Lancet

• US 20090012551A1
• Filed: 01/11/2007
• Published: 01/08/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Owen Mumford
• Original Assignee: Owen Mumford
• Inventors: Nicholls, Clive
• Granted Patent: US 8,603,126 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/181
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150022 for capillary blood or interstitial fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150282 for piercing elements, e.g. blade, lancet, canula, needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150427 Specific tip design, e.g. for improved penetration characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150519 Details of construction of hub, i.e. element used to attach the single-ended needle to a piercing device or sampling device
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150595 by snap-lock (i.e. based on axial displacement)
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150702 fully automatically removed, i.e. the removing does not require any action by the user
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150717 manually removed
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/15142 Devices intended for single use, i.e. disposable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/15146 Devices loaded with multiple lancets simultaneously, e.g. for serial firing without reloading, for example by use of stocking means. multiple simultaneous cutting or piercing A61B5/150977
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/15186 Devices loaded with a single lancet, i.e. a single lancet with or without a casing is loaded into a reusable drive device and then discarded after use; drive devices reloadable for multiple use

Abstract

A skin pricking lancet (101) comprising a needle (104), a body (102) for holding the needle (104) and a cap (103) for shielding at least the tip of the needle (104). At least one cap engagement formation (106) is formed on the body (102), and at least one body engagement formation (108) is formed on the cap (103). The body engagement formation (106) is configured to form a releasable mechanical interlock with the cap engagement formation (108), thereby securing the cap (103) to the body (102) in the shielded position.

Claims

1. A skin pricking lancet comprising:

a needle;

a body for holding the needle; and

a cap for shielding at least the tip of the needle;

at least one cap engagement formation formed on the body; and

at least one body engagement formation formed on the cap, the body engagement formation configured to form a releasable mechanical interlock with the cap engagement formation, thereby securing the cap to the body in the shielded position, wherein the body engagement formation and the cap engagement formation are arranged to restrict rotation of the cap relative to the body about a main axis of the needle.

2. A lancet as claimed in claim 1, wherein the interlocking body engagement formation and the cap engagement formation comprise interlocking male and female components.

3. A lancet as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body engagement formation comprises a pair of protrusions extending from the cap;

and the cap engagement formation comprises a corresponding pair of openings in the body.

4. A lancet as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cap engagement formation comprises a first pair of ribs, and the body engagement formation comprises a second pair of ribs, wherein the first and second pairs of ribs are in blocking engagement with one another when the cap is in place to substantially prevent rotation of the cap relative to the body about the axis of the needle.

5. A lancet according to claim 1, wherein the cap is made from a material that allows the needle to penetrate the cap during re-capping.

6. A lancet according to claim 1, wherein the cap is formed from a material selected from a thermoplastic elastomer, ethylene vinyl acetate, silicon rubber and low density polyethylene.

7. A lancet according to claim 1, wherein the body comprises low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, polypropylene or polystyrene.

8. A lancet according to claim 1, wherein the needle is embedded in both the body and the cap when the cap is secured to the body.

9. A lancet according to claim 1, wherein the body is moulded separately from the cap.

10. A lancet according to claim 1, wherein the body and the cap are bonded together during moulding of the body or the cap.

11. A method of manufacturing a skin pricking lancet as claimed in claim 1, the method comprising the steps of:

locating a portion of the needle in a mould; and

injection moulding the body around the portion of the needle such that the tip of the needle protrudes from the body; and

injection moulding the cap around at least the tip of the needle.