Patent ID: 7655017

Claim:
A lancet having a pre-use and a post-use configuration, said lancet comprising: a lancet body having a distal end and a needle piercing tip projecting from said distal end; a cap, said cap in a pre-use configuration connected to said distal end by a frangible junction, said cap comprising an opening sized for mating engagement with said lancet distal end; an interior axially projecting post disposed within said opening of said cap, whereby said needle piercing tip is embedded within said interior axially projecting post in said pre-use configuration; said cap having at least one tab member projecting therefrom; wherein in a post-use configuration said frangible junction is broken and said cap is mounted onto said lancet body with said opening of said cap receiving said lancet distal end and at least a portion of said piercing tip embedded within said interior axially projecting post.