Molded Pulp Applicator Assembly with Detachable Needle Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Blood glucose meters requiring blood collection are inconvenient for immediate hypoglycemic monitoring, and continuous glucose monitoring systems (CGMS) increase user inconvenience and contribute to environmental pollution due to single-use applicators.
Innovation Solution
An applicator assembly with a needle that moves in two directions, featuring a molded pulp body and an operation part with a button and stopper mechanism for easy attachment and detachment of a sensing device, reducing environmental impact by using biodegradable materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a blood-collection type blood glucose meter is used, then the device structure is simple, but it requires blood-collecting behavior which makes immediate monitoring difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a needle as an intermediary tool that enables the sensing device to penetrate the skin and access interstitial fluid without requiring the user to perform blood collection. The needle acts as a mediator between the user's body and the sensing device, allowing automatic fluid access while keeping the overall device structure simple.
2Ease of operation
If a continuous glucose monitoring system is used, then immediate monitoring is achieved, but user inconvenience increases and environmental pollution increases due to single-use applicators
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a detachable design where the needle and applicator body can be separated from the sensing device. The needle and applicator portion that come into contact with the body are designed as disposable single-use components, while the sensing device itself can be reused. This allows recovery and repeated use of the expensive sensing device while discarding only the contaminated minimal components, reducing environmental pollution.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If a molded pulp applicator body is used, then environmental pollution is reduced through biodegradability, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the applicator body from conventional non-biodegradable materials to molded pulp material. This material parameter change enables biodegradability and reduces environmental pollution. The molded pulp material can be formed through molding processes that shape the applicator body to fit the body contour, providing both environmental benefits and adequate structural function.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an applicator comprising an insertion unit assembly configured to move a needle thereof in each of a first direction and its opposite direction (second direction), an applicator body in which the insertion unit assembly is disposed and of which at least a part is formed of a molded pulp, and an operation part coupled to the insertion unit assembly in the body and allowing the needle to move in the first direction, wherein the operation part includes a button part which is movable in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and of which at least a part is exposed to the outside of the body, and a stopper extending from the button part, prevents the insertion unit assembly from moving in the first direction, and allows the insertion unit assembly to move in the first direction by movement of the button part in the third direction.