The present invention includes a system for withdrawing body fluids. The system includes a drive unit having a plunger which is moved from a resting position into a lancing position in order to carry out a lancing process and a lancing unit containing a lancet with a needle. The plunger and lancet are coupled together by a form fit in order to carry out a lancing process. The invention additionally concerns a method for temporarily extending a needle from a device for withdrawing body fluid as well as a lancing unit that can be attached to the drive unit.

A lancet magazine for use in a lancing aid is described comprising a plurality of lancets each having a lancet body at the proximal end of the lancet and a lancet tip at the distal end of the lancet, where the proximal end of the lancet points in the direction of the proximal end of the housing of the lancet magazine and the distal end of the lancet is aligned in the direction of the distal end of the housing and the lancets in the unused state are completely surrounded by the housing. Furthermore, an extension unit is movably connected to the housing in such a manner that the housing can be extended by movement of the extension unit in the direction of the distal end of the housing such that the lancet is prevented from emerging from the lancet magazine.

A method for producing an analytical tape, in particular a lancet tape, is proposed. The analytical tape is designed for being used in an analytical testing device with at least a sample-taking function. In the method, at least one supporting tape is provided in a continuous process. A plurality of lancet elements are successively applied directly to the supporting tape at at least one application point.

An apparatus for detecting presence of a blood sample is presented where the apparatus has a housing having an aperture that can receive a user's body part such that a camera in the housing can capture images of the user's body part. A processor, also in the housing, controls operation of the camera receive and determines from the captured images whether a predetermined quantity of blood is present on the surface of the user's body part.

The invention relates to analyte monitoring/drug (pharmaceutical agent) delivery device. The invention is suited for monitoring various blood constituents such as glucose. The device has a housing that at least partially encloses a plurality of microneedles disposed on a carrier and an electronics portion. Each microneedle is in fluid communication with a corresponding microchannel. Each microneedle is individually addressable. That is, each microneedle can be extended and retracted individually via an actuator. The electronics portion includes a processor and associated circuitry (e.g., memory, supporting electronics and the like), a motor or the like, a sensor, a power supply (e.g., battery) and optionally an interface. In general, the processor controls the operation of the device and is data communication with the actuator, motor, sensor and interface. The invention provides for autonomous operation, that is, without intervention of the user. The invention can optionally provide for calibration without intervention of the user. The invention can also provide for semi-continuous monitoring for day and night time. The invention can provide for up to four, or more, weeks of operation. The invention can provide for a device that is relative small in size, and therefore unobtrusive. The invention can also provide for device with remote control and interactive electronics. The invention may be also used for the delivery of various pharmaceutical agents including high potency drugs to minimize patient intervention and minimize discomfort.

A lancet driver is provided wherein the driver exerts a driving force on a lancet during a lancing cycle and is used on a tissue site. The driver comprises of a drive force generator for advancing the lancet along a path into the tissue site, and a manual switch for a user interface input.

A lancet driver is provided wherein the driver exerts a driving force on a lancet during a lancing cycle and is used on a tissue site. The driver comprises of a drive force generator for advancing the lancet along a path into the tissue site, and a manual switch for a user interface input.

A medicament injection device includes a device body portion that includes a penetrating member channel. A penetrating member is provided with a sharpened distal tip and shaft portion that is slidably disposed within the penetrating channel to provide for a penetrating to travel in a linear axial movement. A pierceable membrane isolates a penetrating member in an associated penetrating member chamber. A medicament reservoir is in fluid communication with the penetrating member. The medicament reservoir is configured to house a medicament and is coupled to the penetrating member to allow for delivery of medicament to a tissue site.

The invention relates to analyte monitoring/drug delivery device. The invention is suited for monitoring various blood constituents such as glucose. The device has a housing that at least partially encloses a plurality of microneedles disposed on a carrier and an electronics portion. Each microneedle is in fluid communication with a corresponding microchannel. Each microneedle is individually addressable. That is, each microneedle can be extended and retracted individually via an actuator. The invention can optionally provide for calibration without intervention of the user and can also provide for semi-continuous monitoring for day and night time. The invention can provide up to four, or more, weeks of operation. The invention can provide for a device that is relatively small in size, and therefore unobtrusive. The invention can also provide for device with remote control and interactive electronics. The invention may be also used for the delivery of various pharmaceutical agents.

Apparatus for allowing measurements to be made of a blood sample comprises a shaft and at least first and second blood collection members. The blood collection members are independently rotatable about the shaft. Each blood collection member includes: a blood analysis part for receiving a blood sample, plural conductive contacts, and plural conductors extending between the blood analysis part and respective ones of the conductive contacts. The apparatus also includes plural terminals configured to provide an electrical connection with the plural conductive contacts on a first member when the apparatus is in a first configuration and to provide an electrical connection with the plural conductive contacts on a second member when the apparatus is in a second configuration, thereby allowing successive measurements of at least one parameter of blood samples provided on the blood analysis parts of the first and second members.