Patent ID: 8394117

Claim:
A handheld apparatus for creating a puncture wound in a body part having a layer of skin with an epidermis, the apparatus comprising: a puncture element; a drive for moving the puncture element toward and away from the skin; a housing adapted to contact a body part and having an opening by which the puncture element can puncture the body part; a control unit configured to automatically control movement of the puncture element, the control unit configured to automatically: move the puncture element in a skin opening step a first distance toward the skin with the drive, whereby a skin opening may be created; completely withdraw the puncture element from the body part at the end of the skin opening step; and then move the puncture element with the drive in a sample collection step toward the skin a second distance that is as great or greater than the first distance, whereby a puncture wound for collecting a sample may be created; wherein, the movement of the puncture element in the skin opening step and the movement of the puncture element in the sample collection step comprise consecutive movements; further wherein, the time interval between the time at which the puncture element is completely withdrawn from the body part at the end of the skin opening step and the time at which the puncture element first enters the body part during the sample collection step is 1 millisecond to 1 second, to thereby allow the epidermis at the skin opening to relax.