Multi-lancet unit, method and lancet device using the multi-lancet unit, and method of assembling and/or making the multi-lancet unit

A lancet device having lancet ejection and depth of penetration adjustment, comprising:

• a housing;
• a wall arranged inside the housing and having an opening;
• the wall being arranged closer to a rear end of the housing than to a front end of the housing;
• a front cover having a skin engaging surface and an opening allowing a needle of a lancet to pass therethrough during skin puncturing;
• a trigger arranged on a side of the housing and being closer to the front end of the housing than to the rear end of the housing;
• the trigger having a portion extending outside the housing so as to be contacted by a user;
• a cocking system configured to place the lancet device in a trigger-set or armed position;
• the cocking system comprising a cocking member arranged in an area of the rear end of the housing and having a portion extending into the housing and a portion extending outside the housing;
• a lancet holding member axially movable within the housing and comprising:
• a rear portion arranged on a rear side of the wall;
• a front portion arranged on a front side of the wall;
• an opening arranged behind a front end of the lancet holding member;
• a projection;
• and
• a longitudinal length that is greater than a longitudinal length of the housing;
• said projection being configured to retain the lancet holding member in the trigger-set or armed position;
• a first spring disposed in front of the wall and surrounding a portion of the lancet holding member;
• a second spring disposed behind the wall, surrounding another portion of the lancet holding member, and extending into a space disposed inside the cocking member;
• a rear end of the lancet holding member being arranged axially in front of a rear end of the cocking member when the lancet device is in the trigger-set or armed position;
• a lancet ejector arranged on a side of the housing and being closer to the front end of the housing than to the rear end of the housing;
• the lancet ejector comprising:
• a portion disposed inside the housing;
• a portion extending outside the housing;
• a portion that can extend into the opening of the lancet holding member and contact a lancet;
• and
• a portion that can be slid forward to a position overlying a portion of the front end of the lancet holding member when the front cover is removed,
• wherein the lancet holding member is capable of moving between an initial position and a puncturing position, and
• wherein the lancet device is capable of assuming plural different depth of penetration adjustment positions.

A lancet device comprising:

• a housing;
• a trigger;
• a cocking system configured to place the lancet device in a trigger-set or armed position;
• the cocking system comprising a cocking member arranged in an area of a rear end of the housing;
• a multi-lancet unit comprising a plurality of lancets arranged one in front of the other and positioned in the housing;
• each lancet comprising a front end, a needle which extends from the front end, and a rear end;
• a lancet holding member receiving therein the multi-lancet unit and being movable within the housing;
• a retaining member holding the holding member in a trigger-set position;
• the retaining member releasing the holding member when a user activates the trigger;
• a lock member that is movable to a locking position upon activation of a lancet ejection system and that prevents axial movement of the lancet holding member,
• wherein the front end of at least one of the plurality lancets is removably connected to the rear end of another of the plurality of lancets.