Glucolase Micro Electrode Probe for Continuous Glucose Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current blood glucose monitoring methods for diabetics are invasive, painful, and limited in data acquisition, often requiring multiple skin piercings and bulky, inflexible devices that restrict patient mobility.

Innovation Solution

A portable dynamic blood glucose data acquiring device featuring a probe assembly with glucolase micro electrode needles and a host with integrated circuit boards for signal processing, Bluetooth communication, and a fixing structure for secure attachment to the body, allowing continuous glucose monitoring without cables and minimizing skin trauma.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If electrochemical sensors are directly implanted into blood vessels or subcutaneous tissues, then glucose detection capability is improved, but device weight and volume increase, and patient mobility is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveglucose detection capabilityVSAvoiddevice weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into two independent parts: a lightweight disposable probe assembly containing the glucolase micro electrode needles for glucose detection, and a separate portable host containing the circuit boards and processing units. This segmentation allows the sensing function to be separated from the heavy electronics, enabling continuous monitoring without the burden of heavy implanted sensors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The probe assembly with glucolase micro electrode needles is designed as a disposable component that can be used for continuous glucose monitoring for up to 7 days and then discarded. This eliminates the need for permanent implantation of heavy sensors and allows patients to avoid long-term presence of bulky devices in their bodies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If sensor guiding objects with cables and wires are placed on the skin, then signal transmission is achieved, but patient mobility is limited and the device becomes heavy and inflexible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal transmissionVSAvoidpatient mobility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cable and wire connections are completely removed from the system. The probe assembly communicates with the portable host through wireless Bluetooth technology, eliminating the physical constraints of cables and wires that previously limited patient mobility and made the device inflexible.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical connection system (cables and wires) is replaced with a wireless electromagnetic communication system. The portable host and probe assembly exchange data via Bluetooth wireless technology, allowing patients to move freely without being tethered to any device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Quantity of substance

If multiple blood glucose papers are used for dynamic monitoring, then blood glucose data can be collected, but the user experiences repeated stabbing pains and poor user experience

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblood glucose dataVSAvoidskin trauma
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The glucolase micro electrode needles in the probe assembly enable continuous glucose monitoring by constantly detecting glucose levels in the interstitial fluid. This eliminates the need for repeated discrete blood sampling and skin piercings, providing uninterrupted glucose data without repeated pain to the user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The monitoring method transitions from discrete blood sampling (requiring multiple piercings) to continuous interstitial fluid detection. The glucolase micro electrode needles detect glucose in the interstitial fluid, which continuously bathes the needles, providing ongoing data without the need for repeated invasive sampling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Stability of the object's composition

If sensor guiding objects are bound on the body, then secure positioning is achieved, but the device becomes heavy and cannot be moved freely

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning stabilityVSAvoiddevice weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into a lightweight disposable probe assembly that adheres to the skin for stable positioning, and a separate portable host that can be freely carried. The probe assembly weighs minimal amount and can be moved to different body locations, while the host contains the heavier electronics and can be carried in a pocket or bag.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 continuous, pain-free, and reliable blood glucose monitoring for up to 7 days with disposable probe assemblies, facilitating real-time data transmission and analysis, thereby improving patient mobility and diagnostic accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

the blood glucose level is detected and determined by using a colorimetric method, an electrochemical method, or a photometer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrochemical method:

Data Source

PatentEP3207871B1Continuous glucose collecting apparatus
Publication Date: 2021.07.21 GLUTALOR MEDICAL INC
  • EP3207871B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3207871B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3207871B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A dynamic blood glucose data acquiring device and a host are provided, wherein the collecting device comprises a portable host and a probe assembly; the probe assembly includes two glucolase micro electrode needles and a first circuit board; a first electrode terminal is provided on the first circuit board; the host includes an outer shell and a second circuit board which is located in the outer shell, and a second electrode terminal is provided on the second circuit board; the outer shell further includes a probe mounting position and a fixing structure for fixing the outer shell to a human body; the probe assembly is mounted into the probe mounting position in such a way that the glucolase micro electrode needles are projected out of a lower surface of the outer shell; when the probe assembly is mounted into the probe mounting position, the first electrode terminal on the first circuit board is electrically connected to the second electrode terminal on the second circuit board. In the present application, the probe assembly is fixed on the human body via the portable host, and the blood glucose signals are acquired via the glucolase micro electrode needles of the probe assembly, the collection, the processing and the output of the blood glucose signals can be achieved as a result.