Integrated lancing test strip with retractable lancet

1. A method, comprising:

holding a lancet in a fixed position relative to a test strip of an integrated lancing test strip device where at least a portion of the lancet extends from a distal end of the test strip in an extended state, wherein a retention mechanism holds the lancet in the extended state;

forming an incision in tissue with the portion of the lancet extending from the test strip in the extended state, wherein during said forming the incision the lancet and the test strip move in unison towards the tissue due to the retention mechanism holding the lancet in the extended state;

releasing the lancet from the fixed position by releasing the retention mechanism;

retracting the lancet relative to the test strip after said forming the incision, wherein said retracting includes translationally moving of the lancet relative to the test strip; and

collecting body fluid from the incision with the test strip after said retracting the lancet.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

wherein said holding the lancet in the fixed position facilitates accurate penetration depth of the lancet into the tissue;

wherein the test strip includes a capillary channel with a capillary channel opening;

maintaining spacing between the capillary channel opening of the test strip and the tissue during said retracting the lancet relative to the test strip; and

wherein said collecting the body fluid includes drawing the body fluid into the capillary channel via the capillary channel opening while the spacing between the capillary channel opening of the test strip is maintained.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said releasing the lancet occurs after said forming the incision.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

wherein said collecting includes swiping the test strip over the body fluid from the incision with a deflection mechanism.

5. The method of claim 4 , further comprising:

wherein said swiping the test strip over the body fluid includes bending the test strip; and

wherein said retracting includes retracting the lancet into the test strip to make said bending of the test strip easier.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

removing a protective cover from the lancet before said forming the incision.

7. The method of claim 6 , further comprising:

wherein the protective cover includes a cap; and

wherein said removing the protective cover includes pulling the cap off the lancet.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

wherein said holding the lancet in the fixed position facilitates accurate penetration depth of the lancet into the tissue;

wherein the test strip includes a capillary channel with a capillary channel opening;

maintaining spacing between the capillary channel opening of the test strip and the tissue during said retracting the lancet relative to the test strip;

wherein said collecting the body fluid includes drawing the body fluid into the capillary channel via the capillary channel opening while the spacing between the capillary channel opening of the test strip is maintained;

wherein said releasing the lancet occurs after said forming the incision;

removing a protective cover from the lancet before said forming the incision;

wherein the protective cover includes a cap; and

wherein said removing the protective cover includes pulling the cap off the lancet.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein said retracting the lancet includes holding the test strip stationary while the lancet moves away from the tissue.

10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

retaining the lancet inside the integrated lancing test strip device with the retention mechanism after said retracting the lancet.

11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

retaining the lancet inside the integrated lancing test strip device without a spring with the retention mechanism after said retracting the lancet.

12. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

connecting the integrated lancing test strip device to a lancing mechanism via a connector;

engaging the lancet to a retraction arm;

wherein said forming the incision includes firing the connector along with the retraction arm in unison with the lancing mechanism; and

wherein said retracting the lancet includes retracting the lancet away from the tissue with the retraction arm while the connector holds the test strip stationary.

13. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

wherein the retention mechanism includes one or more breakable tabs; and

wherein said releasing the lancet from the fixed position includes breaking the one or more breakable tabs.

14. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

wherein the retention mechanism includes one or more detents; and

wherein said releasing the lancet from the fixed position includes disengaging the detents from the lancet.

15. A method, comprising:

holding a lancet in an extended state relative to a test strip of an integrated lancing test strip device with a retention mechanism, wherein at the extended state at least a portion of the lancet extends from a distal end of the test strip, wherein the retention mechanism holds the lancet in the extended state;

forming an incision in tissue with the lancet in the extended state by moving the integrated lancing test strip device in a linear direction into the tissue;

retracting the lancet to a retracted state after said forming the incision by moving the lancet relative to the test strip in a linear direction, wherein the retention mechanism releases the lancet to allow the lancet to move in the linear direction during said retracting;

securing the lancet in the retracted state with the retention mechanism where the lancet is moved inside the distal end of the integrated lancing test strip device as a result of said retracting; and

collecting body fluid from the incision with the test strip after said retracting the lancet.