Physiological signal monitoring device

A physiological signal monitoring device is adapted for monitoring a physiological signal of a biofluid, and includes: a biosensor strip that has at least one signal output end adapted for outputting the physiological signal; a strip reciprocating module that includes a strip seat for receiving the biosensor strip, a guide seat mounted to the strip seat, and a rotating plate mounted rotatably to the strip seat for triggering reciprocating movement of the biosensor strip and the guide seat relative to the strip seat; and a contact module that includes an electronic module, and at least one extending piece connected electrically with the at least one signal output end to transmit the physiological signal to the electronic module.

FIELD

The disclosure relates to a medical device, and more particularly to a physiological signal monitoring device.

BACKGROUND

A conventional trigger mechanism of a blood glucose monitor disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,240,565 B2 for automatically ejecting a test strip uses an actuating spring (34) to drive two control surfaces (30) and two counter surfaces (32) to move relative to each other so as to eject or clamp the test strip. In another conventional trigger mechanism disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,057,753 B2, a memory wire (104) is used to drive the slider (106) to move linearly to eject the test strip. In yet another conventional trigger mechanism disclosed in U.S. Publication No. 20120143085 A1, a push button (46) is used to release a lock to allow a biasing device (48) to drive a contacting portion (40) to push out the test strip. In yet another conventional trigger mechanism disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 10,048,247 B2, an ejection button (16) is used to drive an actuator arm (32) to swing, thereby driving linear movement of a sled (34) to eject the test strip. In yet another conventional trigger mechanism disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,715,571 B2, an ejection button (16) is used to trigger an actuator arm (32) to drive a sled (36) to move on two guide rails (38,40) to eject the test strip.

On the other hand, a conventional push-to-eject mechanism for ejecting the test strip manually disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 20060133956 A1 uses a first elastic part (111a) to secure the test strip after inserting the test strip. When a slidable moving part (103) is manually operated to push out the test strip, a second elastic part (111b) is used to eject the test strip. In another conventional push-to-eject mechanism disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 10,139,391, an actuating part (41) of an ejection element (40) is used to push out the test piece when a trigger (42) is manually operated. In yet another conventional push-to-eject mechanism disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 20110040160 A1, an operating body (50) is used to drive a gear (71) to lift and push out a pad portion (65) that carries the biosensor test strip. In yet another conventional push-to-eject mechanism disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 20090041631, an ejection button (11) is used to cooperate with a resilient element (17) to eject the test strip.

However, none of the above-mentioned mechanisms, whether automatic or manual, provides functionalities of automatically inserting, positioning, and ejecting the biosensor test strip.

SUMMARY

Therefore, the object of the disclosure is to provide a physiological signal monitoring device that can automatically insert, position, and eject a biosensor strip.

According to one aspect of the disclosure, the physiological signal monitoring device is adapted for monitoring a physiological signal of a biofluid, and includes a biosensor strip, a strip reciprocating module and a contact module.

The biosensor strip has at least one signal output end that is adapted for outputting the physiological signal.

The strip reciprocating module includes a strip seat that is configured for receiving the biosensor strip, a guide seat that is mounted movably to the strip seat, and a rotating plate that is mounted rotatably to the strip seat. Rotation of the rotating plate is configured to trigger reciprocating movement of the biosensor strip and the guide seat relative to the strip seat.

The contact module includes an electronic module, and at least one extending piece that is electrically connected with the at least one signal output end to transmit the physiological signal to the electronic module.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, the physiological signal monitoring device is adapted for monitoring a physiological signal of a biofluid, and includes a biosensor strip, a strip reciprocating module and a contact module.

The biosensor strip has at least one signal output end that is adapted for outputting the physiological signal.

The strip reciprocating module includes a base body, a strip seat that is mounted to the base body, and that is configured for receiving the biosensor strip, a guide seat that is mounted movably to the strip seat, a rotating plate that is mounted rotatably to the strip seat, and an actuating unit that is mounted movably to the base body. Rotation of the rotating plate is configured to trigger reciprocating movement of the biosensor strip and the guide seat relative to the strip seat.

The contact module is mounted to the base body, is drivable by the actuating unit, and includes an electronic module, and an extending piece that is electrically connected with the at least one signal output end to transmit the physiological signal to the electronic module.

According to yet another aspect of the disclosure, the physiological signal monitoring device is adapted for monitoring a physiological signal of a biofluid, and includes a biosensor strip, a strip reciprocating module and a contact module.

The biosensor strip has at least one signal output end that is adapted for outputting the physiological signal.

The strip reciprocating module includes a base body, a strip seat that is mounted to the base body, that is configured for receiving the biosensor strip, and that includes a driven set, a guide seat that is mounted movably to the strip seat, a rotating plate that is mounted rotatably to the strip seat, and an actuating unit that is mounted movably to the base body, and that includes a driving set. Rotation of the rotating plate is configured to trigger reciprocating movement of the biosensor strip and the guide seat relative to the strip seat. When the actuating unit is moved from the initial position to the securing position, the driven set of the strip seat is driven by the driving set of the actuating unit to move downwardly, thereby moving the strip seat downwardly from an upper position to the lower position, so that the biosensor strip inserted into the strip seat is in contact with the electronic module.

The contact module is mounted to the base body, is drivable by the actuating unit, and includes an electronic module, and an extending piece that is electrically connected with the at least one signal output end to transmit the physiological signal to the electronic module.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIGS.1to4, a first embodiment of a physiological signal monitoring device according to disclosure is adapted for monitoring a physiological signal of a biofluid (not shown). The physiological signal monitoring device includes a biosensor strip2, a strip reciprocating module, a contact module70, a first driving spring80, a second driving spring90and a resilient unit100.

The biosensor strip2has an insertion end201, a conducting end202opposite to the insertion end201, a fool-proof edge203formed at the insertion end201, two signal output ends204disposed proximate to the conducting end202, an anchor hole205disposed proximate to the insertion end201, a plurality of code holes206disposed between the insertion end201and the conducting end202, and a positioning hole207disposed between the signal output ends204and the code hole206.

The strip reciprocating module includes a base body10, a strip seat20, a guide seat30, an anchoring member40, a rotating plate50and an actuating unit60. The contact module70includes an electronic module1that has a plurality of code beads101. It should be noted that the physiological signal monitoring device of the present disclosure is installed in a housing unit (not shown), and the actuating unit60thereof is connected to an eject button (not shown) protruding out of the housing unit. The housing unit and the eject button are omitted in the figures for the sake of clear illustration of the embodiment.

The base body10of the strip reciprocating module is mounted with the electronic module1, and has a first end11, a second end12, a positioning pole13, two limit guide portions14, a plurality of through holes15, a plurality of guide poles17, two front stop portions181, two rear stop portions182, two pivot poles19(only one is visible inFIG.2), and a stop pole191. The second end12is opposite to the first end11in a front-rear direction (X). The positioning pole13is disposed on the first end11, and is configured for engaging the positioning hole207of the biosensor strip2. The limit guide portions14extend in the front-rear direction (X), and are disposed between the first end11and the second end12. The through holes15are disposed between the limit guide portions14, and are configured for the code beads101of the electronic module1to extend therethrough. The guide poles17protrude upwardly in a top-bottom direction (Z) perpendicular to the front-rear direction (X). The front stop portions181are disposed proximate to the first end11, and are spaced apart from each other in a left-right direction (Y) perpendicular to the front-rear direction (X) and the top-bottom direction (Z). The rear stop portions182are disposed proximate to the second end12, and are spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction (Y). The pivot poles19are disposed at the first end11. The stop pole191is disposed at the second end12.

Referring toFIGS.2,3,4and9, the strip seat20of the strip reciprocating module is configured for receiving the biosensor strip2, is mounted to the base body10, and is downwardly and upwardly movable, under guidance of the guide poles17, relative to the base body10. The strip seat20has a top face21, a bottom face22, a insertion groove23, a slide groove24, a driven set25, a fool-proof groove26, a fool-proof spring261, a first engaging member27, an engaging hole281, an arc groove282, a stop piece283and an abutment rib29.

The bottom face22and the top face21are opposite to each other in the top-bottom direction (Z). The insertion groove23is configured for insertion of the biosensor strip2thereinto, and has a front end231and a rear end232that is opposite to the front end231in the front-rear direction (X). The insertion groove23and the slide groove24are arranged in the top-bottom direction (Z) and are in communication with each other. The slide groove24has a straight section241, a wedge section242and a limit section243. The straight section241extends forwardly from the rear end232of the insertion groove23toward the front end231of the insertion groove23. The wedge section242is connected to the straight section241and has a height in the top-bottom direction (Z) gradually increasing toward the front end231of the insertion groove23. The limit section243is connected to the wedge section242, and is adjacent to and not in direct communication with the insertion groove23.

The driven set25is disposed outside of the insertion groove23, and has a plurality of trapezoid pieces251. Each of the trapezoid pieces251has a bottom surface252that faces the base body10, and two inclined surfaces253that are opposite to each other in the front-rear direction (X) and that are connected respectively to opposite ends of the bottom surface252. The fool-proof groove26is adjacent to and in communication with the front end231of the insertion groove23. The fool-proof spring261is inserted into the front end231of the insertion groove23(seeFIG.9), and is configured to be resiliently pushed out of the front end231of the insertion groove23into the fool-proof groove26by the fool-proof edge203of the biosensor strip2during the insertion of the biosensor strip2into the insertion groove23. The first engaging member27extends in the front-rear direction (X). The engaging hole281extends in the top-bottom direction (Z). The arc groove282is disposed around the engaging hole281. The stop piece283is disposed in the arc groove282. The abutment rib29is disposed proximate to the front end231of the insertion groove23, and is elongated in the left-right direction (Y).

The guide seat30of the strip reciprocating module is forwardly and rearwardly movable relative to the strip seat20, and has a seat block31mounted to the strip seat20, and a extension piece32connected to the seat block31. The seat block31has a slide portion310movably received in the insertion groove23of the strip seat20, a second engaging member311disposed above the slide portion310and engaging the first engaging member27of the strip seat20, two claw slots312formed in the slide portion310, a carrying platform313connected to a front end of the slide portion310, an inclined guide face314formed at the front of the carrying platform313, and an elongated slot315formed in a bottom surface of the slide portion310and configured for the code bead101of the electronic module1to be movably received therein. The extension piece32has a first coupling portion321extending upwardly and being T-shaped.

The anchoring member40of the strip reciprocating module is mounted on the guide seat30, is co-movable with the guide seat30relative to the strip seat20, and has a claw portion41and an anchoring portion42. The claw portion41is slidable along the slide groove24of the strip seat20, and has a positioning end411secured to the guide seat30, a swingable end412being opposite to the positioning end411, and a wedge portion413disposed on the swingable end412. The positioning end411has two claws414engaging respectively the claw slots312of the guide seat30. The anchoring portion42is a hemispherical protrusion protruding from the claw portion41, and is configured for securing the biosensor strip2when the guide seat30and the anchoring member40are moved rearwardly by the biosensor strip2during insertion of the biosensor strip2. During sliding movement of the anchoring member40toward the limit section243of the slide groove24of the strip seat20, the swingable end412swings under guidance of the wedge section242of the slide groove24to withdraw the anchoring portion42from the insertion groove23.

The rotating plate50of the strip reciprocating module is mounted rotatably to the strip seat20, and has an engaging member51, a bent piece52, a hook portion53, an abutment portion54, a second coupling portion55, a first connecting hole56and an upright tab57. The engaging member51rotatably engages the engaging hole281of the strip seat20. The bent piece52extends into the arc groove282of the strip seat20, and engages the stop piece283of the strip seat20to restrain upward and downward movement of the rotating plate50along an axis which extends in the top-bottom direction (Z). The abutment portion54surrounds the engaging member51. The second coupling portion55is coupled to the first coupling portion321of the guide seat30, and is opposite to the hook portion53. The first connecting hole56is disposed between the hook portion53and the second coupling portion55. The upright tab57extends upwardly from a periphery of the abutment portion54. In the present embodiment, the second coupling portion55of the rotating plate50is a U-shaped groove engaged rotatably and slidably with the first coupling portion321of the guide seat30. The rotating plate50is rotatable between an original position (seeFIG.1) and a rotated position (seeFIG.12). During insertion of the biosensor strip2, the guide seat30is moved rearwardly to drive the rotating plate50to rotate in a first rotational direction (D1) from the original position to the rotated position.

The actuating unit60of the strip reciprocating module is movable along an axis which extends in the front-rear direction (X) relative to the base body10. The actuating unit60includes an upper actuating seat61, two lower actuating seats62and a driving set63.

The upper actuating seat61is slidable between the front stop portions181and the rear stop portions182of the base body10, and has a projecting piece611, a projecting pin612, a cutout slot613, a stop surface614and a second connecting hole615. The projecting piece611projects toward the base body10, and engages the hook portion53when the actuating unit60is at an initial position (seeFIG.1). The projecting pin612projects toward the base body10, and is proximate to the projecting piece611. The cutout slot613is proximate to the projecting pin612, and is provided for the upright tab57of the rotating plate50to extend movably therethrough. The stop surface614is disposed next to the cutout slot613, and is provided for the upright tab57of the rotating plate50to abut thereagainst. The lower actuating seats62are connected to the upper actuating seat61and are connected between the base body10and the strip seat20. Each of the lower actuating seats62is slidable along the front-rear direction (X), and has two guide tabs621slidably engaging a respective one of the limit guide portions14, and a spring hook622. The driving set63has a plurality of lower driving members631connected to the lower actuating seats62and being proximate to a corresponding one of the trapezoid pieces251. In the present embodiment, each of the lower driving members631is a roller. When the actuating unit60is moved from the initial position to a securing position (seeFIG.14), the driven set25of the strip seat20is driven by the driving set63of the actuating unit60to move downwardly, thereby moving the strip seat20downwardly from an upper position to a lower position, so that the biosensor strip2inserted into the strip seat20is in contact with the electronic module1.

Referring further toFIGS.5and6, the contact module70is mounted to the base body10, is configured to be connected electrically to the electronic module1, and is driven pivotally by the actuating unit60. When the actuating unit60is at the initial position, the contact module70is separated from the biosensor strip2. When the actuating unit60is at the securing position, the contact module70is in contact with the biosensor strip2for electrically connecting the biosensor strip2to the electronic module1.

The contact module70further includes a main body71, two metallic conducting pieces72, two extending pieces73, two torsion springs74and an extension spring75.

The main body71is made of an insulating material, and has two swing arms711pivoted respectively to the pivot poles19of the base body10, and a linking rod712interconnecting the swing arms711. The metallic conducting pieces72are embedded in the linking rod712of the main body71, are electrically conductive, and are spaced apart from each other. Each of the metallic conducting pieces72has a contact portion721projecting out of the linking rod712of the main body71. The extending pieces73are electrically and respectively connected to the metallic conducting pieces72and extend out of the main body71. Each of the extending piece73has a base portion731connected to the respective one of the metallic conducting pieces72and formed with a slot734, an extending portion732configured to be in contact with the biosensor strip2and has a sliding end735, and a connecting portion733interconnecting the base portion731and the extending portion732. The torsion springs74are disposed between the swing arms711and the base body10for biasing the main body71toward the biosensor strip2to thereby ensure contact between the contact portions721of the metallic conducting pieces72and the biosensor strip2when the actuating unit60is at the initial position. Each of the torsion springs74has a leg that is configured to be connected electrically to the electronic module1, and another leg that is connected electrically to the contact portion721of a respective one of the metallic conducting pieces72. The extension spring75is movably connected between the main body71and the spring hook622of one of the lower actuating seats62of the actuating unit60.

The first driving spring80is connected between the rotating plate50and the actuating unit60. In the present embodiment, the first driving spring80is a torsion spring, and has a spring body81, and two legs82,83connected respectively to opposite ends of the spring body81and engaging respectively the first connecting hole56of the rotating plate50and the second connecting hole615of the actuating unit60.

The second driving spring90is connected between the first end11of the base body10and the spring hook622of the other one of the lower actuating seats62of the actuating unit60. After the actuating unit60is moved from the securing position to an ejecting position (seeFIG.23), the second driving spring90is operable for driving the actuating unit60to move forwardly from the ejecting position to the initial position. In the present embodiment, the second driving spring90is a tension spring.

The resilient unit100is mounted between the base body10and the strip seat20, and is configured for biasing resiliently and downwardly the strip seat20from the upper position toward the lower position. In the present embodiment, the resilient unit100includes a plurality of torsion springs110. Each of the torsion springs110has a spring body111sleeved on the base body10, a first leg112connected to an end of the spring body111and abutting against the base body10, and a second leg113connected to another end of the spring body111and abutting against the strip seat20.

For a further understanding of the functions, the technical means, and the intended effects of the collaboration of the various components of the disclosure, operational details of the first embodiment of the physiological signal monitoring device are provided as follows.

Referring again toFIG.1, when the first embodiment of the physiological signal monitoring device is fully assembled and the biosensor strip2is not inserted therein, the rotating plate50is in the original position, and the guide seat30is proximate to the first end11of the base body10with the extension piece32thereof abutting against the abutment rib29of the strip seat20. The projecting piece611of the actuating unit60abuts against the hook portion53, such that the actuating unit60is positioned relative to the base body10and is at the initial position. Referring further toFIG.32(a), at this time, by virtue of the configuration of the slide groove24of the strip seat20, the anchoring member40is bent with the wedge portion413disposed at the limit section243of the slide groove24and above the insertion groove23, such that the front end231of the insertion groove23is clear of obstruction and is ready for the insertion end201of the biosensor strip2to pass therethrough the position of the anchoring portion42. Referring further toFIG.31(a), at this time, the trapezoid pieces251of the strip seat20are lifted by the lower driving members631such that the strip seat20is at the upper position, and the sliding end735of each of the extending pieces73of the contact module70is at a retracted position.

Referring toFIGS.7and8, when a user inserts the biosensor strip2into the physiological signal monitoring device, the insertion end201of the biosensor strip2first enters the front end231of the insertion groove23of the strip seat20. The fool-proof edge203of the biosensor strip2is then brought into contact with the fool-proof spring261and pushes the fool-proof spring261into the fool-proof groove26(seeFIG.9), allowing the insertion of the biosensor strip2to continue. If the biosensor strip2is inserted in the wrong orientation (i.e., the fool-proof edge203does not contact the fool-proof spring261), it will be blocked by the fool-proof spring261and the insertion cannot continue.

Referring toFIGS.10and11, as the user continues to push the biosensor strip2into the insertion groove23till approximately ¼ of the biosensor strip2(i.e., ¼ of its total length) is in the insertion groove23, the insertion end201slides smoothly onto the carrying platform313under guidance of the inclined guide face314of the guide seat30and abuts against the guide seat30. As the insertion of the biosensor strip2continues, the insertion end201of the biosensor strip2pushes the guide seat30to move rearwardly along an axis which extends in the front-rear direction (X) to further move the anchoring member40rearwardly therewith, and the wedge portion413of the anchoring member40, under the guidance of the wedge section242of slide groove24of the strip seat20, descends into the insertion groove23(i.e., the swingable end412swings downwards and the claw portion41of the anchoring member40is straightened). The anchoring portion42then engages with the positioning hole207of the biosensor strip2such that the biosensor strip2is secured between the anchoring member40and the guide seat30, as shown inFIG.32(b).

While the guide seat30moves rearwardly toward the second end12, the guide seat30drives the rotating plate50to rotate in the first rotational direction (D1) via the engagement between the first coupling portion321and the second coupling portion55, and further drives the first driving spring80to rotate in the first rotational direction (D1).

Referring toFIGS.10and11, when the insertion continuous till approximately ⅓ of the biosensor strip2(i.e., ⅓ of its total length) is in the insertion groove23, the rotation of the rotating plate50actuates an operation of the first driving spring80to drive the rotating plate50to rotate further in the first rotational direction (D1), and to push the guide seat30and the anchoring member40to move rearwardly further for further drawing the biosensor strip2rearwardly.

Specifically, during the rotation of the rotating plate50, the first connecting hole56becomes aligned with an imaginary straight line (L) (seeFIG.33) defined by the second connecting hole615and the rotational center of the rotating plate50(i.e., the engaging member51), at this time, a distance between the first connecting hole56and the second connecting hole615reaches a minimum, and a distance between the leg82and leg83of the first driving spring80also reaches a minimum (the first driving spring80contains the greatest elastic energy during the whole operation). Referring toFIGS.12,13and33, it should be noted that, before the first connecting hole56becomes aligned with the imaginary straight line (L) defined by the second connecting hole615and the engaging member51, the first connecting hole56is disposed at one side of the imaginary straight line (L) and the distance between the first connecting hole56and the second connecting hole615is decreasing, and as the insertion continues, the first connecting hole56moves to the other side of the imaginary straight line (L) and is no longer aligned with the second connecting hole615and the engaging member51, and the distance between the first connecting hole56and the second connecting hole615begins to increase. During passing of the moment of alignment, the aforementioned movement of the first connecting hole56and the distance change between the first connecting hole56and the second connecting hole615result in a rebound effect where the first driving spring80experiences a sudden loss of compression and begins to bounce back and release its elastic energy to facilitate the movement of the first connecting hole56(i.e., rotation of the first connecting hole56about the engaging member51). As such, after the moment of alignment, a resilience felt by the user prior to the moment of alignment disappears, and the rotation of the first connecting hole56can be solely driven by the biasing force of the first driving spring80. As the first driving spring80continues to move in the first rotational direction (D1), the guide seat30and the anchoring member40continue to be driven by the rotating plate50to move toward the second end12of the base body10, drawing the biosensor strip2further into the insertion groove23, until the guide seat30is stopped by the stop pole191of the base body10. That is, once the first driving spring80starts to bounce back after the moment of alignment, the user no longer has to exert force onto the biosensor strip2, and the rest of the insertion process becomes automatic.

Referring toFIGS.14and15, after the insertion of the biosensor strip2is completed, the hook portion53of the rotating plate50is moved to a position that no longer blocks the projecting piece611of the actuating unit60such that the actuating unit60is allowed to be moved by a combined biasing force of the second driving spring90and the first driving spring80toward the first end11of the base body10, bringing the eject button (not shown) therewith to move forwardly until the actuating unit60is stopped by the front stop portions181of the base body10at the securing position. By virtue of the guidance and position-limiting effect of the guide poles17of the base body10, the strip seat20is only allowed to move upwardly and downwardly relative to the base body10within a certain range (seeFIG.31(b)), and following the movement of the actuating unit60, the extension spring75moves toward its equilibrium position and reduces its pulling force exerted onto the main body71of the contact module70. The main body71is then allowed to be pivoted by the biasing force of the torsion springs74such that the linking rod712of the main body71moves away from the abutment rib29of the strip seat20. At the same time, the extending pieces73of the contact module70move toward the signal output ends204of the biosensor strip2.

Referring toFIGS.16and17in conjunction withFIGS.2and31(b), during the movement of the actuating unit60toward the first end11of the base body10, each of the lower driving members631(i.e., the rollers) of the driving set63rolls under the bottom surface252of the respective one of the trapezoid pieces251of the strip seat20toward a corresponding one of the inclined surfaces253until becoming separated from the respective one of the trapezoid pieces251. When the lower driving members631are separated from the trapezoid pieces251, the strip seat20, subjected to the biasing force of the seat torsion springs110of the resilient unit100, moves toward the lower position and presses the biosensor strip2in the insertion groove23against a top surface of the base body10. As a result, the code holes206of the biosensor strip2are pressed against the code beads101to actuate the electronic module1(e.g., an automatic coding module mounted thereon), and the positioning pole13of the base body10engages the positioning hole207of the biosensor strip2such that the biosensor strip2is positioned with respect to the base body10.

It should be noted that, at this time, the actuating unit60is not in contact with the strip seat20(components thereof are spaced apart by small gaps), such that the actuating unit60is movable relative to the base body10without being affected by the strip seat20. At the same time, the extension spring75of the contact module70reaches its equilibrium position, and rotation of the main body71brings the sliding end735of each of the extending pieces73into contact with a respective one of the signal output ends204of the biosensor strip2. By virtue of the resilience of the extending pieces73and the biasing force of the torsion springs74, the sliding end735of each of the extending pieces73slides slightly on the respective one of the signal output ends204while making contact therewith, and generates friction that scrapes away any potential oxide layer, passivation layer or foreign objects that might interfere with the contact, thereby ensuring electrical conduction between the extending pieces73and the signal output ends204. At this point, the insertion of the biosensor strip2is completed, and the biosensor strip2is electrically connected to the electronic module1, such that the electronic module1is actuated to transmit physiological signals (values of current) to obtain corresponding blood glucose values.

Referring toFIGS.18and19, when the user ejects the biosensor strip2, the eject button (not shown) is pushed along the front-rear direction (X), driving the actuating unit60to move toward the second end12of the base body10and pull the extension spring75away from its equilibrium position. When the biasing force of the extension spring75begins to overpower the biasing force of the torsion springs74, the main body71of the contact module70starts to pivot backwards and pull the sliding end735of each of the extending pieces73away from the respective one of the signal output ends204of the biosensor strip2. During the same time, each of the lower driving members631of the actuating unit60is brought into contact with a corresponding one of the inclined surfaces253of the respective one of the trapezoid pieces251of the strip seat20and rolls toward the bottom surface252of the respective one of the trapezoid pieces251, such that the strip seat20is lifted by the lower driving members631toward the upper position (seeFIG.31(c)andFIG.31(d)).

Referring toFIGS.20to22, as the user continues to push the eject button and the actuating unit60continues to move toward the second end12of the base body10, the extension spring75keeps pulling the main body71of contact module70until the swing arms711of the main body71abut against the first end11of the base body10(preventing the main body71from over rotation) and the sliding end735of each of the extending pieces73returns to the retracted position. At the same time, when each of the lower driving members631is directly under the bottom surface252of the respective one of the trapezoid pieces251, the strip seat20is fully lifted back to the upper position (seeFIG.31(a)). Once the biosensor strip2is separated from the top surface of the base body10, the electronic module1resets to its original state.

Referring toFIGS.23and24, during movement of the actuating unit60toward the second end12of the base body10, the projecting pin612of the upper actuating seat61abuts against and pushes the abutment portion54of the rotating plate50, such that rearward movement of the actuating unit60drives the rotating plate50to rotate in a second rotational direction (D2) opposite to the first rotational direction (D1), driving the guide seat30and the anchoring member40to move forwardly and push the biosensor strip2out of the insertion groove23of the strip seat20. During this time, the first driving spring80begins to rotate in the second rotational direction (D2), and the above-mentioned operation of the first driving spring80is actuated again to drive the rotating plate50to rotate further in the second rotational direction (D2), and to push the guide seat30and the anchoring member40to move forwardly further for further pushing the biosensor strip2forwardly. Specifically, when the first connecting hole56, the second connecting hole615, and the engaging member51are once again aligned with each other, the rebound effect of the first driving spring80reoccurs and the first driving spring80again begins to bounce back and release its elastic energy to facilitate the movements of the first connecting hole56and the second connecting hole615. As such, in a similar manner as mentioned above, the rest of the ejection process of the biosensor strip2becomes automatic.

It should be noted that, although after the rebound effect of the first driving spring80, the user no longer has to exert force onto the eject button to push the actuating unit60toward the second end12of the base body10, the pushing movement of the user often continues due to the inertia thereof until the actuating unit60is stopped by the rear stop portions182of the base body10at the ejecting position. That is, the user does not have to push the eject button all the way to complete the ejection process.

Referring toFIG.25andFIG.26, when the actuating unit60is at the ejecting position and the user has not yet release the eject button, the biosensor strip is at a position where approximately ¼ of the biosensor strip2is still in the insertion groove23of the strip seat20. At this point, the upright tab57of the rotating plate50abuts against the stop surface614of the actuating unit60, pausing the rotation of the rotating plate50, and the anchor hole205of the biosensor strip2is still engaged with the anchoring portion42of the anchoring member40. As such, the biosensor strip2is prevented from being accidentally ejected out of the strip seat20by its inertia of motion.

Referring toFIGS.27and28, when the user releases the eject button, the eject button and the actuating unit60are driven by the second driving spring90to move toward the first end11of the base body10. During this time, the stop surface614of the actuating unit60becomes separated from the upright tab57of the rotating plate50, and the rotating plate50is thus allowed to be driven by the first driving spring80to continue its rotation until the guide seat30is stopped by the abutment rib29of the strip seat20. In the meantime, the wedge portion413of the anchoring member40is lifted by the wedge section242of the strip seat20(i.e., the swingable end412swings upwards and the claw portion41of the anchoring member40is bent), and the anchoring portion42of the anchoring member40disengages the positioning hole207of the biosensor strip2(seeFIG.31(d)).

Referring toFIGS.29and30, the movement of the actuating unit60toward the first end11of the base body10finally stops when the projecting piece611of the actuating unit60hits the hook portion53of the rotating plate50. The extension spring75then moves slightly toward its equilibrium position and reduces its pulling force exerted onto the main body71, allowing the main body71to be slightly rotated by the torsion springs74to bring the sliding end735of each of the extending pieces73back to the retracted position. At this point, the ejection process is completed and the biosensor strip2is ready to be taken out of the strip seat20.

Referring toFIG.34, a second embodiment of the physiological signal monitoring device of the disclosure is similar to the first embodiment, and the difference therebetween lies in that, in the second embodiment, the resilient unit100′ includes a plurality of screws110′ that extend through the strip seat20and that engage threadedly the base body10, and a plurality of compression springs111′ that are sleeved respectively on the screws110′. Each of the compression springs111′ has opposite ends that abut respectively against the strip seat20and the respective one of the screws110′. By virtue of the disposition of the compression springs111′, the resilient unit100′ is able to drive the strip seat20from the upper position to the lower position when the lower driving members631of the actuating unit60(not shown inFIG.34) are separated from the strip seat20, providing the same function as the first embodiment.

Referring toFIG.35, a third embodiment of the physiological signal monitoring device of the disclosure is similar to the first embodiment, and the difference therebetween lies in that, in the third embodiment, each of the lower driving members631″ is a trapezoid protrusion connected to the corresponding one of the lower actuating seats62″, and corresponds in shape to the respective one of the trapezoid pieces251. As such, the lower driving members631″ are able to slide under the trapezoid pieces251of the strip seat20, respectively, to lift the strip seat20to the upper position, so as to provide the same function as the first embodiment.

In summary, structural features of the disclosed embodiments of the physiological signal monitoring device and their corresponding benefits are listed as follows.1. By virtue of the disposition and design of the fool-proof groove26and the fool-proof spring261of the strip seat20, the biosensor strip2is prevented from being inserted in the wrong orientation.2. By virtue of the engagement between the guide seat30and the anchoring member40that allows the guide seat30and the anchoring member40to be configured as separate components yet still provide the desired structural flexibility within limited space, molding design of the components is simplified and production and manufacturing costs may be reduced.3. By virtue of the configurations of the rotating plate50and the guide seat30and the engagement therebetween, the rotation of the rotating plate50can be converted to the linear motion of the guide seat30to result in a more efficient use of space for the insertion and ejection of the biosensor strip2. In addition, in virtue of the disposition of the abutment rib29provided for the guide seat30to abut thereagainst, the rotating plate50is ensured to return to the original position with accuracy.4. By virtue of the configurations of the upright tab57of the rotating plate50and the stop surface614of the actuating unit60, the rotation of the rotating plate50is paused to keep the engagement between the anchoring portion42of the anchoring member40and the anchor hole205of the biosensor strip2near the end of ejection process, and to keep the biosensor strip2from being accidentally ejected out of the strip seat20by its inertia of motion.5. By virtue of the position-limiting effect of the guide poles17of the base body10, upward and downward movement of the strip seat20relative to the base body10is maintained with accuracy.6. When the insertion process is completed, the engagement between the positioning pole13of the base body10and the positioning hole207of the biosensor strip2is able to prevent the biosensor strip2from being accidentally pulled out with force.7. By virtue of the manufacturing methods of the main body71, the metallic conducting pieces72and the extending piece73(the main body71is formed by plastic injection molding with the metallic conducting pieces72embedded therein, and the metallic conducting pieces72and the extending pieces73are formed as one piece by stamping sheet-like or reel-like stainless steel or copper), the two metallic conducting pieces72(or the two extending pieces73) are ensured to be spaced apart from each other and are provided with great structural strength.8. By virtue of the slots734and the overall configuration and material property of the extending pieces73, the extending pieces73are provided with great structural strength and rigidity, the connections between each of the sliding ends735of the extending pieces73and the respective signal output ends204of the biosensor strip2are ensured.9. A sleeve structure (surrounding a fastener) at each of the four corners of the base body10allows the base body10to be installed in the housing units of different shapes and models with ease, providing great flexibility for the design of the housing unit.10. Finally, by virtue of the torsion springs74and the configuration of the extending pieces73, the sliding ends735are able to remove any potential oxide layer, passivation layer or foreign objects, thereby avoiding contact interference and ensuring electrical conduction between the extending pieces73and the signal output ends204.