Lancing device end cap with pressure-actuated surface features

1 . An endcap for a lancing device, said endcap comprising a contact face defining an opening for passage of a sharp lancet tip, said endcap further comprising one or more surface features projecting from the contact face for contact against the skin around a sampling site to enhance sample collection.

2 . The endcap of claim 1 , wherein said one or more surface features comprise one or more raised ribs.

3 . The endcap of claim 2 , comprising four raised ribs in a cross-shaped array.

4 . The endcap of claim 1 , wherein said one or more surface features comprise first and second compression ribs positioned on opposite sides of the opening.

5 . The endcap of claim 4 , wherein a curved or angled channel is formed at the intersection of the compression ribs with the contact face.

6 . The endcap of claim 1 , wherein said one or more surface features comprise one or more helical vanes spiraling inwardly from the periphery of the contact face toward the opening.

7 . The endcap of claim 6 , wherein each helical vane has a larger dimension at its inner terminus, and tapers down along its length to a smaller dimension at its outer terminus.

8 . The endcap of claim 6 , wherein each helical vane has a larger dimension at its outer terminus, and tapers down along its length to a smaller dimension at its inner terminus.

9 . The endcap of claim 1 , wherein said one or more surface features comprise one or more raised fins spaced a distance away from the opening.

10 . The endcap of claim 1 , wherein said one or more surface features comprise one or more raised projections, projecting distally from the contact face around at least a portion of the circumference of the opening.

11 . The endcap of claim 10 , wherein each projection is a generally hemispherical dome-shaped projection.

12 . The endcap of claim 1 , wherein said contact face is concave.

13 . A lancing device for collecting a sample of body fluid from a sampling site on the skin of a subject, said lancing device comprising a lancet and a housing comprising an endcap, the lancet being movable between a first position within the housing and a second position wherein at least a sharp tip portion of the lancet extends through an opening in the endcap, wherein the endcap comprises a contact face surrounding the opening and at least one surface feature projecting outwardly from the contact face.

14 . The lancing device of claim 13 , wherein the at least one surface feature comprises at least one raised rib extending at least partially across said contact face.

15 . The lancing device of claim 14 , wherein the at least one raised rib comprises four raised ribs in a cross-shaped array.

16 . The lancing device of claim 14 , wherein a recessed channel is formed at the intersection of the at least one raised rib and the contact face.

17 . The lancing device of claim 13 , wherein the at least one surface feature comprises at least one helical vane spiraling inwardly from the periphery of the contact face toward the opening.

18 . The lancing device of claim 13 , wherein the at least one surface feature comprises at least one inclined ramp projecting outwardly from the contact face.

19 . The lancing device of claim 13 , wherein the at least one surface feature comprises a plurality of generally hemispherical dome-shaped projections.

20 . The lancing device of claim 13 , wherein the contact face is concave.

21 . A method of collecting a sample of blood or other body fluid, comprising:

lancing the skin of a subject at a lancing site with a lancing device having a contact face including one or more surface features projecting therefrom; and

applying pressure between the one or more surface features on the contact face and the skin surrounding the lancing site to enhance sample collection.

22 . The method of claim 21 , further comprising twisting the contact face against the skin.