Lancing device with ejector
Inventors
Bagwell, Roger B • Scruggs, Casey A • Steffan, Eric M • Van Ess, II, Robert
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12433518-B2
Publication Date
2025-10-07
Expiration Date
Abstract
A lancing device with an ejector that is movably retained with a housing in proximity to a lancet and is selectively movable between a home position, a first eject position, an intermediate position defined by contact of the ejector with the lancet, and a second eject position. The ejector is rotatable to move from the home to first eject position and is linearly translatable to move between the first and second eject positions. The ejector includes an arm that extends within the housing and engages the lancet, an exterior portion that is actuated by a user, and a post extending therebetween. The post extends through a slot in the housing which limits the linear movement and direction of the ejector. Upon rotation of the ejector, the arm extends through an opening at the rear of the carriage holding the lancet to permit access to the lancet.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a lancing device for piercing the skin of a patient. The device includes a housing having an opening dimensioned to receive a lancet therein and a slot disposed along a portion of the housing. The device further includes an ejector having an exterior portion located outside the housing, a post extending from the exterior portion through the slot, and an arm extending radially from the post within the housing.
The ejector is selectively adjustable rotationally and intermediately between a home position wherein the arm is spaced apart from the lancet and a first eject position wherein the arm is aligned with the length of the slot. The ejector is also selectively adjustable longitudinally and intermediately between the first eject position and a second eject position wherein the lancet is ejected from the housing by the arm. In some configurations, the ejector includes an intermediate position in which the arm contacts the lancet, the intermediate position being between the home position and the first eject position.
The ejector includes a constrained travel structure using an interior post passing through the slot/track and an interior radially extending arm that engages the lancet to expulsion while overcoming frictional retention in a lancet carriage. The device may further include guide and wall alignment features, visual indicia coordinated between the housing and the ejector, and a biasing member that returns the ejector to the first eject position after actuator release.
The disclosed content also includes a selectively actuated vibration motor transmitting vibrations through a contact surface on the housing or lancet head to a patient target site, with a frequency between 50 and 500 Hz in one configuration. The disclosed feasibility data in neonatal crossover and pilot EEG studies indicate reduced sympathetic activity and cortical pain signal with pre-lance vibration, and the device supports one-handed operation for safer lancet removal.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim coverage includes the housing, the selectively adjustable ejector with rotational and longitudinal intermediate positions, and the lancet ejection function through the slot. Additional inventive features appearing in the provided claim content include the optional intermediate arm-contact position, guide and wall interaction to constrain movement, a biasing member, friction-based expulsion from a lancet carriage, and a selectively actuated vibration motor with a defined frequency range.
Housing with opening and slot for lancet reception and ejector travel
A housing including an opening dimensioned to receive a lancet therein, and a slot disposed along a portion of said housing.
Rotationally and longitudinally adjustable ejector with exterior actuator, post through slot, and radially extending arm
An ejector having an exterior portion located outside said housing, a post extending from said exterior portion through said slot, and an arm extending radially from said post within said housing, wherein the ejector is selectively adjustable rotationally between a home position and a first eject position, and selectively adjustable longitudinally between the first eject position and a second eject position where the lancet is ejected by said arm.
Intermediate arm contact position between home and first eject positions
Selective adjustment to and from an intermediate position wherein said arm of said ejector contacts said lancet, the intermediate position being between said home position and said first eject position.
Carriage retained within housing and ejector arm geometry for expulsion from the carriage
A carriage retained within said housing, configured to receive and retain said lancet when inserted, the carriage including an open distal end, an opposite open proximal end, and a space between the ends dimensioned to receive a body of said lancet, wherein the arm of said ejector is parallel to and spaced apart from said open proximal end in said home position, perpendicular to and at least partially entering said open proximal end in said first eject position, and within said space of said carriage in said second eject position.
Guide and wall interaction to constrain longitudinal movement in home position
A guide extending radially from said post within said housing and a first wall along a portion of a longitudinal side of said slot within said housing, the guide being perpendicular to said first wall in said home position and parallel to said first wall in said first and second eject positions, wherein contact between said first wall and said guide in said home position prevents longitudinal movement of said ejector along said slot.
Biasing member urges ejector toward first eject position
A biasing member disposed to bias said ejector against said housing, urging said ejector toward said first eject position when pressure is released from said exterior portion of said ejector.
Rotational adjustment limit between home and first eject positions
The ejector is selectively adjustable by rotating it up to 90.deg. between a home position and a first eject position.
Frictional retention and expulsion based on force exceeding frictional forces
A carriage configured to receive and retain said lancet, and wherein the arm of said ejector expels said lancet from said carriage when an applied force exceeds frictional forces retaining the lancet in said carriage.
Selectively actuated vibration motor transmitting vibrations to a patient target site via a contact surface
A selectively actuated motor producing vibrations transmitted through a contact surface on the housing or lancet head to a patient target site, using a lancet with a head and a piercing member extending from the head, wherein mechanical communication through the contact surface translates vibrations from said motor to said target site.
Vibration frequency range for motor-generated vibrations
A configuration wherein said motor vibrates said contact surface at a frequency between 50 and 500 Hz.
The claim coverage centers on a selectively adjustable ejector that rotates between a home position and a first eject position and moves longitudinally to a second eject position to eject a lancet through a slot. The provided claim content also includes an optional intermediate arm-contact position, guide and wall constraint features, a biasing member, friction-based expulsion from a lancet carriage, and a selectively actuated vibration motor with a specified frequency range.
Stated Advantages
Reduced sympathetic activity with pre-lance vibration as reported by the disclosed neonatal crossover and pilot EEG studies.
Reduced cortical pain signal with pre-lance vibration as reported by the disclosed neonatal crossover and pilot EEG studies.
One-handed operation for safer lancet removal, as described in the disclosed summary content.
Documented Applications
Neonatal crossover and pilot EEG study contexts assessing effects of pre-lance vibration on sympathetic activity and cortical pain signal.
Patient skin piercing using the disclosed lancing device with drug-free vibration-induced anesthesia and depth-controlled skin incision, as described in the provided summary content.
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