System and method for breaking a sterility seal to engage a lancet

An apparatus, comprising:

• a firing mechanism configured to fire a lancet that is sealed inside a lancet packet for cutting an incision in skin;
• and
• the firing mechanism including
• an engagement blade configured to engage the lancet, and
• the engagement blade having a cutting edge positioned to cut a slit in the lancet packet for facilitating smooth actuation of the lancet.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a lancet sealed inside a lancet packet to maintain sterility of the lancet;
• a test strip attached to the lancet packet;
• and
• a firing mechanism including an engagement blade configured to engage with the lancet, the firing mechanism being configured to pierce the lancet packet with the blade.

A method, comprising:

• loading a lancet integrated test strip into a meter that includes a firing mechanism, wherein the lancet integrated test strip includes a lancet sealed inside a lancet packet and a test strip attached to the lancet packet;
• reducing cross-contamination risk between the lancet and the test strip by piercing the lancet packet after said loading the lancet integrated test strip;
• and
• firing the lancet with the firing mechanism to cut an incision in skin;
• analyzing a body fluid sample from the incision with the test strip.