Flexible Biosensor Skin Insertion via High-Speed Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for inserting slender and flexible medical devices, such as biosensors, through the skin are challenging due to the fragility of these devices and the need for rigid introducer devices that can cause patient discomfort and increase the risk of infection.
Innovation Solution
A device that uses a guidance structure and an injection activation mechanism to apply a high-speed motive force to the flexible biosensor, allowing it to penetrate the skin without the need for a sharpened introducer, while maintaining axial support to prevent buckling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a rigid and sharp introducer device is used to insert the flexible biosensor, then the biosensor can be inserted through the skin, but patient discomfort and trauma increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the traditional rigid and sharp introducer device from the insertion system. Instead, the flexible biosensor itself is used as the insertion element, eliminating the harmful rigid introducer that causes patient discomfort and trauma while still enabling successful skin penetration through high-speed motive force application.
2Ease of operation
If a sharpened tip is applied to the flexible device to ease penetration, then skin insertion becomes easier, but production cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the insertion parameters by applying high-speed motive force to the flexible biosensor, enabling penetration without modifying the sensor tip geometry. This approach avoids the need for sharpening processes, maintaining simple and cost-effective manufacturing while achieving effective skin insertion.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If high-speed motive force is applied to the flexible biosensor, then skin penetration is achieved without a rigid introducer, but the sensor may buckle during insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary axial support to the flexible biosensor before and during the high-speed motive force application. This pre-positioned support structure prevents buckling by maintaining sensor alignment and structural integrity throughout the insertion process, enabling successful penetration without rigid introducers.
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
Enables safe and automatic transcutaneous placement of flexible biosensors with reduced patient discomfort and trauma, while eliminating the need for disposable sharp introducer devices.
Implementation Method 1
an injection activation device associated with the guidance structure includes a mechanism adapted to apply a high-speed motive force to the flexible biosensor such that, when the high-speed motive force is applied, the flexible biosensor moves at least partially through the guidance structure
Data Source
AI summary
A device and method for delivering a device such as a sensor or fluid transport structure or a fluid transport structure sensor combination into, for example, mammalian skin. Such a device allows a sensor to penetrate mammalian skin without the use of an introducer device such as a needle. A device in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure includes a housing for attachment to mammalian skin including an exit port for receiving the distal end of a biosensor and an injection activation device including a mechanism for forcing the sensing device from a first position within the housing, through the exit port to a second position, with sufficiently high velocity to partially penetrate the mammalian skin.