Tethered Depth Control for Lancing Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lancing devices lack an effective depth control mechanism to adjust lancet penetration depth accurately, which can affect sample size and patient comfort.

Innovation Solution

A tether or linkage mechanism is introduced that allows adjustable lancet penetration depth by varying the point of contact or length of the linkage, enabling precise control of the lancet's travel within the lancing device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a depth control mechanism is added to adjust lancet penetration depth, then penetration depth accuracy and sample size control are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepenetration depth accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible tether instead of rigid mechanical components to achieve depth control. The tether can be adjusted in length and configuration to control lancet penetration depth, providing precise depth adjustment while maintaining a simple device structure. This flexible approach avoids the complexity of traditional mechanical depth control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent controls penetration depth by changing the length parameter of the tether. By adjusting the tether length, the lancet penetration depth is precisely controlled without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms. This parameter-based control simplifies the overall device structure while achieving accurate depth control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If a tether or linkage mechanism is introduced for depth adjustment, then penetration depth control is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedepth control precisionVSAvoidease of manufacture

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible tether is manufactured as a simple elongated component that can be produced using basic manufacturing processes. The tether may include features like loops or attachment points, but overall maintains a simple structure that is easy to manufacture while providing precise depth control when integrated into the lancing device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Adaptability or versatility

If the tether contact point on housing is varied for depth adjustment, then depth customization is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedepth customizationVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tether serves multiple functions: it provides depth control, connects the lancet carrier to the housing, and allows for adjustable depth through variation of contact points or tether length. This multi-functionality achieves depth customization without requiring separate adjustment mechanisms, thereby avoiding increased device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2555680B1Lancing device with tethered depth-control mechanism

Publication Date: 2014.02.26 FACET TECH LLC

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AI summary

A lancing device having (10) a housing (20) with a proximal end (24), a distal end and a longitudinal axis. The lancing device also has a lancet carrier (60) translatably supported with respect to the housing. The lancet carrier has a proximal end and a distal end. The lancing device additionally has a depth - control mechanism with a positioning tab (84) adapted to engage the housing, and a tether (80) secured with respect to the positioning tab and the lancet carrier.