CGM Applicator Plunger Locking for Needle Separation Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing continuous glucose monitoring systems face challenges with cumbersome assembly of parts, lengthy manufacturing times, and difficulty in automated production, requiring multiple manual steps for attaching a one-time use sensor module and separate transmitter connection.
Innovation Solution
An applicator for a continuous blood glucose measurement apparatus featuring a plunger and needle separation unit with a locking mechanism, allowing for easy assembly and automated production, where the needle separation unit is integrated with the plunger, simplifying the process of attaching and removing the sensor module.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a disposable applicator is used for each measurement, then measurement precision and hygiene are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The applicator is divided into separate functional components: a reusable sensor unit and a disposable tip unit. The sensor unit contains the glucose sensing elements and electronics, while the tip is a simple insertion element. This segmentation allows the complex sensor unit to be reused while maintaining precision through the disposable tip, reducing overall system complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor unit is designed to be universal and reusable across multiple measurements, performing the same function repeatedly. The tip, while disposable, serves a simple universal function of facilitating insertion. This multi-functionality of the sensor unit reduces the frequency of replacements and lowers long-term costs while maintaining measurement precision.
2Ease of operation
If the applicator tip is made disposable, then hygiene and ease of operation are improved, but loss of substance and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the applicator into a reusable sensor unit and a disposable tip, the design maintains ease of operation through the simple, easy-to-throw-away tip while reducing material consumption through reuse of the complex sensor unit. This segmentation optimizes the trade-off between operational ease and material loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The tip is designed as a cheap, disposable component that simplifies operation and ensures hygiene, while the expensive sensor unit is reused. This approach accepts the loss of the inexpensive tip material in exchange for maintaining ease of operation and avoiding the need to clean or maintain the complex sensor unit.
3Reliability
If the applicator is designed for single use, then reliability and hygiene are improved, but productivity and resource utilization decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The segmentation into reusable sensor unit and disposable tip allows the sensor unit to be reused across multiple measurements, increasing productivity. The disposable tip maintains reliability and hygiene for each measurement. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing repeated use of the reliable sensor unit while maintaining hygiene through the disposable tip.
Solution Approach 2:
The disposable tip is discarded after each use to maintain reliability and hygiene, while the sensor unit is recovered and reused for subsequent measurements. This discarding and recovering approach increases productivity by reusing the sensor unit while maintaining the reliability and hygiene benefits of single-use components.
4Reliability
If the applicator requires cleaning and sterilization, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The segmentation into reusable sensor unit and disposable tip eliminates the need to clean and sterilize the sensor unit, as the tip is replaced rather than cleaned. This maintains reliability through the disposable tip while eliminating the time-consuming cleaning and sterilization process for the sensor unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The disposable tip eliminates the need for cleaning and sterilization of the sensor unit, saving time while maintaining reliability through the single-use tip. The tip is discarded after one use, avoiding any cleaning or sterilization time for the reusable sensor unit.
Data Source
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AI summary
According to the present disclosure, an applicator for a continuous blood glucose measurement device, the applicator being operated by attaching a body attachment unit to the body of a user, the body attachment unit including a sensor member which is inserted into the body of the user in order to measure the blood glucose, comprises: a main case; a plunger to which the body attachment unit is detachably coupled and which is installed in the main case to be movable from a first position to a second position so that the body attachment unit can be discharged to the outer direction of the main case; a needle which is detachably coupled to the body attachment unit so as to be inserted into the body of the user along with the sensor member; and a needle separating unit which separates the needle from the body of the user by moving the needle in the direction opposite to the discharge direction of the plunger, wherein the needle separating unit includes a locking unit which can be assembled with the plunger in the manner of being engaged with one side of the plunger.