Dual-Adhesive System for Continuous Skin-Mounted Sensor Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing glucose monitoring devices face challenges in maintaining a secure attachment to the skin due to adhesive loss and skin sloughing, leading to frequent device detachment and increased sensor insertion, which limits their lifespan and causes skin trauma.

Innovation Solution

A method and structure utilizing a combination of first and second adhesives, where the first adhesive secures the device during an initial time period and the second adhesive takes over during a subsequent time period, allowing for extended attachment without the need for frequent sensor replacements and minimizing skin trauma.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a stronger adhesive is used to increase attachment strength, then the device attachment duration is extended, but the device becomes more difficult and painful to remove from the skin

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadhesive strengthVSAvoiddevice removal ease

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive system is divided into multiple segments (first adhesive and second adhesive) that operate at different time periods. The first adhesive provides strong initial attachment, while the second adhesive maintains attachment after skin sloughing, allowing the device to be removed more easily than if a single strong adhesive were used throughout the entire duration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The adhesive properties change over time by transitioning from the first adhesive to the second adhesive. This parameter change allows the system to adapt to different phases of device attachment, providing strong initial bonding followed by sustained attachment that is easier to remove.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Duration of action of stationary object

If a stronger adhesive is used to maintain attachment, then the device remains attached longer, but skin trauma increases due to difficult removal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment durationVSAvoidskin trauma

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If a single adhesive is used for the entire attachment period, then the device structure is simpler, but the adhesive loses effectiveness due to skin sloughing and adhesive degradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadhesive structure complexityVSAvoidattachment reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second adhesive is positioned and prepared in advance on the device structure, ready to take over attachment function after the first adhesive becomes ineffective. This preliminary positioning ensures continuous attachment reliability without requiring complex real-time switching mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Loss of time

If the device attachment time is extended, then fewer sensor insertions are needed, but the adhesive must overcome skin sloughing which limits attachment duration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime between sensor insertionsVSAvoidattachment duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The transition from first adhesive to second adhesive ensures continuous attachment functionality throughout the device wear period. The second adhesive is specifically designed to maintain attachment after skin sloughing occurs, ensuring the useful action of securing the device continues without interruption or detachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS8641618B2Method and structure for securing a monitoring device element

Publication Date: 2014.02.04 ABBOTT DIABETES CARE INC

AI summary

Structures and methods for attaching a device to a user's skin are provided. Embodiments include refreshing an adhesive attaching an element of an analyte monitoring device so that a first adhesive attaches the element of the analyte monitoring device during a first time period and a second adhesive attaches the element of the analyte monitoring device to the user's skin during a second time period. A sensor remains at least partially inserted into the user's while the refreshing of the adhesive from the first to the second adhesive occurs.