Push-Charge Lancing Mechanism for One-Handed Lancet Retraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lancing devices require complex charging mechanisms that are difficult for users with reduced manual dexterity to operate, often necessitating two-handed use and occupying significant device space.
Innovation Solution
A lancing device with a charging mechanism actuated by pushing an actuator inward relative to the housing, utilizing a charging lever and cam follower arrangement to retract the lancet carrier, allowing for one-handed operation and compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional charging mechanism requiring sliding or pulling the drive mechanism is used, then the drive mechanism can be charged, but it requires a large amount of space along the outside of the lancing device and is difficult for users with reduced manual dexterity to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The charging mechanism is nested within the housing interior, with the actuator and cam mechanism contained inside the device body rather than extending outward. This allows the charging function to be integrated into the existing device volume without requiring additional external space for actuation movements.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of pulling or sliding the drive mechanism outward to charge it, the invention inverts the charging action by pushing the actuator inward toward the interior of the housing. This reverse charging motion reduces the external space requirement and simplifies the user action to a simple push rather than a complex slide or pull gesture.
2Ease of operation
If a charging mechanism requiring pulling the handle away from the body of the lancing device is used, then the drive mechanism can be charged, but it requires the user to use two hands to hold the device body and pull the handle
Solution Approach 1:
The charging function is merged with the existing device structure by integrating the actuator and cam mechanism within the housing. This combination eliminates the need for a separate external handle that requires two-handed operation, as the charging action is performed through a single actuator push within the device body.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the essential charging function from the complex external handle mechanism and implements it through a simplified actuator-cam system. This extraction removes the unnecessary complexity of external handle manipulation while retaining the core charging capability through a simpler internal mechanism.
3Ease of operation
If a charging mechanism requiring large hand movement is used, then the drive mechanism can be charged, but it is difficult for users with reduced manual dexterity to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The charging action is inverted from an external pulling motion requiring large hand movement to an internal pushing motion. The actuator moves a short distance inward along the longitudinal axis, leveraging the cam mechanism to convert this small linear displacement into the necessary retraction of the lancet carrier, thereby reducing the required hand movement to a minimal push.
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 efficient, one-handed charging and activation of the lancing device without requiring significant hand movement, improving usability for users with dexterity challenges and reducing device size.
Implementation Method 1
a cam and follower arrangement that retracts and charges the lancet carrier. The charging lever includes a rocker having a finger projection and the cam follower includes a ramped or arcuate surface. Actuation of the charging lever causes the finger projection to movably engage the ramped surface, subsequently retracting the lancet carrier to the charged state.
Data Source
AI summary
A lancing device has improved charging features. In one example embodiment, the charging mechanism generally includes a user actuated portion or charging member and a cam feature for engagement therewith. The charging member includes a finger projection or boss and the cam feature includes a ramped surface. Actuating the charging member causes the finger projection to movably engage the ramp surface of the cam feature and charge the drive mechanism.