Continuous glucose measurement device applicator

Abstract

The present invention relates to a continuous blood glucose measurement device applicator which operates in a manner to attach a body attachment unit to a user's body, the body attachment unit having a sensor part inserted into the user's body for measuring blood glucose, the continuous blood glucose measurement device applicator comprising: a main housing; a plunger which detachably couples the body attachment unit and is disposed inside the main housing so as to be movable from a first position to a second position in a manner to discharge the body attachment unit to the outside of the main housing; a needle which is detachably coupled to the body attachment unit in a manner to be inserted into the user's body together with the sensor part; and a needle detachment unit for moving the needle in a direction opposite to the discharge direction of the plunger to detach the needle from the user's body, the needle detachment unit having a locking part and being assembled to the plunger in a manner to engage the locking part with one side of the plunger.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a patch for a continuous glucose measurement device, and more specifically, to a patch for a continuous glucose measurement device that attaches a body patch unit, which can be attached to a user's body to measure blood glucose and transmit the measurement information to the outside, to the user's body. Background Technology

[0002] Diabetes is a common chronic disease in modern people. It is caused by a variety of factors, including obesity, stress, poor eating habits, and congenital heredity, resulting in an absolute or relative deficiency of insulin produced by the pancreas, which fails to correct the imbalance of sugar in the blood, leading to an absolute increase in blood sugar levels.

[0003] Blood usually contains a certain concentration of glucose, from which tissue cells obtain energy.

[0004] However, when glucose levels rise excessively, it cannot be properly stored in the liver, muscles, or fat cells and accumulates in the blood. Therefore, the blood sugar levels of diabetic patients are maintained much higher than those of normal people. As excess blood sugar is directly excreted through tissues and then in urine, the body's tissues become deficient in the amount of sugar they absolutely need, leading to abnormalities in various tissues.

[0005] The defining characteristic of diabetes is that it initially presents with almost no noticeable symptoms. However, as the disease progresses, specific symptoms such as polydipsia, polyphagia, polyuria, weight loss, general fatigue, itchy skin, and slow-healing wounds on the hands and feet appear. Further progression can lead to complications such as visual impairment, hypertension, kidney disease, stroke, periodontal disease, muscle spasms, neuralgia, and gangrene.

[0006] In order to diagnose such diabetes and manage it to prevent the development of complications, systematic blood glucose monitoring and treatment should be carried out in parallel.

[0007] For people with diabetes and those who have not developed diabetes but have higher than normal levels of sugar in their blood, many medical device manufacturers are offering a wide variety of blood glucose meters that can measure blood sugar.

[0008] Blood glucose meters can be measured in two ways: by having the user draw blood from their fingertip and measuring blood glucose in a single unit, or by attaching the meter to the user's abdomen or arm and measuring blood glucose continuously.

[0009] For diabetic patients, the condition typically alternates between hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia. Emergencies arise from hypoglycemia, which can be fatal if loss of consciousness occurs or if hypoglycemia persists for an extended period without glucose supply. Therefore, immediate detection of hypoglycemia is crucial for diabetic patients. However, intermittent blood glucose meters have limitations in accurately assessing blood glucose levels.

[0010] Recently, to overcome these limitations, a continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS) has been developed that is inserted into the human body and measures blood glucose levels at intervals of several minutes. This continuous glucose monitoring system allows for continuous blood glucose measurement by inserting a needle-shaped sensor into relatively less painful areas such as the abdomen and arm, minimizing pain and resistance for the user during blood collection.

[0011] The continuous glucose monitoring device includes a sensor module that is inserted into the skin of the body and measures blood glucose from bodily fluids, a transmitter that transmits the blood glucose values ​​measured by the sensor module to a terminal, and a terminal that outputs the received blood glucose values. The sensor module includes a sensor probe shaped like a needle that is inserted into subcutaneous fat to extract intercellular fluid. An applicator is used to insert the sensor module into the body.

[0012] These continuous glucose monitoring devices are produced by each manufacturer in a wide variety of forms, and their usage is also diverse. However, most continuous glucose monitors are manufactured and distributed by attaching a disposable sensor module to the body via an applicator. For the applicator used to attach the disposable sensor module to the body to function, the user needs to perform a multi-step process, and after attaching the sensor module, several subsequent steps must be taken, such as directly removing the needle.

[0013] For example, the packaging of the disposable sensor module needs to be unpacked and accurately installed onto the applicator, and the applicator needs to be activated while the sensor module is inserted to attach it to the skin. Furthermore, after attaching the sensor module, procedures such as removing the needle inserted into the skin using a separate instrument are required. Additionally, there is an inconvenience that transmitting blood glucose measurement results to the user's terminal requires procedures such as integrating a separate transmitter with the sensor module.

[0014] In addition, previous applicators also suffered from problems such as complicated component assembly, long manufacturing time, and difficulty in automated production. Summary of the Invention

[0015] Technical issues

[0016] The present invention was conceived in view of the problems described above, and its object is to provide a patch for a continuous blood glucose measuring device that reduces manufacturing time due to easy assembly of parts and reduces manufacturing costs through automated production.

[0017] Technical solution

[0018] To achieve the objectives described above, the present invention provides a patch for a continuous glucose measurement device that operates by attaching a body patch unit to a user's body. The body patch unit includes a sensor component inserted into the user's body for measuring glucose levels. The patch for the continuous glucose measurement device is characterized by comprising: a main housing; a plunger that allows the body patch unit to be detachably attached and is disposed inside the main housing such that the body patch unit can be ejected outwards from the main housing from a first position to a second position; a needle that is detachably attached to the body patch unit such that it can be inserted into the user's body along with the sensor component; and a needle separation unit for moving the needle in a direction opposite to the ejection direction of the plunger to separate the needle from the user's body. The needle separation unit includes a locking portion and is assembled to the plunger such that the locking portion engages with one side of the plunger.

[0019] The needle separation unit may include: a support post having the locking portion; a needle holder movably coupled to the support post in a manner that allows it to engage with one end of the needle; and a needle separation spring that applies an elastic force relative to the needle holder in the direction of separating the needle from the user's body, and the support post may be assembled to the plunger together with the needle holder and the needle separation spring as an assembly.

[0020] The support column may include a body portion that combines the needle holder and the needle separation spring, and the locking portion may be located at one end of the body portion.

[0021] The locking part can be elastically deformably connected to the body part.

[0022] The plunger may be provided with a fixing part that allows the locking part to engage. One of the locking part and the fixing part may be provided with a mating groove, while the other may be provided with a fixing protrusion that can be inserted into the mating groove.

[0023] A support column hook connected to one end of the needle separation spring can be provided on the inner side of the support column, and a needle holder hook connected to the other end of the needle separation spring can be provided in the needle holder. The needle separation spring can apply an elastic force to the needle holder by pulling the needle holder towards the support column hook.

[0024] The needle holder may include: a retainer head for engaging one end of the needle; and a retainer wing having a wing body elastically deformable to the retainer head and a limiter protruding from the wing body, the support column having a locking boss that engages with the limiter, and a pressure portion having a pressure portion inside the main housing that allows the retainer wing to elastically deform by disengaging the limiter from the locking boss.

[0025] The retainer wing may include a trigger that protrudes from the wing body at a height greater than that of the limiter protruding from the wing body. The support post has a slit formed in the length direction of the support post in a manner that allows the trigger to be inserted. The pressurizing part is disposed in the movement path of the needle holder in such a manner that the retainer wing can be elastically deformed by pressurizing the trigger during the movement of the plunger from the first position to the second position.

[0026] The needle separation unit allows the needle separation spring to be assembled to the plunger in an elastically deformable state, so that it can apply an elastic force to the needle holder.

[0027] The needle separation unit can be assembled to the plunger in the state where the needle separation spring is not elastically deformed.

[0028] The effects of the invention

[0029] In the applicator of the present invention, the components constituting the needle separation unit for separating needles inserted into the user's body can be formed as a single assembly and incorporated into the plunger on which the body attachment unit is mounted. Therefore, components such as the needle holder and needle separation spring constituting the needle separation unit can be easily configured. Furthermore, the assembly process of assembling the assembled needle separation unit onto the plunger can be automated, thereby reducing manufacturing time and lowering manufacturing costs.

[0030] Furthermore, since the applicator of the present invention can be assembled with the plunger in the form of a needle separation unit, the operator can easily verify during the manufacturing process whether the needle holder and the needle separation spring are set to a state capable of removing the needle. Therefore, the problem of the applicator being shipped in a non-functional state can be prevented. Attached Figure Description

[0031] Figure 1 An example of using a continuous glucose measurement device is shown.

[0032] Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view showing a patch for a continuous blood glucose measurement device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 3This is a cross-sectional view showing the state of the body attachment unit installed in a continuous blood glucose measurement device patch according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 4 This is to illustrate the function of the injection plate in the patch of a continuous blood glucose measuring device provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 5 and Figure 6 This is a perspective view showing the plunger and needle separation unit of a continuous blood glucose measurement device patch according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view showing the plunger and needle separation unit of a continuous blood glucose measurement device patch according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 8 This is an exploded perspective view showing the needle separation unit in a patch for a continuous blood glucose measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 9 and Figure 10 This describes the assembly process of the plunger and needle separation unit of the continuous blood glucose measurement device patch according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Figures 11 to 16 This illustrates the process of attaching a body patch unit to a user's body using a continuous glucose measurement device patch according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0040] The patch for the continuous blood glucose measurement device of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0041] Figure 1 This illustrates an example of the use of a continuous glucose measurement device. Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view showing a patch for a continuous blood glucose measurement device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view showing the state of the body attachment unit installed in a continuous blood glucose measurement device patch according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] In one embodiment of the present invention, a continuous blood glucose measurement device patch 10 is used to attach a body patch unit 20 for measuring blood glucose to the body B.

[0043] like Figure 1As shown, the body attachment unit 20 can be attached to body B via the applicator 10, and periodically measures blood glucose from body B, wirelessly transmitting the measurement data to an external terminal 40. The body attachment unit 20 includes a sensor component 21 partially inserted into the body, a wireless communication chip configured to wirelessly communicate with the external terminal 40, and a battery, thereby enabling blood glucose measurement and wireless data transmission. Since such a body attachment unit 20 is disclosed in Korean Patent Publication No. 2020-0127097, a detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0044] In one embodiment of the present invention, the applicator 10 is configured to house a body attachment unit 20 internally. The applicator 10 can be operated by a user to eject the body attachment unit 20 to the outside. The body attachment unit 20 can be installed inside the applicator 10 and is attached to the body B by being ejected from the applicator 10 based on the operation of the applicator 10.

[0045] In one embodiment of the present invention, the applicator 10 may be supplied to the user with a body attachment unit 20 internally installed, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration.

[0046] An adhesive tape 22 is provided on one side of the body attachment unit 20, allowing the body attachment unit 20 to be attached to the user's body B via the adhesive tape 22. The body attachment unit 20 can be installed on the applicator 10 with the adhesive tape 22 covered by release paper. The release paper is partially attached to the protective cover 200 of the applicator 10 in a manner that allows it to be removed during separation from the main housing 100.

[0047] The applicator 10 can be configured to fix the body attachment unit 20 inside, and release the fixing force on the body attachment unit 20 when it is removed. With the body attachment unit 20 installed inside the applicator 10, the body attachment unit 20 can remain fixed to the applicator 10. Furthermore, after the body attachment unit 20 is removed from the applicator 10, it detaches from the applicator 10 and remains attached to the user's body B.

[0048] The needle 30 is detachably attached to the body patch unit 20 so that the sensor component 21 of the body patch unit 20 can be stably inserted into the user's body B during the process of discharging the body patch unit 20 from the applicator 10. The needle 30 is configured to be inserted into the body B together with the sensor component 21 around one end of the sensor component 21 so that one end of the sensor component 21 is stably inserted into the body B.

[0049] The needle 30 is attached to the body application unit 20 in such a way that it penetrates the body application unit 20 in the thickness direction. One end of the needle 30 is formed into a pointed shape so that it can pierce the skin of the user's body B and be smoothly inserted into the user's body B, and the other end of the needle 30 is provided with a needle tip 31. When the body application unit 20 is discharged from the applicator 10, the needle 30 pierces the skin of the user's body B before the sensor component 21, thereby assisting the sensor component 21 to be stably inserted into the body B. The needle 30 can be separated from the user's body B by the needle separation unit 400 of the applicator 10 after the body application unit 20 is attached to the user's body B.

[0050] The detailed construction of an applicator 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described in more detail.

[0051] An embodiment of the applicator 10 of the present invention includes a main housing 100 with a pressure button 140 operated by a user on one side, a plunger 300 movably disposed inside the main housing 100 while supporting a body applicator unit 20, a plunger spring 340 applying an elastic force to the plunger 300, and a needle separation unit 400 for separating the needle 30 attached to the body applicator unit 20 from the body applicator unit 20. The plunger 300 can move from a first position P1 inside the main housing 100 to a second position P2 to discharge the body applicator unit 20 outward. A protective cover 200 for protecting the body applicator unit 20 inside the main housing 100 is detachably attached to one end of the main housing 100.

[0052] The protective cover 200 is attached to the main housing 100 with the body attachment unit 20 engaged with the plunger 300, so that the body attachment unit 20 is not exposed to the outside. The user can activate the applicator 10 to attach the body attachment unit 20 to the body only after removing the protective cover 200.

[0053] The protective cover 200 not only protects the body attachment unit 20 inserted inside the main housing 100 from being exposed to the outside, but also performs the function of supporting the body attachment unit 20. The protective cover 200 can improve the overall structural stability of the applicator 10 by being combined with the main housing 100.

[0054] The main housing 100 has an outer shell 105 with a pressure button 140 mounted on one side, and an inner shell 110 connected to the interior of the outer shell 105 and forming a linear movement path for guiding the plunger 300. A receiving space 115 is formed inside the main housing 100 to accommodate the plunger 300, needle separation unit 400, body attachment unit 20, etc. The receiving space 115 opens outwards and can discharge to the outside through the open portion of the receiving space 115 of the body attachment unit 20. The open portion of the receiving space 115 can be opened and closed by a protective cover 200.

[0055] The pressurization button 140 can be operated by the user pressing it. Inside the main housing 100, the injection plate 130 is movably disposed, moving with the pressing of the pressurization button 140.

[0056] The injection plate 130 can be placed and supported on the inner shell 110 and is movable. The injection plate 130 can slide when the press button 140 is pressed. The plunger 300 can engage with the injection plate 130 in a first position P1 and disengage from the injection plate 130 as the injection plate 130 moves. When disengaged from the injection plate 130, the plunger 300 can move to a second position P2 by the elastic force of the plunger spring 340.

[0057] In addition to the press operation method shown in the figure, the press button 140 can also be changed to a variety of other structures that can activate the firing plate 130 based on the user's operation.

[0058] like Figure 4 As shown, a support portion 131 is provided on one side of the injection plate 130, which allows the engagement hook 310 of the plunger 300 to engage. The plunger 300 can be fixed in the first position P1 by hooking the engagement hook 310 onto the support portion 131. When the injection plate 130 is moved by the pressurization button 140, the engagement hook 310 is disengaged from the support portion 131, allowing the plunger 300 to move to the second position P2.

[0059] The specific shape of the injection plate 130 or the meshing structure between the injection plate 130 and the plunger 300 is not limited to the illustration, but can be varied in many ways.

[0060] The inner housing 110 is provided with a return component 120 that elastically supports the injection plate 130. The return component 120 applies an elastic force to the injection plate 130 in the opposite direction to the pressurization direction of the pressurization button 140. The injection plate 130 can be supported by the return component 120 to maintain a stable engagement with the engagement hook 310 of the plunger 300.

[0061] A plunger 300 can be disposed inside the main housing 100 to support the body attachment unit 20. The plunger 300 can move from a first position P1 to a second position P2 by the elastic force of the plunger spring 340, thereby discharging the body attachment unit 20 from the main housing 100. The plunger 300 is provided with a plunger protrusion 315. The plunger protrusion 315 limits the range of movement of the plunger 300. When the plunger 300 moves to the second position P2, the movement of the plunger 300 can be limited by engaging the plunger protrusion 315 with one side of the inner housing 110. Therefore, the plunger 300 only moves to the second position P2 and stops by the elastic force of the plunger spring 340, without disengaging from the main housing 100.

[0062] One end of the plunger 300 has a sensor receiving portion 320 for inserting the body attachment unit 20. The body attachment unit 20 can be mounted in the sensor receiving portion 320 and move together with the plunger 300 from a first position P1 to a second position P2. When the plunger 300 and the body attachment unit 20 move to the second position P2, the sensor component 21 of the body attachment unit 20 can be inserted into the user's body B.

[0063] A fixing hook 325 is provided at the edge of the sensor receiving portion 320 to engage with the edge of the body attachment unit 20 inserted into the sensor receiving portion 320 and fix the body attachment unit 20. The fixing hook 325 is rotatably coupled to the plunger 300 and can engage with the edge of the body attachment unit 20 to fix the body attachment unit 20 when the plunger 300 is in the first position P1. In addition, when the plunger 300 moves to the second position P2, the fixing hook 325 can disengage from the body attachment unit 20 as the user separates the applicator 10 from the body attachment unit 20 attached to the user's body B.

[0064] In addition, a through-hole 335 is formed on the plunger 300, through which the needle 30 can pass. The through-hole 335 is provided on the inner side of the plunger 300 so as to connect with the sensor receiving portion 320. The needle 30 can be connected to the body attachment unit 20 mounted on the sensor receiving portion 320 through the through-hole 335.

[0065] Reference Figures 5 to 10 The needle separation unit 400 separates the needle 30 attached to the body attachment unit 20 from the user's body B as the body attachment unit 20 moves from the first position P1 to the second position P2. The needle separation unit 400 includes a support post 410 fixed to the plunger 300, a needle holder 422 movably disposed on the support post 410 and attached to the needle tip 31, and a needle separation spring 435 that elastically supports the needle holder 422.

[0066] The support column 410 includes a body portion 411 with a mounting space 412 formed on the inner side to accommodate the needle holder 422 and the needle separation spring 435, and a locking portion 419 provided at one end of the body portion 411.

[0067] Slits 413 for guiding the needle holder 422 are formed on both sides of the main body 411. The slits 413 extend along the length of the main body 411. A locking groove 414 for inserting a limiter 431 into the needle holder 422 is formed in the middle portion of the slits 413. A locking boss 415 for locking the limiter 431 is provided inside the locking groove 414. A support hook 417 for connecting the needle separation spring 435 is provided inside the other end of the main body 411.

[0068] A pair of locking portions 419 are provided at one end of the body portion 411, facing each other. Each locking portion 419 is formed in a plate shape that can be elastically deformed. A mating groove 420 is formed in each locking portion 419. The support post 410 is fixed to the plunger 300 by engaging the pair of locking portions 419 with a fixing portion 330 provided inside the plunger 300. The fixing portion 330 has a fixing protrusion 331 that inserts into the mating groove 420.

[0069] The support post 410 can be easily attached to the plunger 300 by engaging a pair of locking parts 419 with the fixing part 330 of the plunger 300. Therefore, when manufacturing the applicator 10, the needle separation unit 400 can be assembled to the plunger 300 by simply inserting it into the inside of the plunger 300.

[0070] The specific shape of the locking part 419 or its engagement structure with the plunger 300 can be varied. For example, a engagement groove may be provided in the fixing part 330 of the plunger 300, and a fixing protrusion that can be inserted into the engagement groove of the plunger 300 may be provided in the locking part 419.

[0071] In addition, the support column 410 can be coupled to the plunger 300 in a variety of other ways besides the structure in which it is coupled to the plunger 300 by the locking part 419 provided separately from the main body part 411.

[0072] In addition to the structure shown in the figure of forming a space 412 on the inner side to accommodate the needle holder 422 and the needle separation spring 435, the support column 410 can also be modified to allow the needle holder 422 to be movably coupled and to support the needle separation spring 435 in various other ways.

[0073] The needle holder 422 includes a retainer head 423 that is coupled to the needle 31, and a retainer wing 426 that is elastically deformably connected to the retainer head 423.

[0074] An insertion groove 424 for inserting a needle 31 is formed on the inner side of the retainer head 423. The needle 30 is attached to the needle 31 by inserting a portion of the needle 31 with a reduced thickness in the middle into the insertion groove 424. When a portion of the needle 31 is inserted into the insertion groove 424, a portion of the needle 30 is engaged with the retainer head 423, making it difficult to detach from the retainer head 423.

[0075] The retainer wing 426 is elastically deformable and extends from one end of the retainer head 423. The retainer wing 426 is obliquely connected to one end of the retainer head 423. That is, the retainer wing 426 is shaped to gradually move away from the virtual centerline C passing through the center of the insertion slot 424 as it moves away from the retainer head 423. The retainer wing 426 includes a wing body 427 elastically deformable and connected to one end of the retainer head 423, a trigger 428 protruding from the wing body 427, and a limiter 431.

[0076] The trigger 428 is disposed at one end of the wing body 427, protruding outward from the wing body 427. The trigger 428 can be inserted into the slit 413 of the support post 410 and move linearly along the slit 413. The insertion of the trigger 428 into the slit 413 and its guidance by the slit 413 allows the needle holder 422 to move linearly with greater stability supported by the support post 410. The trigger 428 protrudes partially from the outer surface of the support post 410 through the slit 413. During the movement of the support post 410 and the plunger 300 from the first position P1 to the second position P2, the trigger 428 can contact the pressure portion 125 disposed in the inner shell 110.

[0077] The pressure section 125 is disposed in the movement path of the needle holder 422 in a manner capable of pressurizing the trigger 428. During the movement of the needle separation unit 400 from the first position P1 to the second position P2, the pressure section 125 contacts the trigger 428 and presses the trigger 428 inward toward the support post 410, thereby allowing the retainer wing 426 to elastically deform. The pressure section 125 is provided with a pressure tilting section 126 that contacts the trigger 428. The pressure tilting section 126 has a shape that tilts downward toward the movement direction of the needle separation unit 400.

[0078] The trigger 428 includes a trigger tilting portion 429 corresponding to the pressure tilting portion 126. The trigger tilting portion 429 is tilted in the same direction as the tilting direction of the pressure tilting portion 126. During the movement of the needle separation unit 400 from the first position P1 to the second position P2, the trigger tilting portion 429 contacts the pressure tilting portion 126, thereby reducing the impact generated when the trigger 428 contacts the pressure portion 125, and allowing the pressure applied by the pressure portion 125 to be transmitted more smoothly to the trigger 428. Furthermore, because the pressure applied by the pressure portion 125 is stably transmitted to the trigger 428, the retainer wing 426 can elastically deform more stably.

[0079] The limiter 431 protrudes outward from the wing body 427. The direction in which the limiter 431 protrudes from the wing body 427 is the same as the direction in which the trigger 428 protrudes from the wing body 427. Furthermore, the protrusion height of the limiter 431 from the wing body 427 is less than the protrusion height of the trigger 428 from the wing body 427. The limiter 431 can be inserted into the locking groove 414 of the support post 410 and locked against the locking protrusion 415. Figure 7 As shown, the limiter 431 is locked onto the locking protrusion 415, thereby allowing the needle holder 422 to maintain a downward state toward one end of the support post 410.

[0080] At this time, even if the elastic force of the needle separation spring 435 is applied to the needle holder 422, the needle holder 422 cannot move in the direction in which the elastic force of the needle separation spring 435 is applied because the limiter 431 is locked to the locking boss 415.

[0081] The limit switch 431 can be located on both sides of the trigger 428, but the number of limit switches 431 can be varied.

[0082] As shown in the figure, a pair of retainer wings 426 can be symmetrically arranged on both sides of the retainer head 423, but the number of retainer wings 426 can be varied.

[0083] In addition, the needle holder 422 has a needle holder hook 433 that connects to the other end of the needle release spring 435. The needle holder hook 433 can be connected to the retainer head 423 in a manner located between a pair of retainer wings 426.

[0084] The needle separation spring 435 applies an elastic force to the needle holder 422 in the direction of separating the needle 30 from the body attachment unit 20. One end of the needle separation spring 435 is connected to the support post hook 417 of the support post 410, and the other end of the needle separation spring 435 is connected to the needle holder hook 433 of the needle holder 422. The needle separation spring 435 is configured as a tension spring structure, thereby allowing an elastic force to be applied by pulling the needle holder 422 laterally toward the support post hook 417.

[0085] like Figure 9 As shown, the needle separation unit 400 can be coupled to the plunger 300 by forming a single assembly with the needle holder 422 and the needle separation spring 435 together with the support post 410. That is, before the support post 410 is coupled to the plunger 300, the needle holder 422 and the needle separation spring 435 are assembled to the support post 410 to form a single assembly, and as the support post 410 is coupled to the plunger 300, the needle holder 422 and the needle separation spring 435 can also be assembled to the plunger 300 together with the support post 410.

[0086] With the needle 30 engaged with the needle holder 422, the needle separation unit 400, when engaged with the plunger 300, can be engaged with the body applicator unit 20. Alternatively, the needle 30 can be engaged with the needle holder 422 while engaged with the body applicator unit 20. Furthermore, the order in which the needle 30 and the body applicator unit 20 are engaged, or the order in which the needle 30 and the needle separation unit 400 are engaged, can be varied depending on the manufacturing process of the applicator 10.

[0087] Thus, in one embodiment of the present invention, the applicator 10 adopts a structure in which the needle holder 422 and the needle separation spring 435 of the needle separation unit 400 are integrated with the support post 410 as a single assembly and attached to the plunger 300, thereby facilitating the installation of the needle holder 422 and the needle separation spring 435. Furthermore, since the assembly process of assembling the assembled needle separation unit 400 to the plunger 300 can be automated, manufacturing time is shortened and the unit manufacturing cost is reduced.

[0088] Furthermore, since the applicator 10 of one embodiment of the present invention can be coupled to the plunger 300 in the state of assembling the needle separation unit 400, the operator can easily confirm during the manufacturing process whether the needle holder 422 and the needle separation spring 435 are set to a state capable of removing the needle 30. Therefore, the problem of the applicator 10 being shipped in a non-functional state can be prevented.

[0089] The needle separation unit 400 can be combined with the plunger 300 in two assembly states.

[0090] For example, such as Figure 9 As shown, the needle separation unit 400 can be elastically deformed in a manner that allows the needle separation spring 435 to apply an elastic force to the needle holder 422, and then attached to the plunger 300. In this case, during the assembly of the needle separation unit 400, the needle holder 422, with the needle separation spring 435 attached, can be moved to one end of the support post 410 to insert the limiter 431 of the needle holder 422 into the locking groove 414 of the support post 410. At this time, the limiter 431 locks into the locking boss 415 of the support post 410, thereby fixing the needle holder 422 in a state where the needle separation spring 435 is stretched. Alternatively, the needle separation unit 400 can be assembled to the plunger 300 with the needle separation spring 435 in an elastically deformed state.

[0091] As another example, such as Figure 10As shown, the needle separation unit 400 can be attached to the plunger 300 with the needle separation spring 435 in an undeformed state. In this case, after attaching the needle separation unit 400 to the plunger 300, the needle holder 422 can be moved to a position where it can operate easily using a separate clamp 50 or the like. That is, when the trigger 428 of the needle separation unit 400 is pushed toward the sensor receiving portion 320 of the plunger 300 using the clamp 50 or the like, the needle holder 422 can be moved by stretching the needle separation spring 435. During the movement of the needle holder 422, when the limiter 431 is inserted into the locking groove 414 of the support post 410, the limiter 431 is locked onto the locking boss 415, thereby fixing the needle holder 422 in a state where the needle separation spring 435 is stretched.

[0092] When the needle holder 422 is moved to an operational position using the clamp 50 or the like with the needle separation unit 400 engaged with the plunger 300, the user can insert the end of the clamp 50 into the slit 413 of the support post 410 from the outside of the support post 410. Furthermore, by moving the clamp 50 along the slit 413, the needle holder 422 can be pushed to a position where the limiter 431 is locked against the locking boss 415.

[0093] The process of attaching the body attachment unit 20 to the user's body using the patch 10 of the continuous blood glucose measurement device according to an embodiment of the present invention is described below.

[0094] First, such as Figure 11 As shown, the protective cover 200 is separated. During the process of separating the protective cover 200, the release paper of the body attachment unit 20 separates from the protective cover 200 together, so that the adhesive tape 22 of the body attachment unit 20 can be exposed.

[0095] After that, as Figure 12 As shown, the applicator 10 is positioned on the body B of the user to whom the body application unit 20 is to be applied, and the pressure button 140 is pressed. When the pressure button 140 is pressed, the injection plate 130 moves, thereby releasing the fixing force of the plunger 300 fixed at the first position P1. When the fixing force of the injection plate 130 on the plunger 300 is released, as... Figure 13 As shown, the plunger 300, which is equipped with the body attachment unit 20, moves toward the second position P2 via the plunger spring 340, and the needle 30 and the sensor component 21 of the body attachment unit 20 pierce the user's skin and are inserted into the body B.

[0096] like Figure 14As shown, during the movement of the plunger 300 to the second position P2, when the trigger 428 of the needle separation unit 400 reaches the pressure section 125 of the main housing 100, the trigger tilting section 429 of the trigger 428 moves to the user's body side B while in contact with the pressure tilting section 126 of the main body 411. At this time, the pressure section 125 applies pressure to the trigger 428, causing the retainer wing 426 of the needle holder 422 to elastically deform and tighten. In this way, the elastic deformation of the retainer wing 426 causes the limiter 431 of the retainer wing 426 to disengage from the locking groove 414 of the support column 410. When the limiter 431 disengages from the locking groove 414, the fixing force on the needle holder 422 is released, and the needle holder 422 is pulled away from the user's body B by the elastic force of the needle separation spring 435.

[0097] The needle holder 422 moves by the elastic force of the needle separation spring 435, thereby pulling the needle 30, which is inserted into the body B together with the sensor component 21 of the body attachment unit 20, and separating it from the body attachment unit 20.

[0098] Then, as Figure 15 As shown, the plunger 300 moves to the second position P2 and stops under the elastic force of the plunger spring 340. At this time, the body attachment unit 20 is attached to the user's body B by the adhesive tape 22.

[0099] During the movement of the body attachment unit 20 to the second position P2, the time point at which the needle holder 422 separates the needle 30 from the body attachment unit 20 can be set to an appropriate time point after the needle 30 pierces the skin of the user's body B and guides the insertion of the sensor component 21 into the user's body B. For this purpose, the pressure unit 125 can be positioned at an appropriate location in the movement path of the needle holder 422 according to the length of the needle 30, etc.

[0100] like Figure 16 As shown, after the body attachment unit 20 is attached to the user's body B, if the applicator 10 is separated from the body attachment unit 20, the attachment operation of the body attachment unit 20 is completed.

[0101] Afterwards, the body attachment unit 20 can measure the user's blood glucose and send the measurement information to the external terminal 40.

[0102] Although the invention has been described above with reference to preferred examples, the scope of the invention is not limited to the forms described and illustrated above.

[0103] For example, although the needle separation spring 435 of the needle separation unit 400 shown in the figure is a tension spring, the needle separation spring can be formed as a compression spring to apply an elastic force to the needle holder 422.

[0104] Furthermore, although the body patch unit, which is attached to the user's body via an applicator as shown above, has the function of measuring blood glucose and transmitting measurement data, the body patch unit can also be configured such that a sensor component for measuring blood glucose is integrated into a base provided with adhesive tape. In this case, after the body patch unit is attached to the user's body, a separate transmitter for transmitting data can be integrated into the base of the body patch unit.

[0105] Although the invention has been illustrated and described above with reference to preferred embodiments used to illustrate the principles of the invention, the invention is not limited to the structures and functions illustrated and described in that way. Rather, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes and modifications can be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A patch for a continuous glucose measurement device, which operates by attaching a body patch unit to a user's body, the body patch unit having a sensor component inserted into the user's body for measuring glucose, the patch for the continuous glucose measurement device being characterized in that it comprises: Main shell; A plunger that allows the body attachment unit to be disengaged and disposed inside the main housing in a manner that allows the body attachment unit to be discharged outwards from the main housing, moving from a first position to a second position. The needle, which can be detachably attached to the body-attachment unit in a manner that allows it to be inserted into the user's body along with the sensor component; and A needle separation unit is used to move the needle in a direction opposite to the discharge direction of the plunger to separate the needle from the user's body. The needle separation unit has a locking part and can be assembled to the plunger in such a way that the locking part engages with one side of the plunger. The needle separation unit includes: The support column is provided with the locking part; A needle holder, movably coupled to the support post in a manner that allows it to engage with one end of the needle; and A needle separation spring applies an elastic force relative to the needle holder in the direction of separating the needle from the user's body. The support post can be assembled onto the plunger together with the needle holder and the needle separation spring to form an assembly. A support column hook is provided on the inner side of the support column, which is connected to one end of the needle separation spring. The needle holder is provided with a needle holder hook that connects to the other end of the needle separation spring, and The needle separation spring applies an elastic force to the needle holder by pulling the needle holder towards the support post hook side.

2. The patch for a continuous glucose measurement device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The support column includes a body portion that combines the needle holder and the needle separation spring. The locking part is located at one end of the main body.

3. The patch for a continuous glucose measurement device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The locking part can be elastically deformed and connected to the body part.

4. The patch for a continuous glucose measurement device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The plunger is provided with a fixing part that allows the locking part to engage. One of the locking part and the fixing part is provided with a mating groove, while the other part is provided with a fixing protrusion that can be inserted into the mating groove.

5. The patch for a continuous glucose measurement device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The needle holder includes: The retainer head, which is engaged with one end of the needle; and The retainer wing has a wing body that can be elastically deformably connected to the retainer head, and a limiter protruding from the wing body. The support column is provided with a locking protrusion that allows the limiter to engage. The main housing has a pressure part on its inner side, which can cause the retainer wing to elastically deform by disengaging the limiter from the locking boss.

6. The patch for a continuous glucose measurement device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The retainer wing includes a trigger that protrudes from the wing body at a greater height than the limiter protrudes from the wing body. The support column has a slit formed along its length in a manner that allows the trigger to be inserted. The pressurizing part is positioned in the movement path of the needle holder in such a way that the retainer wing can be elastically deformed by pressurizing the trigger during the movement of the plunger from the first position to the second position.

7. The patch for a continuous glucose measurement device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The needle separation unit is assembled to the plunger in an elastically deformable state so that the needle separation spring can apply an elastic force to the needle holder.

8. The patch for a continuous glucose measurement device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The needle separation unit can be assembled to the plunger in a state where the needle separation spring is not elastically deformed.

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