Sealed Analyte Meter Connectors for Washable Bio-Fluid Testing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing analyte meters face contamination issues due to bio-fluids, which can affect the accuracy of analyte measurements and are difficult to clean, especially in stringent clinical settings.
Innovation Solution
A hermetically sealed, washable analyte meter with sealed electrical connections, including a washable sensor port, USB port, and battery connection, allowing for immersion in cleaning fluids without damage, ensuring the internal components remain protected from contamination and easy to clean.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the sensor port is open to allow sensor insertion and electrical connection, then the analyte meter can perform measurements, but bio-fluid contamination occurs on the port and internal electrical connections
Solution Approach 1:
A membrane seal is positioned over the sensor port to create a flexible barrier. The membrane allows mechanical insertion of the sensor strip while preventing bio-fluid from penetrating into the internal electrical connection area, thus maintaining measurement capability while blocking contamination
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical connection function is extracted from the internal meter body and moved to an external connector. This allows the port area to be sealed with a membrane while the electrical connection occurs externally, separating the contamination-prone area from the sensitive internal components
2Ease of manufacture
If the analyte meter is cleaned with cleaning fluids, then contamination is removed, but liquid may ingress into internal components causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane seal creates a protective barrier that allows the meter to be immersed in or washed with cleaning fluids. The membrane prevents liquid ingress into the internal chamber while allowing the external surface to be thoroughly cleaned, thus enabling easy cleaning without compromising internal component protection
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane seal acts as a sacrificial protective element that can be replaced if degraded. This allows aggressive cleaning protocols to be used on the external surface while the membrane absorbs the stress of repeated cleaning cycles, protecting the expensive internal components
3Ease of operation
If electrical connections are made internally within the meter, then connection is established, but the connections become contaminated with bio-fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connection function is extracted from the internal meter body and relocated to an external connector. This physical separation allows the internal chamber to be hermetically sealed while electrical connections are made externally, preventing bio-fluid contamination of the connections while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
An external connector acts as an intermediary between the sensor strip and the internal meter electronics. This intermediary allows electrical connection to occur outside the sealed chamber, serving as a barrier that prevents bio-fluid from reaching the internal electrical connections while maintaining signal transmission
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~1D
Figure 1E~1F
AI summary
An analyte meter to detect an analyte concentration level in a bio-fluid sample may be cleaned and disinfected with a cleaning liquid without harming electrical and internal meter components. In some embodiments, the analyte meter is washable and immersable and may include a sealed sensor connector, sealed battery connector, and possibly a sealed USB connector that may be subjected to a cleaning liquid without the liquid entering an internal chamber of the analyte meter and contacting internal electronic components. In some embodiments, a sealed display screen and sealed keypad are provided such that liquids are prevented from entering the internal chamber. Manufacturing methods and systems utilizing the analyte sensors are provided, as are numerous other aspects.