Disposable element for use in a body fluid sampling device

Abstract

A disposable lancing element is adapted for use in a lancing device for making an incision through a user's skin. The lancing element includes a body which defines a longitudinal axis, and has a skin-lancing member projecting from a front end thereof. A capillary tube is mounted in the body in laterally spaced relationship to the skin-lancing member and is slidable longitudinally relative to the body so as to be extended forwardly past the skin-lancing member. The body includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially outwardly projecting bosses formed thereon for guiding the disposable element installation in a carrier element. The skin-lancing member may comprise a plurality of needles or barbs arranged in parallel side-by-side relationship. In lieu of a skin-lancing member, the disposable element may possess a longitudinal through-hole for conducting a skin-piercing laser light beam or pressurized fluid. A capillary tube may have an outwardly flared lower (inlet) end. A capillary tube may possess a sensor for sensing a level of fluid rising therein.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.