Replaceable Biosensor Cartridge With Integrated Desiccant

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing blood glucose monitoring systems face challenges with large device size, limited number of sensors per package, and increased user handling errors due to multiple replaceable parts, which affect accuracy and cost-effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

A replaceable sensor cartridge system that stores biosensors in a sealed, moisture-impervious environment, allowing for efficient dispensing and minimizing user contact, featuring a desiccant to maintain reagent integrity and a minimal component design for reduced costs and improved accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple replaceable parts are used in the blood glucose monitoring system, then the device functionality is improved, but user handling errors increase and accuracy decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the biosensor, desiccant, and packaging into a single integrated cartridge assembly. This merging eliminates the need for users to handle multiple separate components (biosensor, desiccant packet, packaging), thereby reducing handling errors while maintaining all necessary functionalities for accurate blood glucose measurement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated cartridge serves multiple functions simultaneously: it protects the biosensor from moisture, provides structural support, enables accurate positioning in the meter, and contains all necessary components for a complete testing procedure. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate parts users must handle

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a sealed environment with desiccant is used to protect biosensors, then reagent integrity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereagent integrityVSAvoidpackage structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The desiccant is integrated directly into the cartridge structure rather than being a separate packet that requires handling. This merging of the desiccant function into the cartridge body provides moisture protection without adding separate components, thus maintaining reliability while reducing complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cartridge employs a sealed environment with integrated desiccant that creates a moisture barrier without requiring complex multi-layer packaging. The sealed cartridge design provides adequate protection with a simple, unified structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If biosensors are dispensed with minimal user contact, then user handling errors are reduced, but dispensing mechanism complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoiddispensing mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cartridge is designed to be self-contained and self-positioning. When inserted into the meter, the cartridge automatically positions itself and the biosensor aligns with the meter's receptacle without requiring user manipulation. This self-service design reduces handling errors while keeping the dispensing mechanism simple

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Volume of moving object

If a compact cartridge design is used, then device size is reduced, but sensor capacity per package is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidsensor capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses replaceable cartridges that can be packaged in boxes containing multiple cartridges. Each cartridge maintains a compact size for portability, while the segmented packaging allows users to carry multiple cartridges, effectively increasing the total sensor capacity without increasing the size of individual devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 solution enables a compact, cost-effective, and accurate blood glucose monitoring system with reduced user handling errors and increased sensor capacity, enhancing the reliability and convenience of blood glucose level monitoring.

Implementation Method 1

featuring a desiccant to maintain reagent integrity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

The biosensor draws the blood, via capillary action, inside the biosensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentEP3588086B1Replaceable multistrip cartridge and biosensor meter

Publication Date: 2022.08.03 ASCENSIA DIABETES CARE HLDG AG

Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3E
Figure 3F

AI summary

A replaceable sensor cartridge (100) comprises a frame having a desiccant material (108) and a chamber for accepting a plurality of biosensors (102); a strip picker configured to deploy a top biosensor (412a) from the plurality of biosensors, the strip picker including a flexible pawl (1126) for providing a ratchet action along the top portion (410) of the frame; and an anti-jamming feature including a deflecting portion (1202) attached to a hinge (1204) on the replaceable sensor cartridge and configured to rotate about the hinge to open and provide access to an interior of the replaceable sensor cartridge, the deflecting portion configured to create a temporary allowance of more than one biosensor to clear a jam in the replaceable sensor cartridge.