Tissue penetration device

A method of lancing the skin of a patient to bring a blood sample to a tissue surface, the method comprising:

• (a) providing a tissue penetration element having a tip configured to penetrate tissue;
• (b) disposing the tissue penetration element in proximity to the tissue of the patient;
• (c) driving the tissue penetration element distally towards the tissue of the patient;
• (d) making contact between the tip and the tissue of the patient;
• (e) advancing the tip into the tissue during a penetration stroke to a position of maximum inward displacement;
• (f) displacing the tissue penetration element proximally over a withdrawal stroke at an average velocity that is substantially lower than an average velocity of the tissue penetration element during the penetration stroke;
• (g) withdrawing the tissue penetration element during a withdrawal stroke at a maximum velocity of up to about 0.02 meters per second;
• and
• using a position sensor disposed adjacent a driver coil pack in the force generating member, said position sensor comprising an optical reader and an optical flag secured to a proximal section of a coupler shaft of the force generating member, with the optical flag configured to slide axially adjacent the optical reader and to measure the position of the coupler shaft relative to the position sensor and driver coil pack.

A method of lancing the skin of a patient to bring a blood sample to a tissue surface, the method comprising:

• (a) providing a tissue penetration element having a tip configured to penetrate tissue;
• (b) disposing the tissue penetration element in proximity to the tissue of the patient;
• (c) driving the tissue penetration element distally towards the tissue of the patient;
• (d) making contact between the tip and the tissue of the patient;
• (e) advancing the tip into the tissue during a penetration stroke to a position of maximum inward displacement;
• (f) displacing the tissue penetration element proximally over a withdrawal stroke at an average velocity that is substantially lower than an average velocity of the tissue penetration element during the penetration stroke;
• (g) withdrawing the tissue penetration element during a withdrawal stroke at a maximum velocity of up to about 0.02 meters per second;
• and
• using a feedback loop that includes a light detecting sensor and a light emitter for monitoring the relative position of the tissue penetration element comprising a reflective surface on a proximal end such that the light emitter emits light that is reflected from the reflective surface to the sensor.