Ambient Temperature Determination in Fluid Analyte Meters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Blood glucose meters face inaccuracies in measuring ambient temperature, leading to erroneous glucose concentration readings due to temperature differences between the reagent and internal sensors, and slow response to environmental temperature changes.
Innovation Solution
A fluid-analyte meter equipped with a housing containing a processor, a first temperature sensor inside, and a second temperature sensor on the housing, along with a temperature-adjustment source to create a convective zone, allowing for rapid determination of ambient temperature by adjusting the second sensor to a predetermined steady-state temperature, enabling accurate ambient temperature calculation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a temperature sensor is placed inside the blood glucose meter to measure ambient temperature, then the temperature reading can be obtained, but the reading becomes inaccurate due to temperature differences between the internal sensor and the actual ambient environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a thermal coupling mechanism as an intermediary between the internal temperature sensor and the ambient environment. This allows the sensor to indirectly measure ambient temperature through thermal conduction via the test strip interface, rather than directly exposing the sensor to ambient conditions. The thermal coupling transfers ambient temperature information to the internal sensor while isolating the sensor from direct environmental exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the direct mechanical/exposed temperature sensing approach with an indirect thermal conduction-based measurement system. Instead of placing the sensor directly in the ambient environment, the system uses thermal conduction through the housing and test strip interface to transfer temperature information, substituting direct exposure with a controlled thermal pathway.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the blood glucose meter housing is made thermally insulating to protect internal components, then internal temperature stability is improved, but the response time to environmental temperature changes becomes slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the housing into regions with different thermal properties. Certain portions of the housing are designed with higher thermal conductivity to facilitate rapid temperature sensing, while other portions maintain insulating properties to protect internal components. This segmentation allows simultaneous achievement of fast response time and internal temperature stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different thermal characteristics to different locations within the housing structure. Specific areas are optimized for thermal conduction to enable rapid temperature detection, while maintaining overall thermal insulation where needed. This local differentiation of thermal properties resolves the contradiction between fast response and internal stability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables accurate and rapid determination of ambient temperature, reducing errors in glucose concentration measurements and improving the meter's responsiveness to environmental temperature changes, ensuring precise analyte concentration readings.
Implementation Method 1
A temperature-adjustment source is disposed on the housing. The temperature-adjustment source is configured to create a convective zone about the second temperature sensor.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for rapidly determining ambient temperature in a fluid-analyte meter. The meter includes a housing defining an interior space and an area for receiving a fluid sample. A processor and a first temperature sensor are disposed within the interior space of said the housing. A second temperature sensor is disposed on the housing. One or more processors are configured to determine a first temperature value from temperature data received from the first temperature sensor. The processor(s) are also configured to apply a variable current to a temperature-adjustment source such that the second temperature sensor is adjusted to a predetermined steady-state temperature value different from the first temperature value. The processor(s) are further configured to determine an ambient temperature of an exterior space of the housing based on the applied variable current, pre-determined steady-state temperature, and received first temperature values.