Analyte Measurement System Recording User Menu Choices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Patients with diabetes face challenges in managing their blood glucose levels due to the complexity and inconvenience of existing glucose monitoring and insulin delivery systems, which can lead to discouragement and ineffective use, especially for those requiring frequent attention and multiple injections.

Innovation Solution

An integrated analyte-monitoring and drug-delivery system that includes a drug delivery device connected to a controller via RF communication, an amperometric electrochemical sensor for analyte measurement, and a user interface for menu choices, allowing for near-real-time monitoring and automated insulin calculations, with the option for separate or integrated devices and network connectivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If patients use traditional syringes or insulin pens for multiple daily injections, then insulin delivery is achieved, but patient convenience and ease of operation deteriorate due to frequent self-administration requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of insulin deliveryVSAvoidcomplexity of injection system
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automated insulin delivery where the drug delivery device automatically administers insulin based on sensor data and programmed parameters, eliminating the need for patients to manually administer multiple daily injections. The device serves itself by autonomously making delivery decisions based on glucose monitoring data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the glucose sensor, controller, and drug delivery device into an integrated system that automatically processes glucose data and delivers insulin without requiring separate manual actions for monitoring and injection. This merging of functions reduces operational complexity for the patient.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Measurement precision

If patients use episodic blood glucose measurement, then glycemic control monitoring is achieved, but patient burden and time requirements increase due to regular manual attention

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblood glucose monitoring accuracyVSAvoidtime for regular monitoring
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from episodic manual glucose measurement to continuous automated monitoring. The sensor continuously measures interstitial fluid glucose levels and transmits data to the controller, which automatically processes the information and triggers insulin delivery when needed, eliminating the need for patients to perform repeated manual measurements throughout the day.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Reliability

If glucose monitoring systems become more complex to provide continuous monitoring, then monitoring capability improves, but ease of operation deteriorates making it difficult for patients to use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous glucose monitoringVSAvoidease of meter usage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The controller automatically processes continuous sensor data, compares glucose levels against target ranges, and autonomously decides when and how much insulin to deliver. This self-service capability eliminates the need for patients to manually analyze glucose data or make complex decisions, maintaining high reliability while preserving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Ease of operation

If automated insulin delivery is implemented, then ease of operation improves by reducing patient burden, but device complexity increases due to integration of sensor and delivery systems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of treatment managementVSAvoidcomplexity of integrated system
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the glucose sensor, controller with decision-making algorithms, and drug delivery mechanism into a single automated system. This merging consolidates multiple complex functions into one coordinated device that patients simply wear or carry, improving ease of operation despite the inherent complexity of the integrated components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The controller serves multiple functions: receiving sensor data, processing glucose measurements, comparing against target ranges, calculating insulin doses, and controlling drug delivery. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate devices and manual operations into a single automated unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

The system simplifies glucose management by providing automated insulin delivery and monitoring, reducing the burden on patients and improving adherence to treatment plans through user-friendly interfaces and incentives for regular monitoring.

Implementation Method 1

an amperometric electrochemical sensor for analyte measurement

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAmperometric electrochemical reaction:

Data Source

PatentEP3014499B1Analyte-measurement system recording user menu choices
Publication Date: 2019.07.24 LIFESCAN SCOTLAND
  • EP3014499B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3014499B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3014499B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An analyte measurement system includes a processor connected to a biosensor providing analyte data corresponding to an analyte level of a fluid sample. A user interface provides a menu of functions to a user and successively receives a plurality of menu choices, which the processor records. A storage device holds data defining a first action criterion. The processor compares the menu choices to the first action criterion. When the stored menu choices satisfy the first action criterion, the processor can automatically add a first additional function to the menu of functions, or can automatically presents a reward token via the user interface. The system can also include a housing holding the user interface, the storage device, and the processor. Methods are also disclosed.