Lancing Device Depth Adjustment via Rotating Touching Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lancing devices face issues with puncturing depth adjustment, leading to painful vibrations and contamination accumulation due to gaps between components, and are difficult for users with limited mobility to operate.
Innovation Solution
A lancing device with a puncturing depth adjusting unit that uses a rotatable touching element connected via a thread to an intermediate piece, allowing depth adjustment without changing lancet travel, preventing premature stopping and gap formation, and ensuring proper alignment and easy cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a stop is used to limit lancet travel for depth adjustment, then puncturing depth can be controlled, but painful vibrations occur due to premature stopping
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the stop mechanism that causes harmful vibrations during lancet deceleration. Instead of stopping the lancet at the desired depth using a physical stop, the system extracts this function by allowing the lancet to travel its full predetermined distance while adjusting the initial position of the touching element relative to the body part, thereby eliminating the source of painful vibrations while maintaining precise depth control
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary positioning of the touching element at different distances from the lancet drive before the puncturing action occurs. By pre-adjusting the starting position of the touching element, the desired puncturing depth is achieved without needing to stop the lancet during its travel, thus preventing vibrations while maintaining depth precision
2Adaptability or versatility
If a screwed-on end cap is used for depth adjustment, then puncturing depth can be varied, but gaps form that are difficult to clean and accumulate contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the depth adjustment function into the main housing structure by integrating the touching element's positioning mechanism directly into the housing. This eliminates the separate screwed-on end cap component, thereby removing the gap between the cap and housing that would otherwise trap contamination. The adjustment mechanism is combined with the housing itself, making the structure seamless and easy to clean
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the screwed-on end cap component that creates problematic gaps. By eliminating this separate component and integrating its functionality into the housing structure, the system removes the source of contamination accumulation while preserving the depth adjustment capability through alternative means
3Adaptability or versatility
If the cap is moved away from housing for depth adjustment, then depth can be changed, but a gap forms between cap and housing
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines the depth adjustment mechanism with the housing structure itself, eliminating the need for a separate movable cap. The touching element is integrated into the housing, allowing depth adjustment through internal positioning mechanisms while maintaining a continuous, gap-free external surface between the adjustment component and housing
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 prevents painful vibrations and contamination accumulation by maintaining consistent lancet travel and orientation, facilitating easy depth adjustment and cleaning, while being accessible for users with limited mobility.
Implementation Method 1
The touching element is connected to an intermediate piece via a thread so that it can rotate and thereby move in the puncturing direction
Data Source
AI summary
A lancing device comprises a lancet drive to cause a lancet to effect a puncturing movement, a housing that encloses the lancet drive, and a touching element with an opening for applying a part of a body in which a prick wound is to be produced, the touching element being movable relative to the lancet drive for the purpose of adjusting the puncturing depth in a puncturing direction. The touching element is connected rotatably by means of a screw thread to an intermediate piece and is movable in the puncturing direction, while the intermediate piece is rotatable and movable relative to the housing. A guide prevents rotation of the touching element relative to the housing, and the touching element is enclosed by the intermediate piece at least over part of its length.