Lancet having adjustable penetration depth

• US 7,175,641 B1
• Filed: 06/12/2000
• Issued: 02/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Stat Medical Devices Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Stat Medical Devices Incorporated
• Inventors: Schraga, Steven
• Primary Examiner(s): BUI, VY Q
• Application Number:
  US09/592,680
• Time in Patent Office: 2,437 Days
• Field of Search: 606181-182, 606170-171, 606184-185
• US Class Current: 606/181
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150022 for capillary blood or interstitial fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150175 Adjustment of penetration depth
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/15019 Depth adjustment mechanism using movable stops located inside the piercing device housing and limiting the travel of the drive mechanism mechanisms using distal end caps A61B5/150183, mechanisms at the piercing element carrier proximal end A61B5/150198
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150198 Depth adjustment mechanism at the proximal end of the carrier of the piercing element
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150351 Caps, stoppers or lids for sealing or closing a blood collection vessel or container, e.g. a test-tube or syringe barrel caps for bottles or containers in general B65D41/00
• 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 5/15113 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 5/1513 comprising linear sliding guides comprising tooth-shaped elements A61B5/15132
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/15132 comprising tooth-shaped elements, e.g. toothed wheel or rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1519 comprising driving means, e.g. a spring, for propelling the piercing unit
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53657 to apply or remove a resilient article [e.g., tube, sleeve, etc.]

Abstract

Lancet device having an adjustable penetration depth. The lancet device includes a housing, a cap for covering the housing and for positioning the lancet device relative to a skin surface, a needle holding member for holding a lancet which needle holding member is at least partially contained within the housing, a biasing element for biasing the needle holding member toward an extended position, and a trigger for releasing the needle holding member from a retracted position. The lancet device further includes a mechanism for adjusting a penetration depth of a lancet. The penetration depth adjustment mechanism may involve adjusting a travel distance of the needle holding member, wherein the mechanism is positioned within at least one of the housing and the cap during at least a portion of length of travel of the needle holding member. The penetration depth adjustment mechanism may involve adjusting a travel distance of the needle holding member by adjusting a length of the needle holding member. The penetration depth adjustment mechanism may involve aligning at least one stop of the housing with at least one protrusion of the needle holding member. The penetration depth adjustment mechanism may involve a cavity in the needle holding member for holding a lancet, wherein the cavity depth of the needle holding member is adjusted.

Claims

1. A lancet device, comprising:

a housing having an end and having a longitudinal axis;

at least one stop contained within the housing;

a cap for covering the end of the housing and for positioning the lancet device relative to a skin surface;

the cap having a portion which slides over an external surface of the housing;

a lancet holding member for holding a lancet, the lancet holding member being separate from the lancet, the lancet holding member being at least partially contained within the housing, the lancet holding member having at least one protrusion for striking the at least one stop contained within the housing, the lancet holding member having a longitudinal axis;

a biasing element for biasing the lancet holding member toward an extended position, the biasing element expanding in a direction of the longitudinal axis of the lancet holding member and pushing the lancet holding member;

a trigger for releasing the lancet holding member from a retracted position;

an adjustment mechanism capable of adjusting the at least one stop contained within the housing and the at least one protrusion of the lancet holding member to adjust the extended position of the lancet holding member; and

wherein the housing comprises an upper housing and a lower housing, and wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises a threaded connection between the upper housing and the lower housing.

2. The lancet device of claim 1, wherein the at least one stop comprises a guide collar on the lower housing.

3. A lancet device, comprising:

a housing having an end and having a longitudinal axis;

at least one stop contained within the housing;

a cap for covering the end of the housing and for positioning the lancet device relative to a skin surface;

a lancet holding member for holding a lancet, the lancet holding member being separate from the lancet, the lancet holding member being at least partially contained within the housing, the lancet holding member having at least one protrusion for striking the at least one stop contained within the housing, the lancet holding member having a longitudinal axis;

a biasing element for biasing the lancet holding member toward an extended position, the biasing element expanding in a direction of the longitudinal axis of the lancet holding member and pushing the lancet holding member;

a trigger for releasing the lancet holding member from a retracted position;

an adjustment mechanism capable of adjusting the at least one stop contained within the housing and the at least one protrusion of the lancet holding member to adjust the extended position of the lancet holding member; and

wherein the housing comprises an upper housing and a lower housing, and wherein the alignment mechanism comprises a spring between the upper housing and the lower housing to bias the lower housing into the upper housing, and wherein the alignment mechanism comprises a spacer between the upper housing and the lower housing to act against a biasing force of the spring.

4. The lancet device of claim 3, wherein the at least one stop comprises a guide collar on the lower housing.

5. A lancet device, comprising:

a housing having an end and having a longitudinal axis;

at least one stop contained within the housing;

a cap for covering the end of the housing and for positioning the lancet device relative to a skin surface;

a lancet holding member for holding a lancet, the lancet holding member being separate from the lancet, the lancet holding member being at least partially contained within the housing, the lancet holding member having at least one protrusion for striking the at least one stop contained within the housing, the lancet holding member having a longitudinal axis;

a biasing element for biasing the lancet holding member toward an extended position, the biasing element expanding in a direction of the longitudinal axis of the lancet holding member and pushing the lancet holding member;

a trigger for releasing the lancet holding member from a retracted position;

an adjustment mechanism capable of adjusting the at least one stop contained within the housing and the at least one protrusion of the lancet holding member to adjust the extended position of the lancet holding member; and

wherein the housing comprises an upper housing and a lower housing, the lower housing having the at least one stop which comprises a plurality of stops, and wherein the alignment mechanism comprises a threaded connection between the upper housing and the lower housing.

6. The lancet device of claim 5, wherein the plurality of stops comprise stops at different radial and axial positions on an interior of the lower housing.

7. A lancet device, comprising:

a housing having an end and having a longitudinal axis;

at least one stop contained within the housing;

a cap for covering the end of the housing and for positioning the lancet device relative to a skin surface;

a lancet holding member for holding a lancet, the lancet holding member being separate from the lancet, the lancet holding member being at least partially contained within the housing, the lancet holding member having at least one protrusion for striking the at least one stop contained within the housing, the lancet holding member having a longitudinal axis;

a biasing element for biasing the lancet holding member toward an extended position, the biasing element expanding in a direction of the longitudinal axis of the lancet holding member and pushing the lancet holding member;

a trigger for releasing the lancet holding member from a retracted position;

an adjustment mechanism capable of adjusting the at least one stop contained within the housing and the at least one protrusion of the lancet holding member to adjust the extended position of the lancet holding member; and

wherein the at least one stop comprises a plurality of stops, and wherein the alignment mechanism comprises a rotary connection between the housing and the lancet holding member.

8. The lancet device of claim 7, wherein the plurality of stops comprise stops at different radial and axial positions on an interior of the housing.

9. A lancet device, comprising:

a housing having an end and having a longitudinal axis;

at least one stop contained within the housing;

a cap for covering the end of the housing and for positioning the lancet device relative to a skin surface;

a lancet holding member for holding a lancet, the lancet holding member being separate from the lancet, the lancet holding member being at least partially contained within the housing the lancet holding member having at least one protrusion for striking the at least one stop contained within the housing, the lancet holding member having a longitudinal axis;

a biasing element for biasing the lancet holding member toward an extended position, the biasing element expanding in a direction of the longitudinal axis of the lancet holding member and pushing the lancet holding member;

a trigger for releasing the lancet holding member from a retracted position;

an adjustment mechanism capable of adjusting the at least one stop contained within the housing and the at least one protrusion of the lancet holding member to adjust the extended position of the lancet holding member; and

wherein the lancet holding member includes an elongated slot and the housing includes a peg extending through the elongated slot.

10. A lancet device, comprising:

a housing having a proximal end opening;

a cover having an opening, wherein the cover is capable of covering the proximal end opening of the housing and contacting the skin of a user to position the lancet device;

a lancet holding member within the housing, the lancet holding member being capable of holding a lancet;

a biasing element which biases the lancet holding member toward the proximal end opening of the housing;

a trigger which holds and releases the lancet holding member toward the proximal end opening of the housing;

a depth adjustment mechanism rotatable mounted on the housing, the depth adjustment mechanism including a protrusion which interacts with the lancet holding member to adjust a length of travel of the lancet holding member to allow needle penetration depth adjustment, wherein the depth adjustment mechanism is out of contact with the cover when the cover is covering the proximal end opening of the housing; and

wherein the lancet holding member comprises a slot, and wherein a peg on the housing engages the slot.

11. The lancet device of claim 10, wherein rotation of the depth adjustment mechanism is limited by the housing.

12. The lancet device of claim 10, wherein movement of the depth adjustment mechanism adjusts a contact position between the protrusion of the depth adjustment mechanism and the lancet holding member to adjust the length of travel of the lancet holding member.

13. The lancet device of claim 10, further comprising a cocking mechanism.

14. The lancet device of claim 10, wherein the lancet holding member comprises an engagement segment which engages the trigger.

15. The lancet device of claim 14, wherein the engagement segment is biased outward so that the engagement segment engages the housing when the lancet device is cocked.

16. The lancet device of claim 10, wherein the biasing element comprises a spring.

17. The lancet device of claim 10, wherein the biasing element comprises a spring which contacts the peg and the lancet holding member.

18. The lancet device of claim 10, wherein the housing further comprises a distal end opening.

19. The lancet device of claim 18, further comprising an end cap covering the distal end opening of the housing.

20. The lancet device of claim 19, wherein a portion of the end cap is positioned within the housing.

21. The lancet device of claim 19, further comprising an additional biasing element which biases the end cap toward the housing.

22. The lancet device of claim 10, further comprising indicia to indicate penetration depth.

23. The lancet device of claim 22, wherein:

the biasing element comprises a spring which contacts the peg and the lancet holding member.

24. A lancet device, comprising:

a housing having a proximal end opening;

a cover having an opening, wherein the cover is capable of covering the proximal end opening of the housing and contacting the skin of a user to position the lancet device;

the cover having a portion which slides over an external surface of the housing;

a lancet holding member within the housing, the lancet holding member being capable of holding a lancet;

a biasing element which biases the lancet holding member toward the proximal end opening of the housing;

a trigger which holds and releases the lancet holding member toward the proximal end opening of the housing;

a depth adjustment mechanism rotatable mounted on the housing, the depth adjustment mechanism including a protrusion which interacts with the lancet holding member to adjust a length of travel of the lancet holding member to allow needle penetration depth adjustment wherein the depth adjustment mechanism is out of contact with the cover when the cover is covering the proximal end opening of the housing;

the housing further comprises a distal end opening;

an end cap covering the distal end opening of the housing; and

wherein the end cap is associated with the lancet holding member, and wherein the lancet device is cocked by pulling the end cap away from the housing until the trigger engages the lancet holding member.

25. A lancet device, comprising:

a housing having a proximal end opening;

a cover having an opening, wherein the cover is capable of covering the proximal end opening of the housing and contacting the skin of a user to position the lancet device;

the cover having a portion which slides over an external surface of the housing;

a lancet holding member within the housing, the lancet holding member being capable of holding a lancet;

a biasing element which biases the lancet holding member toward the proximal end opening of the housing;

a trigger which holds and releases the lancet holding member toward the proximal end opening of the housing;

a depth adjustment mechanism rotatable mounted on the housing, the depth adjustment mechanism including a protrusion which interacts with the lancet holding member to adjust a length of travel of the lancet holding member to allow needle penetration depth adjustment, wherein the depth adjustment mechanism is out of contact with the cover when the cover is covering the proximal end opening of the housing; and

wherein;

the housing further comprises a distal end opening,

an end cap covers the distal end opening of the housing,

an additional biasing element biases the end cap toward the housing,

the end cap is associated with the lancet holding member, and

the lancet device is cocked by pulling the end cap away from the housing until the trigger engages the lancet holding member.

26. A lancet device, comprising:

a housing having a proximal end opening;

a cover having an opening, wherein the cover is capable of covering the proximal end opening of the housing and contacting the skin of a user to position the lancet device;

a lancet holding member within the housing, the lancet holding member being capable of holding a lancet;

a biasing element which biases the lancet holding member toward the proximal end opening of the housing;

a trigger which holds and releases the lancet holding member toward the proximal end opening of the housing;

a depth adjustment mechanism rotatable mounted on the housing, the depth adjustment mechanism including a protrusion which interacts with the lancet holding member to adjust a length of travel of the lancet holding member to allow needle penetration depth adjustment, wherein the depth adjustment mechanism is out of contact with the cover when the cover is covering the proximal end opening of the housing; and

wherein;

the lancet holding member comprises a slot,

a peg on the housing engages the slot,

the biasing element comprises a spring which contacts the peg and the lancet holding member,

the housing further comprises a distal end opening,

an end cap covers the distal end opening of the housing,

an additional biasing element biases the end cap toward the housing,

the end cap is associated with the lancet holding member, and

the lancet device is cocked by pulling the end cap away from the housing until the trigger engages the lancet holding member.

27. A lancet device, comprising:

a housing having a proximal end opening;

a cover having an opening, wherein the cover is capable of covering the proximal end opening of the housing and contacting the skin of a user to position the lancet device;

a lancet holding member within the housing, the lancet holding member being capable of holding a lancet, the lancet holding member comprising a slot;

a peg contained within the housing, the peg engaging the slot;

a biasing element which biases the lancet holding member toward the proximal end opening of the housing;

a trigger which holds and releases the lancet holding member toward the proximal end opening of the housing; and

a depth adjustment mechanism movably mounted on the housing, the depth adjustment mechanism including a protrusion which interacts with the lancet holding member to adjust a length of travel of the lancet holding member.

28. The lancet device of claim 27, wherein movement of the depth adjustment mechanism is limited by the housing.

29. The lancet device of claim 27, wherein the depth adjustment mechanism is rotatably mounted on the housing.

30. The lancet device of claim 29, wherein rotation of the depth adjustment mechanism is limited by the housing.

31. The lancet device of claim 27, wherein movement of the depth adjustment mechanism adjusts a contact position between the protrusion of the depth adjustment mechanism and the lancet holding member to adjust the length of travel of the lancet holding member.

32. The lancet device of claim 27, further comprising a cocking mechanism.

33. The lancet device of claim 27, wherein the lancet holding member comprises an engagement segment which engages the trigger.

34. The lancet device of claim 33, wherein the engagement segment is biased outward so that the engagement segment engages the housing when the lancet device is cocked.

35. The lancet device of claim 27, wherein the biasing element comprises a spring.

36. The lancet device of claim 35, wherein the spring contacts the peg and the lancet holding member.

37. The lancet device of claim 27, wherein the housing further comprises a distal end opening.

38. The lancet device of claim 37, further comprising an end cap covering the distal end opening of the housing.

39. The lancet device of claim 38, further comprising an additional biasing element which biases the end cap toward the housing.

40. The lancet device of claim 38, wherein the end cap is associated with the lancet holding member, and wherein the lancet device is cocked by pulling the end cap away from the housing until the trigger engages the lancet holding member.

41. The lancet device of claim 40, wherein a portion of the end cap is positioned within the housing.

42. The lancet device of claim 27, further comprising indicia to indicate penetration depth.

43. The lancet device of claim 27, wherein:

the housing further comprises a distal end opening,

an end cap covers the distal end opening of the housing,

an additional biasing element biases the end cap toward the housing,

the end cap is associated with the lancet holding member, and

the lancet device is cocked by pulling the end cap away from the housing until the trigger engages the lancet holding member.

44. A lancet device, comprising:

a housing having a proximal end opening;

a cover having an opening, wherein the cover is capable of covering the proximal end opening of the housing and contacting the skin of a user to position the lancet device;

a lancet holding member within the housing, the lancet holding member being capable of holding a lancet;

a biasing element which biases the lancet holding member toward the proximal end opening of the housing;

a trigger which holds and releases the lancet holding member toward the proximal end opening of the housing;

a depth adjustment mechanism movably mounted on the housing, the depth adjustment mechanism including a protrusion which interacts with the lancet holding member to adjust a length of travel of the lancet holding member to allow needle penetration depth adjustment, wherein the protrusion is distal of at least a portion of the biasing element; and

wherein the lancet holding member comprises a slot, and wherein a peg on the housing engages the slot.

45. The lancet device of claim 44, wherein movement of the depth adjustment mechanism is limited by the housing.

46. The lancet device of claim 44, wherein the depth adjustment mechanism is rotatably mounted on the housing.

47. The lancet device of claim 46, wherein rotation of the depth adjustment mechanism is limited by the housing.

48. The lancet device of claim 44, wherein movement of the depth adjustment mechanism adjusts a contact position between the protrusion of the depth adjustment mechanism and the lancet holding member to adjust the length of travel of the lancet holding member.

49. The lancet device of claim 44, further comprising a cocking mechanism.

50. The lancet device of claim 44, wherein the lancet holding member comprises an engagement segment which engages the trigger.

51. The lancet device of claim 50, wherein the engagement segment is biased outward so that the engagement segment engages the housing when the lancet device is cocked.

52. The lancet device of claim 44, wherein the biasing element comprises a spring.

53. The lancet device of claim 44, wherein the biasing element comprises a spring which contacts the peg and the lancet holding member.

54. The lancet device of claim 44, wherein the housing further comprises a distal end opening.

55. The lancet device of claim 54, further comprising an end cap covering the distal end opening of the housing.

56. The lancet device of claim 55, further comprising an additional biasing element which biases the end cap toward the housing.

57. The lancet device of claim 55, wherein a portion of the end cap is positioned within the housing.

58. The lancet device of claim 44, further comprising indicia to indicate penetration depth.

59. The lancet device of claims 58, wherein:

the biasing element comprises a spring which contacts the peg and the lancet holding member.

60. The lancet device of claim 44, wherein the depth adjustment mechanism is rotatably mounted on the housing.

61. The lancet device of claim 60, wherein rotation of the depth adjustment mechanism is limited by the housing.

62. A lancet device, comprising:

a housing having a proximal end opening;

a cover having an opening, wherein the cover is capable of covering the proximal end opening of the housing and contacting the skin of a user to position the lancet device;

the cover having a portion which slides over an external surface of the housing;

a lancet holding member within the housing, the lancet holding member being capable of holding a lancet;

a biasing element which biases the lancet holding member toward the proximal end opening of the housing;

a trigger which holds and releases the lancet holding member toward the proximal end opening of the housing;

a depth adjustment mechanism movably mounted on the housing, the depth adjustment mechanism including a protrusion which interacts with the lancet holding member to adjust a length of travel of the lancet holding member to allow needle penetration depth adjustment, wherein the protrusion is distal of at least a portion of the biasing element;

the housing further comprises a distal end opening;

an end cap covering the distal end opening of the housing; and

wherein the end cap is associated with the lancet holding member, and wherein the lancet device is cocked by pulling the end cap away from the housing until the trigger engages the lancet holding member.

63. A lancet device, comprising:

a housing having a proximal end opening;

a cover having an opening, wherein the cover is capable of covering the proximal end opening of the housing and contacting the skin of a user to position the lancet device;

the cover having a portion which slides over an external surface of the housing;

a lancet holding member within the housing, the lancet holding member being capable of holding a lancet;

a biasing element which biases the lancet holding member toward the proximal end opening of the housing;

a trigger which holds and releases the lancet holding member toward the proximal end opening of the housing;

a depth adjustment mechanism movably mounted on the housing, the depth adjustment mechanism including a protrusion which interacts with the lancet holding member to adjust a length of travel of the lancet holding member to allow needle penetration depth adjustment, wherein the protrusion is distal of at least a portion of the biasing element; and

wherein;

the housing further comprises a distal end opening,

an end cap covers the distal end opening of the housing,

an additional biasing element biases the end cap toward the housing,

the end cap is associated with the lancet holding member, and

the lancet device is cocked by pulling the end cap away from the housing until the trigger engages the lancet holding member.

64. A lancet device, comprising:

a housing having a proximal end opening;

a cover having an opening, wherein the cover is capable of covering the proximal end opening of the housing and contacting the skin of a user to position the lancet device;

a lancet holding member within the housing, the lancet holding member being capable of holding a lancet;

a biasing element which biases the lancet holding member toward the proximal end opening of the housing;

a trigger which holds and releases the lancet holding member toward the proximal end opening of the housing;

a depth adjustment mechanism movably mounted on the housing, the depth adjustment mechanism including a protrusion which interacts with the lancet holding member to adjust a length of travel of the lancet holding member to allow needle penetration depth adjustment, wherein the protrusion is distal of at least a portion of the biasing element; and

wherein;

the lancet holding member comprises a slot,

a peg on the housing engages the slot,

the biasing element comprises a spring which contacts the peg and the lancet holding member,

the housing further comprises a distal end opening,

an end cap covers the distal end opening of the housing,

an additional biasing element biases the end cap toward the housing,

the end cap is associated with the lancet holding member, and

the lancet device is cocked by pulling the end cap away from the housing until the trigger engages the lancet holding member.

65. A lancet device, comprising:

a housing having a proximal end opening;

a cover having an opening, wherein the cover is capable of covering the proximal end opening of the housing and contacting the skin of a user to position the lancet device;

a lancet holding member within the housing, the lancet holding member being capable of holding a lancet, the lancet holding member comprising a slot;

a biasing element which biases the lancet holding member toward the proximal end opening of the housing;

a trigger which holds and releases the lancet holding member toward the proximal end opening of the housing;

a depth adjustment mechanism movably mounted on the housing, the depth adjustment mechanism including a protrusion which interacts with the lancet holding member to adjust a length of travel of the lancet holding member to allow needle penetration depth adjustment, wherein the protrusion is distal of at least a portion of the slot of the lancet holding member; and

wherein the lancet holding member comprises a slot, and wherein a peg on the housing engages the slot.

66. The lancet device of claim 65, wherein movement of the depth adjustment mechanism is limited by the housing.

67. The lancet device of claim 65, wherein movement of the depth adjustment mechanism adjusts a contact position between the protrusion of the depth adjustment mechanism and the lancet holding member to adjust the length of travel of the lancet holding member.

68. The lancet device of claim 65, further comprising a cocking mechanism.

69. The lancet device of claim 65, wherein the lancet holding member comprises an engagement segment which engages the trigger.

70. The lancet device of claim 69, wherein the engagement segment is biased outward so that the engagement segment engages the housing when the lancet device is cocked.

71. The lancet device of claim 65, wherein the biasing element comprises a spring.

72. The lancet device of claim 65, wherein the biasing element comprises a spring which contacts the peg and the lancet holding member.

73. The lancet device of claim 65, wherein the housing further comprises a distal end opening.

74. The lancet device of claim 73, further comprising an end cap covering the distal end opening of the housing.

75. The lancet device of claim 74, further comprising an additional biasing element which biases the end cap toward the housing.

76. The lancet device of claim 74, wherein the end cap is associated with the lancet holding member, and wherein the lancet device is cocked by pulling the end cap away from the housing until the trigger engages the lancet holding member.

77. The lancet device of claim 74, wherein a portion of the end cap is positioned within the housing.

78. The lancet device of claim 65, further comprising indicia to indicate penetration depth.

79. The lancet device of claim 78, wherein:

the biasing element comprises a spring which contacts the peg and the lancet holding member.

80. A lancet device, comprising:

a housing having a proximal end opening;

a cover having an opening, wherein the cover is capable of covering the proximal end opening of the housing and contacting the skin of a user to position the lancet device;

the cover having a portion which slides over an external surface of the housing;

a lancet holding member within the housing, the lancet holding member being capable of holding a lancet, the lancet holding member comprising a slot;

a biasing element which biases the lancet holding member toward the proximal end opening of the housing;

a trigger which holds and releases the lancet holding member toward the proximal end opening of the housing;

a depth adjustment mechanism movably mounted on the housing, the depth adjustment mechanism including a protrusion which interacts with the lancet holding member to adjust a length of travel of the lancet holding member to allow needle penetration depth adjustment, wherein the protrusion is distal of at least a portion of the slot of the lancet holding member; and

wherein;

the housing further comprises a distal end opening,

an end cap covers the distal end opening of the housing,

an additional biasing element biases the end cap toward the housing,

the end cap is associated with the lancet holding member, and

the lancet device is cocked by pulling the end cap away from the housing until the trigger engages the lancet holding member.

81. A lancet device, comprising:

a housing having a proximal end opening;

a cover having an opening, wherein the cover is capable of covering the proximal end opening of the housing and contacting the skin of a user to position the lancet device;

a lancet holding member within the housing, the lancet holding member being capable of holding a lancet, the lancet holding member comprising a slot;

a biasing element which biases the lancet holding member toward the proximal end opening of the housing;

a trigger which holds and releases the lancet holding member toward the proximal end opening of the housing;

a depth adjustment mechanism movably mounted on the housing, the depth adjustment mechanism including a protrusion which interacts with the lancet holding member to adjust a length of travel of the lancet holding member to allow needle penetration depth adjustment, wherein the protrusion is distal of at least a portion of the slot of the lancet holding member; and

wherein;

a peg on the housing engages the slot,

the biasing element comprises a spring which contacts the peg and the lancet holding member,

the housing further comprises a distal end opening,

an end cap covers the distal end opening of the housing,

an additional biasing element biases the end cap toward the housing,

the end cap is associated with the lancet holding member, and

the lancet device is cocked by pulling the end cap away from the housing until the trigger engages the lancet holding member.

82. A lancet device, comprising:

a generally elongate housing having a forward end opening and a back end opening;

a cap with a through hole at a forward end;

a lancet holder slidably mounted within the housing;

a biasing element which biases the lancet holder toward the forward end opening of the housing;

a button, movable between a first position in which the lancet holder is restrained when the lancet device is cocked and a second position in which the restraint is removed, permitting the biasing element to thrust the lancet holder forward;

a closure at the back end of the housing, including an adjustment element comprising a protrusion that stops the forward motion of the lancet holder at a predetermined position, and wherein the adjustment element adjusts the position of the protrusion to controllably change and reset the predetermined position at which the lancet holder is stopped; and

wherein the lancet holder comprises a cantilever extension which engages the button.

83. The lancet device of claim 82, wherein movement of the adjustment element is limited by the housing.

84. The lancet device of claim 82, wherein the adjustment element is rotatably mounted on the housing.

85. The lancet device of claim 84, wherein rotation of the adjustment element is limited by the housing.

86. The lancet device of claim 82, wherein the adjustment element comprises a threaded connection for attaching the closure to the housing, whereby rotating the closure on the housing positions the protrusion forward and back.

87. The lancet device of claim 82, further comprising a cocking mechanism.

88. The lancet device of claim 82, wherein the cantilever extension is biased outward so that the cantilever extension engages the housing when the lancet device is cocked.

89. The lancet device of claim 82, wherein the biasing element has a first end which bears on the housing and a second end which bears on the lancet holder.

90. The lancet device of claim 82, wherein the biasing element comprises a spring.

91. The lancet device of claim 82, further comprising an additional biasing element which biases the closure toward the housing.

92. The lancet device of claim 82, wherein a portion of the closure is positioned within the housing.

93. The lancet device of claim 82, further comprising indicia to indicate penetration depth.

94. The lancet device of claim 93, wherein:

the biasing element comprises a spring which contacts the peg and the lancet holder.

95. A lancet device, comprising:

a generally elongate housing having a forward end opening and a back end opening;

a cap with a through hole at a forward end;

a lancet holder slidably mounted within the housing;

a biasing element which biases the lancet holder toward the forward end opening of the housing;

a button, movable between a first position in which the lancet holder is restrained when the lancet device is cocked and a second position in which the restraint is removed, permitting the biasing element to thrust the lancet holder forward;

a closure at the back end of the housing, including an adjustment element comprising a protrusion that stops the forward motion of the lancet holder at a predetermined position, and wherein the adjustment element adjusts the position of the protrusion to controllably change and reset the predetermined position at which the lancet holder is stopped; and

wherein the lancet holder comprises a slot, and wherein a peg on the housing engages the slot.

96. The lancet device of claim 95, wherein the biasing element comprises a spring which contacts the peg and the lancet holder.

97. A lancet device, comprising:

a generally elongate housing having a forward end opening and a back end opening;

a cap with a through hole at a forward end;

the cap having a portion which slides over an external surface of the housing;

a lancet holder slidably mounted within the housing;

a biasing element which biases the lancet holder toward the forward end opening of the housing;

a button, movable between a first position in which the lancet holder is restrained when the lancet device is cocked and a second position in which the restraint is removed, permitting the biasing element to thrust the lancet holder forward;

a closure at the back end of the housing, including an adjustment element comprising a protrusion that stops the forward motion of the lancet holder at a predetermined position, and wherein the adjustment element adjusts the position of the protrusion to controllably change and reset the predetermined position at which the lancet holder is stopped; and

wherein the lancet device is cocked by pulling the closure away from the housing until the button engages the lancet holder.

98. A lancet device, comprising:

a generally elongate housing having a forward end opening and a back end opening;

a cap with a through hole at a forward end;

the cap having a portion which slides over an external surface of the housing;

a lancet holder slidably mounted within the housing;

a biasing element which biases the lancet holder toward the forward end opening of the housing;

a button, movable between a first position in which the lancet holder is restrained when the lancet device is cocked and a second position in which the restraint is removed, permitting the biasing element to thrust the lancet holder forward;

a closure at the back end of the housing, including an adjustment element comprising a protrusion that stops the forward motion of the lancet holder at a predetermined position, and wherein the adjustment element adjusts the position of the protrusion to controllably change and reset the predetermined position at which the lancet holder is stopped; and

wherein;

an additional biasing element biases the closure toward the housing, and the lancet device is cocked by pulling the closure away from the housing until the button engages the lancet holder.

99. A lancet device, comprising:

a generally elongate housing having a forward end opening and a back end opening;

a cap with a through hole at a forward end;

a lancet holder slidably mounted within the housing;

a biasing element which biases the lancet holder toward the forward end opening of the housing;

a button, movable between a first position in which the lancet holder is restrained when the lancet device is cocked and a second position in which the restraint is removed, permitting the biasing element to thrust the lancet holder forward;

a closure at the back end of the housing, including an adjustment element comprising a protrusion that stops the forward motion of the lancet holder at a predetermined position, and wherein the adjustment element adjusts the position of the protrusion to controllably change and reset the predetermined position at which the lancet holder is stopped; and

wherein;

the lancet holder comprises a slot,

a peg on the housing engages the slot,

the biasing element comprises a spring which contacts the peg and the lancet holder,

an additional biasing element biases the closure toward the housing, and

the lancet device is cocked by pulling the closure away from the housing until the button engages the lancet holder.