Flexible Glucose Sensor with Integrated Fluid Channel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glucose monitoring systems for diabetic patients are complex and prone to tissue injury due to rigid needle sensors, leading to measurement errors and require invasive access, while also being bulky and difficult to manufacture.
Innovation Solution
A sensor system with a separate fluid channel integrated into a flexible substrate, allowing direct contact with body tissue and independent detection of glucose levels without relying on extracellular fluid, enabling miniaturization and reduced tissue damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a rigid needle sensor is used for glucose monitoring, then the sensor can be inserted into body tissue, but additional injuries to the surrounding tissue occur and significant errors occur in the determination of analyte concentration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by using a flexible substrate instead of a rigid needle structure. The sensor is mounted on a flexible support that can be inserted into the body tissue with minimal trauma and adapts to the tissue environment, eliminating the tissue injury problems associated with rigid needle sensors while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the sensor system into separate functional components: the sensing element, the flexible support structure, and the fluid channel system. This segmentation allows the sensing portion to be optimized for tissue contact and measurement accuracy while the support structure is optimized for flexibility and minimal tissue disruption.
2Ease of manufacture
If the sensor is integrated with fluid channel and all components on a single substrate, then the system size is reduced and manufacture is simplified, but the system complexity increases during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sensor, fluid channel, and support structure into a single integrated flexible substrate. This combining of components simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces the overall system size while the flexible nature of the substrate facilitates assembly rather than complicating it.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible substrate serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support for the sensor, acts as a barrier layer, facilitates fluid transport through integrated channels, and enables flexible insertion into tissue. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed.
3Reliability
If perfusion fluid storage and transport systems are included, then the system can maintain fluid flow, but the size of the system increases substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the fluid storage and transport functions from the implanted sensor system and places them in an external device. The implanted sensor only contains minimal fluid channels for local fluid exchange, while the bulk fluid management is handled externally, dramatically reducing the implanted system size while maintaining reliable fluid flow.
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
This design simplifies the system, reduces size, and minimizes tissue injury, providing accurate and efficient glucose monitoring with optimized response times and reduced manufacturing costs, allowing for continuous glucose monitoring without invasive access.
Implementation Method 1
it is possible to insert a probe into tissue for long periods in order to continuously collect constituents from the tissue fluid by means of diffusion processes
Data Source
AI summary
The invention generally relates to a sensor system. In particular to a sensor for glucose monitoring. The invention also also relates to an arrangement and a method for monitoring a constituent and in particular glucose in body tissue using a sensor system.