed off the leading end23of the lancet holder2in a state where the lancet cartridge A6is fitted to the pricking instrument1. Specifically, as shown inFIG. 15(B), engagement of the lower tapered sections80abof the sledge sections80awith the protrusions25is lifted, and the movable skin contact member8is removed off the lancet holder2. As a result, the tip5aof the pricking member5protrudes now through the first pricking opening23a.

In the lancet cartridge A6, as in the case of the above-described lancet cartridge A2, a cleavable weak section may be formed in the movable skin contact member8, to enable removal of the skin contact section81. As in the case of the lancet A3, a the skin contact section81may be made up of a plurality of plate-like members, partitioned by the weak sections, so as to surround the second pricking opening81a,in a plan view. The size of the second pricking opening81acan be through sequential cleaving of the plurality of plate-like members from the inward side.

As in the case of the above-described lancet cartridge A4, the skin contact section81may be shaped as a spiral centered on the second pricking opening81a. In this case, the size of the second pricking opening81acan be selected through formation of a cleavable weak section at a predetermined location in the spiral, and through sequential cleaving of the weak sections from the inward side of the spiral.

As in the case of the above-described lancet cartridge A5, the skin contact section81of the lancet cartridge A6may be configured in the form of a plurality of stacked sections in the pricking direction N1. In that case, the size of the second pricking opening81acan be selected by forming second pricking openings81aof the skin contact section81to become smaller towards the leading end side, and through sequential removal of the leading end-side skin contact sections81. The plurality of stacked skin contact sections81may have dissimilar shapes in accordance with the pricking site of the blood sampling subject.

During use, the skin contact section81of the movable skin contact member8in the present embodiment is disposed so as to plug the first pricking opening23a, as described above. The skin contact section81is large enough to be visible from outside. Accordingly, this allows discriminating easily whether the lancet cartridge A6has already been used or not. Re-use of a used lancet cartridge A6can therefore be easily prevented.

When the lancet cartridge A6is in use, firstly the skin contact section81moves to the leading end23that is pressed against the skin of the blood sampling subject. Accordingly, the likelihood of contamination while not yet in use is low. The lancet cartridge A6is therefore advantageous in terms of securing hygiene.

In the lancet cartridge A6, the movable skin contact member8and the lancet holder2have dissimilar colors. Therefore, it is possible to easily discriminate whether the lancet cartridge is a used one or not.

In the lancet cartridge A6, the movable skin contact member8can be removed from the lancet holder2. Therefore, it becomes possible to easily modify the shape of the leading end23of the lancet holder2that is pressed against the skin of the blood sampling subject. As a result, blood can be appropriately collected at a plurality of dissimilar collection sites, and a blood amount can be secured that is sufficient for measurement. The movable skin contact member8is configured in such a manner that, when the latter is removed, the tip5aof the pricking member5protrudes through the first pricking opening23a. For instance, the first pricking opening23ais formed to be relatively larger than the second pricking opening81a. Accordingly, the first pricking opening23aenables the skin of the blood sampling subject to be thrust deeper into the lancet holder2than is the case in the second pricking opening81a. As a result, the tip5aof the pricking member5pricks the skin at a deeper point, and a greater amount of blood can be collected, than when using the second pricking opening81a. Thus, a sufficient blood amount for measurement can be secured by selecting the first pricking opening23aor the second pricking opening81aas the case may require. Therefore, the blood sampling amount can be adjusted in cases where the pricking depth of the pricking instrument1cannot be successfully adjusted, even if the lancet cartridge A6has a mechanism for adjusting the pricking depth.

The present invention is not limited to the features of the above-described embodiments. The specific configuration of the lancet cartridge according to the present invention may accommodate various design variations.

The body fluid that can be collected using the lancet cartridge according to the present invention is not limited to blood. The lancet cartridge according to the present invention can be used for collection of other body fluids, for instance interstitial fluid or the like.