Cam-actuated medical puncturing device and method

A medical puncturing device, comprising:

• a housing having a proximal end and a distal end, the housing comprising an actuating member extending internally therein, wherein the actuating member is formed on an end cap enclosing the proximal end of the housing, wherein the end cap is secured to the housing;
• a shield having a proximal end and a distal end, the shield proximal end disposed within the housing, and the shield axially movable relative to the housing;
• a skin puncturing assembly disposed within the housing and comprising a movable carrier and a skin puncturing element integral with the carrier, a distal end of the skin puncturing element adapted for puncturing the skin of a patient, the carrier movable from a retracted position wherein the distal end of the skin puncturing element is disposed within the shield to a puncturing position wherein the distal end of the skin puncturing element is exposed from the shield to puncture the skin of the patient, the carrier maintained in the retracted position by engagement of at least one retaining tab on the shield with the carrier and moved from the retracted position to the puncturing position upon release of the at least one retaining tab from the carrier;
• a drive spring disposed within the housing, the drive spring adapted to move the carrier from the retracted position to the puncturing position upon release of the at least one retaining tab from the carrier;
• and
• a retraction spring disposed within the shield, the retraction spring adapted to return the carrier to a position within the housing wherein the shield encompasses the skin puncturing element after the carrier reaches the puncturing position,
• wherein the actuating member has a distal end defining a tapered camming surface engaging an opposing, oppositely tapered camming surface on the shield proximal end, the engagement of the opposing camming surfaces adapted to radially deform the shield proximal end upon axial displacement of the shield into the housing, such that the at least one retaining tab is released of engagement with the carrier permitting the drive spring to move the carrier from the retracted position to the puncturing position.

A method of actuating a medical puncturing device comprising:

• providing a medical device having:
• a housing comprising an actuating member extending internally therein, wherein the actuating member is formed on an end cap enclosing an open proximal end of the housing, wherein the end cap is secured to the housing;
• a shield having a proximal end disposed in the housing and axially movable relative to the housing, the shield having at least one retaining tab;
• a skin puncturing assembly disposed within the housing and comprising a movable carrier and a skin puncturing element mounted to the carrier, a distal end of the skin puncturing element adapted to puncture the skin of a patient, the at least one retaining tab engaging the carrier;
• and
• a drive spring disposed within the housing and adapted to move the carrier in the shield,
• wherein the actuating member defines a camming surface engaging an opposing camming surface on the shield proximal end;
• and
• axially displacing the shield into the housing causing the opposing camming surfaces to engage and release the at least one retaining tab of engagement with the carrier, such that the drive spring moves the carrier from a retracted position wherein the distal end of the skin puncturing element is disposed within the shield to a puncturing position wherein the distal end is exposed from the shield to puncture the skin of the patient under the biasing force of the drive spring.