Push-to-Charge Lancing Device Piston Detent Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lancing devices require users to pull the charging mechanism away from the body, posing challenges for those with reduced manual dexterity and often necessitating the use of two hands, making it difficult to charge the drive mechanism effectively.
Innovation Solution
A lancing device with a charging mechanism that applies a charging force by pushing the charge mechanism along a common direction with the lancing stroke, utilizing a piston and detent system to engage and release the drive mechanism, allowing for single-handed operation and improved usability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the charging mechanism is pulled away from the body to charge the drive mechanism, then the drive mechanism can be charged, but users with reduced manual dexterity find it difficult and may require two hands to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional charging operation by changing the direction of the charging stroke from pulling away from the body to pushing toward the body. The charging member moves in the same direction as the lancing stroke (distal to proximal), allowing users to charge the device by pushing rather than pulling, which significantly improves ease of operation for users with reduced manual dexterity
Solution Approach 2:
The charging mechanism is designed to be self-aligning and self-contained within the housing. The charging member is guided by walls within the housing to ensure proper alignment during the pushing motion, eliminating the need for users to manually align components or use two hands to stabilize the device during charging
2Adaptability or versatility
If the charging mechanism is pulled away from the body, then the drive spring can be charged, but the charging action requires movement in the opposite direction of the lancing stroke
Solution Approach 1:
The patent aligns the charging direction with the lancing direction by inverting the charging stroke orientation. The charging member moves from distal to proximal (toward the body), which is the same direction as the lancing stroke. This creates a unified motion pattern that improves operational simplicity and adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The charging mechanism shares the same stroke direction and motion path as the lancing mechanism. By making the charging and lancing operations occur in the same direction (distal to proximal), the device achieves multi-functionality where a single directional motion serves both charging and lancing purposes, improving overall operational versatility
3Ease of operation
If the charging mechanism is designed for single-handed operation, then ease of use is improved, but the charging mechanism must be integrated within the housing without requiring external pulling motion
Solution Approach 1:
The charging member is nested within the housing and moves along a guided path defined by walls inside the housing. The charging mechanism is contained within the same housing that contains the lancing mechanism, with the charging member fitting within the cylindrical housing and being guided by internal walls, achieving compact integration that enables single-handed operation
Solution Approach 2:
The walls within the housing serve as an intermediary guiding structure that directs the charging member's motion. These internal walls act as a mediator between the user's pushing force and the charging action, ensuring proper alignment and transfer of force without requiring external manipulation or two-handed operation
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 and single-handed charging of the drive mechanism, enhancing user accessibility and ease of use, particularly for individuals with limited dexterity, by aligning the charging action with the lancing stroke and using a piston and detent system for reliable engagement and release.
Implementation Method 1
a drive spring (15) for driving a lancet carrier (20) along a lancing stroke
Implementation Method 2
The drive spring is partially housed within a slot of the lancet carrier wherein a piston is translatably mounted to receive a portion of the charging mechanism upon actuation, further charging the drive spring
Implementation Method 3
The at least one detent includes a resiliently-flexible cantilevered arm having an attached proximal end and a distal free end
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
A lancing device (10) for completing a lancing stroke. The lancing device includes a lancet carrier (20) with a distal end and a proximal end. The lancing device also includes a drive mechanism to drive the lancet carrier through the lancing stroke. The lancing device also includes a charge mechanism to charge the drive mechanism. The charge mechanism is configured to apply a charging force onto the drive mechanism by pushing the charge mechanism along a common direction with the lancing stroke.