Method for producing a pricking element
AssigneeRoche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
InventorsPatrick Griss, Marzellinus Zipfel, Angel Lopez
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The sheet metal or substrate material 22 is constructed by a photo-chemical machining or milling method. In this exemplary process, an etching mask 24 is applied to both sides of the substrate 22 and covers the structure of the flat-shaped member 12, which is to be uncovered in a subsequent etching step. The mask 24 is formed by coating the substrate 22 with a photoresist and is exposed through a photomask having the desired pattern that is arranged in front of the mask, whereby the photoresist is polymerized or hardened in the covered areas while the other areas are rinsed away after development.
Claims24
A process for producing a lancing element having a sharp tip for piercing a body part of a test subject, comprising:
- providing a mask having a shaping area to form the tip of the lancing element, a screening area which extends distally beyond the shaping area, and at least one side that is bent or concavely curved at the junction between the shaping area and the screening area;
- placing the mask on a flat material;
- and
- applying an etching agent to the mask and allowing the etching agent to act upon the flat material, wherein the screening area prevents the front of the tip from being etched off such that the etching produces a sharp tip by laterally undercutting side flanks of the shaping area and screening area.
A process for producing a lancing element having a sharp tip for piercing a body part of a test subject, comprising:
- providing a mask having a shaping area to form the tip of the lancing element, a screening area which extends distally beyond the shaping area, and a compensation opening disposed at a lateral distance to an undercut edge the shaping area;
- placing the mask on a flat material;
- and
- applying an etching agent to the mask and allowing the etching agent to act upon the flat material, wherein the screening area prevents the front of the tip from being etched off and the compensation opening prevents formation of a barb at or near the tip.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.