Compact multi-use lancing device
View Patent ↗A multi-use micro-sampling or lancing device having an outer housing, a lancet holder that engages a lancet and constrains the lancet along a controlled and pre-defined path of travel during the lancing stroke, and a drive mechanism with a pair of opposed, off-axis torsion springs working in tandem to drive and return the lancet holder through its lancing stroke.
1. A multi-use lancing device comprising:
a housing;
a lancet carrier comprising a receiver for releasably engaging a replaceable lancet, the lancet carrier translationally mounted within the housing, and wherein the lancet carrier moves along a linear stroke axis;
a drive spring comprising a first torsion spring having a coil portion carried on a first spring axle that is laterally offset from the linear stroke path, the drive spring advancing the lancet carrier along the linear stroke axis; and
a return spring comprising a second torsion spring having a coil portion carried on a second spring axle that is laterally offset from the linear stroke path, the return spring retracting the lancet carrier along the linear stroke axis.
2. The multi-use lancing device of claim 1 , further comprising at least one linear track within the housing for constraining the lancet carrier to linear translational movement.
3. The multi-use lancing device of claim 1 , wherein the lancet carrier further comprises at least one resilient release member for retaining the lancet carrier in a retracted charged position, and for release upon actuation of a trigger mechanism.
4. The multi-use lancing device of claim 3 , wherein the at least one resilient release member comprises a pair of resilient compression arms, each having a barbed distal end for releasably engaging a retaining tab of the housing.
5. The multi-use lancing device of claim 1 , wherein the drive spring is positioned opposite the linear stroke axis from the return spring.
6. The multi-use lancing device of claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second torsion springs comprise a finger extending from the coil portion for engagement with the lancet carrier.
7. A lancing device comprising a housing;
a lancet carrier within the housing, the lancet carrier carrying a lancet;
at least one guide element constraining the movement of the lancet carrier to a linear stroke path;
a drive spring comprising a first torsion spring having a coil portion carried on a first spring axle that is laterally offset from the linear stroke path, the drive spring advancing the lancet carrier along the linear stroke path; and
a return spring comprising a second torsion spring having a coil portion carried on a second spring axle that is laterally offset from the linear stroke path, the return spring retracting the lancet carrier along the linear stroke path.
8. The lancing device of claim 7 , wherein the at least one guide element comprises a linear track within the housing.
9. The lancing device of claim 7 , wherein the lancet carrier further comprises at least one resilient release member for retaining the lancet carrier in a retracted charged position, and for release upon actuation of a trigger mechanism.
10. The lancing device of claim 9 , wherein the at least one resilient release member comprises a pair of resilient compression arms, each having a barbed distal end for releasably engaging a retaining tab of the housing.
11. The lancing device of claim 7 , wherein drive spring is positioned opposite the linear stroke path from the return spring.
12. The lancing device of claim 7 , wherein each of the first and second torsion springs comprise a finger extending from the coil portion for engagement with the lancet carrier.
13. A multi-use lancing device comprising:
a housing defining at least one guide element;
a lancet carrier comprising a receiver for releasably engaging a replaceable lancet, the lancet carrier mounted within the housing for translational movement along the at least one guide element, and wherein the lancet carrier is constrained to reciprocating movement along a linear stroke path;
a drive spring comprising a first torsion spring having a coil portion carried on a first axle that is laterally offset from the linear stroke path, the drive spring advancing the lancet carrier along the linear stroke path; and
a return spring comprising a second torsion spring having a coil portion carried on a second axle that is laterally offset from the linear stroke path, the return spring retracting the lancet carrier along the linear stroke path.
14. The multi-use lancing device of claim 13 , wherein the at least one guide element comprises a linear track for engagement with the lancet carrier, the linear track extending parallel to the linear stroke path.
15. The multi-use lancing device of claim 13 , wherein the lancet carrier further comprises at least one resilient release member for retaining the lancet carrier in a retracted charged position, and for release upon actuation of a trigger mechanism.
16. The multi-use lancing device of claim 15 , wherein the at least one resilient release member comprises a pair of resilient compression arms, each having a barbed distal end for releasably engaging a retaining tab of the housing.
17. The multi-use lancing device of claim 13 , wherein the drive spring is positioned opposite the linear stroke path from the return spring.
18. The multi-use lancing device of claim 13 , wherein each of the first and second torsion springs comprise a finger extending from the coil portion for engagement with the lancet carrier.