Analyte Sensor Circuit With Series Components for Current Safety
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing analyte sensors, particularly glucose sensors, lack adequate safety measures to prevent uncontrolled current flow through a patient when electrodes are inserted or implanted, posing potential risks.
Innovation Solution
An electronic circuit design with a common potential conductor section and multiple series-connected electronic components in common potential connection paths ensures controlled current flow, limiting current to a predefined threshold even in the event of component failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If voltage is applied to operate the analyte sensor, then measurement function is enabled, but uncontrolled current flow through the patient may occur causing safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The common potential connection path is segmented into multiple series-connected components (first component, second component, third component) between the second electrical connection and the common potential conductor section. This segmentation ensures that even if one or two components fail, the remaining components continue to limit current flow through the patient to safe levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit design incorporates redundant series-connected components in advance to cushion against potential failures. By configuring at least three series-connected components beforehand, the system prepares protective measures that automatically activate upon component failure, limiting harmful current flow without requiring active intervention.
2Reliability
If multiple series-connected components are added to limit current, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The series-connected components in the common potential connection path serve multiple functions: they provide normal circuit operation during healthy conditions and automatically limit current flow when failures occur. This multi-functionality allows the same components to serve both operational and safety roles, reducing the need for separate protective devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The current-limiting function is merged into the common potential connection path itself by incorporating series-connected components directly into the ground connection. This integration combines the normal operational pathway with the safety protection mechanism, eliminating the need for separate parallel protection circuits.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention refers to an electronic circuit configured to operate an analyte sensor, such as a glucose sensor, the circuit having at least a first and a second electrical connection configured to be connected to a first and a second electrode of the analyte sensor respectively, wherein the electronic circuit has a voltage source and a common potential conductor section electrically provided on a potential of a pole of the voltage source, wherein with the voltage source an electric potential different to the potential of the common potential conductor section can be provided to the first electrical connection; and wherein the second electrical connection is connected to the common potential conductor section through one or more common potential connection paths and wherein none of the common potential connection paths connects the second electrical connection to the common potential conductor section through fewer than three or more series-connected electronic components.