Continuous Glucose Monitoring Working Wire With Shape-Memory Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional continuous glucose monitoring systems are costly due to the need for frequent replacement of disposable sensors, and existing working wires made of tantalum deform permanently under stress, leading to increased expenses and reduced reliability.
Innovation Solution
The use of cobalt-chromium (Co—Cr) or Nitinol alloy substrates with a platinum layer and a biological membrane for the working wire, which are designed to return to a straight shape after being wound, reducing manufacturing costs and ensuring durability and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If tantalum is used as the substrate material for the working wire, then the wire can be pressed into the skin without bending, but the wire deforms permanently when placed under stress or wrapped onto a spool
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters by transitioning from tantalum to Nitinol alloy, which possesses shape memory properties. This allows the wire to return to its original straight configuration after being wound or bent, eliminating permanent deformation while maintaining sufficient stiffness for skin insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The working wire is constructed as a composite structure with a Nitinol alloy substrate providing shape memory and structural support, combined with a platinum coating layer that provides electrochemical functionality. This composite design achieves both mechanical reliability and sensing performance.
2Reliability
If disposable sensors are frequently replaced, then continuous glucose monitoring can be maintained, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters by using Nitinol alloy with shape memory properties, which allows the sensor to be wound for compact storage and then automatically return to its straight configuration during insertion. This eliminates the need for complex disposable inserters and reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining continuous monitoring capability.
3Ease of operation
If the working wire is wound onto a spool for storage and distribution, then ease of handling is improved, but the wire retains curvature and fails to return to its original straight shape
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters by selecting Nitinol alloy with shape memory properties. This material can be wound onto spools for convenient storage and distribution, then automatically returns to its original straight configuration when deployed, eliminating permanent curvature retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The working wire is pre-configured with shape memory properties during manufacturing, allowing it to be wound for storage while maintaining the capability to return to its original straight shape when needed for insertion.
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 new working wire design provides cost-effective, durable, and flexible sensors that maintain straightness during insertion, enhancing patient comfort and sensor accuracy while reducing the need for disposable inserters.
Implementation Method 1
The substrate comprises cobalt-chromium (Co—Cr) alloy or Nitinol alloy. The substrate is unrolled from the wound position, and the substrate is allowed to transition from the wound position to a linear position.
Implementation Method 2
designed to return to a straight shape after being wound
Implementation Method 3
A platinum layer is provided on the substrate, and the platinum layer comprises platinum
Implementation Method 4
A membrane layer is applied over the platinum layer, and the membrane layer comprises a biological membrane
Data Source
AI summary
A method of manufacturing a working wire for a continuous glucose monitoring sensor includes receiving a substrate in a wound configuration. The substrate consists of a cobalt-chromium (Co—Cr) alloy. The substrate is unwound from the wound configuration. The substrate is allowed to naturally transition to a straight, linear configuration. A platinum layer is formed on the substrate. A membrane layer comprising a biological membrane is applied over the platinum layer. The working wire is formed to have a diameter in a range from 0.0025 inches to 0.005 inches. A working wire for a continuous glucose monitoring sensor includes a substrate consisting of a cobalt-chromium (Co—Cr) alloy, a platinum layer disposed on the substrate and a membrane layer comprising a biological membrane disposed over the platinum layer. A diameter of the working wire is in a range from 0.0025 inches to 0.005 inches.