JP5337592B2 - Lancet puncture mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

A lancing mechanism comprising an insertion member which can move in the insertion direction when fired, an elastic section which is provided to the insertion member, and a surrounding member which defines a space in which the insertion member can move in insertion operation. When the insertion member is fired and moved in the insertion direction, the elastic section rubs against the surrounding member as the insertion member moves.

Description

  The present invention relates to a lancet puncture mechanism. More specifically, the present invention relates to a puncture mechanism in a “lancet used for blood collection”.

  In order to measure the blood glucose level of a diabetic patient, it is necessary to collect the blood of the patient. A very small amount of blood may be collected. Therefore, a puncture device that collects a very small amount of blood is used. Such a puncture device is generally composed of a lancet (for example, Patent Document 1) provided with a puncture needle for puncturing a predetermined part of the body and an injector. The injector has a function of firing the lancet toward a predetermined location. In use, after the lancet is loaded into the injector, the lancet is fired using a plunger in the injector to puncture a predetermined location.

  A puncture device used for blood collection of a diabetic patient is desired in terms of hygiene and safety, and also desirable in terms of puncture characteristics during use. In particular, if the puncture needle can be punctured without being greatly shaken, the predetermined portion can be punctured reliably. Therefore, a puncture device with improved puncture trajectory of the puncture needle is desired.

US Pat. No. 5,385,571

  The present applicant has invented the puncture device described below, and has filed an application relating to the invention (International Patent Publication No. 2007/018215, filing date: August 8, 2006) The title of the invention: “Puncture device and lancet assembly and injector assembly constituting it”). A lancet assembly and an injector assembly according to the present invention will be briefly described with reference to the drawings (hereinafter, “injector assembly” will also be referred to as “injector”). FIG. 34 shows the appearance of the lancet assembly 100 ′, and FIG. 35 shows the appearance of the injector 200 ′. As shown in FIG. 34, the lancet assembly 100 'includes a lancet 101' and a protective cover 102 '. As shown in FIGS. 36 and 37, the lancet 101 'has a lancet body 104', a lancet cap 106 ', and a puncture needle 105'. The metal puncture needle 105 'exists across the resin lancet body 104' and the lancet cap 106 '. The tip of the puncture needle 105 'is covered with a lancet cap 106', and the lancet cap 106 'and the lancet body 104' are joined together via a weakening member 108 '. As shown in FIGS. 34 and 37, the protective cover 102 'is provided so as to surround a part of the lancet body 104'. After such a lancet assembly 100 ′ is loaded into the injector 200 ′, the lancet cap 106 ′ is removed. As a result, the tip of the puncture needle 105 'is exposed, so that the lancet can be used for puncture.

  An injector 200 ′ shown in FIG. 35 is a device that can be used in combination with the lancet assembly 100 ′ and can fire the lancet body with the tip of the puncture needle 105 ′ exposed. The injector 200 'has a "plunger 204' that can be engaged with the rear end portion of the lancet body and fires the lancet body in the puncturing direction" (see FIG. 38). When loading into the injector 200 ', as shown in FIG. 38, the lancet assembly 100' is inserted through the front end opening 214 'of the injector 200'. When inserted to some extent, as shown in FIG. 39, the rear portion 116 'of the lancet assembly 100' is gripped by the tip portions 264 ', 266' of the plunger 204 '. As the insertion continues, the plunger 204 'retracts and the firing energy is accumulated. That is, the spring (not shown) provided in the plunger 204 ′ is compressed by the retraction of the plunger 204 ′ (therefore, when the compressed state is released, the plunger is instantaneously moved forward, and the lancet is Will be fired). FIG. 40 shows the injector 200 ′ in a state where the plunger is retracted and the firing energy is accumulated.

  When loading of the lancet assembly 100 ′ into the injector 200 ′ is completed, the lancet cap 106 ′ is removed to expose the tip of the puncture needle 105 ′. The removal of the lancet cap 106 'will be described as follows. As shown in FIGS. 36 and 37, the lancet body 104 'and the lancet cap 106' are integrally coupled by a weakened portion 108 'positioned therebetween. The weakening member 108 ′ can be broken by rotating the lancet body 104 ′ and the lancet cap 106 ′ in the opposite directions around the puncture needle (FIG. 40 shows a mode of turning in the G direction. Thereby, the lancet cap 106 'can be removed.

  In puncturing, for example, the front end opening 214 'of the injector 200' is applied to a predetermined site to be punctured, such as a fingertip, and then the press portion 542 'of the trigger member 514' is pushed (see FIG. 41). By pushing the press portion 542 ', the plunger 204' is fired forward (that is, the compressed spring is released), and puncture is performed by the puncture needle.

  Here, when firing the puncture needle, it is desirable that the puncture needle has a predetermined trajectory as described above. In particular, if the straightness of the puncture needle is remarkably impaired, the pain felt by the blood sample at the time of puncture increases, so it is desirable that the puncture trajectory of the puncture needle be as straight as possible. However, in actuality, the launched puncture needle (particularly the needle tip) tends to wave, and it is difficult to secure a straight puncture trajectory.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances. That is, an object of the present invention is to provide a lancet puncture mechanism in which the puncture trajectory of the puncture needle is improved.

In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention,
A puncture member capable of moving in the puncture direction by firing,
An elastic portion provided in the puncture member, and a surrounding member that defines a gap in which the puncture member moves during puncture,
When the puncture member is fired and moves in the puncture direction, a lancet puncture mechanism is provided in which the elastic portion rubs the surrounding members as the puncture member moves.

  The lancet puncture mechanism according to the present invention is characterized in that the elastic portion of the puncture member abuts against the surrounding member and rubs at the time of puncture. Thereby, the puncture trajectory of the puncture needle is as straight as possible. In particular, when the elastic portion is bent during rubbing, the action of correcting to a linear trajectory works effectively, and the trajectory of the puncture needle is improved. In the present invention, the elastic part preferably has a hollow structure so that the bending of the elastic part is assisted.

  In this specification, the term “elastic portion” is a portion or member having a characteristic that it deforms when an external force is applied, but returns to the “original state” or “a state close to the original state” when the external force is removed. Means.

The puncture member used in the present invention may have a separate element (in particular, an injector element used for firing the puncture member) in addition to the lancet, or may consist essentially of the lancet. It may be. In other words, the following modes (A) and (B) can be considered as the puncture mechanism of the present invention:

(A) Injector usage mode : A mode in which the puncture member is composed of a “lancet” and “an injector separate from the lancet (particularly, a plunger provided in the injector)”.

(B) A lancet assembly mode : a mode in which the puncture member does not have a separate injector (≈plunger) and the plunger function is built in the lancet or the lancet assembly itself.

  In the injector usage mode (A), the puncture member includes a lancet and a plunger that can be fired while holding the lancet in use. In the case of (A), it is preferable that an elastic portion is provided for the plunger. On the other hand, in the lancet assembly mode (B), the puncture member is in the form of a lancet. In the case of this (B), it is preferable that an elastic part is provided with respect to the lancet body of a lancet. In either embodiment (A) or (B), the elastic portion rubs the surrounding members as the puncture member moves, thereby correcting the puncture trajectory of the puncture member.

  “A peripheral member that defines a gap through which the puncture member moves during puncture” is a member having a contact portion or a contact portion with which the elastic portion can contact when the puncture member is fired. In the injector usage mode (A), the surrounding member is preferably “the housing of the injector used for firing the puncture member”. More preferably, the peripheral member is a protrusion provided on the inner wall of the injector housing. That is, at the time of puncturing, the elastic portion moves so as to rub against the injector housing (particularly, the protruding portion provided thereon) as the puncturing member moves. On the other hand, in the lancet assembly mode (B), the peripheral member is preferably a “holder for storing the puncture member”. More preferably, the peripheral member is a tapered portion provided on the inner wall surface of the storage holder. That is, at the time of puncturing, the elastic portion moves so as to rub against the storage holder (particularly, the tapered portion provided on the inner wall surface) with the movement of the puncturing member.

  According to the lancet puncture mechanism of the present invention, the trajectory of the puncture needle at the time of puncture is corrected so as to be as straight as possible. As a result, there is an effect that it is possible to reduce the pain that the person to be punctured (that is, the blood sample) feels during puncturing. Without being bound by any particular theory, it is believed that this is due to the fact that the puncture site of the blood sample is “squeezed out” by the puncture needle.

  In the puncture device provided with the lancet puncture mechanism of the present invention, “blurring” of the puncture needle is suppressed as much as possible, and a stable puncture trajectory can be achieved. Therefore, even when the users are different, the puncture trajectory of the puncture needle is substantially constant, and variations among users are reduced.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the concept of the puncture mechanism of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the puncture mechanism of the injector usage mode (A). FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the lancet in the injector usage mode (A). 4 is a perspective view of the lancet of FIG. 3 with the lancet cap removed. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the lancet of FIG. 3 divided in half so that the inside of the lancet can be seen. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the lancet in the injector usage mode (A). FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the lancet of FIG. 6 with the lancet cap removed. Fig.8 (a) is a perspective view of the plunger in an injector usage condition (A). FIG.8 (b) is the perspective view which showed the aspect of the plunger provided in the injector. FIG. 9 is a perspective view schematically showing the lancet assembly in the lancet assembly mode (B). FIG. 10 is a perspective view schematically showing a lancet in the lancet assembly mode (B). FIG. 11 is a puncture mechanism of the injector usage mode (A), and schematically shows a state before puncture. FIG. 12 is a puncture mechanism of the injector usage mode (A), and schematically shows a point in time when the trigger leaf spring portion is pressed. FIG. 13 is a puncture mechanism of the injector usage mode (A), and schematically shows a state when the locking between the trigger leaf spring portion and the projection portion is released. FIG. 14 is a puncture mechanism of the injector usage mode (A), and schematically shows a state where the plunger and the puncture needle are moving forward. FIG. 15 is a puncture mechanism of the injector usage mode (A), and schematically shows a state when the elastic portion starts to move so as to rub against the protrusion. FIG. 16 is a puncture mechanism of the injector usage mode (A), and schematically shows a state in which the elastic portion is rubbing the protrusion. FIGS. 17A to 17D schematically show changes with time of the puncture mechanism in the lancet assembly mode (B). In the lower part of FIG. 17, a mode in which the elastic portion rubs the tapered portion is schematically shown, and “reduction of the holder inner diameter by the tapered portion” is schematically shown. FIG. 18 is a perspective view schematically showing the appearance of the puncture device in the injector usage mode (A). FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the injector before use in the injector usage mode (A), and schematically shows its internal structure. FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the injector in the injector usage mode (A), and schematically shows a state where the cap 202 is removed. FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the injector in the injector usage mode (A), and schematically shows a state when loading of the lancet is started. FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the injector in the injector usage mode (A), and schematically shows a state where the lancet is attached to the lancet holding portion. FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the injector in the injector usage mode (A), and schematically shows a state at the time when the plunger is retracted and the firing energy is accumulated. FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the injector in the injector usage mode (A), and schematically shows a state when the lancet cap is removed and the puncture needle is exposed. Additionally, a perspective view of the injector holding member 203 is shown. FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the injector in the injector usage mode (A), and schematically shows a state where the puncture depth limiting member is attached to the distal end portion of the injector. FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the injector in the injector usage mode (A), and schematically shows a state when the puncture needle is exposed. FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the injector in the injector usage mode (A), and schematically shows a state after puncturing. FIG. 28 schematically shows a state before puncturing in the injector usage mode (A). FIG. 29 schematically shows a mode in which the trigger leaf spring portion is pressed inward during puncturing in the injector usage mode (A). FIG. 30 schematically shows a mode when the puncture needle is fired forward in the injector usage mode (A). FIG. 31 schematically shows an aspect when the elastic part starts to move so as to rub against the protrusion in the injector usage aspect (A). FIG. 32 schematically shows an aspect in which the elastic portion is moved so as to rub against the protrusion in the injector usage mode (A). FIG. 33 schematically shows a state after puncturing in the injector usage mode (A). FIG. 34 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the lancet assembly. FIG. 35 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the injector. FIG. 36 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the lancet. FIG. 37 is a perspective view of the lancet of FIG. 36 divided in half so that the inside of the lancet can be seen. FIG. 38 is a perspective view showing a state before the lancet assembly is loaded into the injector. FIG. 39 is a perspective view showing a state in which the lancet is gripped by the tip of the plunger by loading the lancet assembly. FIG. 40 is a perspective view showing a state where the lancet assembly is completely loaded and the plunger cannot be retracted. FIG. 41 is a perspective view showing a state in which the lancet cap is removed and puncture is possible.

  The lancet puncture mechanism of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  The “direction” used in this specification is defined as follows. The direction in which the puncture member is fired during puncturing is the “front” direction, and the opposite direction is the “rear” direction. These directions as well as the “transverse direction” used in this specification are shown in the drawings. The “puncture direction” substantially means the direction in which the puncture needle moves toward the puncture site where blood is to be collected, and corresponds to the “forward direction”.

<< Configuration and Aspect of Lancet Puncture Mechanism >>
FIG. 1 (a) or (b) shows a lancet puncture mechanism 300 according to the present invention. As shown in the figure, the lancet puncture mechanism 300 according to the present invention mainly includes “puncture member 100”, “elastic portion 150 provided on the puncture member”, and “surrounding member 250 existing around the puncture member”. Become.

  The “puncture member 100 used in the puncture mechanism of the present invention” is a member that provides a puncture action during blood collection, and is used by firing in the puncture direction.

  The puncture member 100 has at least a puncture needle, and may have any form as long as it can move in the puncture direction by firing. For example, in the injector usage mode (A), the puncture member 100 includes a “lancet 101” and a “plunger 120 that can hold and fire the lancet in use” as shown in FIG. In the injector usage mode (A), the lancet 101 may have a form as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, or may have a form as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. Furthermore, it may have the form of a lancet assembly 100 'as shown in FIG. The lancet 101 shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 or FIGS. 6 and 7 will be described as an example. The lancet 101 includes a lancet body 104, a lancet cap 106 and a puncture needle 105. The metal puncture needle 105 exists in the lancet body 104 and the lancet cap 106 made of resin so as to straddle them. On the other hand, the plunger 120 used together with the lancet is a member that can be fired in the puncture direction (see FIG. 8A), and is generally provided inside the injector 200 (see FIG. 8B). . In use, a lancet is attached to the tip of the plunger 120, but during the operation, the plunger 120 moves backward to accumulate firing energy. That is, when the lancet is attached, the plunger 120 is moved backward by being pushed by the lancet, and the spring (reference number 205a in FIG. 8B) provided on the plunger is compressed. Therefore, when the compressed state is released, the plunger is instantaneously moved forward, so that the lancet provided with the puncture needle is fired in the puncture direction.

  As another form, the puncture member may have a plunger function incorporated in the lancet / lancet assembly itself. That is, the mode of the puncture mechanism may be the lancet assembly mode (B) described above, and the puncture device has the form of the lancet assembly 110 as shown in FIGS. 9 to 17, for example. In such a case, the puncture member 100 is in the form of a lancet (see FIG. 10). In the lancet assembly mode (B), since the lancet body 104 is locked in the lancet holder 102 in a state where the firing energy is stored in advance, the lancet body can be fired in the puncture direction when the lock is released. That is, when the locked state of the lancet body is released after the lancet cap is removed from the lancet, the lancet body provided with the exposed puncture needle can be fired in the puncture direction (FIGS. 17A to 17D). reference).

  The “elastic portion 150 used in the puncture mechanism of the present invention” is provided on the puncture member 100 as shown in FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b). Preferably, an elastic part is provided with respect to the side part of the puncture member. That is, the elastic part is preferably provided so as to protrude in the transverse direction of the puncture member 100 as shown.

  In the injector usage mode (A), the elastic portion 150 is preferably provided on the plunger 120 (see FIG. 2). On the other hand, in the lancet assembly mode (B), the elastic portion 150 is preferably provided on the lancet body 104 (see FIG. 10).

  The elastic part used in the present invention is deformed when an external force is applied, but as long as it has a characteristic of returning to the “original state” or “a state close to the original state” when the external force is removed, You may have a form. For example, as shown in FIG. 1A or 1B, the elastic portion 150 has a cavity 150a inside. That is, the elastic part may have a hollow structure. The elastic part is preferably made of a resin, and may be formed of any kind of resin material as long as it is a resin material used for a general lancet (for example, an elastic part made of a resin material such as polyethylene or polypropylene). May be formed). When an external force is applied from the direction a as shown in FIG. 1, the elastic part having a hollow structure can bend so as to reduce the dimension in that direction, and can return to its original shape when the external force is removed. . The hollow portion 150a of the elastic portion having a hollow structure may have a slit shape elongated in the puncture direction as shown in FIG. 1 (a), or as shown in FIG. 1 (b). It may have a flat shape (a rectangular shape or a substantially parallelogram if another expression is used).

  When the puncture member moves in the puncture direction, the elastic portion rubs the surrounding members. Preferably, when the peripheral member is rubbed, the elastic portion can be bent inward in the transverse direction (ie, “a direction” in FIG. 1). By such an action of the elastic portion, the trajectory of the puncture member becomes more linear. This is considered to be caused by the elastic portion absorbing the undulating motion of the puncture member (particularly the needle tip) at the time of launch or puncture, and it can be said that the elastic portion moderates the impact associated with the puncture. Therefore, the “elastic portion” can also be referred to as a “buffer member”, a “cushion member”, or a “stress absorbing member” in view of the function and function of the “elastic portion”.

  “A peripheral member 250 used in the puncture mechanism of the present invention” is a member that defines a gap in which the puncture member moves during puncture and is present around the puncture member. Particularly with regard to the present invention, the peripheral member 250 is also a member or a part that can contact an elastic portion that moves in the puncture direction as the puncture member is fired. Accordingly, it is preferable that the peripheral member 250 is provided at a position where it can come into contact with the elastic portion moving in the puncture direction from the outside. In other words, external force is applied to the elastic part moving in the puncture direction from outside to inside (more specifically, external force is applied to the elastic part from outside to inside in the transverse direction). A rigid peripheral member 250 is provided.

  In the injector usage mode (A), the surrounding member may be “the housing of the injector used for firing the puncture member”. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, it is preferable that a protrusion 250a is provided on the inner wall of the injector housing, and the elastic portion 150 is rubbed against the protrusion 250a. As shown in the figure, the protrusion 250a is preferably provided so as to protrude in a direction (q direction) orthogonal to the protruding direction (p direction) of the elastic part provided on the outside of the puncture member. On the other hand, in the lancet assembly mode (B), the surrounding member is preferably a “holder for housing the puncture member (ie, lancet)”, and may be the inner wall of the lancet holder 102 as shown in FIG. 9 (“inner wall”). (See also FIGS. 17A to 17D). As shown in the lower part of FIG. 17, the inner wall surface 102 'of the lancet holder is provided with a tapered portion 102a, and the elastic portion 150 is preferably rubbed against the tapered portion 102a.

《Straightness improvement function》
Next, the “straight ahead improving function” which is a characteristic part of the present invention will be described in detail. In the present invention, when the puncture member is fired and moves in the puncture direction, the elastic portion rubs the surrounding members as the puncture member moves. That is, when the puncture member moves in the puncture direction, the elastic portion provided in the puncture member also moves in the puncture direction in the same manner, but at this time, the elastic portion comes into contact with the surrounding members. . In particular, the elastic portion contacts the peripheral member so as to receive a force from the outside due to the peripheral member. Thereby, the elastic part can absorb the impact received by the launched puncture member, and the puncture member moving in the puncture direction becomes more stable. In other words, since the elastic portion moves so as to rub the surrounding members, the stress that can be generated in the puncture member by the cushioning action of the elastic portion can be relieved while the puncture member receives a predetermined transverse force, and as a result A more straight puncture needle trajectory can be secured.

  The “straight advancement improving function” will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. In FIGS. 11 to 16, the puncture mechanism 300 of the injector usage mode version (A) is shown, and the change with time is shown in the order of the numbers.

  FIG. 11 shows a state before puncturing. That is, in the puncture mechanism 300 shown in FIG. 11, the puncture member is ready to be fired. In such a state, the spring 205a provided on the plunger 120 is in a compressed state, and the tip end portion 230a of the trigger leaf spring portion 230 is locked to the protruding portion 250a so that the state is maintained. . Therefore, although the plunger itself is subjected to a force that moves forward due to the spring force, the trigger leaf spring connected to the plunger is in contact with the protrusion, preventing the plunger from moving. It has become a state. In other words, in FIG. 11, the launch energy is accumulated in the plunger 120. As shown in the figure, the puncture needle 105 is attached to the distal end portion of the plunger 120.

  FIG. 12 shows a state at the time when the trigger leaf spring portion 230 is pressed inward. In the illustrated embodiment, the locked state between the tip end portion 230a of the trigger leaf spring portion and the protrusion portion 250a has not yet been released.

  FIG. 13 shows a state in which the engagement between the distal end portion 230a of the trigger leaf spring portion and the projection portion 250a is released. When this locking is released, a force is applied to the compressed spring 205a (see FIG. 11) to extend toward the original shape, so that the plunger 120 and the puncture needle 105 attached thereto move forward. Will be fired. The injector housing is provided with a guide (preferably a guide channel) 270 for guiding the plunger 120 along the puncture direction on the inner walls facing each other, and the plunger 120 is fitted in the guide. Since the guided portion 120b to be inserted is provided, the fired plunger 120 can move in the puncture direction.

  FIG. 14 shows a state in which the plunger 120 and the puncture needle 105 are moved forward. The trigger leaf spring 230 pushed in to release the lock tries to return to the original state / position due to the release of the pressed state. In other words, the pushed trigger leaf spring portion 230 tends to move outward after unlocking. However, since the trigger leaf spring part 230 has already moved forward, the protrusion 250a exists outside the trigger leaf spring part. Therefore, as shown in the drawing, the upper surface 230b of the trigger leaf spring portion 230 is in contact with the protruding portion 250a. In other words, the trigger leaf spring portion 230 connected to the plunger 120 moves forward while contacting the protrusion 250a.

  FIG. 15 shows a state when the elastic portion 150 starts to move so as to rub against the protrusion 250a. As shown in the drawing, the elastic part 150 has a form connected to the trigger leaf spring part 230 or a form provided as a part of the trigger lever part 230 ′, so that the trigger leaf spring part 230 and the protrusion part 250a are connected to each other. Following the contact state, the elastic portion 150 contacts the protrusion 250a and moves forward. That is, as the plunger 230 moves forward, the elastic portion 150 rubs the protrusion 250a (in the illustrated embodiment, the elastic portion 150 rubs against the body of the protrusion 250a). .

  FIG. 16 shows a state in which the elastic portion 150 is bent when the elastic portion 150 rubs the protruding portion 250a. The reason for bending in this manner is that a force is applied to the elastic portion 150 from the outside to the inside. As shown in the drawing (as can be seen in particular with reference to FIG. 12 and the like), the upper surface 150b of the elastic portion is provided slightly outside the upper surface 230b of the trigger leaf spring portion positioned further forward. The upper surface 150b of the elastic part that moves forward is configured to gradually approach the protrusion 250a. In the first place, since the plunger itself is fitted into the guide channel of the injector housing and moved, it is substantially fixed in the transverse direction. As a result, the elastic portion that moves in the puncturing direction effectively receives force from the outside to the inside. As shown in FIG. 16, when the elastic portion 150 is bent by receiving a force from the outside, that is, when the elastic portion is deformed so that the hollow portion 150a of the elastic portion is “sneezing”, at the time of launch or puncture The impact received by the puncture member can be absorbed by the elastic portion, and as a result, the puncture member can move in a more stable state.

Incidentally, it is preferable that a raised portion 150c is provided on the inner surface forming the hollow portion 150a so as to prevent excessive deformation of the elastic portion 150 (see FIGS. 15 and 16). As a result, not only can the excessive deformation of the elastic portion be prevented, but also the amount of deformation of the elastic portion 150 can be controlled by the size of the raised portion 150c, so that the shock absorption amount of the elastic portion can be suitably adjusted. Become. As an example, the flexure rate F (%) of the elastic part represented by the following formula is preferably about 0.1 to 40%, more preferably about 0.1% to 30%.

F = (H1-H2) / H1 × 100
F (%): Deflection rate of elastic part H1 (mm): Transverse dimension of elastic part before bending (see FIG. 16)
H2 (mm): dimension in the transverse direction of the elastic part in a bent state (see FIG. 16)

  Next, the “straight advancement improving function” in another mode as shown in FIGS. 17A to 17D will be described in detail. FIGS. 17A to 17D show the lancet assembly mode version (B), and show the change over time in the order of the numbers.

  FIG. 17A shows a state before puncturing. In the puncture device using the puncture mechanism shown in FIG. 17 (a), the puncture member is ready to be fired. Specifically, in the illustrated lancet assembly 110, the lancet 100 is housed in the lancet holder 102, and the spring 103 provided on the lancet body 104 of the lancet 100 is already compressed. Since the spring 103 is compressed, the lancet body itself is applied with a force to move forward, but the lancet body 104 is locked to a part 102b of the lancet holder wall (see FIG. 17A). ), The movement of the lancet 100 is blocked as a whole. In other words, in the lancet assembly mode version (B), the launch energy is provided in a state where it is already accumulated in the lancet body 104 in advance.

  Prior to the puncture operation, the lancet cap 106 is removed to expose the puncture needle 105 (see FIG. 10). FIG. 17B shows a state at the time when the lancet body 104 is released from the locked state after the puncture needle is exposed. When the locked state is released, the compressed spring 103 tends to extend toward the original shape, so that the lancet body 104 and the puncture needle 105 fixed thereto are fired forward. In particular, since the fired lancet body 104 is in a state where a part thereof is in contact with the inner wall of the lancet holder, it can move along the inner wall of the holder. In the illustrated embodiment, the K point and the L point of the lancet body 104 are in contact with the inner wall of the lancet holder (see FIG. 17B), whereby the lancet body 104 is punctured so as to be guided by the inner wall of the lancet holder. Will move in the direction.

  FIG. 17C shows a state where the lancet body 104 and the puncture needle 105 are moving forward. Moreover, FIG.17 (d) has shown the state at the time of puncture. As shown in the drawing, the elastic portion 150 provided on the lancet body 104 moves forward in contact with the inner wall surface 102 ′ of the lancet holder. That is, as the lancet body 104 moves, the elastic part 150 rubs the inner wall surface 102 ′ of the holder. At the time of rubbing, the elastic portion 150 receives a force from the inner wall surface 102 ′ of the holder, so that “a bending phenomenon of the elastic portion 150” may occur. In particular, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 17, the inner wall surface 102 ′ of the holder is preferably provided with a tapered portion 102a, so that the elastic portion 150 can effectively exert force when the tapered portion 102a is rubbed. Will receive. That is, the elastic portion is more easily bent by the tapered portion, and the impact received by the lancet body during puncture can be effectively absorbed by the elastic portion, so that the puncture needle becomes a more stable trajectory.

The function of the elastic portion 150 in the lancet assembly mode (B) will be further described in detail. As described above, the lancet body 104 that is fired and moves in the puncture direction is in contact with the inner wall of the rigid lancet holder at the point K and the point L. That is, the fired lancet body 104 moves in contact with the inner wall of the lancet holder. Therefore, when the lancet body passes through a narrowed portion such as a tapered portion, the force received from the inner wall of the lancet holder increases. That is, when the holder inner diameter is reduced by the tapered portion 102a, the force acting on the lancet body increases from the outside toward the inside due to the narrowing effect. As a result, the elastic portion 150 can be effectively bent at the tapered portion a. As an example, it is preferable that the inner diameter of the holder is reduced by about 0.1 to 20% by the tapered portion 102a. More preferably, the inner diameter of the holder is reduced by about 0.1 to 15% by the tapered portion 102a. That is, the holder inner diameter reduction rate R represented by the following formula is preferably about 0.1 to 20%, more preferably about 0.1% to 15%.

R = (D1-D2) / D1 × 100
R (%): Reduction ratio of inner diameter of holder due to taper portion D1 (mm): Inner diameter of holder on the rear side of the taper portion (see FIG. 17)
D2 (mm): Holder inner diameter narrowed by the taper (see FIG. 17)

<< Usage of puncture device >>
Below, the usage mode of a puncture device is demonstrated taking the puncture mechanism of an injector usage mode version (A) as an example. In FIG. 18, the external appearance of the puncture device 400 in an injector usage condition (A) is shown. As illustrated, the puncture device 400 includes a lancet 101 and an injector 200. As shown in FIG. 19, a plunger 120 is provided inside the injector 200. A protrusion 250 a is provided on the inner wall of the injector housing 201. As shown in FIG. 19 (or FIG. 20), a lancet holding portion 120a is provided at the tip of the plunger 120 so that the lancet can be held during puncturing. In addition, the lancet holding part 120a has a cylindrical shape and can hold the lancet body part of the inserted lancet from the outside.

  When puncturing, first, the cap member 202 of the injector 200 is removed as shown in FIGS. As a result, the lancet holding portion 120a provided at the plunger tip is exposed (the “cap member 202” corresponds to a “puncture depth limiting member” described later). Next, as shown in FIG. 21, loading of the lancet 101 is started with respect to the injector 200. Specifically, the lancet 101 pinched with the finger of one hand is inserted into the injector 200 held by the other hand (more specifically, the lancet 101 is attached to the lancet holding part 120a). FIG. 22 shows a state where the lancet 101 is attached to the lancet holding portion 120a. When the insertion of the lancet is continued, the plunger 120 moves backward while being pushed by the lancet 101 and the firing energy is accumulated. That is, when the plunger 120 is retracted, the spring 205a provided on the plunger 120 is compressed (therefore, when the compressed state is released, the plunger is instantaneously moved forward, and the lancet is fired. ). FIG. 23 shows a mode at the time when the plunger 120 moves backward and the firing energy is accumulated. It should be noted that the loading is completed when a normal person can apply the force and the insertion is not possible any more. At that point, the distal end portion 230a of the trigger leaf spring portion is in contact with the protrusion 250a. Will be locked.

  When the loading of the lancet into the injector is completed, the lancet cap 106 is removed to expose the puncture needle 105 (see FIG. 24). The removal of the lancet cap 106 will be described in detail as follows. As shown in FIGS. 36 and 37, the lancet body 104 'and the lancet cap 106' are integrally coupled by a weakened portion 108 'positioned therebetween. The weakening member 108 ′ can be broken by rotating the lancet body 104 ′ and the lancet cap 106 ′ in the opposite directions around the puncture needle (FIG. 40 shows a mode of turning in the G direction. Thereby, the lancet cap 106 'can be removed. In particular, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 24, the holding member 203 of the injector is pinched from the outside with one hand, and the lancet cap 106 is pinched with the other finger while the lancet holding part 120a and the lancet body 104 are fixed integrally. Remove. In addition, as shown partially in FIG. 24, the holding member 203 of the injector has a cylindrical shape partly cut out in a slit shape. Therefore, when a force is applied from the outside to the inside, it can bend radially inward. As a result, by holding the injector holding member 203 from the outside, the lancet holding part 120a and the lancet body 104 installed therein can be fixed integrally.

  When puncturing, first, as shown in FIGS. 25A and 25B, a puncture depth limiting member 202 is attached to the distal end portion of the injector 200. Then, after applying the opening 202a of the puncture depth limiting member 202 to a predetermined site (for example, fingertip) to be punctured, the press portion 242 of the trigger member is pushed (see FIG. 25A). By pushing the press portion 242 toward the inside of the injector, the trigger leaf spring portion 230 is pressed inward, and the locked state between the trigger leaf spring portion 230 and the protruding portion 250a is released. As a result, the plunger 120 is fired forward (that is, the compressed state of the spring 205a is released), and puncture by the puncture needle 105 is performed (FIGS. 26A and 26B). After puncturing, the compressed return spring 205b (FIG. 26 (b)) moves the plunger 120 backward to return to the original shape, so that the puncture needle 105 is retracted quickly. The state after puncture is shown in FIGS. 27 (a) and (b).

  Next, a process associated with the firing of the puncture member will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 28, the spring 205a provided on the plunger 120 is in a compressed state, and the tip end portion 230a of the trigger leaf spring portion and the protrusion portion 250a are in contact with each other so that the state is maintained. Yes. FIG. 29 shows a mode in which the trigger leaf spring portion 230 is pressed inward by pressing the press portion 242 of the trigger member. As shown in the figure, it can be understood that when the trigger leaf spring portion 230 is pressed inward, the locking state between the protrusion portion 250a and the distal end portion 230a of the trigger leaf spring portion is released. FIG. 30 shows a state in which the locking state between the protruding portion 250a and the distal end portion 230a of the trigger leaf spring portion is released, and the plunger 120 and the puncture needle 105 attached to the distal end portion 120a are fired forward. Is shown. FIG. 31 shows an aspect when the elastic part 150 starts to move so as to rub against the protrusion 250a. In the illustrated embodiment, the elastic portion 150 is integrated with the trigger leaf spring portion 230, and the trigger leaf spring portion attempts to return to the original position outward, whereas the protrusion portion 250a. The position of remains unchanged. The elastic part 150 is connected to a plunger 120 that moves forward. As a result, the elastic part 150 moves forward so as to rub against the protruding part 250a. FIG. 32 shows a state in which the elastic portion 150 is bent when the elastic portion 150 receives a force from the protruding portion 250a. As illustrated, the hollow portion of the elastic portion 150 is deformed so as to be small. By bending the elastic portion in this way, the impact received by the plunger 120 and the puncture needle 105 during puncture can be absorbed by the elastic portion 150, and as a result, the puncture needle 105 can move in a more stable state. In particular, as can be understood from the mode shown in FIG. 32, the fired puncture needle 105 eventually collides with the inner wall portion 202 b of the puncture depth limiting member 202. That is, the movement of the puncture needle is restricted by the collision between the base portion 105a and the inner wall portion 202b, and thereby the puncture depth (that is, the length of the puncture needle exposed from the opening 202a) is adjusted. Here, when the base portion 105a of the puncture needle collides with the inner wall portion of the puncture depth limiting member 202, the puncture needle may vibrate due to the collision (that is, the trajectory of the puncture needle is reduced). In the present invention, the elastic portion indirectly or directly connected to the puncture needle can absorb the undulating energy. Further, in the present invention, the elastic portion 150 provided on the puncture member moves while rubbing against the surrounding member (protrusion portion 250a in the illustrated embodiment), so that the moving speed of the puncture member is somewhat reduced due to the frictional resistance. Can be. This means that the moving speed of the puncture needle and its base portion 105a is reduced. Therefore, the collision energy between the puncture needle base portion 105a and the inner wall portion of the puncture depth limiting member 202 is reduced (that is, the base portion 105a collides with the inner wall portion 202b in a state where the speed is further reduced). This can reduce the “waving phenomenon” of the puncture needle. For the reasons described above, the puncture mechanism according to the present invention improves the linearity of the puncture trajectory even during puncture. In particular, since the “collision between the puncture needle base portion 105a and the inner wall portion of the puncture depth limiting member 202” can occur at the time when the needle 105 punctures the blood sample, “blurring” of the needle at that time is suppressed. Being able to mean that the pain at the time of puncture can be reduced effectively. FIG. 33 shows a state after puncturing, and after puncturing, the compressed return spring 205b moves the plunger 120 backward to return to the original shape, so that the puncture needle 105 retracts quickly. .

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention has been described, it has only illustrated the typical example to the last. Therefore, those skilled in the art will easily understand that the present invention is not limited to this, and various modes are conceivable. For example, the following modes can be considered.

  Although the elastic part which has a hollow structure was illustrated in the aspect mentioned above, it is not necessarily limited to it, The whole elastic part may consist of an elastic material. That is, the elastic portion may be formed from a material that can be elastically deformed without having a hollow structure. For example, an elastic portion formed from a rubber material or an elastomer material can be considered. Furthermore, a part of the elastic part having a hollow structure (particularly the rear part) may be missing, and the elastic part may have a wing shape as a whole.

  In the above-described aspect, the straightness of the puncture needle that moves mainly in the puncture direction has been described. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. In the present invention, the straightness of the puncture needle that moves backward after the puncture is also improved. That is, even after puncturing, the elastic part that moves backward rubs the surrounding members, so that the impact received by the puncture member can be effectively absorbed by the elastic part, and the puncture member that moves backward becomes more stable. This means that the trajectory of the puncture needle moving backward is also linear. In particular, since the puncture needle that tries to move backward immediately after puncture moves more linearly, the “phenomenon where the puncture site is punctured by the puncture needle” is effectively reduced, and the person to be punctured feels Pain can be further reduced.

Furthermore, although the aspect mentioned above demonstrated that the elastic part provided in the puncture member rubs a surrounding member, it is not necessarily limited to it. In the present invention, the elastic portion may be provided not on the puncture member but on the peripheral member. That is, a mode in which the puncture member rubs the elastic portion provided on the peripheral member may be employed. In this case, the lancet puncture mechanism according to the present invention is
A puncture member capable of moving in the puncture direction by firing,
A peripheral member that defines a gap through which the puncture member moves during puncture, and an elastic portion provided on the peripheral member,
When the puncture member is fired and moves in the puncture direction, the puncture member rubs the “elastic portion provided on the surrounding member” as the puncture member moves. Even in such an embodiment, the “elastic portion provided on the surrounding member” can absorb the impact received by the launched puncture member, and the puncture trajectory of the puncture needle can be improved.

  When the puncture mechanism of the present invention is used, the puncture trajectory of the puncture needle is improved, so that pain during puncture can be reduced. Therefore, the lancet device using such a puncture mechanism can be used for blood collection of a diabetic patient, and can be suitably used in various applications that require blood collection.

100 Puncture member or lancet assembly lancet (B) lancet 101 injector lancet (A) lancet 102 lancet holder 102 'lancet holder inner wall surface 102a lancet holder inner wall taper portion 102b lancet holder wall lancet body locking portion 103 Spring provided on the lancet body 104 Lancet body 105 Puncture needle 105a Base portion of the puncture needle 106 Lancet cap 110 Lancet assembly 120 Plunger 120a Lancet holding part provided on the plunger 120b Plunger cover fitted into the guide of the injector Guide part 131 Lancet body 132 Lancet cap 150 Elastic part 150a Hollow part provided in the elastic part Is a hollow portion 150b, an upper surface 150c of the elastic portion, and a raised portion 200 provided on the inner surface that forms the hollow portion of the elastic portion. 200 injector 201 injector housing 202 cap member or puncture depth limiting member 202a puncture opening portion 202b puncture depth limiting member Inner wall 203 Injector holding member 205a Firing spring 205b Return spring 230 Trigger plate spring part 230 'Trigger lever part 230a Trigger plate spring part tip 230b Trigger plate spring part upper surface 242 Trigger member press part 250 Peripheral member 250a Injector Protrusion provided on the inner wall of the housing 270 Guide for guiding the plunger along the puncturing direction 300 Puncturing mechanism 400 Puncturing device 100 'lancet assembly 101' lancet 102 'protective cover 104' lancet body 105 'puncture needle 106' lancet cap 108 'weakening member 114' lancet body front part 116 'lancet body rear part 200' injector 204 'plunger 214' injector front end opening 264 ' , 266 ′ Plunger tip 514 ′ Trigger member 524 ′ Protrusion provided on the plunger 526 ′ Rear portion end portion of the trigger member 542 ′ Press portion of the trigger member

Claims (3)

A puncture member capable of moving in the puncture direction by firing,
A hollow elastic portion provided in the puncture member, and a surrounding member that defines a gap through which the puncture member moves during puncture,
The peripheral member is a housing of an injector used for firing a puncture member, and a protrusion is provided on the inner wall of the housing, and the puncture member holds and fires the lancet in use. A plunger that can be formed, and the plunger is provided with the elastic portion of the hollow structure,
When the piercing member is moved is fired into the puncture direction, the elastic portion of the hollow structure with the movement of the piercing member is Kosudo the projections, also
During the rubbing, the elastic part of the hollow structure bends, whereby the elastic part of the hollow structure absorbs the impact received by the launched puncture member and stabilizes the puncture member that moves in the puncture direction. A lancet puncture mechanism, characterized. The lancet puncture mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the elastic portion of the hollow structure has a slit-shaped or flat-shaped hollow portion that is elongated in the puncture direction. The lancet puncture mechanism according to claim 1, wherein a protruding portion is provided on an inner surface forming a hollow portion of the elastic portion of the hollow structure.

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