A lancing device comprises a lancet body (14) of elongate form and having a sharp tip (16) at the forward end thereof； a drive spring (26) for imparting generally longitudinal movement to said lancet body, and a housing (10) receiving said lancet body and having an aperture (22) in the forward end thereof through which the sharp tip (16) of the lancet body projects in use when the device is fired. The device includes means (28, 30, 32) for controlling movement of the lancet body (14) to cause the tip of the lancet to execute a lateral movement when it projects from said aperture. A lancet needle, fig. 7, is also claimed. The needle is of cylindrical form including two machined surfaces (34, 36) defining a cutting edge (38) at its forward end and a datum feature 40 spaced rearwardly of the cutting edge. A lancing device is also claimed comprising a drive spring for imparting generally longitudinal movement to a lancet body from a cocked to a fired position and anti-recocking means comprising a track with a main portion and a return portion provided in or on said housing or lancet body, and a track follower element provided on the other thereof, wherein in use the track follower passes along said main portion as the lancet moves forwardly until the forwardmost position of the lancet whereupon the track follower passes along the return portion, as the lancet retracts, and retraction movement of the lancet is limited by interaction of the track and track follower.
