Lancet release mechanism

• US 8,784,444 B2
• Filed: 03/03/2006
• Issued: 07/22/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ascensia Diabetes Care Holdings AG (PHC Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Bayer Healthcare LLC (Bayer AG)
• Inventors: Zhong, Weiping, Ruan, Tieming, Lok, Derek
• Primary Examiner(s): Holwerda, Kathleen
• Assistant Examiner(s): SIMPSON, SARAH A
• Application Number:
  US11/885,526
• Publication Number:
  US 20090043326A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,063 Days
• Field of Search: 606/181, 606/182
• US Class Current: 606/181
• 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 5/150183 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 5/150259 Improved gripping, e.g. with high friction pattern or projections on the housing surface or an ergonometric shape
• 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 5/150816 by tactile feedback, e.g. vibration
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150824 by visual feedback
• 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 5/1519 comprising driving means, e.g. a spring, for propelling the piercing unit

Abstract

A lancet-release mechanism is adapted to be incorporated into a lancing device. The lancing device is adapted to receive a lancet assembly therein. The lancing device is adapted to move the lancet assembly between a resting position, a cocking position, and a puncture position. The lancet-release mechanism comprises a lancet holder and a cantilever beam. The lancet holder forms a central aperture. The central aperture is adapted to receive the lancet assembly therein. The lancet holder further forms a plurality of protuberances thereon. The cantilever beam has a projection extending therefrom. The projection is adapted to engage the plurality of protuberances located on the lancet holder. The projection is adapted to separate the plurality of protuberances from each other so as to enlarge the central aperture.

Claims

1. A lancet-release mechanism configured to be incorporated into a lancing device, the lancing device being configured to receive a lancet assembly therein, the lancing device being configured to move the lancet assembly between a resting position, a cocking position, and a puncture position, the lancet release mechanism comprising:

a lancet holder having an internal generally cylindrical central aperture, the internal generally cylindrical central aperture being configured to receive the lancet assembly therein, the lancet holder further having a plurality of protuberances thereon; and

a cantilever beam externally accessible from the lancing device and directly coupled to a projection extending therefrom, the projection being configured to directly engage the plurality of protuberances located on the lancet holder, the projection being configured to separate the plurality of protuberances from each other so as to enlarge the internal generally cylindrical central aperture.

2. The lancet-release mechanism of claim 1, wherein the lancet release mechanism is configured to removably engage with an endcap of the lancing device.

3. The lancet-release mechanism of claim 2, wherein the endcap includes an extension configured to assist in inhibiting an inadvertent depression of the cantilever beam.

4. The lancet-release mechanism of claim 1, wherein the lancet holder includes a ridge configured to engage a groove located on the lancet assembly, the ridge being located within the internal generally cylindrical central aperture of the lancet holder.

5. The lancet-release mechanism of claim 1, wherein the lancet holder further includes an axial slot, the protuberances being located proximate the edges of the axial slot.

6. The lancet-release mechanism of claim 1, wherein the cantilever beam is integrally formed with an external housing of the lancing device such that the cantilever beam pivots with respect to the external housing.

7. A lancet-release mechanism configured to be incorporated into a lancing device, the lancing device being configured to receive a lancet assembly therein, the lancing device being configured to move the lancet assembly between a resting position, a cocking position, and a puncture position, the lancet release mechanism comprising:

a lancet holder having an internal generally cylindrical central aperture, the internal generally cylindrical central aperture being configured to receive the lancet assembly therein, the lancet holder further having a plurality of protuberances thereon; and

a release button externally accessible from the lancing device and directly coupled to a projection extending therefrom, the projection being configured to directly engage the plurality of protuberances located on the lancet holder, the projection being configured to separate the plurality of protuberances from each other so as to enlarge the central aperture.

8. The lancet-release mechanism of claim 7, further comprising a spring mechanism located between at least of portion of the release button and the lancing device.

9. The lancet-release mechanism of claim 8, wherein the spring mechanism is an elastically deformable foam material.

10. The lancet-release mechanism of claim 7, wherein the release button is distinct from a main housing of the lancing device.

11. The lancet-release mechanism of claim 7, wherein the lancet holder further includes an axial slot, the protuberances being located proximate the edges of the axial slot.

12. A lancet-release mechanism comprising:

a lancet holder having an axial slot and an internal generally cylindrical central aperture, the internal generally cylindrical central aperture being configured to receive a lancet assembly therein, the lancet holder further having a plurality of protuberances located proximate edges of the axial slot; and

a cantilever beam externally accessible from a lancing device and directly coupled to a projection extending therefrom, the projection being configured to directly engage the plurality of protuberances located on the lancet holder, the projection being configured to separate the plurality of protuberances from each other so as to enlarge the internal generally cylindrical central aperture, the cantilever beam being integrally formed with an external housing of the lancing device such that the cantilever beam pivots with respect to the external housing.

13. The lancet-release mechanism of claim 12, wherein the axial slot runs along the entire longitudinal length of the lancet holder.

14. The lancet-release mechanism of claim 12, wherein the lancet holder includes exactly one axial slot.

15. The lancet-release mechanism of claim 12, wherein the lancet-release mechanism is configured to removably engage with an endcap of the lancing device.

16. The lancet-release mechanism of claim 15, wherein the endcap includes an extension configured to assist in inhibiting an inadvertent depression of the cantilever beam.

17. The lancet-release mechanism of claim 12, wherein the lancet holder includes a ridge configured to engage a groove located on the lancet assembly, the ridge being located within the internal generally cylindrical central aperture of the lancet holder.