Integrated Blood Sampling Device with Pneumatic Catalyst System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional self-monitoring systems for blood glucose levels are cumbersome, require significant user intervention, and often rely on manual milking to obtain sufficient blood samples, especially at alternate sites, which can be painful and less reliable than finger lancing.

Innovation Solution

An integrated device that includes a catalyst system for automatic blood expression using pressurized air or vacuum, allowing for consistent and reliable sampling at both digital and alternate sites, with interchangeable attachments for easy use and cleaning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If manual milking is used to obtain sufficient blood samples at alternate sites, then blood volume for testing can be obtained, but user effort and pain are significantly increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblood volumeVSAvoiduser effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically performs blood expression without requiring manual milking by the user. The catalyst system (vacuum or pressurized air) self-regulates to express sufficient blood from the lancing site, eliminating the need for user intervention in the blood expression process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a catalyst system using either vacuum (pneumatic suction) or pressurized air to automatically express blood from the lancing site. This pneumatic mechanism replaces manual milking, providing controlled and consistent blood expression without user effort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Reliability

If finger lancing is used to obtain sufficient blood, then reliable blood samples can be obtained, but pain and sensitivity are significantly increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblood sampling reliabilityVSAvoidpain
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system allows dynamic selection between digital (finger) and alternate site lancing. The catalyst system adapts to the specific lancing site being used, providing reliable blood expression whether at the finger or alternate sites, while the user can choose the less painful alternate sites without sacrificing sampling reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If multiple separate components are used for lancing, transport, and quantification, then specialized functions can be optimized, but device complexity and bulkiness are increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional optimizationVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates lancing, blood expression, transport, and quantification functions into a single integrated device. The catalyst system, lancing mechanism, and analysis components are combined in one unit, eliminating the need for separate lancing devices, transport containers, and meters, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining functional optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated device performs multiple functions: it can lance at both digital and alternate sites, automatically express blood using the catalyst system, transport the blood sample, and perform quantification. This multi-functional design replaces multiple specialized components with a single universal device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Measurement precision

If significant user intervention is required for blood sampling and testing, then precise control can be achieved, but ease of operation is significantly reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetesting controlVSAvoiduser intervention
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically performs blood expression and transport functions without requiring user intervention. The catalyst system self-regulates to express sufficient blood, and the integrated device automatically transports and analyzes the sample, maintaining measurement precision while eliminating manual操作步骤.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 device provides improved consistency and reliability in blood sampling, reducing user effort and pain by automatically expressing sufficient blood for analysis, facilitating testing at various sites with ease and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

The catalyst system may comprise a cuff attached to the housing, and the pump may be a pressure pump having a positive feed line and a negative feed line. The positive feed line may be configured for attachment to the cuff, and the negative feed line may be configured for attachment to the sampling site.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressurized air: Pressurisation

Implementation Method 2

The pump may be a pressure pump having a positive feed line and a negative feed line

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure pump: Pump

Implementation Method 3

the catalyst system may comprise a cuff attached to the housing, and the pump may be a pressure pump having a positive feed line and a negative feed line

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Data Source

PatentEP2061375B1Body fluid monitoring and sampling devices
Publication Date: 2018.04.11 INTUITY MEDICAL INC
  • EP2061375B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2061375B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~5B
  • EP2061375B1 patent drawingFigure 6A~6B

AI summary

An integrated monitoring and body fluid sampling device constructed to permit digital as well as alternate-site body fluid sampling and analysis, the device comprising: a housing; at least one skin-penetration member; and a member constructed for the application of circumferential or vacuum pressure to an appendage; wherein the member is detachably or retractably connected to the housing in a manner such that the integrated monitoring and body fluid sampling device can perform digital or alternate-site body fluid sampling and analysis. Additional arrangements and techniques are also described.