Insertion Device Safety Lock Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing insertion devices for analyte sensors face challenges such as complex setups, loss of parts, reversible safety locks, and difficulty in recognizing the device's state, leading to potential unwanted activation during transportation or storage, which poses safety risks, especially for elderly or handicapped users.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical insertion device with a hand-operable safety lock that prevents unwanted actuation, featuring a slide switch or pin mechanism to ensure the device is securely locked during transport and storage, and can be easily unlocked by the user, providing a robust and reliable safety mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a safety lock mechanism is provided in the insertion device, then the reliability against unwanted activation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The safety lock mechanism is integrated into the drive mechanism housing, merging the safety function with the existing structural components. The blocking element is incorporated within the housing structure itself, combining multiple functions into a unified design that prevents unwanted activation without adding separate complex subsystems.
Solution Approach 2:
A blocking element serves as an intermediary component between the user and the drive mechanism. This element physically intervenes to prevent activation unless deliberately removed or disengaged, providing a simple yet effective safety barrier that does not require complex electronic or mechanical systems.
2Reliability
If the safety lock is made non-reversible, then the safety against misuse is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device is supplied in a pre-locked state with the blocking element in place, ensuring safety before use. The blocking element is positioned to prevent activation during transportation and storage, and the user simply needs to remove or disengage it before operation, making the safety mechanism both robust and user-friendly.
3Device complexity
If the number of parts is reduced, then the device complexity is improved, but the reliability of safety mechanism deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The safety lock functionality is merged with the existing housing and drive mechanism components. The blocking element is integrated into the housing structure, and the safety function is combined with the mechanical assembly, reducing the total number of separate parts while maintaining robust safety protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking element serves multiple functions: it acts as a safety lock, a structural component of the housing, and a user interface element. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated safety components, maintaining reliability with fewer parts.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an insertion device (110) for inserting an analyte sensor (114) into a body tissue. The insertion device (110) comprises an insertion needle holder (120) and a drive mechanism (124) for driving the insertion needle holder (120) in a longitudinal direction (126). The drive mechanism (124) comprises at least one actuator (132) for actuating the drive mechanism (124). The drive mechanism (124) comprises a rotor (142) adapted to transform an actuation motion of the actuator (132) into a motion of the insertion needle holder (120) in the longitudinal direction (126). The insertion device (110) further comprises at least one safety lock (164). The safety lock (164), in a locked position, is adapted to at least partially block a rotation of the rotor (142). In an unlocked position, the safety lock (164) is adapted to permit the rotation of the rotor (142).