Complex device simplifies blood sugar measuring

Comprising 19 plastics mould-ings in ABS, PC/ABS and POM grades, the new device can be operated with one hand and is smaller and stronger that previous alternatives. It also uses a tape with test fields for 50 tests instead of the individual test strips used previously.

The lancet is accompanied by a magazine for six lancets, the magazine drum, a locking sleeve and a replaceable cap, yet is close to half the size of its predecessor.

Gerresheimer evaluated more than 20 concepts, and carried out full mould flow, finite element analysis and computer tomography (CT) for each part in its final design to ensure optimum part quality and adequate load bearing capability and fatigue resistance.

The magazine drum was the most critical part, as the 16-cavity mould in which it is moulded had to be provided with "highly resilient" supporting geometries and interior shafts with friction-optimised surfaces for the lancets.

Due to the compact design, laser welding assembly had to be used in the new version instead of snap fits.

Gerresheimer started fully automatic production of the device at its plant in Pfreimd in Germany in an ISO class 8 (100,000) clean room. The parts are shipped to the company's Czech plant in Hor_ovsk_ T_n for assembly. Gerresheimer uses 19 eight-cavity moulds for the lancing device parts and three moulds with 16, 32 and 64 cavities for the three lancet magazine components.