CGM Bias Voltage Circuit Using Dual RC Networks for Low Power

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Solution Overview

Problem

Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) face challenges in achieving high accuracy and low power consumption due to the use of costly components like Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASIC) and Digital Signal Processors (DSP) for generating reference bias voltages, which hinder widespread adoption and increase device cost and size.

Innovation Solution

A circuit design that generates a reference bias voltage using resistor-capacitor (RC) networks and analog-to-digital converters within the circuit itself, eliminating the need for expensive external components, and employs a dual RC network system to achieve fast stabilization and low power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If high accuracy reference components and ASIC/DSP circuits are used to generate reference bias voltage, then measurement precision is improved, but device cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidcircuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the reference bias voltage generation function from expensive external ASIC/DSP components and implements it using simple internal RC networks and operational amplifiers within the ADC circuit itself, eliminating the need for costly external reference components while maintaining measurement accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The ADC circuit is designed to generate its own reference bias voltage using internal RC networks and operational amplifiers, making the circuit self-sufficient and eliminating dependency on external high-cost reference components, thereby reducing overall device complexity and cost

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If high accuracy reference components and ASIC/DSP circuits are used to generate reference bias voltage, then measurement precision is improved, but device cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoiddevice cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive, complex ASIC/DSP reference components with inexpensive RC networks and operational amplifiers that can be easily manufactured and potentially disposed of, significantly reducing device cost while maintaining the necessary measurement accuracy for the application

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Measurement precision

If high accuracy reference components and ASIC/DSP circuits are used to generate reference bias voltage, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes power-hungry ASIC/DSP components from the reference bias voltage generation process and replaces them with low-power RC networks and operational amplifiers, dramatically reducing overall device power consumption while maintaining measurement precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters of the reference bias voltage generation by using RC time constants and operational amplifier configurations that consume significantly less power compared to ASIC/DSP implementations, enabling the device to achieve accurate measurements with lower power consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Measurement precision

If high accuracy reference components and ASIC/DSP circuits are used to generate reference bias voltage, then measurement precision is improved, but device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the reference bias voltage generation functionality from bulky external ASIC/DSP components and implements it using compact RC networks and operational amplifiers integrated within the ADC circuit, significantly reducing device size while maintaining measurement accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the reference bias voltage generation function with the ADC circuit by using shared RC networks and operational amplifiers, eliminating the need for separate external components and reducing overall device volume

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This design achieves high accuracy and low power consumption, allowing for a smaller, more comfortable, and potentially disposable CGM device, reducing overall costs and extending battery life while maintaining precise glucose measurements.

Implementation Method 1

A circuit design that generates a reference bias voltage using resistor-capacitor (RC) networks

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical Resistance: Electrical Resistance

Implementation Method 2

A circuit design that generates a reference bias voltage using resistor-capacitor (RC) networks

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 3

employs a dual RC network system to achieve fast stabilization and low power consumption

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTime constant:

Data Source

PatentEP4110168B1System and apparatus for enabling low power wireless devices
Publication Date: 2025.12.31 GANTON ROBERT BRUCE
  • EP4110168B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4110168B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4110168B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A simplified electronics approach to allow cost, size, and power consumption to be reduced while maintaining state of the art accuracy and reliability, key features for wireless medical devices/systems. Extreme accuracy is achieved by innovative noise shaping and filtering introduced to the electrochemical sensor, before sampling by the analog to digital converter. Introduction of the noise to the electrochemical sensor provides very low power biasing which is necessary to achieve overall reliable and very accurate bias for the electrochemical reaction cell.