Lancet Wicking Element for First-Drop Blood Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lancet devices often result in unreliable blood glucose readings due to contamination of the first drop of blood, which can lead to inappropriate insulin dosing, especially when used by patients with diabetes.

Innovation Solution

A lancet device equipped with a wicking element that captures the first drop of blood, allowing for subsequent drops to be used for accurate testing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a lancet device is used to obtain blood sample, then blood can be collected for testing, but the first drop of blood may be contaminated causing unreliable readings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblood sample reliabilityVSAvoidblood contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The wicking element is positioned in advance at the blood collection site to intercept and remove the first drop of blood before it can contaminate the testing area. This preliminary removal action ensures that only clean subsequent drops are available for glucose testing, directly resolving the contamination issue while maintaining reliable blood sample collection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If wicking element is added to remove first drop of blood, then blood contamination is prevented, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblood sample reliabilityVSAvoidlancet device structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wicking element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it absorbs and removes the first contaminated drop of blood, prevents contamination from spreading to the testing area, and guides subsequent clean blood drops to the appropriate collection zone. This multi-functionality achieves reliable blood sampling without requiring multiple separate components or complex mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Ensures the use of uncontaminated blood for glucose testing, thereby providing reliable readings and appropriate insulin dosing.

Implementation Method 1

a wicking element disposed on a portion of the lancet structure. The wicking element allows a user to remove a first drop of blood upon puncturing the skin

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentEP4233723B1Lancet device with first-drop removal

Publication Date: 2026.02.18 BECTON DICKINSON & CO

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AI summary

A medical puncturing device having a wicking element disposed on a portion of the medical puncturing device is disclosed. The wicking element allows a user to remove a first drop of blood upon puncturing the skin using the medical puncturing device. In this manner, a subsequent drop of blood can be used to test their blood to determine their blood glucose level for proper insulin dosing.