Test Strip Ejector Mechanism for Analyte Meter Hygiene
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Solution Overview
Problem
The removal of used test strips from analyte meters can expose users to potential contamination and is messy, as it often requires direct contact with the strip, which can lead to the transfer of blood to other items.
Innovation Solution
An analyte meter with a test strip ejector mechanism that includes a slide member, an engagement member on the back side for user interaction, and a push member to eject the test strip from the port without direct contact, allowing for one-handed operation and minimizing contamination risk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If direct contact with the test strip is used for removal, then the operation is simple, but contamination risk increases and hygiene deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a test strip ejector mechanism as an intermediary device between the user and the test strip. This ejector includes a push member that contacts the test strip and a ejection member that the user interacts with, thereby mediating the removal process and eliminating direct contact between the user's hand and the potentially contaminated test strip surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The ejector mechanism is divided into distinct functional components: an engagement member that the user operates, a slide member that moves along a guide, and a push member that contacts the test strip. This segmentation allows the user to interact only with the external engagement member while the internal components handle the actual ejection, separating the user interaction function from the contamination risk function.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a test strip ejector mechanism is implemented, then contamination risk is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ejector mechanism employs dynamic movement where the slide member moves along a guide from a retracted position to an extended position, and the push member moves between engaged and disengaged states with the test strip. This dynamic design allows a relatively simple structure to achieve the ejection function through controlled motion rather than requiring complex mechanical assemblies.
Solution Approach 2:
The ejector mechanism is designed to perform multiple functions with a unified structure: the engagement member receives user input, the slide member provides guided motion, and the push member executes the ejection. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each function, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving contamination prevention.
3Device complexity
If manual removal of test strip is performed, then the device structure remains simple, but hygiene and safety deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The test strip ejector serves as an intermediary mechanism that protects the user from direct contact with the test strip. By introducing this intermediate device, the patent maintains a relatively simple overall structure while effectively addressing hygiene and safety concerns through the mediation of the ejection process.
4Productivity
If the push member is always engaged with the test strip, then ejection is ready, but the device occupies more space and may interfere with test strip insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The push member is designed to be movable between an engaged position (where it contacts the test strip for ejection) and a retracted position (where it does not interfere with test strip insertion). This dynamic positioning allows the ejection function to be ready when needed while minimizing space occupation and interference during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The slide member is pre-positioned in a retracted state that allows free insertion of the test strip. When ejection is required, the user activates the engagement member which then moves the slide member and push member into the engaged position, preparing the ejection action only when needed and avoiding continuous space occupation.
Data Source
AI summary
An analyte meter having a test strip ejector. The analyte meter includes a housing body including a front side, a back side, a first side, a second side, an end, and a test strip port at the end configured to receive a test strip; and a strip ejector configured to eject the test strip from the test strip port. The test strip ejector includes a slide member slidable relative to the housing body, an engagement member coupled to the slide member and configured to be contacted by a user, the engagement member located on the back side of the housing body opposite then display screen, and a push member coupled to the slide member and positioned to be engageable with the end of the test strip. Test strip ejectors and methods of ejecting test strips are provided, as are numerous other aspects.