Correction Bolus Control Using Predicted Glucose Thresholds

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing insulin infusion pumps face challenges in accurately delivering correction boluses to maintain blood glucose levels within a safe range, particularly due to variations in patient activity and insulin response, risking postprandial glucose excursions.

Innovation Solution

A predictive model is used to forecast future glucose levels based on current measurements, preceding insulin deliveries, and carbohydrate intake, adjusting correction bolus amounts to maintain glucose levels above a hypoglycemic threshold, thereby reducing the risk of hypoglycemic events.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If correction bolus is delivered to lower high blood glucose, then blood glucose control is improved, but risk of hypoglycemia increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblood glucose controlVSAvoidhypoglycemia risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by predicting future glucose levels before delivering the correction bolus. The predictive model forecasts glucose levels at future time points based on current glucose level, insulin sensitivity factor, and projected basal insulin deliveries, allowing the system to prevent hypoglycemia before it occurs by adjusting or withholding the correction bolus accordingly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by using the predictive model to continuously evaluate the expected outcome of delivering a correction bolus. The predicted future glucose levels are fed back into the decision-making process to determine whether to deliver, withhold, or adjust the correction bolus amount, creating a closed-loop control system that balances glucose lowering with hypoglycemia prevention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Extent of automation

If automatic correction bolus is delivered during automatic basal insulin delivery, then glucose regulation is improved, but complexity of control increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic glucose regulationVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the correction bolus control function with the existing automatic basal insulin delivery system. By integrating the predictive model and correction bolus logic into the same control algorithm that manages basal insulin, the system achieves higher automation without proportionally increasing complexity, as both functions share common computational resources and decision-making frameworks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12485224B2Safe correction boluses

Publication Date: 2025.12.02 MEDTRONIC MINIMED INC

AI summary

Techniques disclosed herein relate to safe correction boluses. In some embodiments, the techniques involve predicting a future glucose level that would result from delivery of a correction bolus. The techniques may also involve comparing the future glucose level to a threshold level for hypoglycemia. The techniques may further involve causing delivery of the correction bolus when the future glucose level is above the threshold level for hypoglycemia.