Patent ID: 7201725

Claim:
A device for determining a depth of incision that extends from an epidermal layer to a blood vessel having a puncture, the device comprising: an elongated member including a distal end and a proximal end; a lumen extending through the elongated member, the lumen having a proximal end coincident with the elongated member proximal end and a distal end spaced proximally from the elongated member distal end, the lumen accommodating at least one extending member that enters the blood vessel through the puncture, and a tapered surface extending between the elongated member distal end and the lumen distal end, the tapered surface having a larger diameter at the elongated member distal end and a smaller diameter at the lumen distal end, the tapered surface receiving a portion of the blood vessel surrounding the puncture for impeding the distal end of the elongated member from entering the blood vessel.