Analyte Sensor Inserter With Auto-Retracting Auxiliary Needle

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing analyte detection devices have complex structures, high production costs, and are inconvenient for users, necessitating a simpler and more user-friendly installation process.

Innovation Solution

The installation unit features a housing with an auxiliary-needle limit slot, a parallel slider module, and a slider-buckle mechanism that allows the auxiliary-needle to retract safely into the housing after insertion, utilizing elastic components and a simple, plane or approximate plane connection to facilitate easy installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the installation unit uses a complex structure to ensure reliability, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation reliabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The installation unit is divided into distinct functional modules: a housing containing an auxiliary-needle module with retractable needle, a parallel slider module for controlled movement, and a triggering module. This segmentation allows each component to perform its function independently, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining reliability through modular design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The auxiliary-needle module automatically retracts the needle back into the housing after the installation action is completed. The elastic module provides automatic resetting functionality, and the slider-buckle mechanism self-locks and self-releases based on the triggering sequence, reducing the need for complex external control systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If the installation unit uses a complex structure to ensure safety, then the safety is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidinstallation convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs safety functions automatically: the auxiliary-needle retracts itself after use, the elastic module automatically resets the mechanism, and the slider-buckle self-locks and self-releases. This eliminates the need for users to manually perform complex safety operations, greatly improving ease of operation while maintaining high safety standards

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The auxiliary-needle is designed to automatically retract back into the housing after the installation action, preventing unnecessary injury. The slider-buckle mechanism includes preliminary locking features that ensure safe operation sequence, and the elastic module pre-positioned ready to reset the system, all contributing to safety without complicating user interaction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Ease of operation

If the installation unit uses simple structure, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation convenienceVSAvoidcomponent quantity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple functions are merged into integrated components: the auxiliary-needle module combines needle, slide block, and retraction mechanism; the parallel slider module integrates slider, buckle, and limit slot; the elastic module provides both actuation and resetting functions. This merging reduces the number of separate components while maintaining simplicity of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic module serves multiple purposes: providing actuation force for the parallel slider module, enabling automatic resetting of the mechanism, and ensuring safe retraction of the auxiliary-needle. The slider-buckle mechanism simultaneously provides movement control, locking, and release functions, reducing component quantity while maintaining ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution provides a simple, reliable, and user-friendly installation process that minimizes the risk of injury by ensuring the auxiliary-needle retracts safely, reducing complexity and cost while enhancing user convenience.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic module for providing the elastic force required to implement the installation action

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4408281B1Installation unit of analyte detection device
Publication Date: 2026.04.01 MEDTRUM TECH
  • EP4408281B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2a
  • EP4408281B1 patent drawingFigure 2b
  • EP4408281B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An installation unit (100) of analyte detection device, comprises: a housing (101), provided with an auxiliary-needle limit slot (1015); a paralled slider module (103), the far end face of which is provided with the slider-buckle (10321); an analyte detection device (104), located at the front end of the parallel slider module (103); and an auxiliary-needle module (105). When implementing the installation action, the auxiliary-needle module (105) moves to the near end along with the parallel slider module (103) relative to the housing (101). The auxiliary-needle (1052) inserts the sensor under the skin until the slider-buckle (10321) is separated from the auxiliary-needle limit slot (1015), the auxiliary-needle slide block (10511) returns back to the initial position, and the auxiliary-needle (1052) retracts back into the housing (101) to avoid unnecessary injury. The installation unit (100) has simple structure, high reliability and convenient use.