Cam-Driven Sensor Applicator with Automatic Retractor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for analyte monitoring, such as glucose tracking in diabetes patients, are painful and inconvenient, requiring frequent blood draws and sample preparation, which can lead to lower compliance due to their invasive nature.
Innovation Solution
A self-assembling analyte sensor applicator with a cam assembly, piston, and retractor that transdermally delivers a wearable analyte monitoring device without the need for user assembly, ensuring a sterile environment and automatic retraction of the skin-piercing element for safe disposal, while maintaining sterility throughout the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a two-part system requiring user assembly is used, then sterility can be maintained through separate storage, but device complexity and ease of operation are worsened due to assembly requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The sterile insertable portion and applicator are merged into a single pre-assembled unit delivered to the patient. This eliminates the need for user assembly while maintaining sterility through the sealed container system, resolving the contradiction between sterility maintenance and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The assembly of the sterile insertable portion with the applicator is performed in advance during manufacturing, before delivery to the patient. This preliminary action ensures sterility is maintained while eliminating complex user assembly steps, addressing both reliability and ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If the skin-piercing element remains exposed after insertion, then the sensor can be delivered transdermally, but safety is worsened due to risk of injury from exposed sharp elements
Solution Approach 1:
The skin-piercing element is nested within the applicator housing after use. The retractor mechanism pulls the lancet back into the protective housing, eliminating exposure and injury risk while maintaining the transdermal delivery capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The retractor mechanism acts as an intermediary that mediates between the inserted sensor and the exposed lancet. It automatically retracts the dangerous sharp element away from the patient after delivery, resolving the safety hazard while preserving the delivery function.
3Reliability
If manual assembly by the patient is required, then sterility can be maintained through separate storage, but ease of operation is worsened due to assembly complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The sterile components are merged into a single pre-assembled unit that requires no patient assembly. The entire system is delivered ready-to-use in a sealed container, maintaining sterility while dramatically improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to be self-service ready, with all assembly operations performed during manufacturing. The patient simply activates the pre-assembled device without any assembly steps, resolving the contradiction between sterility maintenance and operational simplicity.
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 pain-free, convenient, and efficient method for continuous analyte monitoring by eliminating the need for frequent blood draws and sample preparation, enhancing patient compliance through a non-invasive and sterile delivery system.
Implementation Method 1
The cam assembly comprises a cam, a piston and a retractor. The cam converts rotary motion into linear movement of the piston and retractor along an axis of insertion.
Data Source
AI summary
An analyte sensor applicator for applying a wearable analyte monitoring device includes a housing that holds an analyte sensor assembly, a cam assembly for delivering the analyte sensor assembly, and a skin piercing for inserting a sensor, wherein the skin piercing device is retracted within the housing top after insertion.