Blood glucose management

Abstract

The application discloses a lancet device ( 100 ) that includes a base ( 102 ) that supports a lancet ( 104 ) and a cover ( 106 ). The cover can move controllably from an un-depressed position to a depressed position when a predetermined force is applied. The cover can provide access to the lancet in the depressed position.

1 . A lancet device comprising:
 (a) a base that includes a support surface;   (b) a lancet supported by the base and extending away from the support surface at an angle of approximately 90°;   (c) a cover that includes (i) a peripheral edge along which the cover is connected to the base, (ii) a cover region configured to cover the lancet when the cover is in an un-depressed position, the cover region having a cover region geometry comprising a cover region wall thickness, (iii) a lancet aperture through which the lancet is configured to protrude when the cover is in a depressed position, and (iv) a peripheral hinge near the peripheral edge, the peripheral hinge having a peripheral hinge geometry comprising a peripheral hinge wall thickness that is less than ¾ the cover region wall thickness to facilitate controlled movement of the cover from the un-depressed position to the depressed position upon application of a predetermined depression force.   
     
     
         2 . The lancet device of  claim 1 , wherein the cover is configured to provide an auditory and/or tactile response as the cover moves from the un-depressed position to the depressed position upon application of the predetermined depression force. 
     
     
         3 . The lancet device of  claim 1 , wherein the cover is configured to provide a force response to facilitate movement of the cover from the depressed position back to the un-depressed position upon removal of the predetermined depression force. 
     
     
         4 . The lancet device of  claim 1 , wherein
 the cover further includes (v) a spike extending toward the base, and   the lancet device further comprises (d) a cavity on the base under the cover, the cavity being configured to release pressurized gas upon being pierced by the spike as the cover moves from the un-depressed position to the depressed position, thereby urging the cover toward the un-depressed position.   
     
     
         5 . The lancet device of  claim 1 , wherein the cover further includes (v) a release aperture to release trapped air that impedes controlled movement of the cover. 
     
     
         6 . The lancet device of  claim 1 , wherein the base includes a visual indicator that shows if the cover has been moved from the un-depressed position to the depressed position. 
     
     
         7 . The lancet device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 (d) a cap positionable from (i) a capped position in which the cap is in close proximity to the base, covering the cover and preventing access to the lancet to (ii) an uncapped position in which the cap facilitates access to the lancet.   
     
     
         8 . The lancet device of  claim 8 , wherein the cap is configured to act as a sterile barrier when in the capped position to isolate the lancet from contaminants. 
     
     
         9 . The lancet device of  claim 7 , wherein the cap is hingedly coupled to the base. 
     
     
         10 . The lancet device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 (d) a stop on the base under the cover, the stop being configured to dictate a distance by which the lancet is configured to protrude through the lancet aperture when the cover is in the depressed position.   
     
     
         11 . The lancet device of  claim 1  wherein the peripheral hinge wall thickness is less than half of the cover region wall thickness. 
     
     
         12 . The lancet device of  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined depression force is between approximately 700 grams and approximately 2000 grams. 
     
     
         13 - 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . A method of collecting a biological sample, comprising:
 (a) providing a lancet device that includes (i) a base with a support surface, (ii) a lancet supported by the base and extending away from the support surface at an angle of approximately 90°, and (iii) a cover with (A) a peripheral edge along which the cover is connected to the base, (B) a cover region with a cover region geometry comprising a cover region wall thickness, (C) a lancet aperture, and (D) a peripheral hinge near the peripheral edge, the peripheral hinge having a peripheral hinge geometry comprising a peripheral hinge wall thickness that is less than ¾ the cover region wall thickness;   (b) applying a predetermined force to the cover region, thereby moving the cover from an un-depressed position in which the cover region covers the lancet to a depressed position in which the lancet protrudes through the lancet aperture and exposes biological fluid; and   (c) collecting a quantity of the biological fluid as the biological sample.