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Publication Number
US-10244974-B2
Publication Date
2019-04-02
Expiration Date
Abstract
A single-use compression lancing device includes a bottom housing, a top housing, and a lancet. The lancet is generally configured for selective interengagement and guidance within the bottom and top housings. The top housing is configured for slidingly engaging the bottom housing such that manipulation of the top housing relative to the bottom housing causes a sharp tip portion of the lancet to protrude from an opening of the top housing. In one form, at least one arm extending from the lancet interengages a portion of the top housing such that the lancet is retracted within a portion of the bottom housing.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a single-use compression lancing device having a lower housing and an upper housing that slide relative to each other to drive a lancet needle outward for skin puncture and then retract it. The lower housing includes a lower housing cavity with an internal surface and a first locking feature, including an opening into the lower housing cavity at a lower housing end. The upper housing includes an upper housing cavity communicating with a lancet opening and a second opening, with at least a portion of the upper housing cavity defining an internal surface having an angled wall generally near the lancet opening.
A lancet includes a main body portion extending from a first lancet end to a second lancet end, where the first lancet end includes a needle extending therefrom. The second lancet end includes a second locking feature configured for interengagement with the first locking feature in the lower housing. At least a portion of the main body portion comprises at least one flexible arm extending therefrom for sliding interengagement with the angled wall of the upper housing, so the flexible arm interacts with the angled wall as the housings move.
In the upper housing, side surfaces generally near the second upper housing end include at least one cantilevered finger that comprises a chamfered surface and an overhang. The cantilevered finger and interengagement features work with the angled wall and locking features to enable lancet retraction and to prevent further actuation after the lancet passes the lock feature. The internal geometry includes ridge/channel guidance and corresponding guide ribs that constrain an axial path of the lancet during sliding engagement.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim covers a single-use compression lancing device with four inventive features: two housings defining cavities and openings with an angled wall near the lancet opening, a lancet with a needle and a second locking feature interengaging with a first locking feature, at least one flexible arm sliding interengagement with the angled wall, and a cantilevered finger with a chamfered surface and an overhang near the second upper housing end. The dependent claims refine guidance along an axial path and the interengagement/removal and directional constraints of relative movement between the upper and lower housings.
Two housings defining cavities with openings and angled wall near lancet opening
A lower housing extending from a first lower housing end to a second lower housing end, the first lower housing end comprising an opening into a lower housing cavity, the lower housing cavity comprising an internal surface and a first locking feature, the internal surface having at least one interengagement feature formed therein; an upper housing extending from a first upper housing end to a second upper housing end, the first upper housing end comprising a lancet opening and the second upper housing end comprising a second opening into an upper housing cavity, wherein at least a portion of the upper housing cavity defines an internal surface having an angled wall generally near the lancet opening.
Lancet with needle and second locking feature interengaging with first locking feature
A lancet comprising a main body portion extending from a first lancet end to a second lancet end, the first lancet end comprising a needle extending therefrom and the second lancet end comprising a second locking feature for interengagement with the first lock feature.
Flexible arm sliding interengagement with angled wall
At least a portion of the main body portion comprises at least one flexible arm extending therefrom for sliding interengagement with the angled wall of the upper housing.
Cantilevered finger with chamfered surface and overhang near second upper housing end
The upper housing further comprises side surfaces generally near the second upper housing end thereof, and wherein at least one of the side surfaces comprises a cantilevered finger including a chamfered surface and an overhang.
Across the claim set, the core structure is a single-use compression lancing device with a lower housing cavity having a first locking feature and interengagement features, an upper housing cavity with an angled internal wall near the lancet opening, and a lancet that includes a needle, a second locking feature, and at least one flexible arm that slides along the angled wall. The upper housing side surface near the second upper housing end includes a cantilevered finger with a chamfered surface and an overhang, and dependent features refine guidance along an axial path, interengagement engagement geometry/removability, and directional blocking of relative motion.
Stated Advantages
Prevents further actuation after the lancet passes the lock feature.
Enables lancet retraction after the lancet needle protrudes for skin puncture.
Documented Applications
Skin puncture using a single-use compression lancing device that drives a lancet needle outward and then retracts the lancet.
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