Mintchev, MartinYadid-Pecht, OrlyBerka, Martin2017-10-032017-10-0320172017http://hdl.handle.net/11023/4199This thesis concerns the design, prototyping and testing of a series of compact electromechanical actuators for drawing capillary blood for analysis by the e-Mosquito wearable, autonomous glucose monitoring system for diabetes. All the designs used contracting shape memory alloy wires, fixed geometry and millimetre-scale moving parts, primarily to extend a disposable lancet needle from the device and into the skin. The lancet was to enter the skin at an acute angle that increased to 90° at full extension, with the goal of increasing blood flow. Attention was paid to isolation and replaceability of external parts, improving manufacturability and increasing actuator power. Satisfactory control and extension of the lancet along the intended path were achieved, leading to the conclusion that the increased elastic response of skin makes angled needle insertion impractical and to the investigation of other techniques for blood sampling with autonomous devices.engUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.Medicine and SurgeryPublic HealthEngineering--BiomedicalEngineering--Electronics and ElectricalEngineering--Mechanicalelectromechanical actuatorsblood samplingdiabetesnitinolskin lancingneedlesglucose monitoringShape Memory Alloywearablerapid prototypingdesignmaster thesis10.11575/PRISM/25862