Dry Sensor Hygroscopic and Gas-Evolving Compositions for Rapid Startup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glucose sensors in aqueous environments face challenges in achieving rapid hydration and air removal, leading to prolonged startup times when transitioning from a dry to a wet state, which is undesirable for diabetic patients requiring timely glucose monitoring.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating hygroscopic compositions and gas evolving compositions, such as carbonic anhydrase, into the sensor design to enhance hydration rates and expel air by generating carbon dioxide, thereby reducing startup times to less than 4 hours.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If sensors are placed in a dry form for sterilization and storage, then sensor sterilization and storage are facilitated, but startup time is prolonged due to slow hydration and air removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating gas-evolving compositions (such as carbonates or bicarbonates) and hygroscopic compositions into the sensor matrix before sterilization and storage. These pre-incorporated compositions automatically activate upon contact with aqueous environments, initiating rapid air removal through gas evolution and rapid hydration through hygroscopic action, thereby eliminating the need for prolonged startup periods while maintaining the dry storage format
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by selecting specific compositions that undergo dramatic state changes upon hydration. Gas-evolving compositions transform from solid/liquid storage form to gas evolution form, creating pressure differentials that rapidly expel air. Hygroscopic compositions undergo rapid absorption of water, changing from dry to hydrated state quickly. These parameter changes occur automatically when the sensor transitions from dry storage to aqueous environment, resolving the contradiction between dry storage convenience and rapid startup requirement
2Ease of manufacture
If air is present in the sensor during manufacturing, packaging and storage, then the sensor can be processed and stored, but the amount of time required for air removal increases startup time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful presence of air (which prolongs startup time) into a beneficial process by incorporating gas-evolving compositions that generate gas upon hydration. The generated gas creates pressure that actively forces air out of the sensor matrix through pores and channels. This transforms the static problem of air removal into a dynamic self-cleaning process, where the sensor itself generates the force needed to expel air, thereby maintaining ease of manufacture while dramatically reducing air removal time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies pneumatic principles by using gas evolution to create pressure differentials within the sensor matrix. The gas-evolving compositions generate gas that increases internal pressure, forcing air out through pores and channels via pneumatic pressure gradients. This pneumatic mechanism enables rapid air removal without requiring external mechanical intervention, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while achieving fast air expulsion
3Stability of the object's composition
If the sensor is kept dry for storage, then sensor stability is maintained, but hydration rate is slow leading to prolonged startup time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces hygroscopic compositions as intermediaries that mediate between the dry storage state and the hydrated operational state. These hygroscopic materials (such as sugars, polyols, or salts) are incorporated into the sensor matrix and act as water-attracting agents that rapidly draw water into the matrix upon contact with aqueous environments. This intermediary mechanism accelerates hydration kinetics dramatically while allowing the sensor to remain stable in dry form during storage, as the hygroscopic compositions only become active upon intentional activation in aqueous media
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 significantly reduces the time required for glucose sensors to generate an observable signal upon exposure to an aqueous environment, improving their functionality and usability for diabetic patients by ensuring quicker start-up times and accurate glucose monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
a hygroscopic composition coupled to one or more regions of the sensor so as to modulate (e.g. increase) the rate of hydration of the sensing complex when the sensor is disposed within an aqueous environment
Implementation Method 2
a gas evolving composition coupled to one or more regions of the sensor and adapted to generate a gas (typically carbon dioxide) upon exposure to water
Implementation Method 3
displace the air so that it is forced out of the sensor
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to sensors configured to include compositions disposed in specific regions of the sensor in order to provide the sensors with enhanced functional properties, for example faster start-up times. These compositions include, for example, hygroscopic compositions, gas generating compositions and gas solvating compositions. While typical embodiments of the invention pertain to glucose sensors, the systems, methods and materials disclosed herein can be adapted for use with a wide variety of sensors known in the art.