Flexible Electronics Patch for Continuous Glucose Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Continuous glucose monitoring systems face issues with early detachment due to rigid housing that cannot follow skin deflections, reduced breathability leading to humidity accumulation and inflammation, and potential infections from open channels.

Innovation Solution

A self-adhering flexible electronics patch with a first transmitter for short-range wireless data exchange with an implantable sensor, allowing for long-term wear and improved comfort by being bendable and stretchable to follow skin contours, while maintaining asepsis and avoiding replacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a rigid housing or platform is used to mount the electronics unit, then the structural stability and ease of manufacture are improved, but the sensor system cannot follow skin deflections and elongations, resulting in shearing forces that lead to early detachment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidattachment reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the rigid housing with a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) that acts as both the mounting platform and the attachment interface. The FPC can elastically deform to follow skin movements while maintaining electrical connections, eliminating shearing forces at the attachment interface and preventing early detachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Strength

If a rigid housing or platform is used, then the manufacturing precision and structural integrity are improved, but the breathability is reduced, causing humidity accumulation that reduces wearing time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidhumidity accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The FPC is made from flexible, breathable materials that allow moisture vapor transmission. The flexible nature of the FPC enables it to conform to the skin's surface while maintaining breathability, preventing humidity accumulation and extending wearing time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Ease of operation

If an open channel through the skin is created for sensor insertion, then the sensor can be positioned correctly, but inflammation and body infections may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor positioningVSAvoidinflammation and infection risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The FPC serves as a protective cover that seals the insertion site after sensor placement. This flexible membrane maintains the mechanical positioning of the sensor while providing a barrier against external contaminants, reducing the risk of inflammation and infection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS11395608B2Medical sensor system, in particular continuous glucose monitoring system

Publication Date: 2022.07.26 ROCHE DIABETES CARE INC

AI summary

A medical sensor system comprising a sensor implantable under the skin of a user and an on-body module attachable to the skin in the region of the implantable sensor, wherein the on-body module has a self-adhering flexible electronics patch including a first transmitter which is operable to exchange data with the implantable sensor via a short-range wireless connection.