Pen-Type Lancing Device With Spring-Free Propulsion and Impact Stops

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lancing devices cause pain due to direct skin penetration by the lancet tip and require complex assembly processes, often involving metal springs that are prone to damage and increase manufacturing costs.

Innovation Solution

A lancing device with a lancet that impacts a sleeve after skin penetration, using an elastomeric urging member to reduce pain perception and simplify assembly by eliminating metal springs, allowing for bio-based materials and simplified component alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If a spring or biasing member is used to force the lancet tip into the skin, then the lancet can be propelled forward to create a skin incision, but the device complexity increases and manufacturing costs rise due to the need for metal springs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelancet propulsion forceVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the metal spring from the system entirely, extracting the problematic component that caused complexity and cost issues. The lancet propulsion mechanism is completely redesigned to eliminate the spring, retaining only the essential function of forcing the lancet into the skin through alternative means.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a spring to push the lancet forward, the invention inverts the approach by using a resilient member that is compressed during assembly and then releases to propel the lancet. The resilient member is pre-compressed in the assembled state rather than requiring a separate spring component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Force

If a spring or biasing member is used to force the lancet tip into the skin, then the lancet can be propelled forward to create a skin incision, but manufacturing costs increase due to the use of metal springs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelancet propulsion forceVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the expensive metal spring with a cheaper resilient member that can be integrated into the disposable lancet assembly. The resilient member is designed to be part of the single-use device, eliminating the need for costly metal components while maintaining the necessary propulsion function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Productivity

If the lancet tip directly penetrates the skin, then blood sampling can be obtained, but pain is caused to the user

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblood sampling efficiencyVSAvoidpain perception

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a stimulating pattern to the surface of the lancet tip before skin contact. This preliminary action of stimulating the skin surface with a specific pattern prepares the nerve endings and reduces the shock of the subsequent lancet penetration, thereby reducing pain while maintaining sampling efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses optical stimulation through a stimulating pattern on the lancet tip surface. The pattern is designed to interact with light and nerve endings, creating a visual and tactile stimulus that confuses or desensitizes pain receptors during the brief moment before lancet penetration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

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 device reduces pain perception through nerve stimulation and simplifies assembly by using elastomeric components, reducing manufacturing complexity and environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

an elastomeric urging member which can be compressed between the lancet body and the forward end of the housing in use, and which is arranged to urge the lancet from the first position to the second position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the front portion has an internal stop surface located at a second predetermined distance from the front surface, wherein the internal stop surface is arranged to be engaged by the impact surface of the lancet body when in the second position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpact force: Impact Force

Data Source

PatentUS12364420B2Lancing device

Publication Date: 2025.07.22 OWEN MUMFORD

AI summary

Pen-type lancing device of the re-usable type wherein a lancet body having a needle/tip is inserted; standard spring type actuator (urging member); skin touching forward face having a textured surface for pain relieve; sleeve having internal stop(s) so that the lancet does not overshoot. Also a pen-type lancing device of the re-usable type wherein a lancet body having a needle/tip is inserted; elastomer type urging member for driving the lancet; triggering means (denoted “actuating means”). Further a pen-type lancing device of the reusable type wherein a lancet body having a needle/tip is inserted; standard spring type actuator (urging member) for driving the lancet; alignment splines and cooperating alignment portion(s) for guiding the lancet movement. Even further a method of assembling a blood sampling device in which it does not matter what rotational orientation the components are assembled in.