Patent ID: 8715309

Claim:
A lancet device comprising: a housing, a lancet movably disposed within said housing; a biasing element structured to selectively exert a biasing force on said lancet; a cocking seat, said cocking seat moveable relative to said housing; an engagement member and a retention member structured to releasably engage one another and to drivingly engage said lancet with said cocking seat when releasably engaged with one another so as to move said lancet against said biasing force of said biasing element upon movement of said cocking seat in a direction counter to said biasing force of said biasing element; a single use, breakable hinge releaseably disposing said engagement member in driving engaged relation with said retention member; a release element defined in said housing and disposable to interruptively pivot said breakable hinge upon concurrent, forced movement of said lancet and said cocking seat against said biasing force establishing a potential energy of said biasing assembly so as to disengage said lancet from said cocking seat; said breakable hinge including a reduced thickness structured to break upon pivoting as a result of said release element so as to prevent subsequent driving engagement between said engagement member and said retention member; and said biasing assembly biasing said lancet into piercing engagement with a patient upon disengagement between said lancet and said cocking seat.