A skin penetrating system includes a housing member and a penetrating
member positioned in the housing member. An analyte detecting member is
coupled to a sample chamber. The analyte detecting member is configured
to determine a concentration of an analyte in a body fluid using a sample
of less than 1 .mu.L of a body fluid disposed in the sample chamber. A
tip of the penetrating member is configured to extend through an opening
of the sample chamber.