Analyte Calibration Using Capillary-to-Venous Conversion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current analyte monitoring systems, such as continuous glucose monitors, face challenges in accurately calibrating calculated blood analyte levels due to discrepancies between capillary and venous blood measurements, leading to inaccuracies in glycemic control for diabetes management.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that uses a transceiver to receive sensor data, calculate analyte levels using a conversion function, and updates this function with capillary blood measurements as reference to minimize errors by converting them into estimated venous blood levels, employing a model that optimizes the fit between calculated and actual blood analyte levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If capillary blood measurements are used for calibration, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to discrepancies between capillary and venous blood analyte levels

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of obtaining reference measurementVSAvoidaccuracy of calculated blood analyte levels
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary conversion model that translates capillary blood analyte measurements into estimated venous blood analyte levels. This mediator accounts for the physiological differences between capillary and venous blood compartments, allowing the system to use easily obtainable capillary measurements while achieving the precision required for venous blood analyte level estimation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the calibration approach by changing the parameter being measured. Instead of directly using capillary blood analyte levels for calibration, the system converts these measurements into estimated venous blood analyte levels using a conversion function that accounts for the differences in analyte levels between the two blood types. This parameter transformation resolves the contradiction by maintaining ease of measurement while achieving venous-level precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If venous blood measurements are used for calibration, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to invasive procedures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of reference analyte measurementsVSAvoidcomplexity of reference measurement procedure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses capillary blood measurements as an intermediary substitute for direct venous blood measurements. The conversion model acts as a mediator that translates the simpler capillary measurement into an accurate estimate of venous blood analyte levels, avoiding the need for complex venous puncture procedures while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a computational copy of the venous blood analyte level estimation process. Instead of directly measuring venous blood, the system uses a conversion function to generate an estimated copy of what the venous level would be based on capillary measurements, simplifying the measurement process while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Measurement precision

If conversion function is frequently updated with new calibration points, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to additional calibration procedures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of conversion functionVSAvoidtime for calibration procedures
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses readily available capillary blood measurements as computational copies for calibration, eliminating the need for time-consuming venous blood draws. The conversion function processes these quick capillary measurements to update the calibration, maintaining precision improvement while minimizing time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the calibration parameter from venous blood analyte levels to capillary blood analyte levels, which can be obtained quickly and frequently. The conversion function then translates these rapid capillary measurements into accurate venous level estimates, allowing frequent calibration updates without the time penalty of venous procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4064988B1Methods and systems for reducing difference between calculated and measured analyte levels
Publication Date: 2026.01.21 SENSEONICS INC
  • EP4064988B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4064988B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4064988B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Systems, methods, and apparatuses for reducing error between calculated analyte levels and impractical analyte measurements using practical analyte measurements as reference measurements for calibration. Reducing the error may include converting a practical reference analyte measurement into an estimated impractical analyte level, updating a conversion function using the estimated impractical analyte level, and using the updated conversion function to calculate an analyte level. In some embodiments, the practical reference analyte measurement may be a capillary blood analyte measurement, and the estimated impractical analyte level may be an estimated venous blood analyte level. In some embodiments, the updated conversion function may minimize the error between analyte levels calculated using the updated conversion function and estimated venous blood analyte levels.