Lancet Trigger Mechanism for Safe Blood Sampling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a simple, reliable, and easy-to-manufacture disposable medical puncturing device that ensures sterility before use and safe and secure disposal after use, while addressing psychological and safety concerns associated with existing lancet devices.
Innovation Solution
A lancet device featuring a housing with a bow spring mechanism that maintains the lancet in a retracted position until a lateral trigger movement biases the bow spring to extend the puncturing end, and subsequent release allows retraction, with the trigger being locked within the housing to prevent accidental reuse, and a fracturable connection to ensure safe disposal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a complex transmission linkage system is used to transfer lateral trigger movement to extend and retract the puncturing needle, then the puncturing action can be achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex transmission linkage system from the device, replacing it with a direct lateral trigger movement mechanism. The trigger body itself performs the function of transferring lateral motion to the puncturing needle through a simple guide slot, eliminating the need for separate transmission linkages while maintaining the desired lateral activation ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The trigger body serves multiple functions: it is the actuating element for lateral movement, the guide for the puncturing needle through its slot, and the locking mechanism through its interaction with the housing. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate transmission linkages while maintaining operational ease.
2Reliability
If the lancet device is designed for single use with safety features to prevent reuse, then safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary anti-action by designing the trigger housing with a locked position that prevents the trigger from being reset or reused. The frangible connection and locked trigger position are built-in features that automatically prevent reuse after a single activation, eliminating the need for complex external safety mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed as a disposable single-use unit with integrated safety features. The frangible connection and locked trigger position ensure the device can only be used once, after which it is discarded. This approach uses simple, inexpensive safety features rather than complex reusable safety mechanisms.
3Reliability
If a frangible connection is used to ensure the trigger cannot be removed, then safety is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The frangible connection is pre-formed during the molding process as an integral part of the trigger assembly. The weakened section is created during manufacturing with controlled thickness and geometry, ensuring it breaks at the intended location when lateral force is applied, without requiring additional precision assembly steps.
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 device provides a safe, easy-to-use, and cost-effective solution for obtaining blood samples with enhanced safety features to prevent reuse and ensure sterility, addressing psychological and safety concerns in the medical field.
Implementation Method 1
a bow spring for maintaining the lancet structure in the retracted position when the bow spring is in a first state in which it is resistive to movement. Lateral movement of the trigger into the housing biases the bow spring against the first state to a second state, thereby extending the lancet structure to the puncturing position
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A lancet device including a housing and a lancet structure having a puncturing tip maintained within an interior cavity of the housing. The device incorporates a bow spring which cooperates with the lancet structure within the housing, and a trigger which extends laterally through and into the housing. The bow spring is resistive to movement, and therefore maintains the puncturing tip in a retracted position within the housing. Lateral movement of the trigger into the housing, such as through a pivoting trigger operation, biases the bow spring against this resistive to deflect the bow spring and extend the puncturing tip through the forward end of the housing to achieve a puncturing position.