Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-10092231-B2
Publication Date
2018-10-09
Expiration Date
Abstract
A lancing device has a charging mechanism that operates to convert an external push action by a user to an internal pull action that retracts and charges a lancet for use in a lancing stroke. In some embodiments, the charging mechanism includes a user-actuated charging push-button, a reverse charging member coupled to a lancet carrier, and a reverse-motion conversion member coupled therebetween. Depressing the user-actuated member in a first longitudinal direction causes transverse movement of the conversion member, which in turn causes longitudinal retraction of the reverse charging member and the lancet carrier coupled thereto in a second longitudinal direction opposite the first direction, thereby charging a drive mechanism of the lancing device. In other embodiments, a rack-and-pinion gear mechanism provides the same push-to-pull functionality.
Core Innovation
The disclosed invention relates to a lancing device for propelling a lancet through a lancing stroke using a drive mechanism that includes a lancet carrier and a drive spring. The lancet carrier holds the lancet and is translatable axially within a housing through the lancing stroke, with the drive spring adapted to propel the lancet carrier through the lancing stroke. The device further includes a charging mechanism adapted to retract the lancet carrier to a charged position.
The charging mechanism is structured so that a charging button performs axial movement in a first axial direction while causing rotation of a pinion gear. The pinion gear is rotatably engaged between a first rack gear on the charging button and a second rack gear on a reverse charging member. As a result, movement of the charging button causes movement of the reverse charging member and a lancet carrier coupled thereto in a second axial direction generally opposite the first axial direction, retracting the lancet carrier to the charged position.
The charging button includes an orifice allowing the first rack gear to extend through the housing when the charging button is actuated. The charging mechanism is situated in a housing that comprises a guidance feature, and the charging button is slidably coupled to permit axial movement between an extended position and a depressed position. The embodiments also include constraints that limit motion of the charging button and reverse charging member generally to an axis parallel to advancement and retraction of the lancet carrier, while engagement and disengagement enable sequential operational states including neutral, charged, ready, fully extended, and return.
Claims Coverage
The consolidated content provides two independent claims: a lancing device claim and a charging mechanism claim. The inventive features center on a rack-and-pinion push-to-retract architecture using a charging button, pinion, and reverse charging member, with an orifice in the charging button and housing guidance arrangements.
Push-to-retract lancing device using rack-and-pinion charging
A lancing device for propelling a lancet through a lancing stroke with a housing including an axial bore, a drive mechanism including a lancet carrier and a drive spring that propels the lancet carrier through the lancing stroke, and a charging mechanism adapted to retract the lancet carrier to a charged position; the charging mechanism includes a charging button having a first rack gear, a reverse charging member having a second rack gear, and a pinion gear rotatably engaged between the first and second rack gears; movement of the charging button in a first axial direction causes rotation of the pinion gear, which causes movement of the reverse charging member and lancet carrier coupled thereto in a second axial direction generally opposite the first axial direction to retract the lancet carrier to a charged position.
Charging mechanism with slidably coupled rack-and-pinion translation and guidance feature
A charging mechanism for a lancing device comprising a lancet carrier carrying a lancet through a lancing stroke; a charging button slidably coupled to the lancing device to permit axial movement between an extended position and a depressed position and including a first rack gear; a reverse charging member coupled to the lancet carrier and including a second rack gear; and a pinion gear rotatably engaged between the first and second rack gears; movement of the charging button in a first axial direction causes rotation of the pinion gear, which causes movement of the reverse charging member and lancet carrier coupled thereto in a second axial direction generally opposite the first axial direction to retract the lancet carrier to a charged position; the charging mechanism is situated in a housing comprising a guidance feature; and the charging button includes an orifice allowing the first rack gear to extend through the housing when the charging button is actuated.
Across both independent claims, the central coverage is directed to translating axial movement of a charging button into counter-directional axial retraction of a lancet carrier via a pinion gear rotatably engaged between first and second rack gears, with a charging-button orifice allowing rack extension through the housing and with housing guidance features and constrained axial motion.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
Interested in licensing this patent?