Patent ID: 8267950

Claim:
A lancing device comprising: an external housing comprising a lancet opening; and an independent drive core mechanism positioned at least partially within the external housing, said independent drive core mechanism comprising: a mechanism housing comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and a sidewall portion between the proximal and distal ends having a stroke-limiting slot formed therethrough; a drive plunger for receiving a lancet, said drive plunger translationally mounted for advancement and retraction within the mechanism housing, said drive plunger further comprising a laterally projecting wing extending therefrom and sliding axially within the stroke-limiting slot of the mechanism housing when the drive plunger advances and retracts within the mechanism housing; an ejector rod axially movable and rotatable through a bore in the drive plunger, for ejecting a lancet from the drive plunger; a drive spring engaged between the mechanism housing and the drive plunger, for advancing the drive plunger toward the lancet opening; and a charging handle for retracting the drive plunger and energizing the drive spring, wherein the ejector rod comprises at least one finger extending through a generally helical slot in the charging handle.