Applicator Assembly for Easy Coupling of Skin-Attached Sensor Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical devices, such as lancet-type blood glucose meters and continuous glucose monitoring systems, face challenges in ease of use and convenience, particularly in monitoring hypoglycemia and attaching sensing devices to the skin.
Innovation Solution
A sensing device and applicator assembly that includes a sensor unit with a transcutaneous sensor and a transmitter, featuring a base leg and coupling protrusion design for easy attachment to the skin, allowing for the sensor unit and transmitter to be spaced apart and easily coupled within the applicator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the sensor unit and transmitter are disposed spaced apart from each other within the applicator, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing device is divided into separate components (sensor unit and transmitter) that are disposed spaced apart from each other within the applicator. This segmentation allows independent positioning and easier coupling of each component while maintaining overall system functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
A coupling protrusion is introduced as an intermediary element to facilitate the connection between the sensor unit and transmitter. This coupling structure acts as a mediator that enables easy assembly and positioning of the spaced-apart components without requiring complex alignment mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If a coupling protrusion is disposed on the mounting portion to be engaged with the base leg, then the ease of operation is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling protrusion and base leg are designed with asymmetric geometries that provide directional guidance and self-alignment during assembly. The protrusion extends in a specific direction from the mounting portion and engages with the corresponding base leg, creating an intuitive one-way coupling mechanism that reduces precision requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling protrusion is pre-formed on the mounting portion during manufacturing, establishing the coupling geometry in advance. This preliminary action ensures that the coupling features are precisely formed during production rather than requiring precise alignment during assembly, thereby reducing operational precision requirements.
Data Source
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AI summary
A sensing device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a sensing device configured to be inserted and attached to a user through an applicator including a sensor unit including a transcutaneous sensor, a sensor unit housing configured to accommodate the sensor inside while exposing one end of the sensor through a lower surface, and a base leg protruding from the lower surface of the sensor unit housing, and a transmitter disposed at a lower part of the sensor unit within the applicator, wherein the transmitter includes a transmitter housing having a mounting portion formed on an upper surface and configured to accommodate the sensor unit, and a coupling protrusion disposed on the mounting portion and configured to be engaged with the base leg.