Lancing Device Locking Apparatus Prevents Accidental Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Generic lancing devices pose a high risk of unintentional injury due to accidental release when the lancing spring is tensioned, making them unsafe for inexperienced users.
Innovation Solution
A lancing device with a locking apparatus that prevents the lancing spring from being tensioned into an operating state unless the release element is properly engaged, featuring a locking rib part and stop part geometry to ensure safe operation and display the device's state through a radially projecting release element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a lancing spring element is tensioned to prepare the lancing device for use, then the lancing device is ready for immediate blood sampling, but the risk of accidental release and unintentional injury increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lancing spring element is tensioned in advance during a preparation phase, but the actual lancing action is prevented by a locking apparatus that requires a separate release element actuation. This separates the energy storage (preliminary action) from the energy release (lancing), ensuring the device is ready but cannot accidentally fire.
Solution Approach 2:
A locking apparatus acts as an intermediary mechanism between the tensioned lancing spring and the lancet holder. This locking mechanism must be actively released by the release element before the lancing spring can accelerate the lancet, providing an additional safety layer that prevents accidental discharge while maintaining readiness.
2Reliability
If a locking apparatus is added to prevent accidental release, then operational safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking apparatus is integrated with existing components of the lancing device. The locking rib is formed as part of the lancet holder element, and the locking groove is formed in the housing, combining the locking function with structural components already present in the device rather than adding completely separate locking mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The release element serves multiple functions: it acts as the activation trigger for the lancing procedure and simultaneously functions as the key to release the locking apparatus. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall device structure while maintaining safety.
3Ease of operation
If the release element is positioned to be easily accessible, then ease of operation is improved, but the risk of unintentional actuation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device requires a two-step process: first the lancing spring is tensioned (preparation), then the release element must be actuated (execution). This separation means that even if the release element is accidentally touched during tensioning, the lancing cannot occur unless the release element is deliberately pushed after preparation is complete.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having the release element constantly engaged and requiring a blocking action to prevent firing, the design inverts the logic: the system is prepared and locked by default, and firing requires a positive release action. This inversion ensures that accessibility does not lead to accidental discharge because the default state is safe.
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
Significantly reduces the risk of unintentional injury by preventing unintended initiation of the lancing procedure and enhances operational safety, particularly for users with visual impairments, through a simple and component-efficient design.
Implementation Method 1
a lancing spring element (28) for accelerating the axially displaceable lancet holder element (32) in a lancing direction (18)
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a lancing device (1) for taking blood samples, having a housing (2), an axially displaceable lancet holder element (32) for holding a lancet (12), a lancing spring element for accelerating the axially displaceable lancet holder element (32) in a lancing direction (18), and a release element (13) for initiating a lancing procedure, in which the axially displaceable lancet holder element (32) is accelerated in a lancing direction (18) by the tensioned lancing spring element, wherein the lancing device (1) comprises a locking apparatus (20), which can be released by the release element (13), for locking a lancing spring element tensioning procedure.