Test Sensor Side Vent Integration for Capillary Flow

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing test sensors with capillary flow mechanisms require additional processing steps and increased manufacturing costs to create vents, which are necessary for fluid flow, complicating the production process.

Innovation Solution

A test sensor design that incorporates a lid, base, and spacer configuration with strategically formed side vents between the lower lid surface, upper base surface, and spacer ends, allowing for capillary flow without the need for separate vent creation steps, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If vents are created using existing methods (aperture in lid/base or mesh incorporation), then capillary flow function is achieved, but manufacturing cost and processing steps increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapillary flow functionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost and processing steps

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The vent structure is merged with the spacer component itself. The spacer includes integrated vent channels formed directly within its body, eliminating the need for separate vent creation steps in the lid or base. This integration allows the spacer to simultaneously perform its spacing function and provide capillary flow pathways, reducing manufacturing complexity and costs while maintaining reliable capillary flow function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If vents are created using existing methods (aperture in lid/base or mesh incorporation), then capillary flow function is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapillary flow functionVSAvoidprocessing steps

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vent structure is merged with the spacer component itself. The spacer includes integrated vent channels formed directly within its body, eliminating the need for separate vent creation steps in the lid or base. This integration allows the spacer to simultaneously perform its spacing function and provide capillary flow pathways, reducing manufacturing complexity and costs while maintaining reliable capillary flow function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 design enables efficient and cost-effective production of test sensors with functional side vents, facilitating capillary flow and accurate analyte concentration determination in fluid samples.

Implementation Method 1

Some test sensors receive blood via capillary action. In test sensors that receive fluid (e.g., blood) using capillary action, the test sensor needs at least one vent at an opposing end of the capillary channel from the blood-entry opening for the blood to flow into the capillary channel.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentUS7797987B2Test sensor with a side vent and method of making the same

Publication Date: 2010.09.21 ASCENSIA DIABETES CARE HLDG AG

AI summary

A test sensor assisting in determining an analyte concentration in a fluid sample comprises a lid, a base and a spacer. The spacer has first and second spacer sections. The first spacer section has a first spacer side and a first spacer end. The second spacer section has a second spacer side and a second spacer end. The lid, base and spacer are attached such that a fluid chamber is formed between a portion of a lower lid surface and an upper base surface, and between the first and second spacer sides. The lower lid surface, the upper base surface, the first spacer end and the second spacer end form a side vent therebetween that is in communication with the fluid chamber.