Patent ID: 7678127

Claim:
A lancing device for use with at least one lancet having a lancet tip held by a lancet body and covered by a sterility cap, the lancing device comprising: a housing defining an opening through which the lancet tip can extend to lance skin, and configured for receiving the lancet with the sterility cap at least partially between the lancet tip and the housing opening; and a sterility cap repositioning mechanism including a cap-engaging member that is coupled to the housing and operable to move from a first position adjacent the sterility cap on the lancet tip, through a first motion to engage and remove the sterility cap from the lancet tip, and to a second position wherein the sterility cap is repositioned from between the lancet tip and the opening, wherein the cap-engaging member in the second position retains the sterility cap within the housing, and wherein the cap-engaging member is rotationally coupled to the housing and defines a cap opening configured to receive and engage the sterility cap, a body opening configured to receive the lancet body therethrough when the cap-engaging member is rotated to the second position and the lancing device is actuated, and a channel configured to receive the lancet tip therethrough when the cap-engaging member rotates through the first motion, wherein the channel extends between the cap opening and the body opening.