Portable Analytical Device Standardized Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional blood glucose measuring devices are cumbersome and require frequent updates due to non-standardized interfaces and hardware changes, making them difficult for patients to operate and requiring repeated approval for medical use.
Innovation Solution
A portable, patient-operable analytical device with a standardized wire-based computer interface that allows for easy connection to a computer for data transmission and power supply, eliminating the need for an intrinsic user interface and enabling operation through a connected computer, which can control the device and display results.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional stand-alone measuring devices with fixed hardware platforms are used, then measurement functionality is provided, but device complexity increases and frequent updates are required due to non-standardized interfaces and hardware changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by implementing a standardized USB interface that allows the measuring device to communicate with different computer systems and mobile devices. This single interface design enables the device to work across multiple platforms without requiring separate interfaces for each device type, thereby reducing overall system complexity while improving adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the device architecture flexible and adaptable to changing hardware platforms. Rather than fixing the interface to a specific hardware platform, the standardized USB interface allows the device to dynamically adapt to different computing environments, eliminating the need for frequent updates when hardware platforms evolve.
2Ease of operation
If stand-alone devices with complete user interfaces are used, then autonomous operation is achieved, but device size and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by removing the intrinsic user interface components (display, keyboard, processing software) from the measuring device itself and relocating them to the connected computer system. This leaves only the essential measuring functionality in the portable device, significantly reducing its size and manufacturing cost while maintaining ease of operation through the computer's interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent leverages the computer system's existing interface capabilities to provide user interaction functionality. Instead of duplicating interface components in the measuring device, the standardized USB interface enables the device to utilize the computer's display, keyboard, and processing resources, thereby reducing device complexity while preserving ease of operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If modular concepts with non-standardized interfaces are used, then application range is made versatile, but each hardware change requires new approval for medical use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by adopting the standardized USB interface, which is a widely accepted and regulated communication protocol. This standardization ensures that the device maintains consistent performance and safety characteristics across different applications and hardware platforms, thereby maintaining regulatory approval stability while still achieving versatility through software configuration rather than hardware changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by separating the standardized hardware interface from the application-specific software functionality. This allows the device to adapt to different medical applications through software updates rather than hardware changes, maintaining regulatory approval stability since the core measuring hardware and its standardized interface remain unchanged.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a compact, easy-to-use blood glucose measuring device that can be operated by patients without the need for intrinsic user interfaces, allowing for universal compatibility and simplified regulatory approval, enhancing user experience and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
electrochemical analytical systems have gained great significance, in which the sample reacting with the reagents of the test element leads to an electrically detectable change (of an electrical voltage or an electrical current)
Implementation Method 2
colorimetric analytical systems are particularly common. In these systems, the sample reacting with the reagents contained in the test element leads to a color change that can be measured visually or by means of a photometric measuring facility
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention proposes a portable, patient-operable analytical device (1) for analysis of a medically significant component of a body fluid for self-monitoring by a patient, in particular a blood glucose measuring device (2), comprising a device housing (3), a measuring facility arranged inside the device housing (3) for carrying out the analysis on a test element (7) that is inserted through a housing opening (8) into the analytical device (1) and the measuring facility, and a processor with software for processing of the measuring values determined by the measuring facility and for processing the measuring values to yield analytical measuring data taking into account calibration values, that is characterized in that it comprises a standardized, wire-based computer interface (4) by means of which the analytical device (1) can be operated by a computer, the analytical measuring data can be transmitted from the analytical device (1) to the computer, and the analytical device (1) is supplied with electrical power by the computer.