Nested Spring Lancing Mechanism for Single Puncture
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lancing devices cause discomfort due to inadequate damping, leading to multiple skin punctures and insufficient sample size, and are often bulky, making them inconvenient for users.
Innovation Solution
A multi-spring lancing mechanism with a drive spring and a damping spring, where the drive spring propels the lancet from a cocking to a puncture position and the damping spring returns it to a resting position, minimizing discomfort and optimizing sample collection, while a compact design reduces device size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If existing lancing devices use inadequate damping, then the device size can be reduced, but the lancet causes multiple skin punctures and insufficient sample size
Solution Approach 1:
The drive spring is positioned inside the damping spring, creating a nested spring system. This nested configuration allows both springs to occupy the same spatial envelope, significantly reducing the overall device volume while maintaining both the driving force and damping functions necessary for reliable single-puncture operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the drive mechanism and damping mechanism into a single integrated lancing mechanism. The drive spring provides the force for puncture while the damping spring controls the return motion, merging multiple functions into one compact unit that ensures reliable single-puncture effectiveness.
2Device complexity
If existing lancing devices lack proper damping, then the device complexity is reduced, but the lancet causes increased pain and multiple punctures
Solution Approach 1:
By nesting the drive spring within the damping spring, the patent achieves proper damping control without proportionally increasing device complexity. The nested configuration allows both spring mechanisms to work together in a coordinated manner, providing painless single-puncture operation while maintaining relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The damping spring provides dynamic control over the lancet's motion, adjusting the damping force during the return stroke to prevent excessive bouncing that would cause multiple punctures and pain. This dynamic damping control ensures comfortable, painless operation.
3Force
If the lancing device uses separate drive and damping springs, then the puncture force is sufficient, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive spring is positioned concentrically within the damping spring, allowing both springs to occupy the same radial space. This nested arrangement maintains sufficient puncture force from the drive spring while the damping spring provides controlled return motion, all within a compact cylindrical volume that minimizes device size.
Solution Approach 2:
The nested spring configuration transitions from a side-by-side linear arrangement to a concentric radial arrangement. This dimensional change allows both drive and damping functions to coexist in a compact cylindrical envelope, reducing the device's overall volume while maintaining adequate puncture force.
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 mechanism reduces pain and discomfort by ensuring a single, effective puncture and provides a compact, user-friendly device for glucose monitoring and other analyte determinations.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one drive spring surrounds at least a portion of the shaft. The at least one drive spring is adapted to drive the lancing mechanism from the cocking position to the puncture position.
Implementation Method 2
The at least one damping spring is adapted to move the lancing mechanism from the puncture position to the resting position.
Data Source
AI summary
A lancing mechanism is adapted to move between a resting, cocking and a puncture position. The lancing mechanism comprises a lancet holder adapted to receive a lancet, a shaft attached to the lancet holder, at least one drive spring and at least one damping spring. The drive spring surrounds at least a portion of the shaft and drives the lancing mechanism from the cocking position to the puncture position. The damping spring moves the lancing mechanism from the puncture position to the resting position. The drive spring is located at least partially within the damping spring.