Blood Sampling Device Lateral Deflection Trigger
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing single-use blood sampling devices often malfunction due to premature activation of the lancet, which occurs when the safety cap is not fully severed before use, leading to accidental firing and wastage of devices.
Innovation Solution
A blood sampling device with a fixed abutment surface in the housing to securely retain the lancet in a primed position, combined with a trigger mechanism that deflects the lancet laterally to prevent unintentional movement during cap removal, ensuring the lancet is only activated when the cap is fully removed and the device is pressed against the skin.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a cap pop indicator is used to indicate cap removal status, then user convenience is improved, but premature lancet activation occurs when the link is not fully severed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the fixed abutment surface and lateral deflection system) between the cap removal action and the lancet activation. This intermediary ensures that even if the cap indicator suggests removal is complete, the lancet cannot activate unless the proper lateral deflection occurs, preventing premature activation while maintaining user convenience
Solution Approach 2:
The fixed abutment surface performs a preliminary action by establishing a predetermined lateral position for the lancet body before activation. This preliminary positioning ensures the lancet is properly aligned and restrained before the actual firing sequence, preventing accidental activation during cap removal
2Ease of operation
If the lancet is retained by a movable trigger member, then the device can be actuated, but the lancet may be unintentionally released during cap removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the retention function from the movable trigger member and places it on a fixed abutment surface. This separation of functions allows the trigger to solely control activation while the fixed surface provides stable retention, eliminating the risk of unintentional release during cap removal while preserving actuation capability
3Ease of manufacture
If the lancet is allowed to move forward freely, then the device is simple to manufacture, but the lancet may be prematurely activated before skin contact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a specific lateral deflection path at the critical activation zone. The fixed abutment surface and deflection system are localized to where the lancet body transitions from restrained to active movement, providing precise control exactly where needed while maintaining simplicity elsewhere in the mechanism
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
This design enhances the stability and security of the lancet, preventing premature activation and ensuring the device is only fired when intended, thereby reducing wastage and improving user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
an urging member for urging the lancet forwardly, in use, relative to the housing between a rearward primed position in which the lancet needle is within the housing and a forward lancing position
Implementation Method 2
the trigger deflects the lancet body in a direction generally transverse to the longitudinal axis such that the lancet body may move forwardly past the fixed abutment surface
Data Source
AI summary
A blood sampling device (1) comprising a housing (10) and a lancet (50). The housing has a fixed abutment surface for holdingly engaging the lancet in a rearward primed position. The blood sampling device further comprises a trigger (22) moveable from a rest position to a fire position to release the lancet for forward movement, wherein the trigger deflects the lancet body in a direction generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the housing such that the lancet body may move forwardly past the fixed abutment surface.