Lancing Device with Lateral Slicing Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lancing devices either rely on linear pricking actions, which may not be suitable for applications requiring a greater volume of blood or specific tissue penetration, or complex slicing actions that increase component count and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A lancing device employing a longitudinally acting spring to drive a lancet with a modified needle profile, allowing for a slicing action by controlling the lancet's movement to execute a lateral motion through a housing aperture, utilizing cooperating surfaces to deflect the lancet tip transversely.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a blade is used instead of a needle to achieve slicing action, then the lancing effectiveness for blood volume is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lancet body is segmented into a needle portion and a blade portion, allowing the device to transition from a simple needle to a slicing blade configuration. This segmentation enables the lancet to perform both puncture and slicing functions while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The lancet body is made movable relative to the needle, allowing it to rotate from an initial longitudinal position to a transverse position during firing. This dynamic movement transforms the lancet from a simple puncture tool to a slicing blade, achieving complex lancing action through simple mechanical movement.
2Ease of operation
If a pivotal arrangement with torsion spring is used to rotate the blade, then the slicing action is achieved, but the component count increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive spring is integrated directly with the lancet body rather than being a separate component. The spring is attached to the lancet body and works in conjunction with the cam surface to both propel and rotate the lancet, combining multiple functions into a single integrated component.
Solution Approach 2:
A cam surface is introduced as an intermediary element between the housing and the lancet body. The cam surface guides the rotation and movement of the lancet body during firing, simplifying the mechanism by replacing complex pivotal arrangements with a simple cam-followership interaction.
3Reliability
If a longitudinally acting spring is used to drive the lancet, then the reliability is improved, but the slicing action capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The lancet body dynamically changes its orientation during the firing process, transitioning from longitudinal to transverse position. This dynamic reconfiguration allows a simple longitudinally-acting spring to produce both linear propulsion and rotational slicing motion, maintaining reliability while gaining slicing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The lancet body's movement is extended from one dimension (linear longitudinal motion) to two dimensions (linear motion plus rotational motion). By allowing the lancet to rotate within the firing channel, the simple linear spring force is converted into a complex two-dimensional trajectory that achieves slicing action.
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 achieves a predictable and effective slicing action with reduced complexity, maintaining the reliability and simplicity of linear lancing devices while accommodating different tissue penetration needs.
Implementation Method 1
a longitudinally acting drive spring for biasing said lancet body forwardly
Data Source
AI summary
A lancing device includes a lancet body (14) of elongate form and having a sharp tip (16) at the forward end thereof; a drive spring (26) for imparting generally longitudinal movement to the lancet body, and a housing (10) receiving the lancet body and having an aperture (22) in the forward end thereof through which the sharp tip (16) of the lancet body projects in use when the device is fired. The device includes elements (28, 30, 32) for controlling movement of the lancet body (14) to cause the tip of the lancet to execute a lateral movement when it projects from the aperture.