Lancing Device Front-End Insertion and Hinged Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lancing devices with disposable lancets pose risks of injury due to premature dislodgment of protective caps and potential lancet bending, especially for users with impaired dexterity, and are cumbersome to handle with multiple components.
Innovation Solution
A lancing device design featuring a main housing with a pivotally mounted forward portion that allows insertion of the lancet front end first, incorporating stop means to restrict forward movement of the lancet holder and a drive mechanism for firing the lancet, along with a releasable latch and damping means for safe operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the lancet is inserted rear end first with a protective cap, then the lancet tip is protected from injury, but the cap may be dislodged prematurely or the lancet tip may be bent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional insertion method by requiring the lancet to be inserted front end first rather than rear end first. This reversal eliminates the need for a separate protective cap that can be dislodged, as the lancet tip is guided directly into the holder by the forward insertion motion, maintaining protection while preventing the harmful dislodgment effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a guide or holder as an intermediary component that receives the lancet tip during insertion. This intermediary structure guides the lancet tip into proper position and protects it during the loading process, preventing both dislodgment and bending without requiring a separate cap that could fail.
2Reliability
If a separate tip assembly with screwing action is used, then the lancet tip is secured, but the operation becomes cumbersome and awkward for those of impaired dexterity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the lancet holder and tip assembly into a single integrated unit rather than separate components requiring screwing together. The lancet is retained by friction fit or simple mechanical retention within the holder, eliminating the complex screwing operation while maintaining secure attachment, thus improving ease of operation without sacrificing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the complex screwing mechanism from the design and replaces it with a simpler retention system. The lancet holder uses a straightforward mechanical retention method that does not require threading or screwing actions, making the device accessible to users with impaired dexterity while still securing the lancet tip effectively.
3Ease of operation
If the forward portion is made movable and openable, then lancet insertion is simplified and safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the housing into a main body and a movable forward portion that can be opened independently. This segmentation allows the forward portion to be accessed separately for lancet insertion while the main body remains intact, simplifying the insertion operation. The hinge connection provides the necessary movement with minimal structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic movement to the forward portion through a hinge connection, allowing it to pivot between closed and open positions. This dynamic element enables simple lancet insertion by opening the forward portion, then automatically secures the lancet when closed. The hinge mechanism provides this functionality with minimal added complexity compared to a fully fixed structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A lancing device includes a main barrel portion 10 to the front end of which is hinged a forward portion for movement between the open position shown in FIG. 1 and a closed position. The main barrel portion 10 contains a drive mechanism, cocking slider and trigger, while the forward portion contains a lancet holder into which a lancet may be loaded front end first. Also disclosed is a lancing device having a main housing having a forward nose portion to the rear of which is a flip up lancet hatch into which a lancet may be loaded front end first.