Apparatus and method for sampling blood

摘要

A lancing apparatus for sampling and analysing blood from a patient's skin comprises a cartridge (100) and a driver (180). The cartridge has an opening (133) through which the lancet's tip (122) can protrude and a sample compartment near the lancet opening (133). The lancet (106) is housed in the cartridge (100) and operatively connected thereto so it is drivable through the opening (133). The apparatus also has a housing with a driver (180) for driving the lancet (106) out of the cartridge (100) which is detachably held in the housing so it can be removed after sampling. The driver (180) has a cocking position which is triggerable when the skin exerts on the driver (180) a force exceeding a preset force which releases the driver (180) and urges the lancet (106) towards the skin to be sampled.