Medical Sensor Applicator With Locking Hook for Single-Step Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical devices, such as continuous glucose monitoring systems, require multiple user operations for attachment to the skin, including mounting a sensor unit, coupling a transmitter, and removing a needle, which is inconvenient and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
An applicator assembly with a locking hook mechanism that securely attaches a medical device to the skin with minimal user interaction, allowing seamless coupling and decoupling of a sensor unit and base unit, and simplifies activation without additional switches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple user operations are required for attachment (mounting sensor unit, coupling transmitter, removing needle), then the medical device can be securely attached to the skin, but the ease of operation deteriorates and the time required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate operations (mounting sensor unit, coupling transmitter, removing needle) into a single integrated applicator device. The applicator body integrates the sensor unit mounting mechanism, transmitter coupling mechanism, and needle removal function into one unified structure, allowing all attachment steps to be completed with a single operation by the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-assembling the sensor unit, transmitter, and needle into the applicator body before use. The sensor unit is pre-positioned in the applicator body with the transmitter already coupled, and the needle is pre-loaded in the insertion unit. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for users to perform multiple separate assembly steps during actual application.
2Reliability
If multiple user operations are required for attachment, then the medical device can be securely attached to the skin, but the time required for attachment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate operations (mounting sensor unit, coupling transmitter, removing needle) into a single integrated applicator device. The applicator body integrates the sensor unit mounting mechanism, transmitter coupling mechanism, and needle removal function into one unified structure, allowing all attachment steps to be completed with a single operation by the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-assembling the sensor unit, transmitter, and needle into the applicator body before use. The sensor unit is pre-positioned in the applicator body with the transmitter already coupled, and the needle is pre-loaded in the insertion unit. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for users to perform multiple separate assembly steps during actual application.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a locking hook mechanism is used to securely attach the medical device, then the stability of attachment is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking hook mechanism is designed to automatically engage and lock when the applicator body is assembled with the sensor unit and transmitter. The mechanism self-activates through the natural assembly process, requiring no additional user intervention or complex control systems. The locking hook automatically secures the components in place through its geometric design and interaction with corresponding features in the applicator body.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an applicator for attaching, to skin of a user, a medical device including a sensor unit having a sensor of which a portion is to be inserted into the skin of the user and a base unit attached to the skin of the user to be coupled to the sensor unit, the applicator including an applicator body to which the base unit is separably coupled, a locking hook disposed to the applicator body to engage with the base unit, an insertion unit disposed to the applicator body for moving the sensor unit from a first position spaced apart from the base unit to a second position for being coupled to the base unit, and an operation part disposed to the applicator body to be moved by control by the user from a third position to a fourth position for operating the insertion unit, and the locking hook is maintained to be in a fixed mode of engaging with the base unit, in a state in which the operation part is positioned at the third position, and the fixed mode is releasable by an operation of the operation part moving to the fourth position.