Compact multi-use lancing device

1. A lancing device comprising:

a housing having first and second spring axles and at least one linear guide surface extending between the first and second spring axles;

a lancet holder for holding a lancet and mounted for reciprocal translation along a linear lancing stroke path, the lancing stroke path being defined by the at least one linear guide surface of the housing; and

a drive mechanism comprising a pair of torsion springs for propelling the lancet holder along the linear lancing stroke path, each of the pair of torsion springs having a coil portion carried on one of the first and second spring axles and being positioned laterally offset from the lancing stroke path of the lancet holder.

2. The lancing device of claim 1 , wherein the housing has a width comparable to the length of the housing.

3. The lancing device of claim 1 , further comprising a trigger to trigger the lancing stroke.

4. The lancing device of claim 3 , wherein the lancet holder is barbed to hold the lancet holder in a ready position, ready for triggering.

5. The lancing device of claim 4 , wherein the barbed lancet holder comprises compression arms each having at least one chamfered barb, and wherein the trigger engages the chamfered barbs to trigger the lancing stroke.

6. The lancing device of claim 1 , wherein the pair of torsion springs comprises a drive spring for advancing the lancet holder along the lancing stroke and a return spring for retracting the lancet holder.

7. The lancing device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the housing is about twice as long as a lancet used therein.

8. A lancing device, comprising:

a housing defining a linear guide path and having first and second spring axles positioned generally opposite the linear guide path from one another; and

a drive mechanism within the housing for driving a lancet along a linear lancing stroke established by the linear guide path, the drive mechanism comprising:

a carrier for releasably retaining the lancet;

a first torsion spring having a coil portion mounted on the first spring axle for urging the lancet from an initial position into an extended position wherein a portion of the lancet protrudes out of the compact housing; and

a second torsion spring having a coil portion mounted on the second spring axle for retracting the lancet back into the housing.

9. The lancing device of claim 8 , further comprising a trigger for triggering the drive mechanism.

10. The lancing device of claim 8 , wherein the length of the housing is between about two and four times the length of the lancet used therein.

11. A lancing device, comprising:

a compact, non-elongated housing having first and second spring axles and defining a linear guide path between the first and second spring axles, said housing further defining a lancet opening aligned with the linear guide path;

a drive mechanism for movably supporting a lancet along a lancing stroke constrained by the linear guide path between a retracted position within the housing and an extended position wherein a sharp tip of the lancet extends through the lancet opening, said drive mechanism further comprising a drive spring having a loop portion carried on the first spring axle and a return spring having a loop portion carried on the second spring axle;

a trigger for triggering the drive mechanism; and

wherein the housing has a length of no more than about four times as long as the length of the lancet used therein.

12. The housing of claim 11 , wherein the housing is about twice as long as the lancet.

13. The lancing device of claim 11 , wherein the housing has a width roughly equal to its length.

14. The lancing device of claim 11 , wherein the housing is puck-like.

15. A lancing device comprising:

a reciprocating lancet carrier for releasably engaging a replaceable lancet, the lancet carrier traversing a linear path of travel along a forward stroke and a return stroke; and

a pair of torsion springs operating in tandem to advance the lancet carrier along the forward stroke, and to retract the lancet carrier along the return stroke, wherein a first one of the pair of torsion springs is mounted laterally offset on a first side of the linear path of travel, and wherein a second one of the pair of torsion springs is mounted laterally offset on a second side of the linear path of travel generally opposite the first side.

16. The lancing device of claim 15 , wherein the pair of torsion springs comprise a drive spring and a return spring, the drive spring being stiffer than the return spring.

17. The lancing device of claim 15 , wherein the lancet carrier comprises at least one arm extending therefrom, for retaining the lancet carrier in a cocked position until released by a triggering member.

18. The lancing device of claim 15 , wherein the lancet carrier comprises at least one guide element for constraining motion of the lancet carrier to the linear path of travel.

19. The lancing device of claim 18 , wherein free ends of the torsion springs engage against the at least one guide element to advance and retract the lancet carrier.