Lancing Device Independent Drive Core Depth Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lancing devices often lack precise depth control, leading to increased pain perception due to vibration transmission and inadequate adjustment mechanisms, and they are costly and time-consuming to design and differentiate for product differentiation in the market.
Innovation Solution
An independent drive core mechanism that is adaptable to various external housing configurations, allowing for precise depth adjustment and efficient incorporation into different designs, enabling streamlined production and product differentiation through a common internal mechanism with diverse external appearances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If depth adjustment mechanisms are added to control penetration depth, then lancing depth control is improved, but device complexity and vibration transmission increase
Solution Approach 1:
The lancing device is divided into independent functional modules: a reusable drive core mechanism containing the lancet and drive spring, and a disposable hub containing the depth adjustment mechanism. This segmentation allows the complex depth adjustment features to be isolated in the disposable portion while keeping the main drive mechanism simple and reusable.
Solution Approach 2:
The depth adjustment mechanism employs a movable stop member that can be positioned at different locations along the lancet stroke path. This dynamic adjustment capability allows users to vary penetration depth by simply repositioning the stop member, providing precise depth control without requiring complex mechanical systems.
2Manufacturing precision
If depth adjustment mechanisms are added to control penetration depth, then lancing depth control is improved, but pain perception increases due to vibration transmission
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the depth adjustment mechanism into the disposable hub portion, vibrations generated during depth adjustment are isolated from the reusable drive core and lancet assembly. This segmentation prevents vibration transmission to the lancing site, reducing pain perception while maintaining precise depth control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The disposable hub acts as an intermediary element between the user's adjustment actions and the lancet drive mechanism. It absorbs and isolates vibrations generated during depth adjustment, preventing them from being transmitted to the lancet and lancing site, thereby reducing pain while enabling precise depth control.
3Adaptability or versatility
If different external housing configurations are designed for product differentiation, then market differentiation is improved, but design and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The product is segmented into a standardized reusable drive core mechanism and customizable disposable hub configurations. Manufacturers can differentiate products through various hub designs (colors, shapes, features) while the core drive mechanism remains identical, enabling product differentiation without requiring complete redesign of the entire device, thus controlling development costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The reusable drive core mechanism is designed as a universal platform that can be paired with multiple different hub configurations. This universality allows a single drive core design to serve multiple product variants, reducing design and development costs while still enabling market differentiation through diverse external housing options.
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 independent drive core mechanism provides precise and intuitive depth control, reduces manufacturing and design costs, and allows for efficient product differentiation by enabling the same internal mechanism to be used across different lancing device designs, enhancing user experience and market differentiation.
Implementation Method 1
a drive spring engaged between the mechanism housing and the drive plunger, for advancing the drive plunger toward the lancet opening
Implementation Method 2
a drive plunger for receiving a lancet, the drive plunger being translationally mounted for advancement and retraction within the mechanism housing
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b
AI summary
A medical lancing device including an independent drive core mechanism incorporating all or a substantial portion of the functional components of the lancing device, whereby the independent drive core mechanism can be incorporated into multiple different external housing configurations for more efficient design and manufacture. Axial adjustment of the position of the independent drive core mechanism within the housing provides lancing penetration depth control.