Uni-directional drive mechanism for lancing device
Inventors
PUSEY, Lauren R. • CUDA, Carmine L.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-9474479-B2
Publication Date
2016-10-25
Expiration Date
Abstract
A lancing device having a drive mechanism whereby unidirectional motion of the drive mechanism drives a lancet along an advancing portion and a retraction portion of a lancing stroke. A rotationally mounted crank member or a translationally mounted shuttle of the drive mechanism operate upon an associated linkage and/or a cam path portion of the lancet carrier to drive the carrier along the lancing stroke. Spring biased members optionally drive the mechanism and/or limit its extent of travel.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a lancing device drive mechanism for driving a lancet along a lancing stroke using a unidirectional drive path that applies translating motion to a lancet carrier. The drive mechanism includes a rotational slider-crank configuration with an eccentric pin and link, or alternative crank and cam path arrangements, that move the lancet carrier through advancing and retracting portions of the lancing stroke. The mechanism is described as reducing or eliminating oscillation and impact at hard stops by employing a motion-limiting arrangement rather than relying on hard-stop contact.
In one described arrangement, the drive mechanism uses a rotational crank member with a defined rotatable movement range and a pivotally coupled link to translate the lancet carrier along a translational path defining the lancing stroke. Opposed biasing members, including spring-biased members and springs, energize the drive and limit crank or shuttle travel without producing hard-stop impacts. The described constraints include a rotatable movement range of approximately 45°–180° and a link angle relative to the carrier axis of approximately 5°–45°, with an example link angle of about 40° in a charged position.
The operation is described as sequential during charging and actuation, where the mechanism propels the lancet through advancing and retracting portions of the lancing stroke while transitioning to a neutral position. The unidirectional motion and spring constraints are further described as providing a smoother lancing stroke profile by limiting motion through spring-biased travel restrictions rather than impact-driven stops. The arrangement also includes base members and constraints such as restriction tabs/members that interact with spring elements to constrain motion at ends of the crank or shuttle range.
Claims Coverage
The document contains two independent claims. Across the independent claims, the inventive coverage centers on a crank-and-link drive mechanism with opposed springs that constrain motion at first and second ends of a defined rotational range, thereby applying uni-directional force to drive a translating lancet carrier along a lancing stroke.
Crank member with eccentric pin and link-driven lancet carrier translation
A base member comprising an axle and first and second restriction tabs; a crank member mounted to the axle and rotational within a range of rotatable movement, the crank member comprising an eccentric pin; a lancet carrier for carrying the lancet along a translational path defining the lancing stroke; and a link having a first end pivotally connected to the eccentric pin and a second end pivotally connected to the lancet carrier, coupling rotation of the crank to drive translation of the lancet carrier.
Opposed springs constraining crank motion in opposite directions
An opposed pair of springs, a first spring of the opposed pair having a first end abutting against the first restriction tab and a second end contacting the eccentric pin to drive the crank in a first direction, and a second spring having a first end abutting against the second restriction tab and a second end contacting the eccentric pin to drive the crank in a second direction opposite the first direction.
Uni-directional force method using link pivotal range relative to carrier axis
A method of propelling a translating lancet carrier along a lancing stroke by applying a uni-directional force to the lancet carrier through a drive mechanism, wherein the drive mechanism comprises a rotational crank member defining a range of rotational movement, a base member having a first restriction tab and a second restriction tab, and a link pivotally connected between the crank member and the lancet carrier, wherein the link traverses a range of pivotal movement between 5 degrees and 45 degrees with respect to an axis of translation of the lancet carrier.
Opposed springs impart link pivotal movement at ends of crank range
The method further comprising imparting pivotal movement to the link by actuation of a pair of opposed springs situated between the crank member and the base member, the pair of opposed springs comprising a first spring and a second spring, the first spring having a first portion directly engaging the first restriction tab and a second portion constraining motion of the crank member at a first end of its range of rotational movement, and the second spring having a first portion directly engaging the second restriction tab and a second portion constraining motion of the crank member at a second end of its range of rotational movement.
Overall, the independent claims cover a lancing device drive mechanism where a rotational crank member with an eccentric pin drives a link coupled to a lancet carrier to translate the lancet along a lancing stroke, with opposed springs engaging restriction tabs to constrain crank motion in opposite directions (claim 1). A corresponding method applies uni-directional force to propel the translating lancet carrier, with the link traversing a defined pivotal range relative to the carrier translation axis and opposed springs constraining motion at first and second ends of the crank’s rotational range (claim 6).
Stated Advantages
Reducing or eliminating oscillation and impact at hard stops.
Constraining motion of the crank or shuttle without hard-stop impacts using spring-biased members.
Documented Applications
Used in a lancing device for driving a lancet along a lancing stroke using a drive mechanism that propels and returns a translating lancet carrier during advancing and retracting portions of the lancing stroke.
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