A method for hardening at a surface a component,devices having one or more hardened surfaces and devices for retaining and presenting for use a plurality of

摘要

A method for hardening a surface 14 of a plastics component 10 comprises softening the surface using carbon dioxide at a pressure of less than 74 bar and introducing a hardening material into the component surface. Typically, a metal alkoxide, e.g. titanium isopropoxide (TiOP) or tetraethoxysilane (TEOS), is used to incorporate a ceramic into the softened component. For example, tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) would form silica domains 20. The carbon dioxide may act as a carrier for the metal alkoxide. A device having one or more surfaces hardened by the method is also disclosed. The device may comprise a lancet (20, Fig. 2) having a tip (22, Fig. 2) and may form part of a blood sugar monitor. A device comprising a plurality of components (52, Fig. 5) in a disc portion (50, Fig. 5), whereby at least component is movable from a rest to an operative position represents another aspect.