Analytical Tool Cartridge Retrieval Mechanism for Biosensor Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable blood sugar level measuring devices are inconvenient for users with failing eyesight or elderly individuals due to the cumbersome process of inserting disposable biosensors, which require removal from packaging and alignment with a small insertion port.
Innovation Solution
An analytical tool cartridge with a retrieval mechanism and opening/closing mechanism allows for easy access and installation of biosensors, featuring a movable operating body with guiding projections and a desiccant to prevent degradation, and an information outputting chip for calibration curve selection, simplifying the operation and reducing user burden.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If biosensors are individually packaged in laminated aluminum sheets, then the biosensors are protected from degradation, but the installation process becomes troublesome and inconvenient for users with failing eyesight or elderly people
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge divides multiple biosensors into individual slots within a single container, allowing the user to access only one biosensor at a time through a dedicated retrieval port, eliminating the need to handle entire packages or multiple loose biosensors
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge serves as an intermediary device between the biosensor packaging and the analyzer, providing a controlled access mechanism that simplifies the installation process while maintaining biosensor protection through the retrieval port and capillary structure
2Manufacturing precision
If the insertion port is made small to match the biosensor cross section, then the biosensor fits properly, but the insertion operation becomes difficult for people with failing eyesight or elderly people
Solution Approach 1:
The manual alignment and insertion operation is replaced by a capillary-driven automatic retrieval mechanism that uses surface tension and pressure differential to automatically guide and insert the biosensor into the analyzer through the retrieval port
Solution Approach 2:
The biosensor retrieval and insertion process becomes self-service through the capillary action mechanism, where the system automatically performs the alignment and insertion tasks without requiring precise manual manipulation by the user
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
Facilitates easy and convenient installation of biosensors in analyzers, enhancing usability for all users, particularly those with dexterity issues, while maintaining the integrity of the analytical tools through controlled environment and reduced calibration complexity.
Implementation Method 1
The storage space in the case preferably has a desiccant housed therein in advance. As a result, the storage space is dehumidified, and hence degradation of the analytical tools by humidity is suppressed.
Implementation Method 2
The operating body is made to comprise an engaging projection for integrally moving one of the analytical tools upon the operating body being moved in a specific direction from a standby state
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an analytical tool cartridge comprising a case having therein a storage space and a retrieval port that communicates the storage space with an external space, and a plurality of analytical tools stored in the storage space in a stacked state. This analytical tool cartridge further has a retrieval mechanism for retrieving the analytical tools one at a time from the case via the retrieval port. The analytical tool cartridge may also further have an opening/closing mechanism for opening and closing the retrieval port. The present invention also provides a set of the analytical tool cartridge, and an analyzer that is constituted so as to have installed therein an analytical tool retrieved from the analytical tool cartridge, and analyze a specific component in a specimen liquid supplied onto the analytical tool. At least one of the analytical tool cartridge and the analyzer has provided therein cartridge fixing means for locating and fixing the analytical tool cartridge onto the analyzer.