Sensor Container Removable Seal Usable Period Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sensor containers for measuring biological information, such as blood glucose levels, lack user-friendliness due to difficulties in distinguishing between in-use and unused containers, and the need for frequent manual counting of sensors, which leads to poor management of sensor validity and usability periods.
Innovation Solution
A sensor container with a removable seal covering a mark indicating the usable period of the sensors, combined with a communication terminal that reads and displays sensor information, including the number of sensors and their validity periods, allowing users to easily track and manage sensor usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a removable seal is added to cover the mark indicating usable period, then user-friendliness is improved by enabling users to identify in-use sensors, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is extracted as a separate removable component from the container body, allowing users to easily distinguish between used and unused containers by simply checking whether the seal is attached. This extraction provides clear visual differentiation without requiring complex electronic displays or multiple sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal serves as a visual indicator that changes the appearance state of the container. When attached, the seal covers the mark and provides a distinct visual appearance compared to when it is removed, enabling users to quickly identify the usage state of the sensor container without additional electronic components.
2Measurement precision
If manual counting of sensors is performed frequently, then accurate tracking of sensor numbers is achieved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The container body or lid automatically provides the sensor number information through the mark that is always visible, eliminating the need for users to manually count sensors. The system serves itself by providing clear, always-available information about the number of sensors without requiring user intervention or counting.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical action of manually counting sensors is replaced by a static visual information system. The mark on the container body or lid provides the sensor number information directly, replacing the need for physical counting operations with a simple visual inspection of the pre-printed or pre-formed mark.
3Ease of operation
If sensors are exposed to air for long periods, then ease of operation is improved by allowing sensor access, but reliability deteriorates due to sensor deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The container is segmented into a sealed storage space and an access interface. The seal creates a clear division between the protected internal environment where sensors are stored and the external environment. Users can access sensors when needed through the opening, but the seal maintains protection during storage, preventing prolonged exposure to air.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal is attached in advance to protect the sensors before use. This preliminary protective action ensures that sensors remain protected from air exposure until the moment of use, when the seal is intentionally removed. This prevents deterioration while maintaining ease of access when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor container includes a container body having an opening portion, a lid that covers the opening portion of the container body, and a plurality of sensors for measuring biological information that are housed in the container body. The container body or the lid has a mark that includes information indicating the usable period of the sensors starting from a point in time when the lid is released from the container body. The mark is covered with a removable seal.