Blood sampler

A blood sampling device (10,10') comprising:

• a housing (12,12') including an open end portion (16,16') and an inner chamber (18,18') adjacent to said open end portion (16,16');
• lancet support means (26,26') slidably mounted within said inner chamber (18,18') for supporting a lancet (28,28') to extend therefrom, said lancet support means (26,26') being movable between a retracted position disposing said lancet support means (26,26') away from said open end portion (16,16') within said housing (12,12') and an unretracted position disposing said lancet support means (26,26') adjacent to said open end portion (16,16') for receiving a lancet and thereafter making an incision in the skin of a patient;
• and characterized by gasket means (30,30') movable with said lancet support means (26,26') for perfecting a fluid seal between said housing (12,12') and said lancet support means (26,26') to prevent fluid flow past said gasket means (30, 30') during movement toward said retracted position, said open portion (16,16') presenting sealing means (32,32') to perfect a seal between said open end portion (16,16') and a portion of skin in contact therewith for creating a vacuum within said inner chamber (18,18') when said lancet support means (26,26') and said gasket means (30,30') are moved from said unretracted position to said retracted position, and biasing means for moving said lancet support means (26,26') from said retracted position to said unretracted positions so that said open end portion (16,16') may be placed in sealing engagement with a portion of skin and said lancet support means (26,26') supporting a lancet may be moved with said gasket means (30,30') by said biasing means to said unretracted position to pierce the skin with the lancet and draw a blood sample out of the incision as a result of the vacuum created by moving said gasket means (30,30') weith said lancet support means (26,26') back toward said retracted position.