DE2803345C2 - Blood sampling device - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a blood sampling device with a force applied against the body surface a patient movable needle and with a force to act on the needle in the direction of Needle point equipped actuator with plunger and trigger. Such blood sampling devices are used extensively in medical practice to measure blood for the determination of blood sugar, To take blood count or similar examinations for which only small amounts of blood in the order of magnitude Drops are necessary. The blood sample is taken through a targeted peripheral lesion of the Patient with the needle. A drop of blood that escapes when the needle is withdrawn will fall on you Sample carrier picked up and fed to the investigation. The force applied to the needle is in this case by impact or impact by means of a plunger, striker or the like. Exercised for this purpose in the actuating device is provided and triggered by the trigger.

In (from practice) known devices of the type explained above, the needle is as integral part of the device intended for repeated use with changing patients. This is extremely unsatisfactory from a hygienic point of view.

Furthermore, so-called blood lancets are known, which usually consist of a flat steel blade with a lancet body and an adjoining smiley tip, packed separately aseptically and for single use are provided. The use of these blood lancets is relatively cumbersome because each Bl-'tlanzette individually by hand from their packaging must be removed and because in each case the lesion must be set by hand for blood to emerge. From it The disadvantages of these known blood lancets are that considerable experience is necessary in order to keep them safe to bring about even blood discharge and that the

Working with these blood lancets is cumbersome and exhausting. This is especially true for serial examinations, which also turn out to be very time-consuming when using these known blood lancets.

The invention is based on the object of providing a blood sampling device of the type described at the outset Specify the genus that can be used under hygienically perfect conditions, which is specified in leads to uniform results in a simple manner and without special experience and that, moreover, can be operated conveniently and quickly. At the same time, the invention is based on the object for use in indicate particularly suitable needles to a blood sampling device according to the invention. Further strives the invention according to a packaging form of such needles which is particularly suitable for practical use.

The object on which the invention is based in terms of apparatus is achieved with a blood sampling device solved the genus described above, which is characterized by the use of ansich known blood lancets as a needle, the blood lancets individually in bags of a strip pack are received and by means of a transport device acting on the strip package in the blood sampling device inserted and removed again after use and with the plunger on the blood lancets received in the pockets acts. - According to the invention, each blood lancet is used only once and then by a new one Blood lancet replaced. This is done by placing the blood lancets in the pouches of the strip pack allows both introduction and removal of the blood lancet by means of the strip pack take place. During the entire process, the blood lancets remain more or less completely in the Bags of the strip pack added, the pestle also acts in particular on the blood lancets, while these are in the pockets. The problem is that the blood lancets are in the Bags added, but at the same time should be guided under the action of force, his solution in that the pockets surprisingly not only provide the necessary isolation of the blood lancets ensure, but at the same time as a guide in the defined by the direction of the force Serve the direction of thrust. In mechanical terms, the pockets only have to separate and guide the Ensure blood lancets; however, it is advisable, in the interests of the necessary asepsis, to ensure that that the biutian times in the pockets aüseiis umhüni, so these are completely closed.

The blood sampling device according to the invention explained above in its basic structure allows a large number of different advantageous configurations. If, as explained, the pockets are closed on all sides, so can - especially if the strip pack is made of relatively flexible Material consists - the arrangement can be made so that the plunger through the material of the strip packing acts through it on the blood lancet held in the pockets. However, it is not possible to to withdraw the blood lancets into their pockets after use, rather the tips are more used Blood lancets from the side of the strip pack. Furthermore, the application of force Interferences from the interposed material of the Strip packing result if this is designed to be relatively stiff. If these conditions interfere, The invention therefore recommends providing an opening member that is coupled to the plunger and used for at least partial perforation of the tire pack is set up. Because of the coupling, this will be Opening member operated jointly with the plunger in such a way that a pocket is partially, i. H. at least on a chamber wall is opened. This first of all offers the possibility of retrieving a

ίο used blood lancet created what follows will be explained in detail. In addition, it can also be achieved that the plunger directly and without Interposition of the strip pack attacks the blood lancet. In particular, there is the possibility of to set up the plunger itself to perforate the sachet.

In order to facilitate the escape of the blood lancets from the pockets under the effect of the force, a Cutting device are provided, through which the tip-side edge area before the force is applied the strip pack is separated. But there is also the simpler option, the blood lancet itself to perforate the strip packing under the action of force. That will be simplified if the the tip side edge area of the strip pack approximately at right angles by means of a specially provided folding member is folded over to the level of the strip pack. The folding member can for example be used as a rail, roller or the like. Be formed. This folding of the edge area of the strip pack is at the same time the Possibility created to reduce the distance to the body surface of the patient, so that with short Because of as well as short and the correspondingly inexpensive blood lancets can be worked.

A defined penetration depth of the blood lancet is required for a controlled and reproducible escape of blood to strive into the body surface. This can be achieved by limiting the travel of the ram will. Instead or in addition to this, the invention recommends that the blood lancets have at least one have recessed shoulder opposite its tip and that the movement of the blood lancet under the The action of force can be blocked by a stop assigned to the shoulder. That can be different Way to be realized. So the stop can either be on the actuator itself or on whose housing are provided. The stop can also be attached to a driver member to be explained the transport device, for example a transport drum or on the strip pack itself, especially if this still needs to be explained is rigid, to be arranged. If the blood lancets are not withdrawn after use, so a stop is only provided on the rear side of the tip in the direction of transport, in order to achieve a To avoid transport obstructions due to the protruding blood lancets. In the other case you can Shoulder or stop can be arranged as desired, in particular on both sides of the tip.

In order to keep the annoyance of the patient from taking blood samples as low as possible, recommends an embodiment such that regardless of the handling of the whole device in any case the Blood lancet is withdrawn following the patient's lesion. That can be particularly easy Way can be achieved by providing the above-mentioned stop a resilient support for the Blood lancet is connected upstream. Under the force

kung, the resilient support is compressed so that the end position of the blood lancet by the stop and the intermediate support is clearly determined. After the force has subsided, it expands the resilient support again, so that the blood lancet immediately again from the body surface is pulled out. Afterwards, if necessary, the entire device can be used without disturbing the patient be dropped off; be discontinued; be deducted; be dismissed.

The depth of penetration can be adjusted by adjusting the stop. To be defined To ensure working conditions of the actuator, the invention recommends, however, a Body abutment that is at least 3 points, preferably on a surface surrounding the lancet tip, can be supported and provided at the removal area and this, which is recommended in any case, in the direction of movement set up adjustable blood lancets.

A design in which the ram acted upon by a spring which can be tensioned by means of a tensioning lever and can be triggered by a release lever is, wherein with the tensioning lever, the transport device is coupled such that when the spring is tensioned Strip pack is transported on by a pocket.

Instead of this purely mechanical embodiment set up for manual operation, there is on the other hand the possibility of providing pneumatic actuation and thus largely automatic To achieve operation with optimal comfort wedge. The compressed gas source required for this can be in the form of a conventional pressurized gas cartridge in the device. It can be known in itself Way to make the arrangement without further details so that both the force acting on the blood lancets as also the transport of the strip pack through the blood sampling device according to the invention takes place pneumatically.

In addition, it is advisable to set up the sequence of movements in such a way that when the blood lumps are withdrawn is provided in the pockets of the strip pack, this immediately after the use of the relevant Blood lancet takes place so that there is no risk of injury to protruding from the strip pack Lancelet tips are excluded. Simultaneously with the retrieval of the used blood lancet or immediately afterwards, the strip pack and the actuating device can be transported on by a pocket be brought into the release position for the next use. That can be done with both mechanical as well as pneumatic or otherwise to realize suitable means without further ado.

There are numerous possibilities for transporting the strip pack through the blood sampling device according to the invention. Thus, in a simplest embodiment, continuous transport by means of a friction wheel or the like can be provided. It is more advantageous, however, to provide a driver element, which borders with transport projections associated Transportausnehmungen the strip package this case, the transport either be directly effected by the drive member, it may be the arrangement also be made so that the drive member T by suitable in any way> 5 transported strip pack is taken and actuated a releasable transport lock. In principle, the transport movement can take place both linearly and in the form of a rotary movement. Thus, the driver member can consist of a drum of round or polygonal cross-section with (preferably radial) driver pins, the strip pack having openings associated with the driver pins. The openings can be arranged either in the middle or on one side or in pairs opposite one another on the edge of the strip pack. In this embodiment, the drum is rotated in one direction. To save space, the driver member can be designed as a drum sector that can be switched back and forth, the transport projections being designed in a manner known per se - z. B. designed in a sawtooth shape and / or retractable when switching down against spring action - are that the drum sector runs freely when switching down compared to the strip pack. Another possibility is to provide a toothed wheel as the driver member, the teeth of which enclose the spaces between the shell-shaped recessed pockets of the strip pack. Another possibility, which is characterized by a particularly space-saving design and is also recommended for kinematic reasons, especially in connection with a strip pack designed as a rigid magazine, is characterized in that the driver member consists of a gripper hook that is linearly displaceable parallel to the transport direction and vertically can be moved forward and backward to the transport direction with respect to the strip pack. In addition, a linear transport movement of a rigid magazine can also be achieved very inexpensively with a spring which is tensioned during or after the insertion of the magazine and transports it through the device, while a stepping device cooperating with the transport recesses ensures that in each case one Bag is transported further.

As mentioned, the opening of the pockets offers itself by means of an opening member the possibility of withdrawing the blood lancets into the pockets after use. For this purpose, it is provided that the opening member is designed as a return pawl and the blood lancets with it to provide a latch abutment that can be grasped or released from behind by the return latch. In detail there are various possibilities: the return pawl can either be designed as a hook and enclose in a recess of the blood lancet or in the form of a fork a projection of the blood lancet overreach. In any case, care must be taken to ensure that the retrieval handle is removed from the Engagement with the ratchet abutment is released so that the strip pack can be transported further. The return pawl can be used as an independent component be executed and articulated on the ram. However, the plunger itself is preferably designed as a return pawl and hinged to an actuating member to be brought into or out of engagement with the joint abutment to be able to. In any case, this engaging movement of the return pawl becomes special simply controlled by the fact that the Rückhoiklecke with one opposite to the direction of the force on the blood lancet inclined contact surface acts together. The contact surface on which the The return pawl is preferably applied under the action of a spring, provides a control curve for the return pawl and can have any suitable, straight or curved control profile for this purpose. The contact surface is flexible when using a

Strip pack preferably fixed to the actuating device provided, it can also be used as a rigid magazine when the strip pack is designed each pocket can be assigned its own run-on surface and arranged on the magazine.

The transport of the strip pack through the device is particularly easy and trouble-free, if a guideway running in the direction of transport and perpendicular to the direction of the force is provided in which the strip pack at least, but preferably only at the edge is led. With regard to the provision and guidance of the strip pack in the device, the invention provides various There are possibilities that differ mainly depending on whether a flexible or a rigid one Strip packing is provided. A flexible strip pack is preferably placed in a dispensing cassette housed of substantially circular cross-section, the guideway substantially opens tangentially into the dispensing cassette. The strip packing is - preferably coreless - rolls in the dispensing cassette and is moved through the guideway at the working position passed, in which the blood lancets are operated. The dispensing cassette can be attached to the inventive Blood sampling device fixedly arranged and with a removable one for inserting the strip pack Be provided with a lid. Another, particularly advantageous possibility is characterized in that the The dispensing cassette and the actuating device have interlocking formations associated with one another and that the dispensing cassette can be detachably connected to the actuating device by means of the form-fitting formations is, the guideway at least partially in one with the dispensing cassette - preferably in one piece - connected exhaust duct runs. Based on this, there is the preferred one Possibility of making the dispensing cassettes as one-way or one-way packaging. The form-fit training, with which the dispensing cassette is snapped into place on the actuating device are more advantageous Way attached to the exhaust duct. The latching can in principle in largely any way Direction take place, but advantageously the arrangement is made so that the form-locking formations be joined together in the transport direction to snap into place.

Without any special measures, the strip pack with the used blood lancets runs on the d ^ r Dispensing cassette on the opposite side of the device from the actuating device, where it -% or preferably at the perforations provided for this purpose - can be torn off. This can be dispensed with by having a Receiving cassette is provided for the leaking strip pack with the used blood lancets that can basically be constructed similarly to the dispensing cassette. It is recommended that you submit and To connect the receiving cassette through the outlet channel, the guideway completely in the outlet channel runs. Of course, the outlet channel has an engagement opening for the transport device as well a passage for the blood lancets.

In the context of the invention, the strip pack can also be designed as a rigid magazine. For this In this case, a guide chamber is preferably provided in which the magazine can be indexed step-by-step The passage for the blood lancets usually opens into the guide chamber if it is not closed formed, the passage meets at least the (imaginary) extension of the guide chamber. Is this The magazine is cuboid, so it is recommended that the guide chamber be perpendicular to the direction of the Forming force acting on the blood lancet running guide shaft in which the magazine is switched linearly. There is also the option of packing strips on one side, as it were To bend a circle together, which results in a circular disk or drum-shaped magazine. In this The case is a circular cylindrical guide chamber, possibly with a concentric receiving pin intended. The direction of the force acting on the blood lancets can be radial as well take place axially parallel with respect to the cylindrical guide chamber. The indexing of the rigid magazine can be done in any case with the means described above in connection with the transport device have been explained.

The invention also relates to a blood lancet which is particularly suitable for use in the described blood sampling device. In their basic structure, blood lancets consist of a lancet body and lancet tip, with the known embodiment the lancet body being designed with a longitudinal reinforcement thickness and the lancet tip being very short compared to the lancet body. Although this known embodiment is suitable in principle, the lancet body is preferably U-shaped in cross section with a U-shaped web and U-legs angled therefrom, the lancet tip being connected to the U-shaped piece. The U-legs enable precise guidance of the blood lancet under the action of force and also cause stiffening. In principle, and in particular also in this U-shaped design, it is advisable to make the lancet tip significantly longer than previously usual, namely with a length that is V ₁ to V _{2 of} the total length of the blood lancet. In this way, an optimal compromise is achieved between the guiding properties under the action of force on the one hand and the lowest possible cost of material on the other hand. In addition, the lancet tip is vürteüiiäitenveise separated from the lancet body by a shoulder on at least one side, which, in cooperation with a device-fixed stop, ensures a uniform penetration depth - and ratchet abutment. This can be, for example, a recess, preferably an elongated hole, in the U-web or a notch that is open on the side or at the top.

On the other hand, the plunger and pawl abutment can be formed by a projection, for example by a nose or bent from the U-web - preferably into the U-space through an end wall that closes off the U gap on the rear side and extends from the U web. In any case The plunger or the return pawl act when the force is applied to the blood lancet or when it is withdrawn form-fit with the ram and pawl abutment.

The invention also relates to a pack for the blood lancet which is suitable for use in a blood sampling device according to the invention specially designed isL strip pack means im

Within the scope of the invention generally a structure with a defined longitudinal direction, in which in the longitudinal direction side by side pockets for receiving the blood lancets are arranged. A strip pack can do both be flexible as well as rigid and within the scope of the invention it is also possible, as it were, to the longitudinal direction to close a circle.

A strip pack according to the invention is first and foremost characterized by evenly spaced elongated pockets li> each other for receiving a blood lancet, the longitudinal extent of the pockets being perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the strips, as well as transport recesses that are equidistant from the distance between adjacent pockets. The Transportaus- may consist of centrally or peripherally arranged openings, which can be arranged as desired in the rest opposite the ^pockets! Recesses ^5, while the interior of the pockets except where is opened. The openings can also be open at the edge so that they can be brought into engagement with the transport projections of the transport device in a particularly simple manner when inserting the strip pack parallel to the direction of the force and thus in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the blood lancets.

A first embodiment, which is particularly recommended for flexible strip packs, is indicated by the structure of a base film and a cover film made of paper, plastic film or the like. Wherein Base and cover sheet placed on top of one another and in one ■ «> Ladder-shaped area with the formation of pockets surrounding the blood lancets on all sides be connected. By choosing sufficiently flexible materials it can be achieved that the pockets form by themselves when the foils are folded without special measures. On the special Shaping of the pockets can be dispensed with in particular if they are essentially flat Blood lancets are used. Particularly with this flat version of the strip packaging, we recommend - »ο It is not advisable, at least parallel to the edge of the strip package facing the lancet tips to preform a continuous bending point, through which the folding of the tip-side edge area the strip packing is facilitated. This - »5 bending point preferably runs directly in front of the lace delimitation of the pockets.

The connection between the base and cover film can - especially if these are made of paper - take place in that at least parallel to the edges extending in the longitudinal direction of the strip each one Embossing is provided, which runs zigzag in section and the appearance of a crimp offers. This leads to a sufficiently strong and tight bond, which at the same time behaves Embossed like a continuous bending point in the sense explained. On the other hand, such The bending point is also designed as a perforation or as an embossed reduction in the thickness of the base and cover sheets will. These last-mentioned options are particularly recommended for another advantageous one Embodiment of the strip pack, wherein the base and cover film made of thermoplastic Plastic film or made of such a laminated material and are welded together.

The invention also provides between adjacent Pockets to provide a tear-off perforation, so that the strip pack leaking out of the device used blood lancets can be easily torn off.

In a preferred embodiment, at least one of the foils has pre-embossed depressions to form the pockets. This is particularly recommended if the blood lancets are U-shaped and therefore require a larger pocket volume. The strip pack can be used as a so-called sealing strip be designed with base and cover sheets of essentially the same streakiness. It continues the possibility of using the base film, in which the indentations are embossed, opposite the cover film (the can for example consist of a thin metal foil), to carry out much higher rigidity and to get to a so-called blister strip.

An embodiment that is preferably designed as a blister strip and is simple Production with particularly reliable and trouble-free use is characterized by that the depression have an acute-angled triangular cross-section and that the lancet tips point to the acute angle. The contour of the blood lancets resembles the acute-angled triangular ones Cross-section of the pockets adapted so that in the preferred embodiment with a U-shaped lancet body the boundaries of the U-legs converge accordingly in the direction of the lancet tip.

For the engagement of the plunger or the return pawl, it is advantageous if the lancet tip is parallel to the Cover foil runs and the U-legs face the base foil.

Another embodiment that admittedly only accommodates a finite number of blood lancets allowed, but is characterized by particularly easy handling, arises from the fact that a strip pack, preferably in the flexible embodiment explained above, as it were in their plane a circle is closed with the pockets arranged radially.

This embodiment forms, as it were, the transition to the embodiment of the strip pack as a rigid magazine provided by the invention. The pockets consist of receiving channels which penetrate a base body and which are closed on both end faces by a cover foil, which is preferably a self-adhesive metal foil. The magazine can be cuboid with receiving channels arranged next to one another in one plane, the " ¹ being switched linearly accordingly. The magazine can also be wound around an axis parallel to the direction of the force to form a drum magazine, which is rotatably mounted in a circular-cylindrical guide chamber In any case, it is advisable to provide open transport recesses on the edge of the rigid magazine, into which a gripper hook of the transport device engages In this embodiment as a rigid magazine, there is also the advantageous possibility of providing at least one stop for a shoulder provided on the blood lancets directly on the receiving channels, specifically on the one of the La Page assigned to the tip of the label. Furthermore, on the back, ie on the lancet tip

On the opposite side, a contact surface is inclined in relation to the direction of the action of the force be provided that the movement of the ram or Rückholklip.ke to E- »handle on the ram or clinker abutment who controls blood lancets.

To improve the guidance of the blood lancet under the action of force, it can also be provided that the pockets have guide slots which extend in the direction of the force and in which the blood lancets are slidably mounted. This possibility exists in principle with every embodiment, However, this is particularly recommended when - for example, to save space with a rigid Magazine - to be used in substantially flat blood lancets. The guide slots can be made without Provide more on the continuous receiving channels and ensure precise guidance. There is also the advantageous possibility of attaching locking projections in the guide slots, between which the blood lancets are resiliently held. The locking projections are in front of and behind the Arranged blood lancets and thus hold them in the interior of the pockets preferably in turn Receiving channels of a rigid magazine, fixed. This is done resiliently, i. H. that although not usual Transport vibrations or the like, but the forces exerted by the plunger or return pawl are sufficient, to overcome the resistance of the locking projections.

The invention is described below with the aid of a drawing which merely shows exemplary embodiments explained in more detail. It shows

F i g. 1 a schematic representation of a blood sampling device, partially broken,

F i g. 2 a section from a strip pack with a blood lancet, in longitudinal section,

F i g. 3 the subject matter of FIG. 2 in cross section,
F i g. 4 a strip pack viewed from above, in different phases of use,

F i g. 5 the subject of FIG. 1, detail in Section V-V (Fig. 1),

F i g. 6 the subject of FIG. 5 in section VI-VI (Fig. 5),

7 shows a strip pack with different embodiments of blood lancets,

F i g. 8 shows another embodiment of a strip pack in cross section;

FIG. 9 the object of FIG. 8 in plan view, partially broken,

F i g. 10 the subject of FIG. 8 in longitudinal section, F i g. 11 shows another embodiment of the article the F i g. 8 in connection with an actuating device,

Figure 12 shows a strip pack in the form of a rigid one Magazine in connection with parts of the actuation device,

13 shows the object of FIG. 12 in section XIII-XIII (Fig. 12),

14 shows another embodiment of the article the fig. 12 in cross section.

The blood sampling device according to the invention, which is initially based on the schematic representation of the F i g. 1 is to be explained in its main features, is used to measure the body surface of a patient by means of a To injure the needle peripherally so that a drop of blood required for blood tests emerges. Be there so-called blood lancets 1 used as needles, which are provided in a strip pack 2 and are still closed illustratively moved against the surface of the body under the action of force, d. H. proportionate in practice be vigorously accelerated. The F i g. 1 shows a view against the direction of the force and initially reveals a housing 3 and a handle 4. Perpendicular to the direction of the The action of force runs through the housing 3, a channel 5 with a guide track 6 in which the Strip pack 2 is performed on its edge. The strip pack 2 is through the device by means of a Transport device transported through, which in the illustrated embodiment essentially a with driver pins 7 provided drum 8 of round cross-section, which is uniquely in the direction the arrow 9 is incremented. The strip pack 2 with the blood lancets 1 becomes one Removed dispensing cassette 10, which is used as a disposable pack, by means of an outlet channel 11 or Form-fitting formations 12 provided on the housing are attached to the housing 3 and by actuation a push button 13 can be released from the form fit. The guideway 6 continues through the Outlet channel 11 continues through and opens essentially tangentially into the circular cylindrical interior of the Dispensing cassette 10. As a result, the slip package 2, which is in the form of a coreless roll in the Dispensing cassette 10 is arranged smoothly in the guide track 6, wherein above the guide track 6, in which the strip pack 2 is guided at the edge, there is a free space 14 through which the following pockets 15 explained in more detail can happen. The dispensing cassette 10 becomes the strip pack 2 by means of the drum 8 at a working position 16, at which blood samples are taken, past to a Outlet opening 17 promoted.

2 shows a section of the strip package 2 in longitudinal section, in which the blood lancet 1 can be seen in cross section, as it is with its own Longitudinal direction, which corresponds to the direction in which the force is applied, perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the strip packing 2 is arranged, which is based on Fig.3 is readily clear, which represents a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the strip package 2. The basic structure of the strip pack 2 consists of a base film 18 and a cover film 19, both of which consist of a thermoplastic plastic film and are welded to one another, namely in a ladder-shaped area 20, which is parallel to each other and in the longitudinal direction of the strip pack 2 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the strip pack 2 encloses pockets 15, which in particular on the basis of FIG. 4 can be seen. The F i g. 4 also shows that the strip pack has 2 transport recesses in the form of openings 21 which are arranged in the middle of the strip between the pockets 15 and have a distance from one another which corresponds to the distance between adjacent pockets 15. In each Pocket 15 contains a blood lancet 1, which consists of a lancet tip 22 and a lancet body 23 consists, the lancet body 23 in the illustrated embodiment in cross section U-shaped with the U-web merging into the lancet tip 22 and U-leg 25 angled from this is constructed. the 4 shows that the lancet tip 22 on both sides by a shoulder 26 from the lancet body is offset and, moreover, has a length that is only slightly less than the length of the lancet body 23 and thus only a little less than half of the

Total length of the blood lancet 1.

The F i g. 4 shows the strip pack 2 in different phases of use, the direction of transport from FIG is to be imagined from top to bottom. The strip pack 2 is shown in dashed lines in FIG extended configuration supplied (a). First, by means of a (not shown in the figures) Umlagliederes both the tip side and the rear edge area in the in F i g. 3 shown in solid lines, approximately at right angles to the plane of Strip pack 2 folded over in an angled position (b). In the subsequent work position, in still takes place To be explained in more detail, the action of force on the blood lancet 1 with the result that it moves by one stroke i / with perforation of the cover film 19 out of the pocket 15 against the body surface (not shown) is moved (c). Finally, the blood lancet 1 is returned to FIG Pocket 16 is withdrawn (d), whereupon a further transport step takes place, the next blood lancet 1 brings into working position.

5 and 6 show in detail, for example, an embodiment of an actuating device with which the blood lancets 1 are pushed back and forth. In Fig. 5 one can initially see the housing 3, the channel 5 running therein, the transport drum 8 arranged underneath, and the guide tracks 6, which run vertically in this area in accordance with the explained folding of the edge areas of the strip pack 2. The force acting on the blood lancet 1 is effected here by a plunger 27 which, when a trigger (not shown) is actuated, is accelerated against the blood lancet 1 under the action of a spring (also not shown) tensioned in the previous transport step and through this without opening the pocket 15 the material cover film 19 acts through it on the rear end of the blood lancet 1. As a result, the blood lancet 1 is perforated at an accelerated rate with its lancet tip 22, first of all the corresponding area of the cover sheet 19, passes through a passage 28 provided for this purpose in the housing 3 and finally penetrates the body surface 29 provided for taking blood samples. The stroke H of the blood lancet 1, which corresponds to the path of the plunger 27, is limited by the fact that at the end of the stroke the blood lancet 2 rests with the shoulder 26 on a stop surface 30 which surrounds the passage 28. To ensure a reproducible depth of penetration of the lancet tip 22 into the body surface 29, a body abutment 31 is provided, which is supported on a surface surrounding the passage 28 on the body surface 29 in the removal area and also adjusted to adjust the penetration depth by means of a thread 32 in the direction of movement of the blood lancet can. The blood lancet 1 is withdrawn by means of a return pawl 33 which is hinged to the plunger 27 and, as an opening element, perforates the cover film 19. This is achieved in that the return pawl 33 runs against a contact surface 34 during the stroke of the plunger 27, which is inclined relative to the direction of movement of the blood lancet 1 and thus pushes the return pawl 33 through the cover film 19. The return pawl 33 engages - before the plunger 27 engages - in a pawl abutment which consists of an elongated hole 35 provided in the U-shaped web of the lancet body 23. If this is the case, the plunger 27 hits the rear end of the blood lancet 1, so that the plunger 27 and the return pawl 33 now move forward synchronously. If the plunger 27 is then withdrawn, the return pin 33 bordering into the elongated hole 35 takes the blood lancet 1 with it until it has reached the starting position in the pocket 15 again and the return pin 33 is released again through the contact surface 34. The individual phases of movement are shown in FIG. 5 shown.

The F i g. 6 shows a section through the subject of FIG. 5. You can see the U-shaped cross-section Blood lancets 1 as well as the return pawl 33 resting on the contact surface 34. Particularly clearly shows FIG. 6 shows how the drum 8 indexed further in the direction of arrow 9, the strip pack transported in that the driver pins 7 engage in the openings 21 of the strip pack 2.

The F i g. 7 initially shows how the openings 21 also on both sides on the edge of the strip pack 2 can be provided. Furthermore, and above all, FIG. 7 shows a plurality of different embodiments of the blood lancets 1. On the one hand, various embodiments of the lancet tip can be seen 22 and on the other hand, like the pawl abutment not only as an elongated hole 35, but also as a laterally open Notch 36 or upwardly open notch 37 can be carried out.

While the above-described embodiments of the strip pack are so-called sealing strips and have relatively low rigidity, the F1 g. 8-11 another embodiment. Here, the strip pack is designed as a so-called blister strip, which consists of a base film 18 of relatively high rigidity, in which pockets 15 are embossed, and a cover film 19, very low rigidity, preferably made of a thin metal foil .8 in which the initial position of the blood lancet 1 is shown in solid lines and the extended position of the blood lancet 1 is shown in dashed lines - after the base film 18 has been perforated by the lancet tip 22. 9 shows - with the cover sheet 19 partially removed - the arrangement of the blood lancets in the pockets 15, which are not actually embossed into the base sheet 18 here, but rather arise as spaces between truncated pyramidal formations 38 over which the cover sheet 19 runs. FIG. 10 further shows that in this embodiment the strip pack is also transported in a different manner. The transport recesses are formed here by the spaces between the shell-shaped recessed pockets 15, ma W, that is, by the truncated pyramid-shaped impressions 38 in which the teeth 39 of a gear 40 engage as driver members. The advancement and retrieval of the blood lancets 1 take place here like those in connection with FIGS. 5.6 explained.

The embodiment of the strip pack 2 shown in Fig. 11 is characterized in that the for Formation of the pockets 15 in the base film 18 provided depressions an acute-angled triangular Have cross-section, the lancet tips 22 pointing towards the acute angle 41. Corresponding the triangular cross-section of the pocket 15 are also the U-legs 25 of the U-shaped in cross-section The lancet body 23 is designed to converge in the direction of the lancet tip 22, so that the contour of the Blood lancet 1 is adapted overall to the cross section of the pocket 15, with only on the back of the

Blood lancet 1 there is a free space 42 in the pocket 15, in which the plunger 27, which here also forms the return pawl 33, engages. Otherwise, the lancet tip runs 22 along the largest side of the triangle, in the embodiment shown, as a right-angled triangle the hypotenuse forms the cover sheet 19, while the U-legs 25 of the base sheet 18 are facing. The U-web of the blood lancet 1 here also has a recess between them and the rear end of the blood lancet 1 includes a web 43 which acts as a plunger and IClink abutment is covered by the fork-shaped plunger head 44, so that one in the fore and aft direction there is positive engagement The plunger 27 is articulated to an actuating part 45, is in the Forward movement first raised over the rear boundary of the strip pack 2, then under perforation of the cover foil. 19 lowered to the engagement between the plunger head 44 and web 43 and then moved forward and back again while taking along the blood lancet 1, to finally to be raised and withdrawn again after reaching the starting position. Raising and lowering of the plunger head 44 can likewise by means of a contact surface (not shown) or through (also not shown) drive means are effected. Otherwise, FIG. 11 shows how the Top of the strip pack 2 due to the narrow-winded, triangular pocket cross-section runs inclined, and how accordingly the gear 40 the is again provided for transport, is arranged with an inclined axis.

In the embodiments described above, the strip pack 2 consists of more or less great flexibility - from two interconnected foils 18, 19. In contrast, show the 12-14 another embodiment in which the strip pack is designed as a rigid magazine 46, which essentially has the shape of a cuboid with a plurality of mutually parallel receiving channels 47 enforce. The receiving channels 47 are each provided with a cover sheet 48 on their end cables closed, which in the exemplary embodiment consists of a self-adhesive metal foil and on both Pages of the magazine runs continuously over the long narrow sides. The blood lancets 1 are just here formed and guided in guide slots 49, which run in the direction of the force and perpendicular for the longitudinal extension of the magazine 46 are arranged. In the embodiment shown in FIG are also 49 locking projections in the guide slots 50 provided, which hold the blood lancet 1 normally and - with elastic deformation - Only allow a longitudinal displacement of the blood lancet 1 when force is applied. In addition, FIG. 13

ίο 46 transport recesses on both sides of the magazine to be seen in the form of depressions 51, the approximately semicircular cross-section as well as a Have width which is only slightly less than the distance between adjacent depressions 51, i.e. dementis speaking between adjacent receiving channels 47. These depressions 51 are used for step-by-step Indexing of the magazine 46 in a (not shown) guide shaft and also cause a significant weight reduction.

As the F i g. 12 shows, in this embodiment the force is exerted on the blood lancets 1 again by means of a plunger 27, which is also designed as a return pawl and with one opposite the direction of the force effect inclined run-up surface 34 cooperates, which are provided partly on the housing 3 and partly on the inlet side on the receiving channels 47 is. Based on the in F i g. 12 movement phases shown is to be appointed as the ram head 44 runs against the run-up surface 34, with its tip 52 the Cover sheet 48 perforated by the part of the contact surface 34 lying in the receiving channel 47 from below the blood lancet 1 is guided. The shock head 44 summarizes in an elongated hole 35 through which to At the rear end of the blood lancet 1, a web 43 is formed, which is formed by a web 43 behind the plunger head 44 provided notch 53 is gripped. In this position, the plunger 27 is flush with the receiving channel! 47, so that the advancement of the blood lancet 1 can take place until this with the shoulders 26 on a (not shown) on the housing 3 provided stop rests. The way back from plunger 27 and blood lancet 1 takes place accordingly until the blood lancet 1 has reached its starting position again, the plunger 27 released downwards and pulled out of the area of the receiving channel 47, so that the Magazine 46 can be indexed.

In addition 6 sheets of drawings

Claims (40)

Patent claims: 1. Blood sampling device with a needle that can be moved under the action of force against the body surface of a patient as well as with an actuating device with plunger and trigger set up for force action on the needle in the direction of the needle tip, characterized by the use of blood lancets (1) as a needle, the blood lancets (1 ) are received individually in pockets to (15) of a strip pack (2) and are introduced into the blood sampling device by means of a transport device (8), (40) engaging the strip pack (2) and removed again after use, and ^{| 5} the plunger ( 27) acts on the blood lancets (1) received in the pockets (15). 2. Blood sampling device according to claim 1, characterized in that the closed on all sides Pockets (15) of the plunger (27) through the material (18, 19) of the strip pack (2) onto the Acts on blood lancets (1). 3. Blood sampling device according to claim 1, characterized by an opening member (33) with coupled to the plunger (27) and for at least partial perforation of the strip pack (2) is set up. 4. Blood sampling device according to one of claims i-3, characterized by a Cutting device through which the tip-side edge area of the strip pack before the force is exerted (2) is detachable. 5. Blood sampling device according to one of claims 1-3, characterized in that the Force the blood lancets (1) to perforate the strip pack (2). 6. Blood sampling unit according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized by a folding member in the form of a rail, roller or the like, the tip-side edge region of the strip pack (2) in can be folded over by the folding member approximately at right angles to the plane of the strip pack (2). 7. blood sampling device according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that the Blood lancets (1) have at least one shoulder (26) set back with respect to their tip (22) and that the movement of the blood lancets (1) under the force of one of the shoulders (26) assigned stop (30) can be blocked. 8. Blood sampling device according to one of claims 1 - 7, characterized by a body abutment (31), which at least three points, preferably on one of the lancet tip (22) surrounding area, can be supported on the body surface (29) and in the direction of movement of the blood lancet (1) is adjustable. 9. Blood sampling device according to one of claims 1-8, characterized in that the The plunger is acted upon by a spring which can be tensioned by means of a tensioning lever and by a Release lever can be released, the transport device being coupled to the clamping lever in such a way that that when the spring is tensioned, the strip pack is transported further by one pocket. 10. Blood sampling device according to one of the & ■> Claims 1-9, characterized in that the transport device has a driver member (8, 40) having, with transport projections (7, 39) in associated transport recesses (21, 38) of the Edging strip pack (2) 11. blood sampling device according to claim 10, characterized in that the driver member consists of a drum (8) of round or polygonal Cross-section with driving pins (7), and that the strip pack (2) the driving pins has associated openings (21) 12. Blood sampling device according to claim 10, characterized in that the Mitnehrner member from a forward and backward switchable drum sector consists 13. Blood sampling device according to claim 10, characterized in that the driver member consists of a toothed wheel (40), the teeth (39) of which are recessed in spaces (3S) between shell-shaped Border the pockets (IS) of the strip packing (2). 14. Blood sampling device according to claim 10, characterized in that the driver member consists of a gripper hook that is linearly displaceable parallel to the transport direction and vertically can be moved forward and backward to the transport direction with respect to the strip pack 15. Blood sampling device according to one of claims 3-14, characterized in that the Opening member is designed as a return pawl (33) and the blood lancet (1) through the return pawl Have behind graspable or releasable latch abutments (35,36,37,43). 16. Blood sampling device according to one of claims 3-15, characterized in that the Return pawl (33) is hinged to the plunger (27) 17. Blood sampling device according to one of claims 3-15, characterized in that the The plunger (27) is designed as a return pawl and is articulated on an actuating part (45). 18. Blood sampling device according to one of claims 3-17, characterized in that the Return pawl (27, 33) with one opposite to the direction in which the force acts on the blood lancets (1) inclined contact surface (34) cooperates. 19. Blood sampling device according to one of claims 1-18, characterized by an in Transport direction (9) and guide track (6) running perpendicular to the direction of the force. in which the strip pack (2) is guided at the edge 20. Blood sampling device according to one of claims 1-19, characterized by a dispensing cassette (10) of essentially circular cross-section, the guide track (6) being essentially tangential into the dispensing cassette (10) joins 21. Blood sampling device according to claim 20, characterized in that the dispensing cassette (10) and the actuating device, have associated form-locking formations (12) and that the Dispensing cassette (10) by means of the form-fitting formations (12) releasable with the actuating device can be connected, the guide track (6) at least partially in one with the dispensing cassette (10) connected outlet channel (11) runs. 22. Blood sampling device according to claim 20 or 21, characterized by a receiving cassette, wherein the dispensing and receiving cassette are connected by the outlet channel and wherein the guideway runs completely in the outlet channel. 23. Blood sampling device according to one of claims 1-19, characterized by a guide tion chamber, the strip pack being designed as a rigid magazine (46) and in the guide pack can be switched step by step. 24. Blood lancet for use with a blood sampling device according to one of the claims 1 - 13, with lancet body and lancet tip, characterized in that the lancet body (23) U-shaped in cross-section with U-web (24) and U-legs angled from this (25) is formed, wherein the lancet tip (22) is connected to the U-web (24) 25. The blood lancet of claim 24, characterized characterized in that the length of the lancet tip (22) is approximately V ₃ to V _{2 of} the total length of the blood lancet (1) 26. Blood lancet according to claim 24 or 25, characterized in that the lancet body (23) a form-fit formation (35,? 6, 37, 43) to form a plunger and pawl abutment having. 27. Strip pack, in particular for a blood sampling device according to one of claims 1-23 and in particular for receiving blood lancets according to one of claims 24-26, characterized by equally spaced apart pockets (15) for receiving one each Blood lancet (I), the longitudinal extent of the pockets (15) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the strip lies, as well as by transport recesses (21, 38), which are one of the distance between adjacent Bags (15) have the same spacing. 28. Strip pack according to claim 27, characterized by a structure of a base film (18) and a cover film (19) made of paper, plastic film or the like, with base and cover film (18, 19) placed on top of one another and in a ladder-shaped area (20) with the formation of the blood lancets (1) pockets (15) enclosing all sides are connected to one another. 29. strip pack according to claim 28, characterized in that the base and cover film (18, 19) at least parallel to their edges extending in the longitudinal direction of the strip by means of an embossing are connected. 30. strip pack according to claim 28, characterized in that the base and cover film (18, 19) consist of thermoplastic plastic film or with such a laminated material and with each other are welded. 31. Strip pack according to one of claims 27 to 30, characterized by one between adjacent ones Tear-off perforation provided for pockets. 32. strip pack according to one of claims 27-31, characterized in that at least one the foils (18, 19} have pre-embossed depressions (15, 38) for forming the pockets (15). 33. Strip pack according to one of claims 27 to 32, characterized in that the base film (18) has greater rigidity than the cover film (19). 34. Strip pack according to one of claims 27-33, characterized in that the pockets (15) have an acute-angled triangular cross-section and that the lancet tips (22) for point out the acute angle (41). 35. Strip pack according to any one of claims 27-34, characterized in that it essentially is flat and closed to form a circle 36. Strip pack according to claim 27, characterized by a structure as a rigid magazine (46), wherein the pockets (15) consist of receiving channels (47) which penetrate a base body and which are closed at both ends by a cover film (48). 37. strip pack according to claim 36, characterized in that the receiving channels (47) at least one stop on the tip side for a shoulder (26) provided on the blood lancets (1) exhibit. 38. Strip pack according to claim 36 or 37, characterized in that the receiving channels (47) on the rear have a contact surface (34) inclined in relation to the direction of the action of force. 39. Strip pack according to one of claims 36-38, characterized in that the receiving channels (47) have guide slots (49) which extend in the direction of the action of force and in which the blood lancets (1) are slidably mounted. 40. strip pack according to claim 39, characterized in that in the guide slots (49) Latching projections (50) are provided, between which the blood lancets (1) are resiliently held.