Adjustable lancet device and method

Abstract

Lancet device that includes a body. A front cover includes a skin engaging end that includes a lancet opening through which a lancet needle extends. A holding member is movably mounted within the body. The holding member includes a front end and a rear end. The front end is configured to receive a lancet. A main spring is disposed between the front and rear ends of the holding member. A first stop surface is arranged on a front portion of the holding member. A second stop surface is axially retained to a front portion of the body. At least partial rotation of the front cover causes the skin engaging end to move axially relative to the second stop surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A lancet device, comprising:
 a removable cover comprising a skin engaging end that includes a lancet opening through which a lancet needle may extend;   a axially movable holding member comprising a front end and a rear end;   the front end being configured to receive a lancet;   a first spring disposed between the front and rear ends of the holding member;   a first stop surface arranged on a front portion of the holding member;   a fixed second stop surface; and   a back cap configured to move between a retracted position and an original position,   wherein at least partial rotation of the front cover causes the skin engaging end to move axially relative to the second stop surface, and   wherein contact between the first and second stop surfaces defines a puncturing position of the lancet needle.   
     
     
         2 . The lancet device of  claim 1 , wherein the back cap is configured to move the holding member to a retracted position. 
     
     
         3 . The lancet device of  claim 1 , wherein the back cap is coupled to a surface that engages the rear end of the holding member. 
     
     
         4 . The lancet device of  claim 1 , wherein the back cap includes a surface that engages the rear end of the holding member. 
     
     
         5 . The lancet device of  claim 4 , wherein the back cap comprises an opening that receives a rear end of the holding member. 
     
     
         6 . The lancet device of  claim 1 , wherein the back cap includes a surface that engages projections disposed on the rear end of the holding member. 
     
     
         7 . The lancet device of  claim 1 , further comprising a second spring for biasing the back cap towards an original position. 
     
     
         8 . The lancet device of  claim 1 , wherein the first spring biases the holding member towards an extended position, and further comprising a second spring for biasing the holding member in an opposite direction. 
     
     
         9 . The lancet device of  claim 8 , wherein said first spring and said second spring are arranged to surround portions of the holding member. 
     
     
         10 . The lancet device of  claim 8 , wherein the first spring is coupled one side of the holding member and to a surface of the body. 
     
     
         11 . The lancet device of  claim 1 , further comprising a locking member mounted to the rear end of the holding member. 
     
     
         12 . The lancet device of  claim 1 , further comprising a trigger is movably mounted to the body. 
     
     
         13 . The lancet device of  claim 1 , further comprising a mechanism for at least temporarily maintaining a depth setting position of the front cover. 
     
     
         14 . The lancet device of  claim 1 , wherein the holding member comprises an integrally formed deflecting member that engages a surface of the body. 
     
     
         15 . The lancet device of  claim 1 , further comprising a deflecting member configured to be deflected by a trigger. 
     
     
         16 . The lancet device of  claim 1 , further comprising indicia arranged on at least one of the front cover and the body. 
     
     
         17 . The lancet device of  claim 1 , wherein the first spring is disposed between a trigger and the back cap. 
     
     
         18 . A method of puncturing a surface of skin using the lancet device of  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 adjusting a set depth of penetration of the needle by rotating the front cover to a desired set position;   disposing the skin engaging end of the lancet device against a user's skin; and   triggering the lancet needle to penetrate the user's skin,   wherein the puncture allows a blood sample to be taken.   
     
     
         19 . A lancet device with depth of penetration adjustment, comprising:
 a body;   a trigger;   a front cover comprising a skin engaging end that includes a lancet opening through which a lancet needle may extend;   a holding member movably mounted within the body, the holding member comprising a front end and a rear end;   the front end being configured to receive a lancet comprising a lancet needle;   a first spring disposed inside the body between the front end of the holding member and a surface of the body;   a back cap configured to move the holding member to a retracted position and having a portion which extends within a rear portion of the body;   a second spring disposed between the rear end of the holding member and a surface of the back cap;   a moveable stop surface coupled to a front portion of the holding member and being disposed inside the body; and   a fixed stop surface disposed inside the body,   wherein at least partial rotation of the front cover causes the skin engaging end to move axially relative to the fixed stop surface, and   wherein contact between the movable and fixed stop surfaces defines one of a plurality of puncturing positions of the lancet needle.   
     
     
         20 . A lancet device comprising:
 a first housing comprising a proximal end and a distal end;   a removably and rotatably mounted cap;   a member having a proximal end portion structured and arranged to hold a lancet, the member being at least partially contained within the first housing;   a first spring for biasing the member towards an extended position;   the first spring surrounding a portion of the member and having a distal end which contacts a portion of the first housing and a proximal end which contacts a portion of the member;   a trigger arranged on a side of the first housing and being positioned closer to the proximal end of the first housing than to the distal end of the first housing;   the trigger being structured and arranged to move between a first position and a second position and to cause a triggering of the lancet device whereby the member is caused to move towards the extended position by the first spring;   a second housing comprising a distal end, a guide wall arranged at a proximal end, and an opening arranged on the guide wall;   the proximal end of the second housing being disposed within the first housing and the distal end of the second housing being disposed outside of the first housing;   at least a portion of the member being able to move within the opening of the guide wall;   the second housing being configured to move the member to the retracted position when the second housing is moved away from the first housing;   a second spring for biasing the second housing towards the first housing;   the second spring surrounding a portion of the member and being disposed between the guide wall and a projecting portion arranged at a distal end portion of the member;   a surface having an opening arranged in the first housing between the guide wall and the first spring, the opening allowing a portion of the member to pass there through,   wherein at least a portion of the member is always retained within the first housing.