Lancets and methods of use

Abstract

Lancets and methods of use are provided. Embodiments include lancets including a sleeve mounted to an elongated body having a needle terminating in a sharp tip.

1 . A lancet for insertion into and ejection from a lancing device comprising:
 an elongated body having a first end from which a sharp tip extends and a second end at which a mounting member is located, the mounting member configured to be received by a lancet holder in the lancing device; and   a safety cover disposed about the sharp tip and at least a portion of the elongated body, the safety cover movable along the elongated body between a first stop on one of the elongate body and the safety cover and a second stop on one of the elongate body and the safety cover, wherein the safety cover is disposed about the sharp tip as the safety cover moves freely between the first stop and second stop.   
     
     
         2 . The lancet of  claim 1 , further comprising a tab removably coupled to the first end of the elongated body and extending into a front end of the safety cover to surround the sharp tip. 
     
     
         3 . The lancet of  claim 2 , wherein the tab is configured to be removed after the safety cover is inserted completely in the lancing device. 
     
     
         4 . The lancet of  claim 1 , wherein the safety cover has a forward portion and a rearward portion, the rearward portion having a faceted outer surface configured to mate with surfaces of the lancing device to properly align the lancet when the lancet is inserted into the lancing device. 
     
     
         5 . The lancet of  claim 1 , wherein an inner surface the safety cover has at least one groove and the elongated body has at least one rib extending therefrom, the at least one groove configured to receive the at least one rib. 
     
     
         6 . The lancet of  claim 5 , wherein the safety cover has a forward end and a rearward end, the at least one groove ending proximate the rearward end to form the first stop configured to prevent forward movement of the safety cover when the rib and first stop are in contact. 
     
     
         7 . The lancet of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated body further has at least one arm extending therefrom between the first end and second end. 
     
     
         8 . The lancet of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one arm is the second stop configured to prevent further rearward movement when a rearward end of the safety cover and the at least one arm are in contact. 
     
     
         9 . The lancet of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one arm is configured to lie parallel with the elongated body when the lancet is fully inserted into the lancing device. 
     
     
         10 . The lancet of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one arm is configured to extend at an angle from the elongated body when the lancet is external to the lancing device, the angle opening in a direction of the first end of the elongated body. 
     
     
         11 . The lancet of  claim 9 , wherein a rearward end of the safety cover is configured with an opening sized to pass over the at least one arm with the at least one arm lies parallel with the elongated body. 
     
     
         12 . The lancet of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one arm is configured to extend at an angle from the elongated body when the at least one arm is within the safety cover. 
     
     
         13 . The lancet of  claim 4 , wherein the safety cover further has an annular flange defining a forward facing surface and a rearward facing surface, the annular flange positioned between the forward portion and the rearward portion. 
     
     
         14 . The lancet of  claim 9 , wherein the elongated body further has at least one recess sized to receive the at least one arm when the at least one arm is lying parallel to the elongated body, such that the at least one arm is flush with the elongated body. 
     
     
         15 . The lancet of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one rib is two ribs each located on opposing sides of the elongated body and the at least one groove is two grooves each located on the safety cover to correspond to a respective rib.