Antimicrobial Sensor Assembly for Extended On-Body Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
On-body analyte sensors face challenges due to microorganism incursion at the insertion site and along the sensor, leading to potential infection, biofilm formation, and erroneous analyte measurements, which can affect sensor functionality and accuracy during extended wear.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of antimicrobial agents into the sensor's surface or bulk material, such as silver, copper, or their oxides, to prevent microbial colonization and interference, using methods like coating, impregnation, or overmolding, ensuring stable connectivity and accurate analyte measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If on-body analyte sensors are worn for extended periods, then continuous health monitoring capability is improved, but microorganism incursion and biofilm formation increase, leading to infection risk and measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by incorporating antimicrobial agents into the sensor components before they come into contact with the skin. The antimicrobial agents are pre-loaded in the mount and plug assembly, creating a protective barrier that prevents microorganism incursion at the insertion site before the sensor is worn. This proactive approach addresses the contradiction by establishing defense mechanisms in advance, allowing extended wear duration while mitigating the harmful effects of microorganism exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses antimicrobial agents as intermediaries between the sensor system and the external environment (microorganisms). These agents are incorporated into the extracorporeal portions of the sensor, acting as a mediating layer that prevents direct contact between microorganisms and the sensor insertion site. This intermediary approach enables continuous monitoring over extended periods while blocking the transmission of harmful microbial factors.
2Reliability
If antimicrobial agents are incorporated into sensor components, then protection against microorganism growth is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the antimicrobial protection function with the existing sensor components (mount and plug assembly) rather than adding separate protective devices. The antimicrobial agents are integrated directly into the materials composing these components, combining structural and protective functions in a single unified design. This merging approach improves reliability against infection while minimizing increases in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials that combine the base sensor component materials with antimicrobial agents. The antimicrobial substances are incorporated into polymers, coatings, or other materials used in the mount and plug assembly, creating composite structures that simultaneously provide mechanical support and antimicrobial protection. This use of composite materials enhances reliability while managing complexity through material-level integration rather than structural additions.
3Reliability
If antimicrobial agents are applied to sensor surfaces, then microstatic and antimicrobial properties are improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating antimicrobial agents during the manufacturing process itself, rather than requiring post-manufacturing application. The agents are mixed into or bonded to the sensor components during fabrication, ensuring uniform distribution before the components are assembled. This preliminary incorporation reduces the need for precise post-manufacturing coating operations, thereby maintaining reliability while managing manufacturing precision requirements.
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 antimicrobial treatment reduces the risk of infection and biofilm formation, maintaining sensor functionality and accuracy over extended wear periods by preventing chemical and physical disturbances, thus ensuring reliable analyte monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
at least a portion of a surface of the sensor control device includes an antimicrobial agent
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor control device and methods of making them are described. The sensor control device includes an electronics housing and a plug assembly. The electronics housing includes an upper shell matable to a lower mount having a skin-facing surface. The plug assembly is coupled to the electronics housing and includes a sensor module that has a sensor and a sharp module having a sharp. The plug assembly includes a base having a skin-facing surface and a plug portion comprising a lumen therethrough. At least a portion of a surface of the electronics housing or the plug assembly comprises an antimicrobial agent. The antimicrobial agent may be a metal and/or a metal oxide.