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

#1. Field of the Invention

#The invention relates to a multi-unit lancet in which a plurality of lancets are arranged in series and/or one in front of the other. The lancets are removably connected to each other and can be disconnected from each other by twisting, pulling, bending, and/or any combination of these movements. The invention also relates to a method of assembling and/or forming the multi-unit lancet assembly by individually forming each lancet, arranging them in a row and connecting the lancets together in order to form a multi-lancet unit. The invention further relates to a lancet device which uses the multi-lancet unit and to a method of using the lancet device to puncture a user's skin.

#2. Discussion of Background Information

#The present invention is further described in the detailed description which follows, in reference to the noted plurality of drawings by way of non-limiting examples of exemplary embodiments of the present invention, in which like reference numerals represent similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings, and wherein:

#FIG. 1 shows a side view of one embodiment of a multi-lancet unit. The unit includes four removably connected lancets arranged one in front of the other. Each lancet includes a lancet needle;

#FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of the second lancet shown in the unit of FIG. 1;

#The particulars shown herein are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the embodiments of the present invention only and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the present invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the present invention in more detail than is necessary for the fundamental understanding of the present invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the present invention may be embodied in practice.

#FIGS. 1-3 show a first non-limiting embodiment of a lancet assembly or multi-lancet unit LA. The unit LA includes a plurality of lancets L1, L2, L3 and a terminating or rear end lancet which is made up of a last lancet LL and a dummy lancet DL. These rear lancet members LL and DL are preferably non-removably connected to each other. The last lancet LL and the lancets L1-L3 (or L1-LN depending on the desired number N of lancets in a unit LA) are generally identical in size, shape and configuration with the exception that the last lancet LL need not be provided with the connecting members CM. Instead, the last lancet LL and the dummy lancet DL can be formed as a one-piece member. As can be seen in FIG. 2, each lancet, e.g., lancet L1, has body portion CBP which can be generally cylindrical. As can be seen in FIG. 3, a rear end of each lancet, e.g., lancet L1, includes a plurality of connecting projections or members CM and a generally centrally arranged lancet needle opening LNO which is sized to receive therein a lancet needle LN of an adjacent rear lancet, e.g., lancet L2. The particular number, size, shape and arrangement of the connecting members CM is not of particular importance provided that a stable yet breakable connection is ensured between the adjacent lancets. In this regard, the connection should be strong enough to allow a user pull the unit LA out of the lancet holding member LHM (see FIGS. 11 and 12) until the unit LA reaches the next locking or retaining position to allow for the use of a new lancet, e.g., the next adjacent lancet L2. The connection should also be weak enough to allow the user to break off (see FIG. 13) the front lancet, e.g., to allow the user to break off the lancet L1 from the rear adjacent lancet L2. In this regard, the invention contemplates that the connection can be formed by any convenient and/or practical arrangement such as, e.g., adhesively bonding or ultrasonically welding, the members CM to the contact surfaces CS. The connection can also be made breakable in any desired way provided that a user can cause separation of the lancets in a simple way by, e.g., twisting and/or bending. As can be seen in FIG. 13, breaking off the front lancet L1 exposes the lancet needle LN of the rear adjacent lancet L2. As a result, the lancet needle LN of the rear adjacent lancet L2 remains protected within the opening LNO of the front lancet L1 while the front lancet L1 is connected to the rear adjacent lancet L2.

#Each lancet, e.g, lancet L1, also includes a front end from which the lancet needle LN extends or projects. A locking or retaining recess LR and a shoulder SP whose front surface forms a contact surface CS is also provided on each lancet. By way of non-limiting example, the locking recess LR can be a tapered recess and can be specifically designed to engage with a locking or retaining member RM of a lancet holding member LHM of a lancet device (see FIGS. 4-13). Of course, other mechanisms, other than a locking recess, can be utilized to ensure that the lancet unit LA is indexed or advanced in generally equal increments within the lancet holding member LHM. The invention contemplates that the particular location, size and configuration of the retaining mechanism of each lancet can be specifically configured to a particular lancet holding member LHM of a particular lancet device.