L-Shaped Sensor Electrode Assembly for Breakage-Resistant Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blood glucose monitoring products face issues such as sensor electrode breakage due to bending during installation, unstable connections leading to data noise, high costs due to disposable insertion aids, and painful needle insertion processes with complex mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A sensor assembly with an L-shaped sensor electrode design for stable connection, a needle box for secure storage, and a dedicated painless patch applicator using a spiral spring for painless insertion, featuring a simple structure and reliable operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the sensor electrode is bent by about 90° during installation, then the sensor electrode can be divided into implanting part and connecting part, but the bent part is prone to breakage and affects data stability
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor electrode is segmented into an implanting part and a connecting part, with the implanting part having a bent configuration and the connecting part being straight. This segmentation allows the electrode to be easily installed while maintaining structural integrity and data stability through proper design of each segment.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of bending the entire sensor electrode by 90° as in prior art, the patent inverts the approach by keeping the electrode mostly straight and only bending a small portion (about 10-20°) at the connection area. This inversion reduces breakage risk while maintaining ease of installation.
2Ease of manufacture
If the conductive contact is crimped flatly on the electrode, then the connecting part can be externally connected to the electronic system, but insecure crimping causes shaking and data noise
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive contact is designed with a curved or rounded crimping structure instead of flat crimping. This curved design provides better mechanical engagement with the electrode, ensuring secure connection that prevents shaking and data noise while maintaining ease of manufacture.
3Ease of operation
If the insertion aid uses two springs for needle insertion and withdrawal, then the needle insertion process can be completed, but the structure becomes complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates one of the two springs from the insertion aid mechanism, retaining only the necessary spring for needle insertion while using a simple withdrawal mechanism. This reduction in components simplifies the overall structure, lowers costs, and maintains operational effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The single spring in the patent is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides the necessary force for needle insertion and works in conjunction with the withdrawal mechanism. This multi-functional design reduces the need for separate dedicated springs for each operation, simplifying the overall mechanism.
4Reliability
If the rigid needle is retained in the human body for 40-50 ms, then the needle can be securely positioned, but pains are caused during implantation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic insertion mechanism where the rigid needle is advanced in a controlled, rapid motion rather than being slowly retained. The needle insertion is performed with a quick, decisive movement that minimizes the time the needle is in the tissue, reducing pain while ensuring proper positioning through the dynamics of the insertion process itself.
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 L-shaped sensor electrode ensures stability and resistance to shaking, the needle box provides convenient storage, and the painless applicator minimizes pain with a single spring mechanism, enhancing data stability and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
needle insertion is realized by one spiral spring, the whole needle insertion process is faster, and pains are minimized
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a sensor assembly, including sensor electrode, a sensor waterproof soft rubber, a plastic base and a rigid needle. The sensor electrode is formed by a horizontal connecting part and a vertical implanting part which are connected to form an L-shaped structure, thus preventing the sensor electrode from breaking after implementation into a human body. The sensor electrode is in lateral contact with the conductive silicone elements, featuring a secure and stable connection, resistance to shaking and good data stability. Further provided is a needle box, containing the sensor assembly. The needle box may reliably store the sensor assembly and is convenient to use. Further provided is a dedicated painless patch applicator, which has a few of parts and a simple structure, is easy to assemble, realizes part assembly without a hot-melting process, avoids false triggering, realizes needle insertion by means of one spiral spring to make the whole insertion process faster, and minimizes pains to realize painless needle insertion.