Segmented Glucose Test Sensor Cartridge with Modular Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional test sensor cartridges are bulky and inconvenient for users who need frequent replenishment, as they require replacing the entire cartridge even when only some sensors are exhausted, leading to a need for a more compact and modular solution.
Innovation Solution
A segmented packaging assembly with semi-circular housings that can be replaced individually, allowing for the replenishment of only the exhausted portion, featuring a guiding system for ejection and foil cutting to maintain sterility and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional cartridges are designed to hold multiple test sensors, then the capacity is increased, but the size and portability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge is divided into multiple separate housings (first housing, second housing, third housing) that can be independently removed and replaced. Each housing contains a portion of the test sensors, allowing users to replace only the exhausted housing rather than the entire cartridge, thus maintaining high capacity while reducing the volume of what needs to be carried at any given time
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge design transitions from a static, monolithic structure to a dynamic, modular system where housings can be independently exchanged. This allows the cartridge to adapt its composition based on usage needs, enabling users to carry smaller replacement housings while maintaining access to a large total sensor capacity across multiple housings
2Reliability
If the entire cartridge is replaced when some sensors are exhausted, then reliability is maintained, but loss of time and convenience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the cartridge into replaceable housings, the system allows selective replacement of only the housing containing exhausted sensors. This maintains reliability by ensuring functional sensors are always available while significantly reducing replenishment time and effort compared to replacing the entire cartridge
Solution Approach 2:
The modular housing design enables users to discard only the exhausted housing while recovering and retaining housings that still contain functional test sensors. This reduces waste and improves efficiency by allowing continuous use of partially depleted housings until all are exhausted
3Ease of operation
If individual test sensors are exposed during use, then ease of operation is improved, but sterility is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding system extracts and ejects individual test sensors from the sealed housing only when needed, maintaining the sealed environment for remaining sensors. This allows easy access to the required sensor while preserving sterility by keeping other sensors protected until their use is required
Solution Approach 2:
The guiding system acts as an intermediary mechanism that interfaces between the sealed housing and the external environment. It provides a controlled path for sensor ejection that maintains the seal integrity of the housing, allowing individual sensor access without compromising the sterility of the remaining sensors inside
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to packaging containers for holding a plurality of test sensors. The packaging container may include a first semi-circular housing and a second semi-circular housing. The first semi-circular housing has a plurality of first test sensor containing regions. Each of the plurality of the first test sensor containing regions is adapted to contain at least one test sensor having a top portion covered by a foil cover. The second semi-circular housing has a plurality of second test sensor containing regions. Each of the plurality of the second test sensor containing regions is adapted to contain at least one test sensor. The second semi-circular housing has a top portion. The first semi-circular housing and the second semi-circular housing are positioned adjacent to each other.