Automatic Blood Glucose Control Device with Adaptive Insulin and Glucagon Dosing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Diabetes patients face significant fluctuations in blood glucose levels due to disrupted insulin regulation, requiring manual insulin and glucagon injections, which can be cumbersome and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A fully automatic device with adjustable insulin and glucagon injection curves, controlled by a program using a glucose meter and insulin pump, maintains blood glucose within predetermined limits by administering precise amounts of insulin or glucagon based on real-time glucose values, incorporating a learning mechanism to adjust treatment based on patient-specific responses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual insulin and glucagon injections are used to regulate blood glucose, then the patient can control blood glucose levels, but the process is cumbersome and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of glucose regulationVSAvoidtime consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The device enables self-regulation of blood glucose levels through automatic detection and injection, eliminating the need for manual patient intervention. The system continuously monitors glucose levels and autonomously administers insulin or glucagon to maintain target ranges, directly resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and time consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The device implements continuous feedback through real-time glucose level monitoring and automatic adjustment of insulin/glucagon injection. The control unit receives glucose measurements, compares them against target values, and automatically modifies injection rates to maintain optimal blood glucose levels, thereby improving operational ease while reducing time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Manufacturing precision

If automatic device with learning mechanism is implemented, then treatment accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision of insulin/glucagon dosingVSAvoidcomplexity of control system
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The learning mechanism operates through feedback loops where the device continuously monitors blood glucose levels, compares actual values against target ranges, and adjusts future dosing predictions accordingly. This feedback-driven learning improves dosing precision over time while the system manages complexity through algorithmic processing rather than manual adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The device replaces manual mechanical adjustment of dosing with automated electronic control and machine learning algorithms. The control unit processes glucose data, predicts required dosing adjustments, and executes precise insulin/glucagon administration, achieving high precision while containing complexity within the electronic control system rather than requiring complex mechanical adjustments.

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

3Reliability

If continuous monitoring is performed, then safety is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety of glucose regulationVSAvoidenergy consumption of glucose meter
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The device maintains continuous glucose monitoring to ensure ongoing safety and optimal regulation. The glucose meter continuously measures blood glucose levels, and the control unit continuously processes this data to maintain target ranges, thereby ensuring safety through uninterrupted monitoring while managing energy consumption through efficient continuous operation rather than intermittent intensive scanning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP1957135B1Device for automatic regulation of the concentration of glucose in the blood of a diabetes patient
Publication Date: 2015.05.06 INREDA DIABETIC
  • EP1957135B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1957135B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1957135B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A device for regulating the concentration of glucose in the blood of a diabetes patient comprises: measuring means for measuring said concentration/ pump means for selectively introducing glucagon, or glucose instead, or insulin into the body of the patient, for instance by means of at least one hypodermic needle to be inserted into the body of the patient; and control means which receive signals from the measuring means which are representative of said concentration and which control the pump means on the basis of at least one reference value for said concentration pre-entered into the control means and a program; wherein the device is embodied such that the measuring means and the pump means can be in substantially permanent contact with the bodily fluid or the blood of a atient.