Light Pipe Illumination for Diabetes Test Strip Dosing Area
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Solution Overview
Problem
Diabetes patients face challenges in performing precise glucose testing in low light conditions due to the need for accurate placement of a blood droplet on the test strip, which is difficult without adequate illumination.
Innovation Solution
A handheld diabetes management device with a light pipe that redirects light from a source mounted on the circuit board through a housing aperture to illuminate only the dosing area of the diabetes test element, providing enhanced illumination and visual feedback signals for user guidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a light source is mounted inside the housing to illuminate the dosing area, then illumination intensity is improved, but the light source may interfere with the optical path between the light aperture and the dosing area
Solution Approach 1:
A light pipe is introduced as an intermediary component between the light source and the dosing area. The light pipe receives light from the light source at its first end and transmits it to its second end, which is positioned at the light aperture. This mediator allows the light source to be mounted inside the housing without blocking the optical path, as the light pipe guides the light around potential obstructions to illuminate the dosing area effectively.
2Strength
If the light aperture and access port are separated by a portion of the housing, then structural integrity is improved, but light transmission efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The light pipe serves as a mediator that bridges the separation between the light aperture and the access port. By routing light through the light pipe rather than requiring direct line-of-sight through the housing structure, the system maintains structural integrity while minimizing light transmission losses. The light pipe efficiently guides light around the housing portion that separates the aperture and access port.
3Measurement precision
If ambient light is blocked to create a dark testing environment, then measurement precision is improved, but illumination of the dosing area becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is designed with local quality by providing targeted illumination only at the dosing area through the light pipe and light aperture, while the rest of the environment can remain dark. This localized lighting approach allows the dosing area to be well-illuminated for precise blood droplet placement, while blocking ambient light elsewhere to maintain measurement precision and reduce glare during the optical measurement process.
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
Enables precise glucose testing in low light environments by ensuring accurate placement of the blood droplet and providing visual feedback, enhancing user experience and analysis accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a light pipe that is coupled to the housing via the coupling member. The light pipe is disposed adjacent the light source to receive light from the light source travelling in a first direction, and the light pipe redirects the light along a second direction to be emitted out of the housing through the light aperture toward the dosing area of the diabetes test element
Data Source
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AI summary
A handheld diabetes management device for providing enhanced illumination includes a housing with an access port and a light aperture. The housing further includes a coupling member on an inner surface thereof. Furthermore, the device includes a measurement engine housed within the housing and communicating with the access port for analyzing body fluid disposed on a dosing area of a diabetes test element. Also, the device includes a circuit board communicating with the measurement engine. The device further includes a light source mounted to the circuit board and a light pipe coupled to the housing via the coupling member. The light pipe is disposed adjacent the light source to receive light from the light source travelling in a first direction. The light pipe redirects the light along a second direction to be emitted out of the housing through the light aperture toward the dosing area of the diabetes test element.