Adjustable lancet device and method

Abstract

Lancet device having adjustable depth of penetration. The lancet device includes a body, 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 and including a front end and a rear end. A spring arranged to bias the holding member at least towards an extended position. A stop surface limiting movement of the holding member. An intermediate member at least one of adjustably connected to the body and threadably connected to the body. Movement of the intermediate member changes an overall length of the lancet device. This Abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A lancet device having adjustable depth of penetration, the lancet device comprising:
 a body comprising a front end and a rear end and a side disposed between the front and the rear ends;   a trigger arranged on the side of the body;   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 and comprising a front end and a rear end;   a spring disposed between the front and rear ends of the holding member;   the front end being configured to receive a replaceable lancet having the lancet needle;   a first stop surface located behind the front end and that moves with the holding member;   the first stop surface being closer to the front end of the body than to the rear end of the body;   a cocking member for moving the holding member to a trigger-set position;   another spring disposed inside the cocking member and being configured to move the cocking member to an original position; and   an intermediate member arranged between the front cover and the body and being at least one of:
 axially adjustably connected to the body; and 
 threadably connected to the body, 
   wherein the intermediate member is visible and accessible to a user so as to allow the user to grip and rotate the intermediate member relative to the body.   
     
     
         2 . The lancet device of  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate member is non-removably connected to the body and wherein the front cover is movably and removably connected to the intermediate member. 
     
     
         3 . The lancet device of  claim 1 , wherein movement of the intermediate member adjusts a depth of penetration of the lancet needle. 
     
     
         4 . The lancet device of  claim 1 , wherein the front cover is non-rotatably mounted to the intermediate member. 
     
     
         5 . The lancet device of  claim 1 , wherein the front cover is devoid of moving parts. 
     
     
         6 . The lancet device of  claim 1 , wherein the front cover comprises a one-piece plastic or synthetic resin member. 
     
     
         7 . The lancet device of  claim 1 , wherein movement of the intermediate member changes an overall length of the lancet device and wherein the intermediate member is spaced from the front cover. 
     
     
         8 . The lancet device of  claim 1 , wherein movement of the intermediate member changes an overall length of the lancet device and wherein the front cover is at least one of:
 devoid of moving parts; and   a one-piece plastic or synthetic resin member.   
     
     
         9 . The lancet device of  claim 1 , wherein the lancet device is structured and arranged to allow for replacement of the lancet and for multiple use. 
     
     
         10 . The lancet device of  claim 1 , wherein the lancet is removably connected to the front end of the holding member. 
     
     
         11 . A lancet device having adjustable depth of penetration, the lancet device comprising:
 a body comprising a front end and a rear end and a side disposed between the front and the rear ends;   a trigger arranged on the side of the body;   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 and comprising a front end and a rear end;   a spring disposed between the front and rear ends of the holding member;   the front end being configured to receive a lancet having the lancet needle;   a first stop surface that moves with the holding member;   the first stop surface being closer to the front end of the body than to the rear end of the body;   a cocking member for moving the holding member to a retracted or trigger-set position;   another spring disposed inside the cocking member and being configured to move the cocking member to an original position; and   an intermediate member arranged between the front cover and the body and being at least one of:
 axially adjustably connected to the body; and 
 threadably connected to the body, 
   wherein the intermediate member is visible and accessible to a user so as to allow the user to grip and rotate the intermediate member relative to the body, and   wherein the intermediate member is non-removably connected to the body and wherein the front cover is movably and removably connected to the intermediate member.   
     
     
         12 . A method of puncturing a surface of skin using the lancet device of  claim 11 , the method comprising:
 adjusting a depth of penetration by rotating the adjustment mechanism relative to the body to a desired set depth position;   disposing the skin engaging end against a user's skin; and   triggering the trigger to cause the lancet needle to penetrate the user's skin,   wherein the adjusting does not change a position of the stop surface relative to the body and changes an overall length of the lancet device.   
     
     
         13 . A lancet device, comprising:
 a body comprising a front end and a rear end;   a trigger arranged closer to the front end than to the rear end;   a removable 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 and comprising a rear end and a front end configured to receive a replaceable lancet having a needle;   the holding member comprising a deflecting portion;   the trigger being configured to cause the deflecting portion to disengage from a retaining surface during triggering of the lancet device;   a wall arranged within the housing;   the front end of the holding member being arranged on one side of the wall and the rear end of the holding member being arranged on another side of the wall;   a first spring structured and arranged to move the holding member to an extended position and comprising one end which contacts a portion of the holding member;   a second spring structured and arranged to move the holding member from the extended position to an intermediate position;   a first stop surface arranged on the holding member at a location behind the front end and that is closer to a front end of the body than to a rear end of the body when the holding member is in the intermediate position;   a second stop surface configured to be contacted by the first stop surface and being arranged closer to the front end of the body than to the rear end of the body;   a cocking mechanism structured and arranged to move the holding member to a retracted position when the cocking mechanism is moved toward the rear end of the body;   the cocking mechanism comprising a first portion arranged within the body and a second portion extending outside the body;   the second spring being arranged within the body and being structured and arranged to bias the cocking mechanism toward the front end of the body; and   a member comprising the second stop surface and being arranged between the trigger and a skin engaging surface of the lancet device,   wherein contact between the first and second stop surfaces defines the extended position.   
     
     
         14 . The lancet device of  claim 13 , wherein the cocking mechanism is movable along a direction parallel to an axis of the body, wherein the second stop surface is arranged on an annular portion of the member, wherein the first spring comprises another end which contacts the wall, wherein an axis of the first second spring is axially aligned with an axis of the second spring, and wherein the first and second springs are axially spaced apart and are arranged between the trigger and the rear end of the body.