Analyte-Testing Device Sensor-Inhibit Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing analyte-testing devices, such as blood glucose meters, risk users accessing and mistakenly interpreting stored test results due to accidental interaction with user-interface mechanisms, leading to potential undetection of critical glucose levels and dangerous health consequences.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a display-inhibiting feature that prevents stored analyte concentrations from being displayed on the device's screen when a test sensor is positioned within the meter, ensuring only current analyte concentration information is shown during testing, and allowing users to override this feature through specific interactions to access stored results safely.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the device includes a memory to store multiple analyte concentrations and a user-interface mechanism to access stored results, then the device provides useful historical data functionality, but the risk of accidental access to stored results increases, leading to potential misinterpretation of glucose levels
Solution Approach 1:
The device applies preliminary anti-action by detecting when a test sensor is inserted and automatically inhibiting access to stored analyte concentrations during the testing process. This pre-emptive measure prevents accidental access before it can occur, ensuring that only current test results are displayed while the sensor is in place, thus eliminating the risk of misinterpretation while preserving historical data access functionality for later use.
2Loss of information
If the display shows all available analyte concentrations (current and stored), then the user has complete information available, but the user may mistakenly view stored results as current results, causing safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs preliminary action by automatically detecting sensor insertion and proactively limiting the display to show only current analyte concentration information. This preliminary restriction prevents the harmful situation of displaying both current and stored results simultaneously, which could cause confusion. The complete information is preserved in memory and can be accessed later through proper user-initiated commands after testing is complete.
3Ease of operation
If the device allows free access to stored test results during operation, then the user interface remains simple and responsive, but accidental button presses during testing can cause incorrect data interpretation
Solution Approach 1:
The device applies dynamics by making the user interface behavior adaptive based on the operational state. When a test sensor is detected, the interface dynamically restricts access to stored results, preventing accidental access during critical testing moments. When no sensor is present, the interface returns to its normal responsive state, allowing full access to historical data. This dynamic adjustment maintains ease of operation when appropriate while ensuring reliability during testing.
Data Source
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AI summary
A device adapted to determine an analyte concentration of a fluid sample using a test sensor. The device comprises a display adapted to display information to a user. The device further comprises at least one user-interface mechanism adapted to allow the user to interact with the device. The device further comprises a body portion including at least one opening formed therein, the at least one opening being of sufficient size to receive the test sensor. The device further comprises a memory adapted to store a plurality of stored analyte concentrations. The device further comprises a processing feature adapted to inhibit the stored analyte concentrations from being displayed on the display.