Sensor applicator assembly for blood glucose meter

Abstract

The invention provides a sensor applicator assembly for a blood glucose meter, the sensor applicator assembly comprising: an applicator; and a body attachment unit provided in the applicator, the body attachment unit being constituted by a housing including an upper frame and a lower frame, in which the lower frame has a recess formed along an entire circumferential portion thereof.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a sensor applicator assembly for blood glucose monitoring. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a sensor applicator assembly for blood glucose monitoring that can achieve stable coupling and detachment operations between the applicator and a body-attachable unit, as well as easy manufacturing and parts management of the body-attachable unit. Background Art

[0002] Diabetes is a chronic disease that is quite common among modern people. Diabetes occurs when an excessive amount of sugar in the bloodstream occurs. This occurs because the balance between blood sugar and insulin is not corrected due to an absolute or relative deficiency of insulin produced by the pancreas, caused by various factors such as obesity, stress, poor diet, and genetics.

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

[0004] However, when glucose levels increase beyond what the body needs, it cannot be properly stored in the liver, intestines, muscles, or fat cells, but instead accumulates in the blood, causing blood sugar levels in diabetics to be significantly higher than in non-diabetics. As the excess blood sugar passes through tissues and is excreted in the urine, insufficient sugar is available for every body tissue, leading to abnormalities in each.

[0005] Diabetes is characterized by its generally mild subjective symptoms in its initial stages. However, as diabetes progresses, unique symptoms emerge, such as increased appetite and drinking, frequent urination, weight loss, general malaise, itching, and persistent, incurable limb lesions. Further development of diabetes can lead to complications such as visual impairment, hypertension, kidney disease, stroke, periodontal disease, cramps, neuralgia, and gangrene.

[0006] To diagnose diabetes and manage it to prevent complications, systematic measurement of blood sugar and treatment can be performed simultaneously.

[0007] For people with diabetes and those who measure more sugar than normal in their blood, several medical device manufacturers offer various types of blood glucose monitors to measure blood sugar.

[0008] Solutions for blood glucose monitoring include a solution that collects blood from a user's fingertip to perform blood glucose measurement once, and a solution that attaches to the user's stomach and arm to perform blood glucose measurement continuously.

[0009] Diabetics often experience alternating high and low blood sugar states. Hypoglycemic states can be life-threatening, and if they persist for extended periods without sugar, the patient may lose consciousness or even die. Therefore, immediate detection of hypoglycemia is crucial for diabetics. However, accurate detection is limited by the intermittent nature of blood glucose monitoring, which uses blood collection techniques.

[0010] Recently, to overcome this limitation, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems have been developed that are inserted into the human body to measure blood glucose levels every few minutes. To minimize user pain or discomfort caused by blood collection, CGM systems can insert a needle-shaped sensor into relatively pain-free areas (such as the stomach and arm) and then continuously measure blood glucose.

[0011] The CGM system includes a body-attachable unit and a terminal, wherein the body-attachable unit is attached to the user's body to measure blood glucose information and transmit the measured blood glucose information, and the terminal provides the user with the blood glucose information received from the body-attachable unit, thereby allowing the user to monitor and manage the blood glucose information.

[0012] Here, the body-attachable unit includes a sensor module that is inserted into and attached to the skin of the user's body and measures blood sugar from the user's blood flow, and a transmitter that transmits the blood sugar level measured by the sensor module to the terminal, the sensor module being provided with a sensor probe formed in a needle shape to be inserted into subcutaneous fat and extract interstitial fluid (ISF).

[0013] The applicator is used to insert and attach the body-attachable unit to the body.

[0014] As a configuration for inserting and attaching the body-attachable unit to the body, the applicator inserts and attaches the body-attachable unit to the body through user operation, and by detaching and removing the applicator from the body in a state in which the body-attachable unit is inserted and attached to the body, only the body-attachable unit is allowed to remain attached to the body.

[0015] To perform these operations, the body-attachable unit is configured to be coupled to and detached from the applicator, and various components manufactured in different forms by each manufacturer are used to couple and detach the body-attachable unit and the applicator. Conventional body-attachable units and applicators according to conventional technology are difficult to manufacture due to their complex structures, and there is a problem in that the shapes and positions of the various components must be changed even for minor design modifications. In particular, the coupling and detachment between the body-attachable unit and the applicator are performed unstably, causing pain during attachment of the body-attachable unit to the body or causing the body-attachable unit to be unstably attached to the body. Summary of the Invention

[0016] Technical goals

[0017] The present disclosure is to solve general technical problems and provide a sensor applicator assembly for blood glucose monitoring, which can achieve stable connection and separation operations between the applicator and the body-attachable unit, allow easy manufacturing and component management of the body-attachable unit, enhance design flexibility, and achieve easier product diversification.

[0018] Technical Solution

[0019] A sensor applicator assembly for blood glucose monitoring is provided, comprising an applicator and a body-attachable unit disposed within the applicator and comprising a housing including an upper frame and a lower frame. The lower frame may include a recess formed throughout the entire portion along a circumferential direction.

[0020] Here, a plunger disposed within the main housing of the applicator may also be included. The plunger may be coupled to a fixing hook that is coupled to the body-attachable unit at a first position within the main housing and detached from the body-attachable unit at a second position positioned downward from the first position.

[0021] In addition, the body-attachable unit may include a sensor member having a first end portion disposed inside the housing including the upper frame and the lower frame and another end portion protruding outside the housing.

[0022] In addition, a first end portion of the fixing hook may be coupled to the plunger, and the other end portion may be engaged with the recess.The fixing hook may include at least one first end portion coupled to the plunger.

[0023] In addition, the lower frame may include a first region coupled to the side wall of the upper frame to be connected in a planar manner without a step, and a second region formed with a step inward from the first region.

[0024] In addition, the lower frame may include a first area coupled to the side wall of the upper frame to be connected in a planar manner without a step, and a second area formed in a shape having an inclined surface due to chamfering a corner portion extending downward from the first area.

[0025] In addition, the plunger may include a sensor receiving portion into which the body attachable unit is inserted and received. The fixing hook may be coupled to an edge of the sensor receiving portion and formed so that the first end portion can pivot about a hinge axis to engage with or disengage from the recess.

[0026] In addition, the plunger can be moved from a first position to a second position in the main housing. A hook guide portion can be formed on the inner surface of the main housing to press the fixing hook in the direction of the engagement recess or release the pressing according to the position of the plunger.

[0027] In addition, the plunger may be coupled to an elastic member that applies elastic force to the fixing hook in a direction in which the fixing hook is disengaged from the recess.

[0028] Meanwhile, the present disclosure provides a sensor applicator assembly for blood glucose monitoring, which may include an applicator and a body-attachable unit, the body-attachable unit being disposed within the applicator and including a housing, the housing including an upper frame and a lower frame. The lower frame may include a recessed portion formed in a shape extending from one side of an outer surface of the lower frame through a bottom surface to the other side of the outer surface.

[0029] Here, the body-attachable unit may include a sensor member, a first end of which is provided inside a housing including the upper frame and the lower frame, and the other end of which protrudes outside the housing.

[0030] In addition, the recess may be formed in a groove shape that is concavely depressed on the bottom surface of the lower frame to span across the bottom surface of the case in directions toward both side ends.

[0031] In addition, a plunger disposed in the main housing of the applicator may be further included. The plunger may further include a fixing hook and an elastic member, wherein the fixing hook is coupled to engage with or disengage from the recess, and the elastic member applies elastic force to the fixing hook in a direction in which the fixing hook disengages from the recess.

[0032] Effects of the Invention

[0033] According to the present disclosure, by forming the recess of the body-attachable unit connected to the applicator into a continuous shape, the body-attachable unit can be easily manufactured and the components of the body-attachable unit can be managed, the design flexibility of the applicator is improved, and products with various specifications and structures can be easily manufactured and managed.

[0034] Furthermore, by providing a more stable coupling and detaching structure between the body-attachable unit and the applicator, the operational performance of the applicator and the body attachment performance of the body-attachable unit can be further stabilized. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Figure 1 An example of use of blood glucose monitoring is shown.

[0036] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of an applicator for blood glucose monitoring according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] Figure 3is a cross-sectional view illustrating a body-attachable unit installed in an applicator for blood glucose monitoring according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] Figure 4 It is used to illustrate the action of the extending plate provided in the applicator for blood glucose monitoring according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] Figure 5 and Figure 6 is a perspective view illustrating an assembly of a plunger and a needle separation unit of an applicator for blood glucose monitoring according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an assembly of a plunger and a needle separation unit of an applicator for blood glucose monitoring according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] Figures 8 to 13 A process of attaching a body-attachable unit to a user's body by using an applicator for blood glucose monitoring according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0042] Figure 14 is a perspective view illustrating a coupling structure of a plunger and a body-attachable unit according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0043] Figures 15 to 18 are exemplary views illustrating various forms of recesses formed on a body-attachable unit according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0044] Figure 19 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a form of a hook guide formed on an inner surface of a main housing according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0045] Figure 20 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a coupling structure of a plunger and a body-attachable unit at a first position within an applicator according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0046] Figure 21 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a coupling structure of a plunger and a body-attachable unit at a second position within an applicator according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] Hereinafter, a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, it should be noted that in order to add reference numerals to elements in each figure, the same elements, although shown in different figures, are given the same reference numerals, if possible. In addition, for the purpose of describing the present disclosure, detailed descriptions of related elements or functions known to the public will be omitted if they are determined to obscure the main points of the present disclosure.

[0048] Figure 1 An example of the use of blood glucose monitoring is shown, Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of an applicator for blood glucose monitoring according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a body-attachable unit installed in an applicator for blood glucose monitoring according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0049] The applicator 10 for blood glucose monitoring according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is used to attach the body-attachable unit 20 to measure blood glucose of the body B. Blood glucose monitoring to which the applicator 10 for blood glucose monitoring according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is applied may refer to a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system.

[0050] like Figure 1 As shown, the body-attachable unit 20 can be attached to the body B by the applicator 10 to periodically measure the blood sugar of the body B and wirelessly transmit the measured data to the external terminal 40. The body-attachable unit 20 may include a sensor member 21 that is partially inserted into the body, an adhesive tape 22 for attaching to the body, a wireless communication chip that can wirelessly communicate with the external terminal 40, and a battery to measure blood sugar and wirelessly transmit the measured data.

[0051] The applicator 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may have a structure in which the body-attachable unit 20 can be installed. The applicator 10 can be operated by a user to release the body-attachable unit 20 to the outside. The body-attachable unit 20 can be installed in the applicator 10 and can be attached to the body B by being released from the applicator 10 according to the operation of the applicator 10.

[0052] The applicator 10 according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure may be provided to a user in a state in which the body-attachable unit 20 is installed therein, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0053] Since the body-attachable unit 20 is provided with the adhesive tape 22 on one side, the body-attachable unit 20 can be attached to the user's body B using the adhesive tape 22. The body-attachable unit 20 can be installed in the applicator 10 in a state where the adhesive tape 22 is covered with a release liner. In the process of separating the protective cover 200 of the applicator 10 from the main housing 100, a portion of the release liner can be attached to the protective cover 200 to be removed.

[0054] The applicator 10 may have a structure that fixes the body-attachable unit 20 when the body-attachable unit 20 is installed inside and releases the holding force on the body-attachable unit 20 when the body-attachable unit 20 is released. When the body-attachable unit 20 is installed inside the applicator 10, the body-attachable unit 20 may remain fixed to the applicator 10. And after the body-attachable unit 20 is released from the applicator 10, the body-attachable unit 20 may remain on the user's body B, separated from the applicator 10.

[0055] During the process of releasing the body-attachable unit 20 from the applicator 10, the needle 30 may be detachably coupled to the body-attachable unit 20 to allow the sensor member 21 to be stably inserted into the user's body B. The needle 30 may be configured to surround the first end of the sensor member 21 and be inserted into the body together with the sensor member 21, so that the first end of the sensor member 21 is stably inserted into the body B.

[0056] The needle 30 can be connected to the body-attachable unit 20 so as to penetrate the body-attachable unit 20 in the thickness direction. One end of the needle 30 can be sharp so as to penetrate the skin of the user's body B and be smoothly inserted into the user's body B, and a needle head 31 is provided on the other end of the needle 30. When the body-attachable unit 20 is discharged from the applicator 10, the needle 30 penetrates the skin of the user's body B before the sensor member 21, and can play a role in supporting the sensor member 21 so as to stably insert it into the body B. After the body-attachable unit 20 is attached to the user's body B, the needle 30 can be separated from the user's body B by the needle detachment unit 400 of the applicator 10.

[0057] Hereinafter, a detailed configuration of the applicator 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is described in more detail.

[0058] An applicator 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may include a main housing 100 having a push button 140 mounted on one side thereof to be pressed and operated by a user, a plunger 300 supporting a body-attachable unit 20 and movably mounted within the main housing 100, a plunger spring 340 applying elastic force to the plunger 300, and a needle separation unit 400 for separating a needle 30 connected to the body-attachable unit 20 from the body-attachable unit 20.

[0059] The plunger 300 can release the body-attachable unit 20 to the outside by moving from a first position P1 to a second position P2 within the main housing 100. Here, the first position P1 may refer to the upper side within the main housing 100, and the second position P2 may refer to the lower side within the main housing 100. Therefore, the direction of movement from the first position P1 to the second position P2 can be defined as the external release direction. A protective cover 200 is detachably attached to a first end portion of the main housing 100 to protect the body-attachable unit 20 within the main housing 100.

[0060] The protective cover 200 is coupled to the main housing 100 so as not to expose the body-attachable unit 20 to the outside while the body-attachable unit 20 is coupled to the plunger 300. The user can attach the body-attachable unit 20 to the body by operating the applicator 10 only after detaching the protective cover 200.

[0061] The protective cover 200 not only protects the body-attachable unit 20 inserted into the main housing 100 from being exposed to the outside, but also performs a supporting function for the body-attachable unit 20. The protective cover 200 can improve the overall structural stability of the applicator 10 by being coupled to the main housing 100.

[0062] The main housing 100 may include an outer housing 105 and an inner housing 110. A push button 140 is mounted on one side of the outer housing 105. The inner housing 110 is coupled to the interior of the outer housing 105 to form a straight path that can guide the plunger 300. A storage space 115 may be formed within the main housing 100 to accommodate the plunger 300, the needle detaching unit 400, the body-attachable unit 20, and the like. The storage space 115 may be opened to the outside, and the body-attachable unit 20 may be released to the outside through the opened portion of the storage space 115. The opened portion of the storage space 115 may be opened and closed by a protective cover 200.

[0063] The push button 140 may be pressed by a user to be operated. The extension plate 130 that moves in response to the pressing operation of the push button 140 may be movably installed in the main housing 100.

[0064] The extension plate 130 can move while being housed in and supported by the inner housing 110. The extension plate 130 can slide to move in response to a pressing operation of the push button 140. The plunger 300 can engage with the extension plate 130 at a first position P1 and disengage from the extension plate 130 as the extension plate 130 moves. When disengaged from the extension plate 130, the plunger 300 can move to a second position P2 by the elastic force of the plunger spring 340.

[0065] In addition to the illustrated push operation, the push button 140 may be modified to other various structures that can operate the extension plate 130 according to the user's operation.

[0066] like Figure 4 As shown, the extension plate 130 may be provided with a support portion 131 on one side, and the engaging hook 310 of the plunger 300 may engage with the support portion 131. Since the engaging hook 310 is caught on the support portion 131, the plunger 300 may be fixed at the first position P1. Since the extension plate 130 is moved by pressing the button 140, when the engaging hook 310 is disengaged from the support portion 131, the plunger 300 may move to the second position P2.

[0067] The specific form of the protruding plate 130 or the engaging structure of the protruding plate 130 and the plunger 300 is not limited to the illustrated form but may be modified in various ways.

[0068] The inner housing 110 may be provided with a return member 120 that elastically supports the extending plate 130. The return member 120 may apply elastic force to the extending plate 130 in a direction opposite to the pressing direction of the push button 140. The extending plate 130 may maintain a stable engagement state with the engaging hook 310 of the plunger 300 by being supported by the return member 120.

[0069] The plunger 300 is installed in the main housing 100 to support the body-attachable unit 20. The plunger 300 can release the body-attachable unit 20 from the main housing 100 by moving from the first position P1 to the second position P2 by the elastic force of the plunger spring 340. The plunger 300 can be provided with a plunger protrusion 315. The plunger protrusion 315 can limit the range of movement of the plunger 300. The movement of the plunger 300 can be limited so that the plunger protrusion 315 engages with one side of the inner housing 110 when the plunger 300 moves to the second position P2. Therefore, the plunger 300 can only move to the second position P2 and stop due to the elastic force of the plunger spring 340 without sliding out of the main housing 100.

[0070] A sensor accommodating portion 320, into which the body-attachable unit 20 is inserted, may be formed on a first end portion of the plunger 300. The body-attachable unit 20 may be mounted in the sensor accommodating portion 320 and may be moved from a first position P1 to a second position P2 together with the plunger 300. When the plunger 300 and the body-attachable unit 20 are moved to the second position P2, the sensor member 21 of the body-attachable unit 20 may be inserted into the body B of the user.

[0071] The edge of the sensor accommodating portion 320 may be provided with a fixing hook 325, which fixes the body-attachable unit 20 by engaging with the edge of the body-attachable unit 20 inserted into the sensor accommodating portion 320. The fixing hook 325 may be pivotally coupled to the plunger 300, and may fix the body-attachable unit 20 by engaging with the edge of the body-attachable unit 20 when the plunger 300 is positioned at the first position P1. In addition, when the plunger 300 is at the second position P2, the fixing hook 325 may be detached from the body-attachable unit 20 during the process of the user separating the applicator 10 from the body-attachable unit 20 attached to the user's body B. This will be mainly referred to later. Figures 14 to 21 Describe a detailed description about this.

[0072] In addition, a through hole 335 through which the needle 30 can pass may be formed in the plunger 300. The through hole 335 may be provided in the plunger 300 to connect to the sensor accommodating portion 320. The needle 30 may pass through the through hole 335 and be coupled to the body-attachable unit 20 installed in the sensor accommodating portion 320.

[0073] refer to Figures 5 to 7 When the body-attachable unit 20 moves from the first position P1 to the second position P2, the needle detaching unit 400 can detach the needle 30 coupled to the body-attachable unit 20 from the user's body B. The needle detaching unit 400 may include a support column 410 fixed to the plunger 300, a needle holder 422 coupled to the needle head 31 by being movably mounted in the support column 410, and a needle detaching spring 435 elastically supporting the needle holder 422.

[0074] The support column 410 can be fixed to the plunger 300 and can be moved from the first position P1 to the second position P2 together with the plunger 300, a needle separation spring 435 can be installed to apply an elastic force to the needle holder 422 in a direction of separating the needle holder 422 from the body-attachable unit 20, and the needle holder 422 can be fixed in a state engaged with the support column 410, and a trigger 428 protruding to the outside of the support column 410 can be formed on the outer surface.

[0075] At this time, a pressing portion 125 may be formed in the inner housing 110 , and when the support column 410 moves from the first position P1 to the second position P2 together with the plunger 300 , the pressing portion 125 may be pressed to contact the trigger 428 .

[0076] Therefore, while the plunger 300 is moving to the second position according to the operation of the applicator, the trigger 428 can be pressed by the pressing portion 125. As a result, when the needle holder 422 is disengaged from the support column 410, the needle holder 422 and the needle 30 can be moved upward and separated from the body by the elastic force of the needle detachment spring 435. In this state, when the applicator is separated and removed from the body-attachable unit 20, only the body-attachable unit 20 can remain attached to the body.

[0077] Next, we will refer to Figures 8 to 13 A process of attaching the body-attachable unit 20 to the user's body B by using the applicator 10 for blood sugar monitoring according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is described.

[0078] First, the protective cover 200 can be Figure 8 During the separation of the protective cover 200 , the release liner of the body-attachable unit 20 can be separated together with the protective cover 200 to expose the adhesive tape 22 of the body-attachable unit 20 .

[0079] Then, if Figure 9 As shown, the applicator 10 can be positioned on the user's body B to which the body-attachable unit 20 is attached, and the push button 140 can be pressed and operated. When the push button 140 is operated, the extension plate 130 can move and the holding force of the plunger 300 fixed at the first position P1 can be released. When the holding force for the plunger 300 is released by the extension plate 130, as shown in FIG. Figure 10 As shown, the plunger 300 provided with the body-attachable unit 20 can be moved to the second position P2 by the plunger spring 340, and the needle 30 and the sensor member 21 of the body-attachable unit 20 can penetrate the user's skin and be inserted into the body B.

[0080] like Figure 11 As shown, when the plunger 300 moves to the second position P2 and the trigger 428 of the needle detaching unit 400 reaches the pressing portion 125 of the main housing 100, the trigger 428 can be pressed by the pressing portion 125 and can release the holding force of the needle holder 422. At the same time, the needle holder 422 can be moved in a direction away from the user's body B by the elastic force of the needle detaching spring 435.

[0081] Since the needle holder 422 moves by the elastic force of the needle detachment spring 435 , the needle 30 inserted into the body B together with the sensor member 21 of the body-attachable unit 20 can be detached from the body-attachable unit 20 when pulled by the needle holder 422 .

[0082] Continuously, such as Figure 12As shown, the plunger 300 can be moved to the second position P2 and stopped by the elastic force of the plunger spring 340. At this time, the body-attachable unit 20 can be attached to the user's body B by the adhesive tape 22.

[0083] The moment when the needle holder 422 separates the needle 30 from the body-attachable unit 20 while the body-attachable unit 20 moves to the second position P2 can be set to an appropriate moment after the guide needle 30 penetrates the skin of the user's body B and inserts the sensor member 21 into the user's body B. To this end, the pressing portion 125 can be set at an appropriate position in the moving path of the needle holder 422 according to the length of the needle 30 and the like.

[0084] like Figure 13 As shown, after the body-attachable unit 20 is attached to the user's body B, when the applicator 10 is separated from the body-attachable unit 20, the attachment work of the body-attachable unit 20 may be completed.

[0085] Then, the body-attachable unit 20 may measure the user's blood sugar and transmit the measured information to the external terminal 40 .

[0086] Next, the main reference Figures 14 to 21 The coupling structure of the plunger 300 and the body-attachable unit 20 is described in more detail.

[0087] Figure 14 is a perspective view illustrating a coupling structure of a plunger and a body-attachable unit according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, Figures 15 to 18 are exemplary diagrams illustrating various forms of recesses formed on a body-attachable unit according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 19 is a schematic perspective view showing a form of a hook guide portion formed on the inner surface of the main housing according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 20 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a coupling structure of a plunger and a body-attachable unit at a first position within an applicator according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 21 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a coupling structure of a plunger and a body-attachable unit at a second position within an applicator according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0088] As described above, the plunger 300 is movable from the first position P1 to the second position P2 within the applicator 10 , and the body-attachable unit 20 inserted and accommodated in the sensor accommodation portion 320 of the plunger 300 is movable from the first position P1 to the second position P2 together with the plunger 300 .

[0089] At this time, the plunger 300 can be connected to the fixing hook 325, which is connected to the body-attachable unit 20 at the first position P1 and is separated from the body-attachable unit 20 at the second position P2, and a recess 211 can be formed on the body-attachable unit 20 that can engage with and be connected to the fixing hook 325.

[0090] In this manner, the fixing hook 325 can be installed in the plunger 300 to couple and detach the body-attachable unit 20, but as needed, the body-attachable unit 20 can be simply inserted and coupled to the plunger 300 without the fixing hook 325, and the coupling structure of the body-attachable unit 20 and the plunger 300 can be modified in various ways. Hereinafter, for ease of description, the structure in which the fixing hook 325 is installed in the plunger 300 will be mainly described.

[0091] The body-attachable unit 20 may include a housing 210 constituting an outer form and a sensor member 21 (see Figure 3 ), one end of the sensor member 21 protrudes downward to the outside of the housing 210, and the other end of the sensor member 21 is installed in the housing 210, and a recess 211 is formed on the outer surface of the housing 210. More specifically, the housing 210 may include an upper frame 2102 and a lower frame 2101 provided below the upper frame 2102 and having a surface attached to the body, and the recess 211 may be formed on the outer surface of the lower frame 2101.

[0092] A fixing hook 325 may be formed on an edge of the sensor receiving portion 320 of the plunger 300 to couple to and fix the body-attachable unit 20 by engaging and coupling with the recess 211 of the body-attachable unit 20 inserted into the sensor receiving portion 320. The fixing hook 325 may be pivotally coupled about a hinge axis 3252. When the plunger 300 is positioned at the first position P1, the fixing hook 325 may be engaged with and coupled to the body-attachable unit 20 by being pressed inwardly by the inner housing 110. When the plunger 300 is positioned at the second position P2, the fixing hook 325 may be released from the pressing and disengaged and separated from the body-attachable unit 20. In this manner, in order to press and release the fixing hook 325, a hook guide 112 may be formed in the main housing 100, more specifically, in the inner housing 110 of the main housing 100.

[0093] like Figure 14As shown, the fixing hook 325 may include a pivot body 3251 having a hinge axis 3252 formed horizontally on an upper portion of the pivot body 3251, and a hook protrusion 3253 protrudingly formed on a lower portion of the pivot body 3251 to engage with the recess 211 of the body-attachable unit 20. A pressing guide 3254 may be protrudingly formed on one surface of the pivot body 3251 (the opposite surface in the direction in which the hook protrusion 3253 protrudes) to allow a more stable pressing state by the hook guide 112 of the inner housing 110. The pressing guide 3254 may be formed on one surface of the pivot body 3251 to be longer in the up-down direction.

[0094] A hinge shaft coupling groove 301 may be formed on the plunger 300 to allow the hinge shaft 3252 of the fixing hook 325 to be pivotally coupled, and the hinge shaft coupling groove 301 may be formed in a concavely recessed shape on the top of a movement guide protrusion 302 formed on the outer surface of the plunger 300. The movement guide protrusion 302 may be formed on the outer surface of the plunger 300 to guide the movement path of the plunger 300 during the process of the plunger 300 moving from the first position P1 to the second position P2, and in response thereto, a guide groove 111 may be formed on the inner surface of the inner housing 110 to guide the movement guide protrusion 302 of the plunger 300 to be inserted.

[0095] A plurality of fixing hooks 325 may be coupled to the plunger 300, in an example embodiment of the present disclosure, such as Figure 14 As shown, two fixing hooks 325 may be mounted to face each other on both lateral ends of the plunger 300. Of course, this form may be modified in various ways, for example, with four fixing hooks 325 provided in each pair facing each other.

[0096] The recess 211 formed on the body-attachable unit 20 may be formed on the outer surface of the housing 210, such as Figure 15 and Figure 16 As shown, the recess 211 is formed on the outer surface of the housing 210 as a recessed form having a step. Figure 17 and Figure 18 As shown, the recess 211 is formed into a shape having an inclined surface due to the chamfering of the lower corner portion on the outer surface of the housing 210. Of course, this form can be modified in various ways to allow the fixing hook 325 to be engaged.

[0097] first, Figure 15The recessed portion 211 shown may be formed continuously along the entire portion of the lower perimeter of the outer surface of the housing 210, and the outer surface of the housing 210 may be formed into a stepped, concave shape. More specifically, as described above, the housing 210 may include an upper frame 2102 and a lower frame 2101. The lower frame 2101 may include a first region 2101a at the upper portion and a second region 2101b at the lower portion. The first region 2101a may be coupled to the sidewall of the upper frame 2102 in a planar manner without a step, and the second region 2101b may be positioned below the first region 2101a and formed with a step inward from the first region 2101a.

[0098] In this way, since the recess 211 is formed in a concave shape with a step, the fixing hook 325 can be easily engaged with the step portion of the recess 211. In addition, when a plurality of fixing hooks 325 are coupled, a plurality of recesses 211 can be formed accordingly, but in Figure 15 In the embodiment, when the recess 211 is continuously formed on the outer surface of the housing 210 in an integral form, a plurality of fixing hooks 325 can be simultaneously engaged with and coupled to one recess 211. Therefore, there is no need to manufacture a plurality of recesses 211, and in particular, even when the number or position of the fixing hooks 325 is changed, there is no need to change the position of the recess 211 of the body-attachable unit 20, and the same product can be used to easily manufacture and manage the components.

[0099] At the same time, if Figure 16 As shown, the recess 211 may be continuously formed from one side of the outer surface of the housing 210 through the bottom surface to the other side of the outer surface, and the outer surface of the housing 210 may be formed in a concave form with steps. Figure 15 As shown, the housing 210 may include an upper frame 2102 and a lower frame 2101. In this case, the recess 211 may be continuously formed to extend from one side of the outer surface of the lower frame 2101 through the bottom surface to the other side of the outer surface, as shown in FIG. Figure 16 The recess 211 may be formed across the bottom surface of the housing 210 in both end directions in the form of a groove that is concavely sunken on the bottom surface.

[0100] The recesses 211 may also be in the form of an integral body connected to each other, and a plurality of fixing hooks 325 may be engaged with one recess 211 at the same time. Figure 16 In the illustrated example, two fixing hooks 325 facing each other may be engaged with and coupled to both lateral ends of the integrated recess 211 .

[0101] Since the lower corner portion of the outer surface of the lower frame 2101 of the housing 210 is chamfered, Figure 17The recess 211 shown may be formed in a form having an inclined surface and formed at a position corresponding to the position of the fixing hook 325. For example, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, two recesses 211 facing each other may be formed to correspond to the positions of the two fixing hooks 325 facing each other. In this manner, since the recess 211 is formed in a manner such that the lower corner portion of the outer surface of the housing 210 is chamfered, manufacturing may be easy because a separate molding process is not required, and the engagement function with the fixing hook 325 may also be stably performed.

[0102] like Figure 18 As shown, the chamfered recess 211 may be continuously formed along the entire circumference of the lower corner on the outer surface of the housing 210. More specifically, the housing 210 may include an upper frame 2102 and a lower frame 2101, and as described above, the lower frame 2101 may include a first area 2101a at an upper portion and a second area 2101b at a lower portion, and since the outer lower corner formed at the second area 2101b of the lower frame 2101 is chamfered along the entire circumference, the recess 211 may be formed in the form of an inclined surface.

[0103] In this case, with Figure 15 Like the recess 211 shown, multiple fixing hooks 325 can be engaged with one recess 211 at the same time, and even if the number or position of the fixing hooks 325 changes, there is no need to change the position of the recess 211 of the body-attachable unit 20, and the same product can be used to easily manufacture and manage the components.

[0104] Therefore, if Figure 15 、 Figure 16 and Figure 18 As shown, the recess 211 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may be formed to extend in a continuous form along a position where each of the plurality of fixing hooks 325 is engaged, thereby allowing the plurality of fixing hooks 325 to be engaged simultaneously, thereby making it easy to manufacture and manage components.

[0105] exist Figure 19 , there is shown a form of a hook guide 112 formed on the inner surface of the inner housing 110 of the main housing 100. The hook guide 112 may be formed to press the fixing hook 325 to engage with the recess 211 of the body attachable unit 20 or release the press according to the position of the plunger 300.

[0106] The hook guide 112 may be formed to protrude in the inner center direction on the inner surface of the inner housing 110 and may be formed to be elongated in the vertical direction. The hook guide 112 may be formed to include a protruding surface 1121 and a recessed surface 1122 on the inner surface. The recessed surface 1122 may be formed to extend from the lower end of the protruding surface 1121 and be inclined in a shape with the protruding height decreasing toward the lower end. Guide grooves 111 may be formed on both sides of the hook guide 112 to allow the movement of the guide protrusion 302 of the plunger 300 to be guided and inserted.

[0107] like Figure 20 and Figure 21 As shown, the protruding surface 1121 of the hook guide 112 may be formed to press the fixing hook 325, and the recessed surface 1122 may be formed to release the pressing of the fixing hook 325. The protruding surface 1121 may be formed to press the fixing hook 325 when the plunger 300 moves from the first position P1 to the second position P2, and more specifically, to press the pressing guide 3254 of the fixing hook 325 in contact with the pressing guide 3254. The recessed surface 1122 may be formed to release the pressing of the fixing hook 325 when the fixing hook 325 is in the second position P2 together with the plunger 300. In other words, since the protruding surface 1121 relatively protrudes inward, the fixing hook 325 can be pressed toward the recessed portion 211 during the process of the plunger 300 moving from the first position P1 to the portion immediately before the second position P2, and since the recessed surface 1122 is relatively recessed, the fixing hook 325 can be released from the pressing when the plunger 300 is positioned at the second position P2. At this time, depending on the pressing state, the fixing hook 325 can engage with or disengage from the recessed portion 211 of the body-attachable unit 20 while pivoting about the hinge axis 3252.

[0108] According to this structure, when Figure 20 When the plunger 300 is moved from the first position P1 to the second position P2, the fixing hook 325 can be pressed inward by the protruding surface 1121 of the hook guide 112, and as it pivots around the hinge axis 3252, the fixing hook 325 can engage with the recess 211 of the body-attachable unit 20 inserted into and accommodated in the sensor accommodating portion 301 of the plunger 300. Figure 21In the second position P2 shown, the fixing hook 325 can be positioned at a position corresponding to the concave surface 1122 of the hook guide 112. Therefore, since the fixing hook 325 can be released from being pressed by the concave surface 1122 of the hook guide 112, the fixing hook 325 can pivot around the hinge axis 3252 and can be detached from the body-attachable unit 20. In this state, in other words, in a state where the plunger 300 is in the second position P2 together with the body-attachable unit 20, the body-attachable unit 20 can be attached to the body by the adhesive tape 22 (see FIG. Figure 12 ), and when the applicator 10 is separated and removed in a direction away from the body (see Figure 13 ), since the fixing hook 325 and the body-attachable unit 20 are disengaged from each other, only the applicator 10 can be separated and removed from the body, and only the body-attachable unit 20 can be attached and retained on the body.

[0109] At the same time, when the plunger 300 is in the second position P2, since the fixing hook 325 can be positioned at a position corresponding to the recessed surface 1122 of the hook guide 112, technically, the fixing hook 325 can be released from the pressing only by the protruding surface 1121 and can not be forced to pivot in the disengagement direction.

[0110] In this case, since the fixing hook 325 can freely pivot around the hinge axis 3252, the engagement state between the fixing hook 325 and the recess 211 cannot be maintained, but is released during the process of separating and removing the applicator 10 from the body (in other words, during the process of separating the plunger 300 and the fixing hook 325 positioned in the applicator 10 from the body attachable unit 20).

[0111] If the free pivoting state of the fixing hook 325 is not properly operated due to unknown reasons, the engagement state between the fixing hook 325 and the recess 211 may not be smoothly released during the process of separating the applicator 10 from the body. In this case, since some of the force of separating the applicator 10 from the body may be transferred to the body-attachable unit 20, the attachment state of the body-attachable unit 20 to the body may become unstable, for example, a part of the adhesive tape 22 of the body-attachable unit 20 may be separated from the body.

[0112] In an example embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 20 and Figure 21 As shown, an elastic member 326 may be separately provided to apply elastic force to the fixing hook 325 in a direction in which the fixing hook 325 is disengaged from the recess 211. The elastic member 326 may be formed of an elastic rubber material provided between the fixing hook 325 and the wall of the plunger 300, but may alternatively be formed in the form of a coil spring or a torsion spring coupled to the hinge axis 3252.

[0113] Since the fixing hook 325 can be elastically supported by the elastic member 326 in the direction of disengaging from the recess 211, when the plunger 300 moves to the second position P2, the fixing hook 325 can be forcibly disengaged from the recess 211 by being forcibly pivoted due to the elastic force of the elastic member 326. Therefore, the state in which the fixing hook 325 is disengaged from the recess 211 can be more stable.

[0114] at the same time, Figure 15 The cross-sectional view of the body attachable unit 20 is shown in Figure 20 and Figure 21 Although the description is based on this, Figures 16 to 18 The illustrated form of the body-attachable unit 20 operates in the same manner, and therefore a detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0115] The above description is merely an example of the technical concept of the present disclosure, and those skilled in the art may make various changes and modifications without departing from the basic features of the present disclosure. Therefore, the example embodiments disclosed in the present disclosure are intended to describe the technical concept of the present disclosure, rather than to limit the technical concept, and the scope of the technical concept of the present disclosure is not limited to those example embodiments. The scope of the present disclosure should be interpreted by the appended claims, and all technical concepts within the scope equivalent to the claims should be interpreted as included within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A sensor applicator assembly for blood glucose monitoring, comprising: applicator; as well as a body-attachable unit disposed within the applicator and comprising a housing including an upper frame and a lower frame, The lower frame includes a recessed portion formed throughout the entire portion along a circumferential direction.

2. The sensor applicator assembly for blood glucose monitoring according to claim 1, It also includes a plunger disposed within the main housing of the applicator, The plunger is coupled to a fixing hook that is coupled to the body-attachable unit at a first position within the main housing and is detached from the body-attachable unit at a second position positioned in a downward direction from the first position.

3. The sensor applicator assembly for blood glucose monitoring according to claim 1, wherein the body-attachable unit: A sensor member is included, a first end portion of the sensor member is disposed inside the housing including the upper frame and the lower frame, and the other end portion of the sensor member protrudes outside the housing.

4. The sensor applicator assembly for blood glucose monitoring according to claim 2, wherein a first end of the fixing hook is coupled to the plunger and the other end is engaged with the recess, and wherein the retaining hook includes at least one first end coupled to the plunger.

5. The sensor applicator assembly for blood glucose monitoring according to claim 1, The lower frame includes a first area and a second area, the first area is coupled to the side wall of the upper frame in a planar manner without a step, and the second area has a step formed inward from the first area.

6. The sensor applicator assembly for blood glucose monitoring according to claim 1, The lower frame includes a first area and a second area, the first area is coupled to the side wall of the upper frame in a planar manner without a step, and the second area is formed into a shape having an inclined surface due to chamfering of a corner portion extending downward from the first area.

7. The sensor applicator assembly for blood glucose monitoring according to claim 2, wherein the plunger: comprising a sensor receiving portion into which the body-attachable unit is inserted and received, and The fixing hook: The first end portion is coupled to an edge of the sensor receiving portion and is formed so that the first end portion can pivot about a hinge axis to engage with or disengage from the recess.

8. The sensor applicator assembly for blood glucose monitoring according to claim 2, wherein the plunger moves from the first position to the second position within the main housing, and A hook guide is formed on the inner surface of the main housing to press the fixing hook in a direction to engage with the recess or release the pressing according to the position of the plunger.

9. The sensor applicator assembly for blood glucose monitoring according to claim 1, The plunger is coupled to an elastic member that applies elastic force to the fixing hook in a direction in which the fixing hook is disengaged from the recess.

10. A sensor applicator assembly for blood glucose monitoring, comprising: applicator; as well as a body-attachable unit disposed within the applicator and comprising a housing including an upper frame and a lower frame, The lower frame includes a recessed portion formed in a shape extending from one side of an outer surface of the lower frame through a bottom surface to the other side of the outer surface.

11. The sensor applicator assembly for blood glucose monitoring according to claim 10, wherein the body-attachable unit: A sensor member is included, a first end portion of the sensor member is disposed inside the housing including the upper frame and the lower frame, and the other end portion of the sensor member protrudes outside the housing.

12. The sensor applicator assembly for blood glucose monitoring according to claim 10, The recessed portion is formed in a groove shape that is concavely depressed on the bottom surface of the lower frame to stride across the bottom surface of the housing in directions toward both side ends.

13. The sensor applicator assembly for blood glucose monitoring according to claim 10, It also includes a plunger disposed within the main housing of the applicator, wherein the plunger further comprises: a fixing hook coupled to engage with or disengage from the recess; as well as An elastic member applies elastic force to the fixing hook in a direction in which the fixing hook is disengaged from the recess.

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