Lancet having adjustable penetration depth

• US 7,947,057 B2
• Filed: 10/30/2007
• Issued: 05/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Stat Medical Devices Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Stat Medical Devices Incorporated
• Inventors: Schraga, Steven
• Primary Examiner(s): Bui; Vy Q
• Application Number:
  US11/929,164
• Publication Number:
  US 20080045992A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,302 Days
• Field of Search: 606/181, 606/182, 606/170, 606/171, 606/184, 606/185, 600/570, 600/583, 600/576, 600/575, 600/578, 604/110, 604/195, 604/197
• 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 including a first housing. A first guide wall is disposed within the first housing. The first guide wall includes an opening. A cap removably mounted to the first housing. A needle holding member for holding a lancet. At least a portion of the needle holding member being able to move within the opening. A first spring for biasing the needle holding member toward an extended position. The first spring surrounding a portion of the needle holding member and being disposed between the first guide wall and a shoulder of the needle holding member. A movable trigger having a first position and a second position. A movable second housing including a proximal end, a distal end and a second guide wall arranged at the proximal end. The second guide wall including an opening. A portion of the needle holding member being able to move within the opening of the second guide wall. The second housing being configured to move the needle holding member to the retracted position when the second housing is moved away from the first housing. The proximal end of the second housing being configured to move axially within the distal end of the first housing. A second spring for biasing the second housing towards the first housing. The second spring surrounding a portion of the needle holding member and being disposed between the second guide wall and another shoulder of the needle holding member. At least a portion of the needle holding member is always retained within the first housing.

Claims

1. A lancet device, comprising:

a housing having a proximal end and a distal end;

a cover having an opening, being removably mountable to the proximal end of the housing, and having a surface for contacting the skin of a user to position the lancet device;

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

a biasing element structured and arranged to bias the lancet holding member toward the proximal end of the housing;

the biasing element having one end contacting a portion of the lancet holding member and another end contacting a portion of the housing;

a trigger structured and arranged to contact a portion of the lancet holding member, wherein, during triggering of the lancet device, movement of the trigger releases the lancet holding member so that it can move towards the proximal end by the biasing element;

a rotatably mounted depth adjustment mechanism arranged behind the biasing element;

a protrusion that interacts with a portion of the lancet holding member to adjust a length of travel of the lancet holding member to allow needle penetration depth adjustment;

a movably mounted end cap associated with the lancet holding member and being arranged distal of the biasing element; and

the end cap comprising a proximal portion that extends into the depth adjustment mechanism and into the distal end of the housing, and a distal portion that extends outside of the depth adjustment mechanism and the distal end of the housing,

wherein the lancet device is cocked by pulling the end cap away from the housing.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising an other biasing element structured and arranged to bias the end cap towards the housing.

3. A lancet device, comprising:

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

a removable cap having a through hole and being arranged at the forward end of the housing;

a lancet holder movably mounted within the housing;

a biasing element which biases the lancet holder toward the forward end 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 protrusion arranged behind the biasing element;

the protrusion stopping the forward motion of the lancet holder at a predetermined position when a portion of the lancet holder contacts the protrusion;

a movably mounted end cap; and

an other biasing element structured and arranged to bias the end cap towards the housing,

wherein the lancet device is cocked by pulling the end cap away from the housing, and

wherein depth of penetration adjustment is determined by adjusting a position of the protrusion relative to the housing.

4. A lancet device, comprising:

a main housing having a proximal end and a distal end;

a cover having an opening, being removably mountable to the proximal end of the main housing, and having a surface for positioning the lancet device relative to a skin surface;

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

a first biasing element surrounding a portion of the lancet holding member and being structured and arranged to bias the lancet holding member toward the proximal end of the main housing;

the first biasing element having one end contacting a portion of the lancet holding member and another end;

a trigger arranged on a side of the main housing and being structured and arranged to contact a projecting portion of the lancet holding member, wherein, during triggering of the lancet device, movement of the trigger releases the lancet holding member so that it can move from a retracted position towards the proximal end of the main housing via the first biasing element;

a member having a proximal portion extending into the main housing, a distal portion arranged outside the main housing, and a wall having an opening which allows a portion of the lancet holding member to pass therethrough;

the member being structured and arranged to move the lancet holding member to the retracted position when the member is moved away from the main housing;

a second biasing element surrounding another portion of the lancet holding member and being structured and arranged to bias the member toward the proximal end of the main housing; and

the second biasing element being smaller in diameter than the first biasing element and having one end contacting a distal portion of the lancet holding member and another end contacting the wall of the member,

wherein a change in a depth of penetration adjustment of the lancet device changes an overall length of the lancet device, and

wherein the depth of penetration adjustment occurs via a rotatably mounted penetration depth adjustment mechanism, wherein the trigger is arranged closer to the proximal end than to the distal end of the main housing, and further comprising a second wall allowing a portion of the lancet holding member to pass therethrough and being arranged between the wall and the other end of the first biasing element.

5. A lancet device, comprising:

a main housing having a sidewall, a front end, and a rear end;

a cover having an opening and a surface for positioning the lancet device relative to a skin surface;

the cover being removably mountable to the front end of the main housing;

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

a first biasing element surrounding a portion of the lancet holding member and being structured and arranged to bias the lancet holding member toward the front end of the main housing;

the first biasing element having one end contacting a portion of the lancet holding member and another end;

a trigger arranged on the sidewall of the main housing, wherein, during triggering of the lancet device, movement of the trigger releases the lancet holding member so that it can move from a retracted position towards the front end of the main housing via the first biasing element;

a member having a front portion extending into the rear end of the main housing, a rear portion extending out past the rear end of the main housing, and a first wall having an opening which allows a portion of the lancet holding member to pass therethrough;

the member having an axial length that is shorter than an axial length of the main housing;

the member being structured and arranged to move the lancet holding member to the retracted position when the member is moved back away from the main housing;

a second biasing element surrounding another portion of the lancet holding member and being structured and arranged to bias the member toward the front end of the main housing;

the second biasing element having one end contacting a rear portion of the lancet holding member and another end contacting the first wall;

a second wall arranged in the main housing and having an opening allowing a portion of the lancet holding member to pass therethrough; and

the second wall being arranged between the first wall and the other end of the first biasing element,

wherein a change in a depth of penetration adjustment of the lancet device changes an overall length of the lancet device,

wherein the lancet device is placed in a trigger-set position by movement of the member back away from the main housing until a projection of the lancet holding member is engaged, and

wherein the member is used to cock the lancet device, wherein the front portion of the member is cylindrical, wherein, when the member moves, an outer cylindrical surface slidably engages with an inner cylindrical surface, wherein the depth of penetration adjustment occurs via a rotatably mounted penetration depth adjustment mechanism.

6. A lancet device having depth of penetration adjustment, comprising:

a main housing having a sidewall, a front end, and a rear end;

a cover having an opening and a surface for positioning the lancet device relative to a skin surface;

the cover being removably mountable to the front end of the main housing;

a lancet holding member movable within the main housing, the lancet holding member being capable of holding a lancet and comprising a deflecting portion;

a first biasing element surrounding a portion of the lancet holding member and being structured and arranged to bias the lancet holding member toward the front end of the main housing;

the first biasing element having one end contacting a portion of the lancet holding member and an other end;

a trigger arranged on the sidewall of the main housing, wherein, during triggering of the lancet device, movement of the trigger releases the lancet holding member so that it can move from a retracted position towards the front end of the main housing via the first biasing element;

a member arranged at the rear end of the main housing and comprising a rear portion extending back past the rear end of the main housing;

a first wall arranged within the member and having an opening which allows a portion of the lancet holding member to pass therethrough;

the member being structured and arranged to move the lancet holding member to the retracted position when the member is moved back away from the main housing;

a second biasing element surrounding another portion of the lancet holding member and being structured and arranged to bias the member toward the front end of the main housing;

the second biasing element having one end contacting a rear portion of the lancet holding member and another end contacting the first wall;

a second wall arranged on the main housing and having an opening allowing a portion of the lancet holding member to pass therethrough; and

the second wall being arranged between the first wall and the other end of the first biasing element,

wherein a change in the depth of penetration adjustment of the lancet device changes an overall length of the lancet device,

wherein the lancet device is placed in a trigger-set position by movement of the member back away from the main housing until a portion of the deflecting portion of the lancet holding member engages with an aperture in the main housing, whereby the lancet holding member is retained in the trigger-set position by engagement between the aperture and the portion of the deflecting portion, and

wherein the member is used to cock the lancet device, wherein the depth of penetration adjustment occurs via a rotatably mounted penetration depth adjustment mechanism, and wherein the lancet device is triggered by movement of the trigger to a position which causes disengagement between the aperture and the portion of the deflecting portion.

7. A lancet device having depth of penetration adjustment, comprising:

a main housing having a sidewall, a front end, and a rear end;

a cover having an opening and a surface for positioning the lancet device relative to a skin surface;

the cover being removably mountable to the front end of the main housing;

a lancet holding member movable within the main housing, the lancet holding member being capable of holding a lancet and comprising a deflecting portion;

a movable stop surface arranged within the main housing and that moves with the lancet holding member;

a first biasing element surrounding a portion of the lancet holding member and being structured and arranged to bias the lancet holding member toward the front end of the main housing;

the first biasing element having one end contacting a portion of the lancet holding member and an other end;

a trigger arranged on the sidewall of the main housing, wherein, during triggering of the lancet device, movement of the trigger relative to the sidewall of the main housing results in the lancet holding member moving from a retracted position towards the front end of the main housing via the first biasing element;

a wall arranged within the main housing and having an opening which allows a portion of the lancet holding member to pass therethrough;

a cocking mechanism structured and arranged to move the lancet holding member to the retracted position when the cocking mechanism is moved toward the rear end of the main housing;

a second biasing element structured and arranged to bias the cocking mechanism toward the front end of the main housing;

a depth adjustment mechanism having a first portion arranged within the main housing and a second portion extending outside the main housing; and

the depth adjustment mechanism configured to move relative to the main housing and comprising a stop surface which is configured to be contacted by the movable stop surface,

wherein the lancet device is placed in a trigger-set position by movement of the cocking mechanism relative to the main housing until a portion of the deflecting portion of the lancet holding member engages with a retaining surface.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the stop surface of the depth adjustment mechanism is movable axially and circumferentially when the depth adjustment mechanism is moved, wherein an axis of the first biasing element is axially aligned with an axis of the second biasing element, and wherein the depth of penetration adjustment occurs via rotation of the depth adjustment mechanism via a user gripping and moving the second portion of the depth adjustment mechanism.

9. A lancet device, comprising:

a main housing having a proximal end and a distal end;

a cover having an opening, being removably mountable to the proximal end of the main housing, and having a surface for positioning the lancet device relative to a skin surface;

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

a first biasing element surrounding a portion of the lancet holding member and being structured and arranged to bias the lancet holding member toward the proximal end of the main housing;

the first biasing element having one end contacting a portion of the lancet holding member and another end;

a trigger arranged on a side of the main housing and being structured and arranged to contact a projecting portion of the lancet holding member, wherein, during triggering of the lancet device, movement of the trigger releases the lancet holding member so that it can move from a retracted position towards the proximal end of the main housing via the first biasing element;

a member having a proximal portion extending into the main housing, a distal portion arranged outside the main housing, and a wall having an opening which allows a portion of the lancet holding member to pass therethrough;

the member being structured and arranged to move the lancet holding member to the retracted position when the member is moved away from the main housing;

a second biasing element surrounding another portion of the lancet holding member and being structured and arranged to bias the member toward the proximal end of the main housing;

the second biasing element having one end contacting a distal portion of the lancet holding member and another end contacting the wall of the member;

a second wall allowing a portion of the lancet holding member to pass therethrough and being arranged between the wall and the other end of the first biasing element,

wherein a change in a depth of penetration adjustment of the lancet device changes an overall length of the lancet device,

wherein the depth of penetration adjustment occurs via a rotatably mounted penetration depth adjustment mechanism, and

wherein the trigger is arranged closer to the proximal end than to the distal end of the main housing.

10. The lancet device of claim 9, wherein the second biasing element is smaller in diameter than the first biasing element.

11. A lancet device having depth of penetration adjustment, comprising:

a main housing having a proximal end and a distal end;

a cover having an opening, being removably mountable to the proximal end of the main housing, and having a surface for positioning the lancet device relative to a skin surface;

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

a first biasing element surrounding a portion of the lancet holding member and being structured and arranged to bias the lancet holding member toward the proximal end of the main housing;

the first biasing element having one end contacting a portion of the lancet holding member and another end;

a trigger arranged on a side of the main housing and comprising a portion that can be activated by a user and a portion arranged within the main housing;

the portion of the trigger arranged within the main housing being structured and arranged to contact a projecting portion of the lancet holding member, wherein, during triggering of the lancet device, movement of the trigger releases the lancet holding member so that it can move from a retracted position towards the proximal end of the main housing via the first biasing element;

a member having a first portion extending into the main housing and a second portion arranged outside the main housing;

the second portion of the member comprising a wall having an opening which allows a portion of the lancet holding member to pass therethrough;

the member being structured and arranged to move the lancet holding member to the retracted position when the member is moved away from the proximal end of the main housing;

a second biasing element surrounding another portion of the lancet holding member and being structured and arranged to bias the member toward the proximal end of the main housing;

the second biasing element having one end contacting a distal portion of the lancet holding member and another end contacting the wall of the member;

wherein a position of a stop surface changes during depth adjustment and depth of penetration is determined by contact between a stop projection arranged on the lancet holding member and the stop surface, and

wherein the trigger is arranged closer to the proximal end than to the distal end of the main housing.

12. A lancet device utilizing adjustable depth of penetration, comprising:

a main housing having a proximal end and a distal end;

a removable cover having an opening and being mountable to the proximal end of the main housing;

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

a first biasing element surrounding a portion of the lancet holding member and being structured and arranged to bias the lancet holding member toward the proximal end of the main housing;

the first biasing element having one end contacting a portion of the lancet holding member and another end;

a trigger arranged on a side of the main housing and being structured and arranged to contact a deflectable projecting portion of the lancet holding member, wherein, during triggering of the lancet device, movement of the trigger releases the lancet holding member so that it can move from a retracted position towards the proximal end of the main housing via the first biasing element;

a member having a proximal portion extending into the main housing, a distal portion arranged outside the main housing, and a wall having an opening which allows a portion of the lancet holding member to pass therethrough;

the member being structured and arranged to move the lancet holding member to the retracted position when the member is moved away from the main housing;

a second biasing element surrounding another portion of the lancet holding member and being structured and arranged to bias the member toward the proximal end of the main housing;

the second biasing element having one end contacting a distal portion of the lancet holding member and another end contacting the wall of the member;

a second wall arranged within the main housing and having an opening allowing a portion of the lancet holding member to pass therethrough; and

the second wall being arranged between the wall of the member and the other end of the first biasing element,

wherein a change in a depth of penetration adjustment changes an overall length of the lancet device, and

wherein the trigger is arranged closer to the proximal end than to the distal end of the main housing.

13. The lancet device of claim 12, wherein the depth of penetration is adjusted by rotating one part of the lancet device relative to another part of the lancet device.

14. The lancet device of claim 12, wherein each of:

the lancet holding member comprises a projection;

a stop surface is arranged within the main housing; and

the lancet holding member is structured and arranged to move between the retracted position and a position defined by contact between the projection and the stop surface.

15. The lancet device of claim 12, wherein the second biasing element is smaller in diameter than the first biasing element.