Lancing device with reuse prevention mechanism

Abstract

A lancing device including a spring-driven lancet translationally mounted within a housing. The lancet has at least one resilient finger extending outwardly therefrom and engageable within a cooperating recess formed in the housing to prevent re-use of the lancing device. A depth-adjustment knob is optionally included for contacting the housing to limit the travel of the lancet and thereby control the depth of penetration.

1 - 20 . (canceled)  
     
     
         21 . A lancing device comprising a spring-driven lancet translationally mounted within a housing, the lancet comprising at least one resilient finger extending outwardly therefrom, each said at least one resilient finger engageable within a cooperating recess formed in the housing to prevent re-use of the lancing device.  
     
     
         22 . The lancing device of  claim 21 , further comprising a cocking arm connected to the lancet, said cocking arm comprising at least one fin for releasable engagement with a flange projecting inwardly from the housing to constrain the lancet in a cocked position.  
     
     
         23 . The lancing device of  claim 21 , further comprising means for retracting the lancet into the housing after firing.  
     
     
         24 . The lancing device of  claim 21 , further comprising a sterility cap detachably secured to the lancet.  
     
     
         25 . A lancing device, comprising: 
 a housing defining a lancet opening;    a spring-driven lancet having a lancing tip, translationally mounted within the housing, and movable between a cocked position and a lancing position, wherein in the lancing position the lancet tip extends through the lancet opening of the housing; and    a lancet reuse prevention mechanism including at least one shoulder and at least one resilient finger engageable by the at least one shoulder after the lancet has moved out of the lancing position to prevent the lancet from being moved back to the cocked position for reuse.    
     
     
         26 . The lancing device of  claim 25 , wherein the lancet includes a body from which the lancet tip extends and the housing includes at least one sidewall, wherein the at least one resilient finger extends outwardly from the lancet body and the at least one shoulder is defined by the housing sidewall.  
     
     
         27 . The lancing device of  claim 26 , wherein the at least one resilient finger comprises two opposing fingers extending outwardly from the lancet body and the at least one shoulder comprises two opposing shoulders defined by the housing sidewall.  
     
     
         28 . The lancing device of  claim 26 , wherein the at least one internal shoulder of the housing is formed by at least one recess in the housing.  
     
     
         29 . The lancing device of  claim 25 , further comprising a spring that retracts the lancet from the lancing position to prevent the lancet tip from extending through the lancet opening of the housing.  
     
     
         30 . The lancing device of  claim 25 , wherein the at least one finger outwardly and backwardly away from the lancet tip.  
     
     
         31 . The lancing device of  claim 25 , wherein the at least one finger is generally curved.  
     
     
         32 . A lancing device, comprising: 
 a housing having at least one sidewall and defining a lancet opening;    a spring-driven lancet having a lancing tip and a body from which the lancet tip extends, wherein the lancet is translationally mounted within the housing and movable between a cocked position and a lancing position, wherein in the lancing position the lancet tip extends through the lancet opening of the housing;    a spring that retracts the lancet from the lancing position to prevent the lancet tip from extending through the lancet opening of the housing; and    a lancet reuse prevention mechanism including at least one shoulder and at least one resilient finger, wherein the at least one resilient finger extends outwardly from the lancet body and the at least one shoulder is defined by the housing sidewall, and wherein the at least one resilient finger is engageable by the at least one shoulder after the lancet has moved out of the lancing position to prevent the lancet from being moved back to the cocked position for reuse.    
     
     
         33 . The lancing device of  claim 32 , wherein the at least one resilient finger comprises two opposing fingers extending outwardly from the lancet body and the at least one shoulder comprises two opposing shoulders defined by the housing sidewall.  
     
     
         34 . The lancing device of  claim 32 , wherein the at least one internal shoulder of the housing is formed by at least one recess in the housing.  
     
     
         35 . The lancing device of  claim 32 , wherein the at least one finger outwardly and backwardly away from the lancet tip.  
     
     
         36 . The lancing device of  claim 32 , wherein the at least one finger is generally curved.