Flexible Base Coupling for Compact Glucose Sensor Transmitter

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional glucose monitoring devices are bulky due to the need for a complex coupling mechanism to prevent the transmitter from being easily disengaged, and they often cause allergic reactions, requiring frequent replacement of the biosensor and leading to high costs.

Innovation Solution

A physiological signal monitoring device with a flexible base and coupling structures that allow the transmitter to be easily detached and reattached without the need for complex mechanisms, reducing bulkiness and enabling reusable components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a coupling mechanism is implemented to prevent the transmitter from being easily disengaged, then the reliability of the connection is improved, but the device thickness increases and bulkiness is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoiddevice thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the coupling mechanism from the traditional bulky housing structure and integrates it directly into the sensor assembly. The coupling structure is incorporated into the sensor's mounting unit, allowing the transmitter to be securely attached without requiring additional thickness in the overall device. This extraction principle resolves the contradiction by separating the coupling function from the housing structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling structure is nested within the sensor assembly's mounting unit, with the coupling lock integrated into the existing sensor housing. This nesting approach allows the coupling mechanism to occupy minimal space while maintaining secure connection reliability, thereby preventing increased device thickness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If a coupling mechanism with high minimum thickness is used to disengage the transmitter, then the connection reliability is improved, but the device becomes bulky

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoiddevice volume

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling mechanism is extracted from the traditional bulky design and repositioned within the sensor assembly. The coupling lock is integrated into the mounting unit structure, allowing secure attachment without requiring additional device volume. This extraction resolves the contradiction between connection reliability and device compactness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Length of moving object

If a simple coupling mechanism without rotation is used, then the device thickness is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice thicknessVSAvoidtransmitter attachment ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling lock mechanism is designed to be self-actuating through a simple linear motion. When the transmitter is attached to the mounting unit, the coupling lock automatically engages without requiring rotational movement or additional manual operations. This self-service design maintains ease of operation while reducing device thickness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Object-affected harmful factors

If the biosensor is replaced frequently due to allergic reactions, then the user comfort is improved, but the cost increases due to transmitter disengagement requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveallergic reaction severityVSAvoidtransmitter reuse capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into replaceable sensor assemblies and a reusable transmitter. The mounting unit with the coupling lock allows the sensor assembly to be easily detached and replaced while keeping the transmitter intact. This segmentation enables frequent sensor replacement for user comfort while maintaining transmitter reuse capability to reduce costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor assembly is designed as a disposable component that can be easily discarded after use, while the transmitter is recovered and reused. The coupling mechanism facilitates this discarding and recovering process, allowing the expensive transmitter to be retained and the cheaper sensor to be replaced, thereby reducing overall system cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Data Source

PatentUS11399747B2Physiological signal monitoring device

Publication Date: 2022.08.02 BIONIME

AI summary

A physiological signal monitoring device includes a base, a biosensor mounted to the base and adapted to measure an analytical substance, and a transmitter. The base includes a flexible base body and a first coupling structure. The first coupling structure is disposed on the bottom plate. The transmitter is removably mounted to the base body, and includes a bottom casing and a second coupling structure. The first and second coupling structures are coupled to each other when the transmitter is mounted to the base body, and are uncoupled from each other by the flexibility of the base body when an external force is applied on a periphery of the base body. The first and second coupling structures are disposed to be distal from a periphery cooperatively defined by the base and the transmitter when the first and second coupling structures are coupled to each other.