Lancets with improved coupling features and sterility caps

Abstract

Improved lancet configurations and protective lancet endcap configurations are disclosed. In example forms, one or more flexing cantilevers project from the lancet body for coupling with a cooperating receiver of a lancing device. A gripping handle extends from a sterility cap for ease of removal from and replacement over the lancet tip. A lancet body has a smoothly curved wave contour with at least one crest and at least one trough for engagement with a cooperating receiver of a lancing device.

1 . A lancet comprising a lancet body, a sharp lancing tip projecting from a first end of the lancet body, and at least one resilient coupling member for releasable engagement with a cooperating coupling member of a lancing device. 
     
     
         2 . The lancet of  claim 1 , wherein the resilient coupling members comprise cantilevered fingers having a first end connected to the lancet body and a second free end distal from the lancet body. 
     
     
         3 . The lancet of  claim 1 , wherein the resilient coupling members comprise flexing bows having first and second ends connected to the lancet body and medial portions between the first and second ends separated a distance from the lancet body to define an opening therebetween. 
     
     
         4 . The lancet of  claim 3 , wherein the opening is substantially D-shaped. 
     
     
         5 . The lancet of  claim 3 , wherein the medial portion comprises a knob projecting away from the lancet body at its outermost extent. 
     
     
         6 . The lancet of  claim 3 , comprising first and second pairs of flexing bows, with a forward pair of bows being larger than a rearward pair of bows. 
     
     
         7 . The lancet of  claim 1 , wherein the resilient coupling members comprise a flexible portion of the lancet body. 
     
     
         8 . The lancet of  claim 1 , wherein the resilient coupling members are symmetrically arranged along the lancet body in opposed pairs. 
     
     
         9 . The lancet of  claim 1 , wherein a second end of the lancet body opposite the first end of the lancet body comprises a tapered lead-in profile. 
     
     
         10 . The lancet of  claim 1 , wherein the lancet body comprises a first narrower dimension proximal the rear end of the lancet, a wider dimension around the middle of the lancet, and a second narrower dimension toward the forward end. 
     
     
         11 . The lancet of  claim 10 , wherein the wider dimention is at least about 1.1 times the lesser of the first and second narrower dimensions. 
     
     
         12 . A protective sterility cap for a lancet, said sterility cap comprising a primary sheath for initial embedment of a sharp lancing tip of an unused lancet therein, and a gripping handle portion extending from the primary sheath. 
     
     
         13 . The protective sterility cap of  claim 12 , in combination with a lancet. 
     
     
         14 . The protective sterility cap of  claim 12 , further comprising a secondary sheath for receiving the sharp lancing tip of a used lancet, the gripping handle portion extending between the primary sheath and the secondary sheath. 
     
     
         15 . The protective sterility cap of  claim 12 , further comprising at least one flat display surface for placement of branding indicia thereon. 
     
     
         16 . The protective sterility cap of  claim 12 , wherein the gripping handle portion comprises at least one open loop. 
     
     
         17 . The protective sterility cap of  claim 12 , wherein the gripping handle portion comprises a solid body without an open loop. 
     
     
         18 . The protective sterility cap of  claim 12 , in combination with a lancet having a lancet body defining a lancet thickness, and a sharp lancet tip initially embedded in the primary sheath, wherein the gripping handle portion defines a lateral span of at least 1.5 times the lancet thickness. 
     
     
         19 . The protective sterility cap of  claim 18 , wherein the gripping handle portion defines a length at least equal to its lateral span. 
     
     
         20 . The protective sterility cap of  claim 18 , wherein the gripping handle portion defines a length at least equal to the lancet thickness. 
     
     
         21 . A lancet having a lancet body with a sharp lancing tip projecting from an end thereof, said lancet body comprising opposed first and second sides each defining a smoothly curved wave contour with a trough and a crest. 
     
     
         22 . The lancet of  claim 21 , further comprising an expanded disc or flange at an end of the lancet body. 
     
     
         23 . The lancet of  claim 21 , wherein the lancet body is flattened, having a width and a thickness, and wherein the width is substantially greater than the thickness. 
     
     
         24 . The lancet of  claim 23 , wherein an aspect ratio of the width relative to the thickness is at least 3:2. 
     
     
         25 . The lancet of  claim 21 , wherein the lancet body defines a first narrower dimension proximal a rear end of the lancet, a wider dimension at a medial portion of the lancet, and a second narrower dimension proximal a forward end of the lancet. 
     
     
         26 . The lancet of  claim 25 , wherein the wider dimension is at least about 1.1 times the lesser of the first and second narrower dimensions. 
     
     
         27 . A lancet system comprising:
 a lancet having a lancet body and a sharp lancing tip projecting from the lancet body, wherein the lancet body comprises at least one resilient coupling member and defines a lancet body thickness; and   an endcap having a primary shroud portion initially surrounding the sharp lancing tip of the lancet, a secondary shroud portion for placement over the sharp lancing tip of the lancet after use, and a handle portion extending between the primary shroud portion and the secondary shroud portion.   
     
     
         28 . The lancet system of  claim 27 , wherein the at least one resilient coupling member comprises an opposed pair of resilient coupling members. 
     
     
         29 . The lancet system of  claim 27 , wherein the at least one resilient coupling member comprises first and second opposed pairs of resilient coupling members. 
     
     
         30 . The lancet system of  claim 27 , wherein the at least one resilient coupling member comprises a cantilevered finger having a first end connected to the lancet body and a second free end extending away from the lancet body. 
     
     
         31 . The lancet system of  claim 27 , wherein the at least one resilient coupling member comprises a flexible loops having first and second ends connected to the lancet body and a medial portion between the first and second ends separated a distance from the lancet body to define an open hollow. 
     
     
         32 . The lancet system of  claim 27 , wherein the at least one resilient coupling member comprises a flexible panel of the lancet body. 
     
     
         33 . The lancet system of  claim 27 , wherein the handle portion of the endcap has a lateral span of at least 1.5 times the lancet body thickness. 
     
     
         34 . The protective sterility cap of  claim 33 , wherein the handle portion of the endcap defines a length at least equal to its lateral span. 
     
     
         35 . The protective sterility cap of  claim 33 , wherein the handle portion of the endcap defines a length at least equal to the lancet thickness.