Analyte Sensor Calibration Transfer for Continuous Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional analyte sensors require time-consuming and complex deployment processes, often necessitating a break in monitoring due to the need for manual calibration with blood glucose measurements, and involve lengthy sensor initialization periods.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for automatically initializing and calibrating a new analyte sensor using sensor configuration data from a previously deployed sensor, allowing concurrent operation in an initialization mode to facilitate seamless transition to measurement mode without requiring additional blood samples.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a new analyte sensor is deployed to replace an old sensor, then continuous monitoring can be maintained, but the deployment process is time-consuming and complex requiring manual calibration and lengthy initialization periods

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor deployment efficiencyVSAvoidinitialization time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by having the old sensor generate and transmit calibration data to the new sensor before the old sensor is fully removed. The new sensor enters an initialization mode where it receives pre-calibrated data from the old sensor, allowing the calibration process to begin before the physical replacement is complete. This eliminates the need for waiting during calibration after deployment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses an intermediary device (such as a smartphone or base station) to facilitate data transfer between the old and new sensors. The intermediary receives calibration data from the old sensor and transmits it to the new sensor during the transition period, enabling seamless calibration without direct sensor-to-sensor communication and reducing deployment complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If manual calibration with blood glucose measurements is performed during sensor replacement, then accurate calibration can be achieved, but user interaction increases and the process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalibration accuracyVSAvoiduser interaction requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service calibration by allowing the new sensor to automatically receive and process calibration data from the old sensor without requiring user intervention. The sensors perform the calibration process autonomously through wireless data transfer, eliminating the need for users to perform manual blood glucose measurements or interact with calibration procedures during sensor replacement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a copy of the calibration data from the old sensor and transfers it to the new sensor. Instead of requiring the new sensor to undergo a complete calibration process from scratch, it receives a copy of the calibrated parameters and measurement characteristics from the old sensor, maintaining accuracy while simplifying the replacement process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If the sensor initialization process is extended to ensure proper calibration, then measurement reliability improves, but monitoring continuity is interrupted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor calibration reliabilityVSAvoidmonitoring continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system maintains continuity of useful action by ensuring that calibration data transfer and initialization processes occur without interrupting the monitoring function. The old sensor continues to provide monitoring data during the transition, and the new sensor begins receiving calibration data simultaneously, allowing uninterrupted continuous glucose monitoring throughout the sensor replacement process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary calibration data preparation and transmission during the overlap period when both sensors are active. The old sensor prepares and transmits calibration data to the new sensor before the old sensor is completely removed, ensuring the new sensor is pre-calibrated and ready to take over monitoring duties without creating a gap in coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4114247B1Analyte sensor configuration and calibration based on data collected from a previously used analyte sensor
Publication Date: 2026.03.25 MEDTRONIC MINIMED INC
  • EP4114247B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4114247B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4114247B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A method of automatically initializing an analyte sensor for a user is disclosed here. A first analyte sensor is operated in a first measurement mode to generate first sensor signals indicative of an analyte level of the user. A second analyte sensor is deployed to measure the analyte level of the user, and is operated in an initialization mode, concurrently with operation of the first analyte sensor in the first measurement mode, to receive sensor configuration data generated by the first analyte sensor. During operation of the second analyte sensor in the initialization mode, the second analyte sensor is calibrated with at least some of the received sensor configuration data. After the calibrating, operation of the second analyte sensor is transitioned from the initialization mode to a second measurement mode during which the second analyte sensor generates second sensor signals indicative of the analyte level of the user.