CGM Sensor Housing Layout for Separate Sterilization and Compact Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems face challenges in reducing the overall footprint of the monitor, ensuring comfortable and secure attachment to the patient's skin, and providing a reliable electrical connection between the sensor and circuitry while allowing for separate sterilization methods that do not damage sensitive components.
Innovation Solution
A vertically oriented electrical connection between the sensor and electrical circuitry, with separate sterilization processes for the sensor and insertion shaft using electron or gamma beams, and chemical sterilization for the circuitry, respectively, along with a reduced housing design for comfort and security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sensor housing is designed to allow separate sterilization of sensor and insertion shaft, then sterilization effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor housing is segmented into multiple components: a sensor receiving portion that accepts the sensor, an insertion shaft receiving portion that accepts the insertion shaft, and sealing surfaces that create distinct sterilizable zones. This segmentation allows the sensor and insertion shaft to be sterilized separately using electron or gamma beams without exposing sensitive circuitry, while the housing itself provides structural integration
Solution Approach 2:
The sensitive electrical circuitry and processing components are extracted from the sterilization path by positioning them in the processing portion that remains outside the sensor housing during sterilization. The sensor housing contains only the sensor and insertion shaft components that require sterilization, separating them from electronic components that cannot withstand sterilization conditions
2Area of stationary object
If the CGM system footprint is reduced for comfort and discretion, then wearability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is nested within the sensor housing, which is then nested within the insertion shaft assembly. The sensor housing contains the sensor in a dedicated receiving portion with precise sealing surfaces that mate with the insertion shaft. This nested arrangement minimizes the overall footprint while maintaining precise sealing interfaces through concentric positioning and interference-fit connections
Solution Approach 2:
The housing design concentrates manufacturing precision requirements at specific localized sealing surfaces rather than across the entire structure. The sealing surfaces at the interface between sensor housing and insertion shaft are precision-machined with tight tolerances, while other portions of the housing can be manufactured with standard tolerances, balancing precision requirements with manufacturing feasibility
3Reliability
If the sensor housing provides secure attachment to skin, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor housing combines multiple functions into a single integrated component: it provides structural support for the sensor, creates sealing interfaces with the insertion shaft, houses the sensor in a protected receiving portion, and enables skin attachment through adhesive surfaces on the processing portion. This merging reduces the number of separate components while maintaining attachment security
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 achieves a more comfortable, secure, and discrete CGM system with reduced footprint, enabling effective glucose monitoring and allowing for separate sterilization methods that protect sensitive components.
Implementation Method 1
separate sterilization processes for the sensor and insertion shaft using electron or gamma beams
Implementation Method 2
separate sterilization processes for the sensor and insertion shaft using electron or gamma beams
Implementation Method 3
a first end having a sealing surface configured to seal against an introducer having an insertion shaft, a second end having a sealing surface configured to seal against an insertion shaft cover
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A~4
AI summary
A sensor apparatus for a continuous glucose monitoring system has a sensor housing that includes a first end having a sealing surface configured to seal against an introducer having an insertion shaft, a second end having a sealing surface configured to seal against an insertion shaft cover, and an insertion shaft opening having a width that allows the insertion shaft to travel there through and that extends between the first and second ends. The sensor housing may further include a sensor wire channel that extends between the insertion shaft opening and a sensor wire contact location in an outer surface of the sensor housing. The sensor wire channel and sensor wire contact location may be configured to receive a sensor that extends between the insertion shaft opening and the sensor wire contact location to allow the sensor to make electrical contact to system circuitry. Numerous other aspects are provided.