Detection Element for Determining the Position of a Lancet Element in a Lancing Device

• US 20120265231A1
• Filed: 11/05/2010
• Published: 10/18/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gerresheimer Regensburg GmbH (Gerresheimer AG)
• Original Assignee: Gerresheimer Regensburg GmbH (Gerresheimer AG)
• Inventors: Strehl, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 9,226,700 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/182
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1411 by percutaneous method, e.g. by lancet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150022 for capillary blood or interstitial fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150412 Pointed piercing elements, e.g. needles, lancets for piercing the skin blade-like piercing elements A61B5/150442
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150503 Single-ended needles hollow piercing element tip design A61B5/150396, needle sets for catheters A61M25/06, needles for bringing media into the body A61M5/32
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150809 by audible feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150816 by tactile feedback, e.g. vibration
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/15113 Manually triggered, i.e. the triggering requires a deliberate action by the user such as pressing a drive button
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/15117 comprising biased elements, resilient elements or a spring, e.g. a helical spring, leaf spring, or elastic strap
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/15128 comprising 2D- or 3D-shaped elements, e.g. cams, curved guide rails or threads comprising tooth-shaped elements A61B5/15132
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1513 comprising linear sliding guides comprising tooth-shaped elements A61B5/15132
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1519 comprising driving means, e.g. a spring, for propelling the piercing unit
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/15194 fully automatically retracted, i.e. the retraction does not require a deliberate action by the user, e.g. by terminating the contact with the patient's skin

Abstract

The present invention provides a detection element for lancets in lancing devices which will indicate that a lancet element is inserted completely again after the lancet has been changed. The invention includes a blood lancet apparatus which has a base body for the arrangement of a plurality of apparatus components, comprising a lancet reception device for coupling the blood lancet apparatus to a lancet element, at least one spring element for acting upon the lancet reception device with spring force and an actuating element for initiating a movement of the lancet reception device. The invention may further comprise a detection device for emitting at least for a time a signal with respect to a fixing position of the lancet element coupled at least in part to the lancet apparatus.

Claims

1. A blood lancet apparatus with a base body for the arrangement of a plurality of apparatus components, comprising:

a lancet reception device for coupling the blood lancet apparatus to a lancet element;

at least one lancet spring for acting upon the lancet reception device with spring force;

an actuator for initiating a movement of the lancet reception device; and

a detection device associated with the lancet reception device for emitting at least for a time at least one signal with respect to a fixing position of the lancet element coupled at least for a time and at least in part to the blood lancet apparatus, wherein the detection device is arranged inside the base body and comprises;

a detection spring configured to store energy at least for a time, wherein the energy is capable of being discharged substantially abruptly;

an output device configured to change the coupling between the lancet reception device and the lancet element and to deflect the detection spring.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection device is movable with respect to the lancet reception device.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the lancet reception device has at least one guide for guiding the detection device.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the energy is capable of being supplied by means of an application of force upon the lancet element.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a force absorption device configured to absorb at least for a time and at least in part the force introduced into the detection spring.

7. the apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection device has a snap element for co-operation with the force absorption device in order to accomplish at least one of securing a position of the detection device with respect to the lancet reception device or emitting the signal, which is preferably an signal.

9. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein:

the detection device further comprises a component body that extends perceptibly in one plane; and

the detection spring is configured in the form of a tongue-like portion opposite a tongue-like reinforcement portion, wherein the second contact element forms at least one curved portion that extends at a right angle in the region of one end of the detection spring.

10. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the force absorption device is wedge-shaped and associated with the lancet reception device.

11. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the emitted signal is one of an acoustic or a haptic the signal.

12. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein output device comprises a wedge-shaped first contact element configured to contact a second contact element formed on the snap element in order to deflect the snap element.

4. (canceled)

8. (canceled)