Skin-Adherent Glucose and Insulin Patch with Segmented Architecture
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current diabetes management systems, such as insulin infusion pumps and continuous glucose monitors, are often bulky, expensive, and inconvenient for users, particularly due to their size and the need for long tubing, which disrupts daily activities and is not suitable for all insertion sites, and they lack efficient monitoring of glycemic control indicators like HbA1c and glucose variability.
Innovation Solution
A portable, miniature, skin-adherent system that combines continuous glucose monitoring and insulin dispensing capabilities, using a single patch with a reusable and disposable part, which can be remotely controlled, and includes a mathematical model to assess HbA1c and glucose variability based on frequent glucose measurements, allowing for real-time glycemic control assessment and insulin adjustment in a closed or semi-closed loop system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional insulin infusion pumps are used, then insulin delivery function is provided, but device size becomes large and weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two separate components: a disposable insulin infusion pump with syringe and a reusable receiver unit. This segmentation allows the bulk of the system (receiver) to remain stationary while only the lightweight pump needs to be carried, significantly reducing the weight burden on the user while maintaining continuous insulin delivery capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single portable unit to a distributed architecture where the receiver remains stationary (spatial separation) and communicates with the mobile pump via wireless communication. This dimensional change separates the heavy computational and control functions from the lightweight delivery function, reducing portability constraints.
2Adaptability or versatility
If long delivery tube is used to enable remote needle insertion, then insertion flexibility is improved, but device bulkiness increases and comfort decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the long delivery tube function from the pump body by placing the tube in the disposable pump component that can be positioned close to the insertion site, while the receiver unit remains stationary. This eliminates the need for long tubing in the portable component, reducing bulkiness while maintaining insertion flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a wireless communication intermediary between the pump and receiver, eliminating the need for physical connection via long tubes. This allows the pump to be positioned optimally near the insertion site without being constrained by tube length, improving both comfort and flexibility.
3Measurement precision
If frequent glucose measurements are performed to assess HbA1c and glucose variability, then glycemic control assessment accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines continuous glucose monitoring, HbA1c assessment, and glucose variability analysis into a single integrated platform. The receiver unit processes all measurement data and provides comprehensive glycemic control assessment, eliminating the need for separate devices and simplifying the overall system while improving measurement precision through frequent monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback loops where glucose measurements are constantly taken, processed through mathematical models to assess HbA1c and variability, and used to adjust insulin delivery automatically. This closed-loop feedback system achieves high assessment accuracy while automating complex calculations, reducing the perceived system complexity for the user.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 2c~3a
AI summary
Disclosed is a glucose monitoring system. The system includes a glucose sensor to periodically perform a plurality of glucose measurements in interstitial fluid, and a processor to determine one or more HbA1c values representative of a patient's glycosylated hemoglobin levels based on the periodic glucose measurements. In some embodiments, the glucose sensor is coupled to a therapeutic fluid (e.g., insulin) dispensing pump.