Lancing device

A lancing device comprising:

• a housing having a forward end and a rearward end, the housing defining a passage having an aperture in the forward end;
• a lancet comprising:
• a lancet body,
• a lancet tip supported at a forward end of the lancet body so as to project from the lancet body, and
• an impact surface defined in the forward end of the lancet body at a first predetermined distance from the lancet tip;
• wherein the lancet is mounted in the passage so as to be axially moveable with respect to the housing between a first position in which the lancet tip is positioned within the housing, and a second position in which the lancet tip extends through the aperture and beyond the forward end of the housing;
• an urging member which engages the lancet at least when the lancet is in the first position, and which can be energised to urge the lancet from the first position to the second position;
• and
• a sleeve movably located within the housing and around the forward end of the lancet body, wherein the sleeve has a front portion that that projects a first distance through the aperture in the housing in a first sleeve position and defines an opening through which the lancet tip can project, wherein the front portion has
• a front surface,
• a holding structure that can be moved into and out of engagement with the lancet body, and
• an internal stop surface located at a second predetermined distance from the front surface, wherein the internal stop surface is arranged to be engaged by the impact surface of the lancet body when in the second position, wherein the second predetermined distance is smaller than the first predetermined distance;
• wherein movement of the sleeve rearward into the housing from a first sleeve position to a second sleeve position when the lancet body is engaged with the holding structure moves the lancet body to the first position and energises the urging member, and
• wherein in use, the energised urging member can move the lancet body from the first position towards the second position to cause the lancet tip to project through the opening in the sleeve by a predetermined amount before the impact surface on the lancet body engages the internal stop surface of the sleeve.