Microsampling device with re-use prevention

Abstract

A lancing device including a spring-driven lancet translationally mounted within a housing. The lancet has at least one resilient finger extending outwardly therefrom and engageable within a cooperating recess formed in the housing to prevent re-use of the lancing device. A depth-adjustment knob is optionally included for contacting the housing to limit the travel of the lancet and thereby control the depth of penetration.

1 - 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . A single-use lancing device comprising a spring-driven lancet translationally mounted within a housing, the lancet comprising at least one resilient finger extending outwardly therefrom, each said at least one resilient finger engageable within a cooperating recess formed in the housing to prevent re-use of the lancing device. 
     
     
         11 . The single-use lancing device of  claim 10 , further comprising a cocking arm connected to the lancet, said cocking arm comprising at least one fin for releasable engagement with a flange projecting inwardly from the housing to constrain the lancet in a cocked position. 
     
     
         12 . The single-use lancing device of  claim 11 , further comprising a depth-adjustment knob for contacting the flange to limit the travel of said lancet. 
     
     
         13 . The single-use lancing device of  claim 10 , further comprising means for retracting the lancet into the housing after firing. 
     
     
         14 . The single-use lancing device of  claim 10 , further comprising a sterility cap detachably secured to the lancet. 
     
     
         15 . A lancing device comprising:
 a housing having a first end, a second end, and at least one side wall defining a chamber between said first and second ends;   a lancet translationally mounted within the chamber of said housing;   a spring engaged between said lancet and said housing to drive said lancet from a cocked position toward a lancing position upon firing of the lancing device;   a cocking arm connected to said lancet, said cocking arm comprising at least one fin for releasable engagement with the housing to constrain said lancet in the cocked position; and   a depth-adjustment knob for contacting the housing to limit the travel of said lancet at the lancing position.   
     
     
         16 . The lancing device of  claim 15 , wherein said housing comprises a flange extending transversely from said at least one side wall, and wherein the depth-adjustment knob contacts the flange to limit the travel of the lancet at the lancing position. 
     
     
         17 . The lancing device of  claim 16 , wherein said cocking arm comprises at least one shaft having a first end connected to the lancet and a second end connected to a cocking grip, the shaft comprising a fin extending outwardly therefrom for releasable engagement with the flange of said housing to constrain said lancet in the cocked position. 
     
     
         18 . The lancing device of  claim 15 , wherein said lancet comprises at least one resilient finger for engagement within a cooperating recess formed in said housing to prevent reuse of said lancing device after firing. 
     
     
         19 . The lancing device of  claim 15 , wherein the spring retracts at least a tip portion of the lancet into the housing after firing. 
     
     
         20 . The lancing device of  claim 15 , further comprising a sterility cap detachably secured to the lancet. 
     
     
         21 . A lancing device comprising:
 a housing defining a shoulder therein;   a lancet movable relative to the housing along a lancing stroke, the lancet comprising a resilient member extending therefrom, the resilient member engageable with the shoulder of the housing to prevent re-use; and   a depth-adjustment member for limiting the lancing stroke of said lancet.   
     
     
         22 . The lancing device of  claim 21 , wherein the shoulder comprises an end of a recess formed in an internal wall of the housing. 
     
     
         23 . The lancing device of  claim 21 , wherein the lancet comprises a pair of resilient members extending from opposite sides thereof, each engaging a corresponding shoulder portion in the housing. 
     
     
         24 . The lancing device of  claim 21 , wherein the housing comprises a flange extending from a sidewall portion thereof. 
     
     
         25 . The lancing device of  claim 24 , further comprising a spring engaged between the flange of the housing and the lancet. 
     
     
         26 . The lancing device of  claim 24 , further comprising a cocking arm extending from the lancet and through the flange of the housing. 
     
     
         27 . The lancing device of  claim 26 , wherein the depth-adjustment member comprises a dial rotationally mounted to the cocking arm, and having a portion extending therefrom for contacting the flange of the housing to limit the lancing stroke of the lancet. 
     
     
         28 . The lancing device of  claim 26 , wherein the cocking arm comprises at least one fin for releasably engaging the flange when the device is in a charged state.