Integrated Blood Test Device Actuator Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing self-testing devices for blood tests face challenges in user error due to lack of experience, leading to unreliable outcomes, particularly in facilitating self-testing where users may not have regular experience conducting such tests.
Innovation Solution
An integrated blood test unit with a single actuator that delivers both test fluid and blood to a test material, ensuring reliable and error-reduced operation by controlling the sequence and volume of fluid delivery through a mechanism involving a lancet mechanism, blood collection unit, and test fluid reservoir, preventing user misoperation and ensuring correct contact with the test strip.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single actuator is used to deliver both test fluid and blood to the test material, then user operation is simplified and error risk is reduced, but the device mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of delivering test fluid and blood into a single actuator mechanism. When the user activates the actuator, it simultaneously releases the test fluid from the reservoir and allows the blood collection unit to deliver blood to the test material, eliminating the need for separate user actions for each fluid delivery step and significantly simplifying the user interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The test fluid is pre-loaded into the reservoir in advance of the testing process. The reservoir is designed with a frangible seal that breaks when the actuator is activated, allowing the pre-positioned test fluid to be delivered automatically without requiring the user to manually add or prepare the fluid during the testing procedure.
2Measurement precision
If the device controls the sequence and volume of fluid delivery automatically, then test accuracy is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs self-regulation of fluid delivery through its mechanical design. The actuator mechanism automatically controls the timing and volume of test fluid release, and the blood collection unit self-regulates blood delivery through capillary action and gravitational forces, eliminating the need for external control systems or complex electronic regulation while maintaining precise fluid delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The device utilizes fluid pressure and flow dynamics to control delivery. The reservoir is designed to release a specific volume of test fluid through pressure changes when the frangible seal breaks, and the blood collection unit uses capillary pressure and gravity to deliver a controlled amount of blood to the test material without requiring active pumping or metering mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the device is designed for self-testing applications with inexperienced users, then accessibility is improved, but the risk of user error increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sources of potential user error from the testing process. By pre-positioning the test fluid in the reservoir and designing the actuator to automatically coordinate fluid delivery and test execution, the invention removes the need for users to perform complex steps such as manually adding reagents, timing reactions, or controlling fluid volumes, thereby maintaining high reliability while enabling self-testing.
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 user-friendly, reliable self-testing device that minimizes errors by ensuring simultaneous and controlled delivery of blood and test fluid to the test material, enhancing the accuracy and usability of self-testing and point-of-care applications.
Implementation Method 1
a reservoir containing test fluid and an actuator, wherein operatively activation of the actuator causes movement of the blood collection unit to deliver blood to the test component, and activation of the actuator further causes the test fluid to be released from the reservoir in order to allow the test fluid to contact the test component
Implementation Method 2
activation of the actuator causes movement of the blood collection unit to deliver blood to the test component
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3A~3D
AI summary
An integrated blood test unit including a blood collection recess, a test component, and a reservoir containing test fluid. The blood collection device moves to a delivery position under control of an actuator, which also releases test fluid from the reservoir onto the test component. Additional features are a window over the test outcome indicator, a blood delivery channel that only operates if the sample size is large enough, and a geometry for a lancet and actuator that is adapted for a self test situation.