Lancet Asymmetric Coupling for Axial Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lancing devices lack consistent lancet placement and alignment, leading to variable penetration depths and potential increased pain due to non-axial alignment of the lancet tip, and there is a need to ensure only authorized and safe lancets are used with these devices.
Innovation Solution
A proprietary lancet design with unique engagement features that ensure consistent placement and alignment within a lancing device, featuring a fine gauge needle, relief channels in the endcap to reduce bending forces during molding, and breakaway connections for easy cap removal, while preventing unauthorized lancet use through complementary coupling with the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a standard lancet design is used with existing lancing devices, then the device structure remains simple, but the lancet placement and alignment become inconsistent leading to variable penetration depths
Solution Approach 1:
The lancet employs an asymmetric coupling profile with a specific keyed geometry that does not match standard lancing devices. This asymmetric design ensures that only lancets with the matching proprietary profile can be properly inserted, guaranteeing consistent axial alignment and placement. The asymmetric coupling features include a keyed interface on the lancet body that corresponds to a complementary keyed receiver in the lancing device, preventing misalignment.
2Measurement precision
If proprietary engagement features are added to ensure consistent lancet placement, then alignment precision improves, but the device and lancet design become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The proprietary engagement features utilize asymmetric keyed coupling profiles where the lancet has a specific geometric key that must match the receiver geometry. This asymmetric design provides precise alignment control in multiple dimensions, ensuring the lancet tip maintains consistent axial alignment with the device axis during insertion, thereby ensuring consistent penetration depth.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling features are designed to automatically align and position the lancet correctly as it is being inserted into the lancing device. The keyed profile engages first, establishing proper orientation before the lancet is fully inserted, thereby preliminarily establishing the correct alignment that ensures consistent penetration depth without requiring additional alignment steps.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a fine gauge needle is used to reduce pain, then user comfort improves, but the needle becomes more susceptible to bending forces during manufacturing
Solution Approach 1:
The lancet needle employs local quality variations with a fine gauge diameter at the tip region to minimize tissue trauma and pain, while the shaft portion maintains sufficient thickness and structural reinforcement to resist bending during handling and manufacturing. This gradient in structural properties allows the needle to be fine at the critical tip area for comfort while remaining strong along the shaft for manufacturing robustness.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A lancet (10) for use with a lancing device, the lancet having a body (20) with releasable engagement features for engagement with a cooperating portion of a lancing device, a sharp needle (22), and a removable endcap (60). A coupling portion of the lancet has a non-circular profile. The endcap includes a receptacle (66) for covering the sharp lancet tip after use, and a sheath portion (67) with relief openings (65) to reduce bending of the needle during manufacture or during removal of the endcap.