Lancing Device Spring Tensioning Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Generic lancing devices have a structurally complex design and difficult handling due to the interaction of multiple spring elements, leading to excessive mechanical complexity and user operation challenges.
Innovation Solution
A lancing device with a simplified mechanical design featuring a latching apparatus that temporarily fixes a tensioning carriage part to an axially displaceable lancet holder element, using a latching arm element and tensioning carriage parts to reduce components and enhance user operation, allowing for separate spring elements to manage forward and return movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple spring elements are used to ensure reliable lancing and return movement, then the reliability of the lancing procedure is improved, but the structural complexity and handling difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the lancing spring element and return spring element into a single integrated spring structure. The spring serves dual functions: it propels the lancet holder forward during lancing and returns it to the initial position afterward. This merging eliminates the need for separate spring elements and their associated tensioning mechanisms, thereby reducing structural complexity while maintaining reliable lancing and return movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The single spring element is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as both the lancing spring element that accelerates the lancet holder forward and the return spring element that accelerates it backward. This multi-functional design reduces the number of components needed while ensuring reliable operation in both directions, resolving the contradiction between reliability and structural complexity.
2Reliability
If multiple spring elements with separate tensioning mechanisms are used, then the lancing performance is ensured, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the tensioning mechanisms for the lancing spring element and return spring element into a single integrated tensioning structure. This allows the user to tension both springs simultaneously with one action rather than requiring separate tensioning operations, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining reliable lancing performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring structure is designed to be self-tensioning through the integrated tensioning mechanism. When the user performs the single tensioning action, the mechanism automatically tensions both the lancing and return spring elements to their required levels, eliminating the need for complex manual adjustment procedures and improving ease of operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate lancing and return spring elements are used, then the control over lancing and return movements is improved, but the number of components and mechanical complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate lancing and return spring elements into a single integrated spring structure that provides controlled movement in both directions. The spring's physical properties and its interaction with the lancet holder and housing features enable distinct control over forward lancing and backward return movements, maintaining adaptability while reducing the number of components.
Solution Approach 2:
While using a single spring, the patent segments the spring's function into distinct phases: the first half of spring compression provides lancing force, and the second half provides return force. This functional segmentation within a single component maintains control over separate movements while avoiding the need for separate physical spring elements and their associated components.
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 simplifies the mechanical design and user handling of the lancing device, reducing component complexity and improving lancing results by eliminating the need for complex spring interactions, resulting in easier operation and improved handling.
Implementation Method 1
a drive unit comprising at least a lancing spring element for driving the axially displaceable lancet holder element in a lancing direction
Implementation Method 2
a return spring element for accelerating the axially displaceable lancet holder element counter to the lancing direction
Data Source
AI summary
A lancing device (1) for taking blood samples comprises a housing (2), an axially displaceable lancet holder element (32) for holding a replaceable lancet (12), and a drive unit (30) comprising at least a lancing spring element (31) for driving the axially displaceable lancet holder element (32) in a lancing direction (18). The lancing device further comprises a tensioning carriage part (26) which can be fixed in a tensioning position (36) for tensioning the lancing spring element (31). The fixable tensioning carriage part (26) is temporarily axially fixed in this tensioning position (36) by means of a latching apparatus (35) which can be latched to the axially displaceable lancet holder element (32).