Analyte Monitoring Devices

Abstract

The present invention relates to an analyte monitoring device, characterized by including an upper housing, a sensor unit inserted into the body, a PCB unit spaced apart from the upper housing and on which the sensor unit is mounted, an antenna unit formed in the upper housing, and a conductive unit disposed between the PCB unit and the antenna unit to conduct electricity between the PCB unit and the antenna unit.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to analyte monitoring devices, and more particularly to devices inserted into the body for monitoring analytes. [Background technology]

[0002] The material described in this section is merely intended to provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

[0003] In recent years, people have become more easily exposed to simple sugars due to the increasing preference for processed foods. This environment has also led to a rapid increase in diabetes. If blood sugar levels drop or rise suddenly, diabetics may go into shock, which may even lead to death in rare cases. This makes it necessary for diabetics to continuously monitor their blood sugar levels.

[0004] In conventional blood glucose meters, a lancet is used to make an incision in the fingertip, and the diabetic's blood that flows through the incision is then inserted into a blood glucose analyzer to calculate blood glucose levels.

[0005] This type of blood glucose meter causes pain and fear to the user, and it is practically difficult to prick your finger and draw blood every hour.

[0006] To solve these problems, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices were developed. By attaching a thin sensor and an electronic device for analyzing the analyte (hereinafter referred to as "blood glucose") measured by the sensor to the skin of a diabetic patient, blood glucose can be continuously measured for a period of one week to ten days.

[0007] A continuous glucose monitoring device is inserted into the skin and can continuously measure blood glucose using a sensor installed in the device. Efforts have been made to miniaturize continuous glucose monitoring devices so that they can be inserted into the skin. However, conventional continuous glucose monitoring devices have a problem in that it is difficult to control the strength and signal characteristics of the antenna during the miniaturization process. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Korean Patent Registration No. 10-2566020 (2023.08.10.) [Patent Document 2] Korean Patent Registration No. 10-2593526 (2023.10.19.) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] The present invention aims to provide an analyte monitoring device that obtains a user's blood glucose information by ensuring antenna strength and signal characteristics through an antenna portion formed separately from the PCB portion.

[0010] The problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The analyte monitoring device according to the present invention includes: an upper housing; a sensor unit that is inserted into the body; a PCB unit that is spaced apart from the upper housing and to which the sensor unit is attached; an antenna unit formed on the upper housing; and a conductive unit that is located between the PCB unit and the antenna unit and that electrically connects the PCB unit and the antenna unit.

[0012] The upper housing has a first opening formed therein, and the first opening is provided with a fixing portion that engages with the sensor portion, and the fixing portion may include a holder that covers a portion of the first opening and engages with the sensor portion, and a packing holder that covers the remaining portion of the first opening and engages with the holder.

[0013] The packing holder may include a packing holder sensor fixing portion formed to a width corresponding to a width of the sensor portion, and the holder may include a holder sensor fixing portion formed to a width corresponding to the width of the sensor portion.

[0014] The packing holder may further include a packing holder protrusion formed with a protruding structure at one end of the packing holder, and the holder may further include a holder insert formed with a structure corresponding to the packing holder protrusion.

[0015] The packing holder may be made of a rubber material.

[0016] The antenna portion may have a predetermined pattern formed by a laser direct structuring (LDS) method.

[0017] The sensor unit may include a sensor body unit coupled to the PCB unit; and a sensor insertion unit extending perpendicularly from the sensor body unit and inserted into the body.

[0018] The conductive portion may include an antenna contact portion that contacts the antenna portion; a PCB contact portion that is arranged parallel to the antenna contact portion and contacts the PCB portion; and a conductive connecting portion that connects the antenna contact portion and the PCB contact portion.

[0019] The sensor may further include a lower housing that engages with the upper housing, that is aligned with the first opening, and that includes at least one second opening through which a portion of the sensor portion passes. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] The analyte monitoring device according to the present invention has a sensor unit inserted into the body to continuously monitor the user's blood glucose information, thereby enabling the user's physical information to be monitored in real time.

[0021] The analyte monitoring device according to the present invention can ensure antenna strength and signal characteristics by using the antenna unit formed separately from the PCB unit, and can transmit and receive blood glucose information measured by the sensor unit to an external device.

[0022] In the analyte monitoring device according to the present invention, the fixing portion can fix the sensor so that the sensor does not move even when the sensor is inserted into the body.

[0023] In the analyte monitoring device according to the present invention, the packing holder is made of a rubber material, which increases friction when the analyte monitoring device is attached to the body using an applicator to prevent the analyte monitoring device from rotating, and allows holes made by the applicator needle to automatically return to their original shape through the rubber material. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of an analyte monitoring device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of an analyte monitoring device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is an exploded perspective view of an analyte monitoring device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an antenna part pattern according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the interior of an analyte monitoring device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 is an internal cross-sectional view of an analyte monitoring device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7]10 is an enlarged view showing a state in which a conductive portion according to an embodiment of the present invention is in contact with an antenna portion and a PCB portion. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view showing a fixing part according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. When assigning reference numerals to components in each drawing, it should be noted that the same components are assigned the same numerals as much as possible even if they are displayed in different drawings. Furthermore, when describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of related known structures or functions would obscure the gist of the present disclosure, the detailed description will be omitted.

[0026] In describing components of the embodiments of the present disclosure, symbols such as 1, 2, i), ii), a), b) may be used. Such symbols are merely used to distinguish the component from other components, and do not limit the essence, order, or sequence of the components. In the specification, when a part is described as "including" or "comprising" a certain component, this does not mean that other components are excluded, but that other components may also be included, unless clearly stated to the contrary.

[0027] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an analyte monitoring device according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of an analyte monitoring device according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an analyte monitoring device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] 1 to 3, the analyte monitoring device according to this embodiment includes an upper housing 100, a sensor unit 200, a PCB unit 300, an antenna unit 400, and a conductive unit 500.

[0029] Upper housing 100 can protect the internal components of the analyte monitoring device. Upper housing 100 is pressurized by an applicator, i.e., a tool to which the analyte monitoring device is attached, so that sensor unit 200 of the analyte monitoring device is inserted into the user's body, and the analyte monitoring device is attached to the body by the pressure. Upper housing 100 is preferably made of a synthetic resin, for example, plastic, but is not limited thereto and can be made of various materials.

[0030] The sensor unit 200 measures an analyte in the body. The analyte measured by the sensor unit 200 may include biological substances such as glucose. The sensor unit 200 is attached to the PCB unit 300 (described later) to measure the analyte, and the measured information can be transmitted to and received from an external device via the PCB unit 300 (described later) and the antenna unit 400 (described later).

[0031] Referring to FIG. 3, the sensor unit 200 may include a sensor body 210 and a sensor insert 220 .

[0032] The sensor body 210 is a part of the sensor unit 200 that is coupled to the PCB unit 300. The sensor body 210 can transmit a sensor detection signal measured by the sensor insertion unit 220 (described later) to the PCB unit 300. Although the sensor body 210 is shown in a hexahedron shape in FIG. 3, it is not limited thereto and can be manufactured in various shapes.

[0033] The sensor insertion part 220 is a part of the sensor unit that is inserted into the body to measure information on internal analytes. The sensor insertion part 220 is inserted into the body to measure information on internal analytes, such as glucose, and the measured information is transmitted to the PCB part 300 through the sensor body part 210. The sensor insertion part 220 extends vertically downward from the sensor body part 210 and can be inserted perpendicular to the skin surface. If the sensor insertion part 220 does not extend perpendicular to the sensor body part 210, the sensor part 200 (specifically, the connection part between the sensor body part and the sensor insertion part) may bend during pressure application by the applicator, which may damage the fine electrodes formed in the sensor part 200. Because the sensor insertion part 220 of the present invention extends vertically from the sensor body part 210, the connection part between the sensor insertion part 220 and the sensor body part 210 does not bend during pressure application by the applicator, thereby preventing damage to the sensor provided in the sensor insertion part 220.

[0034] The PCB unit 300 is spaced apart from the upper housing 100 and electrically connects the components mounted on the PCB unit 300 to the sensor unit 200. The sensor unit 200 is mounted on the PCB unit 300. Information about the analyte measured by the sensor unit 200 (which may be in the form of an electrical signal) is transmitted to the PCB unit 300, which processes the transmitted electrical signal in a predetermined manner. While the PCB unit 300 is shown in FIG. 3 as a circle, it is not limited thereto and may be formed in various shapes.

[0035] A PCB pad 310 may be provided between the lower part of the PCB unit 300 and a lower housing 700 (described later). The PCB pad 310 can prevent damage to the PCB unit 300 due to impact. The PCB pad 310 can be made of various materials capable of absorbing impact, such as rubber.

[0036] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an antenna part pattern according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] 3 and 4, the antenna unit 400 is formed on the inner surface of the upper housing 100 and transmits and receives processed electrical signals (i.e., information related to blood glucose) to and from an external device. An electrical signal corresponding to analyte information measured by the sensor unit 200 is transmitted to the PCB unit 300, and a conductive unit 500 (described later) energizes the PCB unit 300 and the antenna unit 400. Analyte information can be transmitted and received to and from an external device through the PCB unit 300 and the energized antenna unit 400. The method of transmitting and receiving analyte information to and from an external device preferably uses electromagnetic waves in the mmVe or ISM band, but is not limited thereto, and various transmission and reception methods can be used.

[0038] The antenna unit 400 may be formed with a predetermined pattern using a laser direct structuring (LDS) method. The LDS method is a method of selectively processing a pattern on a thermoplastic resin using a laser, followed by a plating process to ensure electrical properties and reliability. The antenna unit 400 may be formed with a predetermined pattern on a portion of the side of the PCB unit 300 of the upper housing 100 using the LDS method. Generally, when an antenna is integrated with a PCB in the process of miniaturizing a continuous blood glucose monitoring device, it is difficult to adjust the antenna strength and signal characteristics. In the present invention, the antenna unit 400 is formed separately from the upper housing 100, and a predetermined pattern is processed on the upper housing 100 using the LDS method to ensure appropriate antenna strength and signal characteristics. While the pattern of the antenna unit 400 is formed in an "F" shape or a "X" shape in FIG. 4 , it is not limited thereto and may be formed in various patterns.

[0039] Figure 5 is an oblique view showing the inside of an analyte monitoring device according to one embodiment of the present invention, Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the inside of an analyte monitoring device according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 7 is an enlarged view showing the state in which the conductive part according to one embodiment of the present invention is in contact with the antenna part and the PCB part.

[0040] 5 to 7, the conductive part 500 is disposed between the PCB part 300 and the antenna part 400, and allows electricity to flow between the PCB part 300 and the antenna part 400. The conductive part 500 may contact the antenna part 400 formed in the upper housing 100 as well as the PCB part 300. Since the conductive part 500 contacts the antenna part 400 and the PCB part 300 simultaneously, an electrical signal from the PCB part 300 can be transmitted to the antenna part 400. The conductive part 500 may be various parts made of a conductor, and may be, for example, a C-clip, conductive rubber, etc.

[0041] The conductive portion 500 may include an antenna contact portion 510 , a PCB contact portion 520 and a conductive coupling portion 530 .

[0042] The antenna contact portion 510 is a portion of the conductive portion 500 that comes into contact with the antenna portion 400. The antenna contact portion 510 does not need to come into contact with the entire pattern of the antenna portion 400, and can conduct electricity between the PCB portion 300 and the antenna portion 400 even when it comes into contact with only a portion of the pattern of the antenna portion 400.

[0043] The PCB contact portion 520 is disposed parallel to the antenna contact portion 510 and is the portion of the conductive portion 500 that contacts the PCB portion 300. The PCB contact portion 520 is disposed parallel to the antenna contact portion 510, thereby minimizing the distance between the upper housing 100 and the PCB portion 300, thereby reducing the size of the analyte monitoring device. As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the antenna contact portion 510 and the PCB contact portion 520 may have a hexahedral shape, but are not limited thereto and may be embodied in various shapes.

[0044] The conductive connecting portion 530 is a portion that connects the antenna contact portion 510 and the PCB contact portion 520. Referring to Figures 5 to 7, the conductive connecting portion 530 may have a curved shape, but is not limited thereto and may be implemented in various shapes.

[0045] FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view showing a fixing part according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 8, a first opening 110 is formed in the upper housing 100, and a fixing part 600 to be coupled with the sensor part 200 is installed in the first opening 110.

[0047] The fixing part 600 is coupled with the sensor part 200 to prevent the sensor part 200 from moving, and may include a holder 610 and a packing holder 620 .

[0048] The holder 610 partially covers the first opening 110 formed in the upper housing 100 and is coupled to the sensor unit 200 to prevent the sensor unit 200 from moving. The holder 610 has a larger diameter than the packing holder 620, which will be described later, and is coupled to the packing holder 620, which will be described later.

[0049] The holder 610 may include a holder sensor fixing portion 611 and a holder inserting portion 612 .

[0050] The holder sensor fixing part 611 is recessed on one side of the outer surface of the holder sensor fixing part 611 to a width corresponding to the width of the sensor unit 200, and the sensor unit 200 can be inserted into the holder sensor fixing part 611 to fix the sensor unit 200. The holder sensor fixing part 611 fixes the sensor unit 200 inserted into the body so that it does not move under normal circumstances, allowing the user to safely use the analyte monitoring device.

[0051] The holder insertion part 612 is formed in a groove shape with a structure corresponding to a packing holder protrusion part 622 described later, and can be formed so that a packing holder 620 described later can be fixed.

[0052] The packing holder 620 covers the remaining portion of the first opening 110 and can be coupled to the holder 610. A needle incorporated into the applicator passes through the packing holder 620 and is pressurized. The packing holder 620 can be made of a rubber material. If the packing holder 620 is made of rubber, it can increase the frictional force with the needle incorporated into the applicator and prevent the needle from rotating during the process of attaching the analyte monitoring device to the body. Furthermore, if the packing holder 620 is made of rubber, it can recover and fill a hole formed by the needle incorporated into the applicator using the elasticity of the rubber. However, the packing holder 620 is not necessarily limited to a rubber material and can be made of various materials that can perform the functions of preventing rotation or filling a hole.

[0053] The packing holder 620 may include a packing holder sensor fixing portion 621 and a packing holder protrusion 622. The packing holder sensor fixing portion 621 is formed to have a width corresponding to the width of the sensor unit 200 and may fix the sensor unit 200. The packing holder protrusion 622 is formed as a protrusion structure at one end of the packing holder 620 and may connect the packing holder 620 to the holder 610.

[0054] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the packing holder 620 is described as being coupled to the holder 610, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the holder 610 and the packing holder 620 may be manufactured as a single unit. In this case, the holder 610 and the packing holder 620 may be manufactured using a double injection method.

[0055] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the analyte monitoring device may further include a lower housing 700.

[0056] The lower housing 700 is coupled to the upper housing 100 and may include at least one second opening 710 aligned with the first opening 110 and through which a portion of the sensor passes. When the sensor unit 200 is worn, the sensor unit 200 passes through the second opening 710 formed in the lower housing 700, exposing at least the sensor insertion portion 220 to the outside. The lower housing 700 is the surface that comes into contact with the body and is made of a material that can be deformed to fit the body. The outer surface of the lower housing 700 is embodied as an adhesive surface coated with an adhesive, allowing the analyte monitoring device to be attached to the surface of the body.

[0057] 3 and 5, the analyte monitoring device may further include a battery 800 and a battery connector 810.

[0058] Battery 800 may be coupled to PCB portion 300 to provide power to the analyte monitoring device. While a circular battery is shown in Figures 3 and 5, this is not limiting and various battery shapes may be used.

[0059] The battery connecting member 810 is coupled to the battery 800 and the PCB unit 300 and can supply power from the battery 800 to the PCB unit 300. The battery connecting member 810 is not limited to the shape shown in FIG. 3 and can be implemented in various shapes. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 100: Upper housing 110: First opening 200: Sensor section 210: Sensor body 220: Sensor insertion part 300:PCB section 310: PCB pad 400: Antenna section 500: Conductive part 510: Antenna contact part 520:PCB contact part 530: Conductive connection part 600: Fixed part 610: Holder 611: Holder sensor fixing part 612: Holder insertion part 621: Packing holder sensor fixing part 622: Packing holder protrusion 620: Packing holder 700: Lower housing 710: Second opening 800: Battery 810: Battery connecting member

Claims

1. Upper housing; A sensor part that is inserted into the body; a PCB portion disposed on the upper housing and spaced apart from the upper housing, the PCB portion having the sensor portion mounted thereon; an antenna portion formed on the upper housing; and an electrically conductive portion disposed between the PCB portion and the antenna portion, for conducting electricity between the PCB portion and the antenna portion.

2. The upper housing has a first opening formed therein; a fixing portion that engages with the sensor portion is provided in the first opening; The fixing portion is a holder that partially covers the first opening and engages with the sensor portion; and 10. The analyte monitoring device of claim 1, further comprising: a packing holder that covers a remaining portion of the first opening and engages with the holder.

3. the packing holder includes a packing holder sensor fixing portion formed to a width corresponding to a width of the sensor portion, The analyte monitoring device of claim 2 , wherein the holder includes a holder sensor fixing portion having a width corresponding to a width of the sensor portion.

4. The packing holder further includes a packing holder protrusion formed at one end of the packing holder with a protruding structure, The analyte monitoring device of claim 3 , wherein the holder further comprises a holder insert formed in a structure corresponding to the packing holder protrusion.

5. The analyte monitoring device of claim 2 , wherein the packing holder is made of a rubber material.

6. The analyte monitoring device of claim 1 , wherein the antenna unit has a predetermined pattern formed by a laser direct structuring (LDS) method.

7. The sensor unit a sensor body coupled to the PCB portion; and The analyte monitoring device of claim 1 , further comprising: a sensor insert portion extending perpendicularly from the sensor body portion and adapted for insertion into a body.

8. The conductive portion is an antenna contact portion that contacts the antenna portion; a PCB contact portion arranged parallel to the antenna contact portion and in contact with the PCB portion; and 10. The analyte monitoring device of claim 1, further comprising: a conductive connection connecting the antenna contact and the PCB contact.

9. 10. The analyte monitoring device of claim 1, further comprising: a lower housing engaging the upper housing, aligning with the first opening, and including at least one second opening through which a portion of the sensor portion passes.

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