A housing and an internal mechanism including a blade, a dual-link drive mechanism, and a trigger. The blade is driven by the drive mechanism through a rotating and translating slicing motion that defines a sampling sequence, from a first retracted position to an extended position to a second retracted position. The dual-link drive mechanism includes a blade link arm coupled to the blade, a rotary drive link arm that drives the blade arm, a drive spring that drives the a rotary drive arm, and a cam-and-follower mechanism that guides the blade arm as it is driven by the rotary drive arm. The trigger is operable to release the dual-link drive mechanism to propel the blade through the sampling sequence. And a sterility cap protects the blade and prevents operation of the device prior to removal.
