Patent ID: 8029469

Claim:
A medical device comprising a first unit and a releasably attached or attachable second unit, the first unit comprising: a mounting surface adapted for application to the skin of a subject, a transcutaneous device comprising a distal pointed end adapted to penetrate the skin of the subject, the transcutaneous device having a first position in which the distal end is retracted relative to the mounting surface, and a second position in which the distal end projects relative to the mounting surface, the second unit comprising: actuatable driving means comprising a spring means adapted to move the transcutaneous device from the first position to the second position when the driving means is actuated with the second unit attached to the first unit, actuation means actuatable from a first condition through an intermediate condition to a second condition, wherein the spring means is provided in an unbiased condition and whereby actuation of the actuation means from the first to the intermediate condition causes activation of the spring means, and actuation of the actuation means from the intermediate to the second condition causes release of the activated spring means thereby moving the transcutaneous device from the first position to the second position.