Pivotable needle unit

The present invention generally relates to the insertion of needles or needle-like members. Thus, a device comprises a housing having a mounting surface adapted for application to the skin of a subject, and a needle unit connected to the housing by a hinge allowing the needle unit to pivot corresponding to a pivoting axis defined by the hinge, the pivoting axis being arranged substantially in parallel with the mounting surface. The needle unit comprises a needle having a distal pointed portion adapted to penetrate the skin of the subject, the distal portion extending generally perpendicular to the mounting surface, and a proximal portion arranged substantially corresponding to the pivoting axis, whereby the needle unit is arranged to pivot between a first position in which the distal portion of the needle is retracted within the housing, and a second position in which the distal portion projects relative to the mounting surface. The needle may e.g. be in the form of a hollow needle or a needle sensor.