Closed-Loop Insulin Infusion Control Algorithm
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current insulin infusion systems for diabetes management, such as external infusion pumps, are limited by the speed of insulin delivery and do not effectively mimic the natural insulin secretion pattern of pancreatic beta cells, leading to potential complications like excessive weight gain, hypertension, and atherosclerosis.
Innovation Solution
A closed-loop infusion system that uses a glucose sensor and controller to regulate insulin infusion based on blood glucose levels, mimicking the natural insulin secretion pattern of pancreatic beta cells by combining proportional, integral, and derivative control algorithms to adjust insulin delivery rates, thereby maintaining glucose homeostasis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional external infusion pumps are used to deliver insulin, then insulin delivery is provided, but the system does not effectively mimic natural insulin secretion pattern and is limited by delivery speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a closed-loop control system with dynamic adjustment of insulin delivery rates based on real-time glucose sensor feedback. The system continuously monitors glucose levels and adjusts insulin infusion rates to mimic the natural biphasic insulin secretion pattern, transitioning from a static delivery system to a dynamic adaptive system that responds to physiological conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a closed-loop feedback mechanism where a glucose sensor continuously monitors blood glucose levels and provides real-time data to the control algorithm. This feedback loop enables the system to detect glucose excursions and adjust insulin delivery accordingly, replicating the natural insulin secretion response that traditional open-loop pumps cannot achieve.
2Productivity
If fast acting insulin is used in infusion pumps to increase delivery speed, then insulin profiles can be changed, but the system remains limited by the speed of the insulin being used
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a predictive control algorithm that anticipates future glucose excursions based on current trends and physiological patterns. By calculating predicted glucose levels and adjusting insulin delivery in advance, the system achieves faster effective response times without being constrained by the pharmacokinetic limitations of fast-acting insulin alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes multiple control parameters including insulin delivery rate, sensor sampling frequency, and control algorithm coefficients based on physiological conditions. This multi-parameter adjustment enables the system to achieve natural secretion patterns by optimizing delivery kinetics beyond what single insulin formulation changes can accomplish.
3Reliability
If closed-loop control with multiple control rates is implemented, then glucose homeostasis can be maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the insulin delivery control into multiple distinct rates or phases: a first control rate for initial glucose correction and a second control rate for sustained glucose management. This segmentation of control strategies into discrete phases simplifies the overall control logic while maintaining the ability to handle complex physiological scenarios through structured decision-making.
Data Source
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AI summary
Processor-implemented methods of controlling an insulin infusion device for a user are provided here. A first method obtains a current insulin on board (IOB) value that estimates active insulin in the user, and compensates a calculated insulin infusion rate in response to the obtained IOB value. A second method supervises the operation of a glucose sensor by obtaining and processing insulin-delivered data and glucose sensor data for the user. An alert is generated if the second method determines that a current glucose sensor value has deviated from a predicted sensor glucose value by at least a threshold amount.