Self-Activating Lancet Device with Automatic Retraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a medical puncturing device that is easy to use, ensures sterility before use, and provides safe and secure disposal after use, while also being simple, reliable, and disposable for collecting blood samples.
Innovation Solution
A lancet device with a housing and a lancet structure that includes a puncturing element, a drive spring for biasing the lancet toward a puncturing position, and a lever element pivotal about a fulcrum to retain the lancet in a retracted position until actuated, allowing for self-activation and automatic retraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a manual needle or blade is used for puncturing, then the device structure is simple, but it is difficult for users to operate and may cause psychological distress
Solution Approach 1:
The lancet device is designed to automatically puncture the skin when the specified amount of pressure is applied, eliminating the need for manual triggering by the user. The device self-activates through the pressing motion itself, making it easy to operate while maintaining a relatively simple structure
Solution Approach 2:
The device transitions from a static held-ready state to an active puncturing state through a dynamic triggering mechanism. The lancet is held in a retracted position until pressure is applied, at which point it automatically extends to puncture, providing both simplicity and ease of use
2Ease of operation
If the lancet is kept in a standby position for easy activation, then ease of operation is improved, but sterility cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The lancet is pre-loaded into the device in a sterile state and remains in a protected, retracted position within the housing until the moment of use. This preliminary positioning ensures sterility is maintained while the device is ready for immediate activation when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The lancet is nested within the housing structure, with the puncturing element contained inside the device body until activation. This nested configuration protects the sterile lancet from contamination while keeping the device ready for use
3Ease of operation
If the needle or blade is exposed for easy access, then ease of operation is improved, but safety is compromised due to risk of wounding the user
Solution Approach 1:
The lancet dynamically transitions from a retracted, safe position to an extended, active puncturing position only when the device is pressed against the skin. After puncturing, it automatically retracts back to the safe position, eliminating exposure risks while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The lancet is extracted from its protected position only at the moment of needed puncturing action. The puncturing element is removed from the safe, retracted state and positioned for use only when necessary, minimizing exposure time and safety risks
4Loss of substance
If a reusable lancet device is used to reduce waste, then loss of substance is reduced, but reliability decreases due to disease transmission risk
Solution Approach 1:
The lancet device is designed as a disposable single-use unit that is discarded after one puncturing action. This eliminates the risk of disease transmission from reuse while the low cost and simple construction minimize waste concerns. The entire device including housing and lancet is intended for single use and then discarded
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 ensures ease of use, maintains sterility, and provides safe disposal by allowing self-activation and automatic retraction of the lancet, enhancing user safety and reducing the risk of reuse.
Implementation Method 1
a drive spring for biasing the lancet structure toward the puncturing position
Implementation Method 2
a lever element pivotal about a fulcrum providing interference engagement with the lancet structure and retaining the lancet structure in the retracted position
Data Source
AI summary
A lancet device including a housing and a lancet structure having a puncturing element. The lancet structure disposed within the housing and adapted for movement between a retaining or pre-actuated position wherein the puncturing element is retained within the housing, and a puncturing position wherein the puncturing element extends through a forward end of the housing. The lancet device includes a drive spring disposed within the housing for biasing the lancet structure toward the puncturing position, and a retaining hub retaining the lancet structure in the retracted position against the bias of the drive spring. The retaining hub includes a pivotal lever in interference engagement with the lancet structure. An actuator within the housing pivots the lever, thereby moving the lancet structure toward the rearward end of the housing to at least partially compress the drive spring, and releasing the lever from interference engagement with the lancet structure.