Patent ID: 8328735

Claim:
An analytical system for detecting an analyte in a body fluid comprising a disposable integrated puncturing and analyzing element including a puncturing element having a tip for generating a puncture wound in a body part and including an elongated flat test strip having a top side and a bottom side, wherein the puncturing element defines a sample transfer orifice, and a reusable analyzing instrument including a housing which includes a holder for holding the integrated puncturing and analyzing element, a drive, and a coupling unit for coupling the puncturing element to said drive, said drive being adapted for driving a puncturing movement of the puncturing element during which the puncturing element is moved on a movement path, said puncturing movement including a forward phase in which the puncturing element is moved in a puncturing direction and a retraction phase during which the puncturing element is moved, after having reached a reversal point, opposite to the puncturing direction, wherein the puncturing element is arranged parallel to the test strip and the puncturing element is movable on a movement path relative to the test strip, the holder adapted for holding the integrated puncturing and analyzing element, in a sample application position of the test strip, in which the top side of the test strip faces upward, the holder and the drive adapted and arranged such that, in a puncturing position of the test strip, the tip of the puncturing element is moved beyond the front end of the test strip in the puncturing direction, in order to generate a puncture wound in a body part, wherein the puncturing element covers the sample application area when at the puncturing position, the sample application area located at the top side of the test strip such that, in the sample application position a drop of sample liquid from the puncture wound can be directly applied manually from above to the sample application area, wherein the sample transfer orifice is positioned directly above the sample application area when at the sample application position, and the housing being shaped to allow access to the sample application area of a test strip positioned in the sample application position.