Integrated Capillary Blood Sampling Device with Flexible Housing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Capillary blood sampling faces barriers such as a complex multi-step procedure, fear of pain and blood sight, and difficulties in obtaining a good quality sample due to variations in lancet size and lack of proper cleaning and blood transfer.

Innovation Solution

A flexible finger lancing device made from elastomeric material with integrated wipes for cleaning and blood absorption, a controlled lancing mechanism, and a capillary collection device with a fill line to ensure correct blood volume, addressing user fears and sample quality issues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional multi-step capillary blood sampling procedure is used (alcohol wipe, lancet, cotton wool, transfer device), then blood sampling can be performed, but the procedure becomes complicated and requires multiple consumables

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblood sampling qualityVSAvoidnumber of consumables and steps
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate consumables (alcohol wipe, lancet, cotton wool, transfer device) into a single integrated device. The housing integrates the alcohol wipe, lancet mechanism, and blood collection chamber into one unified structure that performs all functions sequentially without requiring separate items.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing serves multiple functions: it acts as the alcohol wipe container, lancet holder, blood collection chamber, and mixing vessel. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated devices for each step of the blood sampling process.

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

2Reliability

If a traditional capillary blood sampling procedure is used, then blood can be collected, but the user experiences fear of pain and blood sight

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblood collection capabilityVSAvoidfear of pain and blood sight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The lancet and puncture site are obscured within the housing structure, removing the visual exposure of blood and the sharp lancet from the user's view. The blood collection occurs internally within the chamber, preventing direct visual contact with blood during the critical moments of puncture and collection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible housing can be positioned to cover and obscure the finger and lancet from view, creating a visual barrier that prevents the user from seeing the painful puncture and blood, thereby reducing fear and anxiety during the procedure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If manual transfer of blood to a separate device is required, then blood analysis can be performed, but the procedure becomes more difficult and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblood analysis capabilityVSAvoidblood transfer difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The blood collection chamber is integrated with the analysis device, eliminating the need for manual transfer. The housing contains both the collection chamber and the analysis components in a unified structure, allowing blood to remain in place for immediate analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The device enables continuous operation where blood collection, mixing with stabilizer, and analysis occur sequentially without interruption or manual intervention. The blood remains in the integrated chamber throughout the entire process, maintaining continuity from collection to analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Adaptability or versatility

If variations in lancet size are used, then different puncture depths can be achieved, but sample quality becomes inconsistent

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelancet size variationVSAvoidsample quality consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The lancet is fixed at a specific position within the housing, ensuring consistent puncture depth and angle. The housing structure provides precise localization of the lancet tip relative to the finger position, eliminating variations that would occur with free-hand lancet application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The device provides tactile feedback through the flexible housing that guides the user on proper finger insertion depth and positioning. This feedback mechanism ensures the lancet engages the finger at the correct location and depth, maintaining sample quality consistency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

Simplifies the sampling process, ensures better control over lancet size and usage, reduces pain and blood sight fears, and guarantees a high-quality blood sample by integrating cleaning, lancing, and collection in a single device.

Implementation Method 1

The body is flexible and made from an elastomeric material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a capillary collection device with a fill line to ensure correct blood volume

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentEP4125582B1Capillary blood sampling
Publication Date: 2024.01.24 OLSER DIAGNOSTICS LTD
  • EP4125582B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4125582B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4125582B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to capillary blood sampling. In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a finger lancing device (100) comprising a body (102) having a chamber for receiving a finger and a lancing device (104) comprising a lancing member actuator for actuating a lancing member to lance a finger received in the chamber.