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Publication Number
US-10292634-B2
Publication Date
2019-05-21
Expiration Date
Abstract
A lancing device with a depth-adjustment mechanism including an adjustably-positioned stop surface, a movable control member operably coupled thereto, and a resiliently deflectable leg that engages the stop surface and a lancet carrier to provide a soft stop for the lancet carrier. The lancet carrier deflects the leg in a forward phase of the lancing stroke, and then the leg contacts the stop surface to stop the forward motion of the lancet carrier at an extended lancing position. The stop surface can be adjustably positioned so that different portions thereof are engaged to stop the lancet carrier at deeper or shallower positions. In example embodiments, the depth-adjustment mechanism includes a rotary dial and an extension arm of the leg, with the dial including a rotary wheel and a rotary shaft extending axially therefrom, the wheel forming the movable adjustment member, and the shaft forming the adjustably positioned stop surface.
Core Innovation
A lancing device propels a lancet through a lancing stroke by translating a lancet carrier axially within a housing bore during a forward phase. The drive spring propels the lancet carrier, and the lancet carrier reaches an extended position for lancing. In the forward phase, the lancet carrier engages and deflects a resiliently deflectable leg operably interposed between the lancet carrier and an adjustably positioned stop surface.
As the lancing stroke continues, the deflecting leg engages the adjustably positioned stop surface to stop the leg deflection and thereby stop the forward motion of the lancet carrier at the extended position. The control member is adjustably positionable to move different portions of the stop surface into an engagement position where they are contacted by the leg. This engagement position selection adjusts the extended position and thereby adjusts a penetration depth of the lancet.
The resiliently deflectable leg is formed as part of a return spring that contacts and is charged by the lancet carrier during the forward phase, then discharges and retracts the lancet carrier from the extended position, and the return spring is a torsion spring. In embodiments, the deflecting leg provides a soft non-instant stop to reduce vibration and provide a less painful lancing experience.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim set includes 2 independent inventive scopes. The claims cover a lancing device with a depth-adjustment mechanism that uses an adjustably positioned stop surface, a movable adjustment control member, and a resiliently deflectable leg configured to stop the forward motion of a lancet carrier at an extended position and adjust penetration depth, with the return spring characterized as a torsion spring.
Depth-adjustment mechanism with resiliently deflectable leg and adjustably positioned stop surface
A lancing device comprising a depth-adjustment mechanism including an adjustably positioned stop surface, a movable adjustment control member operably coupled thereto, and a resiliently deflectable leg operably interposed between the lancet carrier and the stop surface, wherein the lancet carrier engages and deflects the leg in the forward phase of the lancing stroke, and the deflecting leg then engages the stop surface to stop the leg deflection and thus stop the forward motion of the lancet carrier at an extended position for lancing, and wherein the control member is adjustably positionable to move different portions of the stop surface into an engagement position where they are contacted by the leg to adjust the extended position and thereby adjust a penetration depth of the lancet.
Depth-adjustment mechanism producing a non-instant stop via extension arm interposed between lancet carrier and stop surface
A depth-adjustment mechanism for a lancing device comprising an adjustably positioned stop surface, a movable adjustment control member operably coupled to the stop surface, and a resiliently deflectable leg formed by the return spring and including an extension arm attached to the distal end of the deflectable leg, the extension arm extending transversely across an axis defined by the lancing stroke, contacting the stop surface in the lancet-carrier extended position, and operably interposed between the lancet carrier and the stop surface, wherein the lancet carrier engages and deflects the deflectable leg in the forward phase of the lancing stroke, and the extension arm then engages the stop surface to stop the extension-arm and deflectable leg deflection and thus stop the forward motion of the lancet carrier at the extended position, wherein the extension arm being operably interposed between the lancet carrier and the stop surface produces a non-instant stop of the lancet carrier at the extended position to reduce vibration for a less painful lancing experience, and wherein the control member is adjustably positionable to move different portions of the stop surface into an engagement position where they are contacted by the extension arm to adjust the extended position and thereby adjust a penetration depth of the lancet.
Across the independent claims, the inventive coverage centers on stopping the forward motion of a translatable lancet carrier at an extended lancing position using an adjustably positioned stop surface contacted through a resiliently deflectable leg to provide a non-instant stop that reduces vibration for a less painful lancing experience. In both independent scopes, a movable adjustment control member selects different portions of the stop surface to adjust the engagement position and thereby adjust penetration depth, and the return spring is characterized as a torsion spring.
Stated Advantages
Reduce vibration
Provide a less painful lancing experience
Produce a non-instant stop of the lancet carrier at the extended position
Documented Applications
Depth-adjustment and lancing via a lancing device that propels a lancet through a lancing stroke to an extended position for lancing
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