COMBINED LANCET AND MULTI-FUNCTION CAP AND LANCET INJECTOR FOR USE THEREWITH

摘要

A combined lancet and multi-function cap of the disposable type, foruse in obtaining blood samples for diagnostic purposes. It comprises a lancetincluding a needle with a sharp end, and an elongated body of plastic materialembedding the needle except for its sharp end. It also comprises a multi-functioncap also made of plastic material, which is detachably mounted onto one end ofthe body to embed the sharp end and keep it sterile until the lancet is used. Themulti-function cap includes a ring having a central opening sized to let pass thesharp end of the needle but not the body of the lancet. The multi-function cap alsoincludes a set of legs or a skirt that project from the ring and are useful forconnecting the same to a lancet injector having a mouth through which the lancetmay be inserted and suhsequently projected out to penetrate the skin of a patient.Thus, the cap also serves as an isolation barrier between the patient's finger andthe physical lancet injector. In use, when the multi-function cap is detached fromthe lancet and is connected to the lancet injector, the ring of the cap extendsacross the mouth and positively controls the depth of penetration of the lancet inthe patient's skin. This ring also serves to lock the needle within the cap after useand thus reduces the danger of accidental finger-stick by a blood contaminatedneedle. Also disclosed is a lancet injector for use with the above lancet and multi-function cap, which is so devised as to eject the lancet after use, together with thecap that firmly grips onto the lancet to act as a protective locking hood for theneedle. This lancet injector preferably incorporates an elastomeric band to projectthe lancet upon firing, instead of a metallic coil or leaf spring.