PIERCING INSTRUMENT AND PIERCING NEEDLE CARTRIDGE

摘要

A piercing instrument to which a lancet having a protective cap is installed, where the protective cap can be reliably removed from the lancet with the lancet appropriately held by the piercing instrument. A first projection or recess is formed in the protective cap, and a second projection or recess is formed in the piercing instrument. When the protective cap is not rotated a predetermined angle about the axis of the lancet, the first projection or recess and the second projection or recess are engaged with each other to restrict the movement of the protective cap in the direction of the axis of the lancet. Further, when the protective cap is rotated the predetermined angle about the axis of the lancet, the engagement between the first projection or recess and the second projection or recess is released to allow the protective cap to move in the direction of the axis of a lancet body. Also, the protective cap having been rotated the predetermined angle about the axis of the lancet is separated from the lancet.