Blood Glucose Meter Electrode Verification via Preliminary Potential Application
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Solution Overview
Problem
Personal blood glucose meters with multiple electrodes face inaccuracies due to breakdowns or defects in connectors, leading to misidentification of electrode arrangements and erroneous measurements, particularly when blood clots occur, affecting user safety.
Innovation Solution
A personal blood glucose meter design incorporating a sensor strip with a flow sensing electrode and a working electrode, where an MCU applies and manages potentials to determine glucose levels, and includes a method to re-measure current values after a time interval to detect abnormal conditions, preventing errors and ensuring accurate readings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple electrodes are used in the blood glucose meter, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases and connector defects become more likely
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing a potential application step before the actual glucose measurement. The controller applies a test potential to the electrodes prior to measurement to verify their proper connection and functionality. This preliminary check prevents erroneous measurements by detecting connector defects or electrode breakdowns before they affect the actual glucose reading, thus maintaining measurement accuracy while managing the complexity of multiple electrodes.
2Measurement precision
If multiple electrodes are used in the blood glucose meter, then measurement accuracy is improved, but reliability decreases due to connector defects and blood clotting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using the current measured during the potential application step to determine whether the electrodes are properly connected. The controller measures the current flowing between electrodes when potential is applied, and uses this feedback information to verify proper electrode arrangement and connection. If the current indicates improper connection or electrode breakdown, the system can identify and correct the issue before performing the actual glucose measurement, thereby improving reliability while maintaining the benefits of multiple electrodes for accurate measurement.
3Speed
If potential is applied continuously to electrodes, then measurement speed is improved, but erroneous measurements occur due to electrode breakdown
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by using intermittent potential application rather than continuous potential. The controller applies potential to the electrodes in discrete steps: first applying potential to verify electrode connection and measure current, then using that information to determine proper electrode arrangement, and finally applying potential again for the actual glucose measurement. This periodic application of potential allows the system to check electrode integrity between measurements, preventing erroneous readings due to electrode breakdown while maintaining fast measurement speed.
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
The solution effectively prevents erroneous measurements by identifying and displaying errors caused by connector defects or blood clotting, thereby ensuring user safety and accuracy in glucose level determination.
Implementation Method 1
GOx-FADH2+electron transfer mediator(oxidized state)→GOx-FAD+electron transfer mediator(reduced state)
Implementation Method 2
the electrochemical method is described by the following Reaction Formula 1, and the most significant feature thereof is to use an electron transfer mediator
Data Source
AI summary
A personal blood glucose meter and a method for sensing abnormal measurement using the same are disclosed. A personal blood glucose meter includes: a sensor strip for collecting and applying a blood sample, wherein the sensor strip includes a reagent; an electrode unit including a plurality of electrodes for receiving the blood sample from the sensor strip to generate electric current based on potential differences; an MCU for measuring currents value generated from the electrode unit to determine whether a glucose value of the blood sample is normal or abnormal; a potential supply unit for applying a predetermined potential to the electrode unit; and a display unit displaying resultant output from the MCU.