Lancing device with trigger mechanism for penetration depth control

• US 20050096686A1
• Filed: 10/31/2003
• Published: 05/05/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lifescan Incorporated (Duv Holding Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lifescan Incorporated (Duv Holding Corporation)
• Inventors: Allen, John J.
• Application Number:
  US10/698,775
• Publication Number:
  US 20050096686A1
• 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 5/150183 Depth adjustment mechanism using end caps mounted at the distal end of the sampling device, i.e. the end-caps are adjustably positioned relative to the piercing device housing for example by rotating or screwing
• 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 5/15107 Piercing being assisted by a triggering mechanism
• 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 5/1519 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

A lancing device includes a housing, a lancing mechanism operatively attached to the housing, a pressure tip and a trigger mechanism. The pressure tip is moveably attached to the housing and is configured to engage a target site and create a target site bulge. The trigger mechanism is configured for detecting a target site bulge of a predetermined height and, thereafter, triggering an immobilization of the pressure tip with respect to the housing. The immobilization of the pressure tip prevents further change in the location of the target site bulge relative to the housing. Since the location of target site bulge relative to the housing is controlled by the trigger mechanism, via immobilization of the pressure tip, penetration depth is consistent. A method for lancing a target site includes providing the lancing device described above and contacting a pressure tip of the lancing device with the target site. Next, the pressure tip is urged towards the target site, thereby creating target site bulge that is detected by a trigger mechanism of the lancing device. Subsequently, an immobilization of the pressure tip with respect to a housing of the lancing device is triggered. Thereafter, the target site bulge is lanced with a lancet mechanism of the lancing device.

Claims

1. A lancing device comprising:

a housing;

a lancing mechanism operatively attached to the housing,

a pressure tip for engaging a target site and creating a target site bulge, the pressure tip moveably attached to the housing; and

a trigger mechanism for detecting a target site bulge of a predetermined height and, thereafter, triggering an immobilization of the pressure tip with respect to the housing, thereby preventing subsequent change in target site bulge location relative to said housing.

2. The lancing device of claim 1, wherein the lancing device further includes:

a bias spring for applying a pre-load force against the pressure tip.

3. The lancing device of claim 2, wherein the bias spring is configured to apply a pre-load force in the range of 3N to 13 N against the pressure tip.

4. The lancing device of claim 2, wherein the bias spring is configured to apply a pre-load force in the range of 9N to 10 N against the pressure tip.

5. The lancing device of claim 1, wherein the trigger mechanism includes at least one locking pawl and at least one pawl trigger arm.

6. The lancing device of claim 5, wherein the locking pawl includes pawl ratchet teeth and wherein the pressure tip includes pressure tip ratchet teeth.

7. The lancing device of claim 1, wherein the trigger mechanism includes a frictional clutch for immobilizing the pressure tip.

8. The lancing device of claim 1, wherein the trigger mechanism includes an optical relay switch configured to detect a target site bulge of a predetermined height.

9. The lancing device of claim 1, wherein the trigger mechanism includes an electrical relay switch.

10. The lancing device of claim 1, wherein the trigger mechanism is configured to initiate lancing by the lancing mechanism once the pressure tip has been immobilized.

11. A method for lancing a target site, the method comprising:

providing a lancing device that includes;

a housing;

a lancing mechanism operatively attached to the housing,

a pressure tip for engaging a target site and creating a target site bulge, the pressure tip moveably attached to the housing; and

a trigger mechanism for detecting a target site bulge of a predetermined height and, thereafter, triggering an immobilization of the pressure tip with respect to the housing, thereby preventing subsequent change in target site bulge location relative to said housing;

contacting the pressure tip with the target site;

urging the pressure tip towards the target site, thereby creating target site bulge that is detected by the trigger mechanism and triggering an immobilization of the pressure tip with respect to the housing; and

lancing the target site bulge with the lancet mechanism.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the target site is a dermal tissue target site.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the providing step provides a lancing device that further includes a bias spring for applying a pre-load force against the pressure tip.