Lancet Sheet Removable Ledge Release Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current portable handheld medical diagnostic devices for measuring blood glucose levels require multiple labor-intensive steps and are uncomfortable for users, involving separate loading of lancets and test strips for blood sampling.
Innovation Solution
A lancet housing assembly with a lancet sheet that includes multiple lancet structures with a removable ledge and spring components, allowing for easy release and integration into a portable handheld device, reducing the number of steps and improving user comfort by integrating lancet and blood transport functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate loading of lancets and test strips is required, then device functionality is complete, but operation complexity increases and user comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the lancet loading function and test strip loading function into a single integrated cartridge assembly. The cartridge contains both the lancet mechanism and test strip compartment, allowing the user to load both components simultaneously in one action rather than separately loading lancets and test strips into different device sections. This merging reduces the number of operational steps and simplifies the user interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge serves multiple functions: it houses the lancet for blood sampling, contains the test strip for glucose measurement, and integrates the blood transfer mechanism. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate lancet and test strip loading operations, reducing operational complexity while maintaining complete diagnostic functionality.
2Productivity
If multiple lancets are pre-assembled in a sheet, then loading efficiency improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lancet sheet is divided into individual lancet units that are connected by a removable bridge structure. Each lancet is separately formed but remains connected to the sheet through the bridge, allowing the sheet to be manufactured as a single piece while enabling easy separation of individual lancets during loading. The bridge acts as a temporary connector that simplifies manufacturing but can be easily removed.
Solution Approach 2:
The removable bridge serves as an intermediary structure that connects multiple lancets during manufacturing and storage, then can be easily removed to release individual lancets for loading. This bridge structure simplifies the manufacturing process by allowing batch production of lancets while maintaining the ability to individually access each lancet when needed.
3Device complexity
If spring components are formed from sheet material, then assembly simplicity improves, but structural strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The spring components are created by locally deforming the sheet material through forming processes that create elastic deformation. By changing the geometric parameters of specific regions of the sheet (creating spring loops, coils, or bent sections), the patent generates functional spring elements that provide necessary mechanical strength while maintaining the simplicity of sheet-based construction. The spring properties are achieved through geometric design rather than separate component manufacturing.
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 solution simplifies the blood sampling process, reducing the number of steps and enhancing user comfort by allowing multiple lancet structures to be easily loaded and used within the device, thereby improving the ease of use and efficiency of blood glucose monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of spring components is formed in the lancet sheet and connect the lancet structure to the removables ledge. The removeable ledge of the lancet sheet is flexed for releasing the lancet structures from the removeable ledge.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of assembling a lancet housing assembly (600) comprising multiple lancets for use in a portable handheld medical diagnostic device (10) for sampling bodily fluids from a skin site of a patient is provided. The method includes forming a plurality of the lancet structures (606) in a lancet sheet (704). The lancet sheet has a removeable ledge (706,708) for releasing the lancet structures. The removeable ledge of the lancet sheet is flexed for releasing the lancet structures from the removeable ledge.