Sorbent-Integrated Lancing Unit for Body Fluid Sampling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrated sampling devices for body fluids face issues with contamination, degradation due to ambient influences, and mechanical wear from metallic structures, leading to functional instability and single-use disposability.
Innovation Solution
A sampling device with a plastic holding unit containing sorbent material to absorb moisture and volatile substances, reducing degradation and wear on metal parts, combined with a capillary channel design for efficient sample collection and on-board analyte detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a metal lancing unit is used for piercing skin and collecting body fluid, then the device achieves reliable sample collection, but the metallic structures suffer from abrasion and obstruction over time due to engagement during motion sequences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a plastic holding unit as an intermediary component between the metal lancing unit and the actuation mechanism. This plastic structure serves as a mediator that engages with the actuation mechanism during motion sequences, preventing direct contact and abrasion between metallic parts while still enabling reliable sample collection through the metal lancing unit.
2Reliability
If the device is designed for single-use disposability to avoid contamination and degradation, then sample safety is improved, but production costs increase and waste is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sampling device into separable components: a disposable plastic holding unit with test chemistry and a reusable metal lancing unit. This segmentation allows the expensive metal component to be reused multiple times while only the lower-cost plastic portion with sensitive chemistry is discarded after single use, thereby reducing overall production costs and waste compared to complete single-use devices.
3Reliability
If the device components are kept separate to reduce contamination risk, then sample purity is improved, but device complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the plastic holding unit and metal lancing unit into a single integrated sampling device through form-locked connecting elements, creating a pre-assembled unit that maintains component separation for contamination prevention while simplifying the user experience. The connecting elements provide automatic alignment and secure attachment, reducing assembly complexity despite the multi-component design.
4Force
If metallic structures are used for actuation mechanism engagement, then driving force and precision are improved, but mechanical wear and abrasion increase over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite structure combining plastic and metal materials in the holding unit. The plastic structure provides engagement surfaces for the actuation mechanism that reduce wear, while the metal lancing unit maintains the necessary mechanical strength and precision for reliable sample collection. This material composite approach balances actuation force requirements with long-term mechanical stability.
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
Enhances functional stability and safety by protecting the device from environmental interference and reducing mechanical wear, enabling cost-effective production and efficient sample collection with improved handling and analysis capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
The holding unit contains a sorbent material adapted for sorption of moisture and/or volatile substances to protect the device from degradation prior to use
Implementation Method 2
a capillary channel extending between the tip and a proximal section of the lancing unit for collecting body fluid
Data Source
Figure 1~5
AI summary
The application concerns a sampling device (12) and a system (10) for collecting body fluid, comprising a metal lancing unit (14) having a distal tip (40) suitable for piercing skin and a capillary channel (42) extending between the tip (40) and a proximal section of the lancing unit (14) for collecting body fluid; and further comprising a plastic holding unit (16) affixed to the lancing unit (14) for manipulating the lancing unit (14) in order to form an incision in the skin, wherein the holding unit (16) contains a sorbent (38) adapted for sorption of moisture and/or volatile substances to protect the sampling device (12) from degradation prior to use.