Glucose Meter Error Detection via Signal Differential Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glucose test systems face challenges in accurately measuring glucose levels due to erroneous output signal transients and the need for precise calibration, which can lead to errors in glucose concentration readings.
Innovation Solution
A glucose measurement system with a biosensor and microcontroller that measures output signal differentials over time to detect errors and annunciate them, using pre-defined thresholds and calibration values to calculate accurate glucose values, thereby improving measurement reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the system measures output signal continuously over time to detect erroneous transients, then measurement reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining threshold values (first threshold and second threshold) and calibration values before the measurement process. The microcontroller uses these predetermined parameters to evaluate output signal differentials during the test measurement sequence, eliminating the need for complex real-time analysis algorithms and reducing device complexity while maintaining high measurement reliability.
2Measurement precision
If the system uses multiple thresholds and calibration values to ensure accurate glucose measurements, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional processing parameters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parameter changes by utilizing multiple predetermined thresholds and calibration values that are optimized for different measurement conditions. The first threshold and second threshold are set to detect specific signal transient patterns, while calibration values are applied to convert output signals into accurate glucose concentrations. This approach improves measurement precision through parameter optimization rather than complex processing algorithms.
3Reliability
If the system aborts the test when erroneous signals are detected, then measurement reliability is improved, but productivity decreases due to test interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring the output signal differential during the test measurement sequence and comparing it against predetermined thresholds. When the first index exceeds the first threshold or the second index exceeds the second threshold, indicating an erroneous transient, the system provides feedback by aborting the test and notifying the user. This feedback mechanism ensures measurement reliability by preventing inaccurate results while maintaining efficiency through automated detection rather than manual verification.
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 system effectively identifies and mitigates erroneous signal transients, providing more accurate glucose measurements by using a microcontroller to analyze output signal differentials and apply calibration values, enhancing the reliability of glucose level determination.
Implementation Method 1
The measurement of glucose can be based on the selective oxidation of glucose by the enzyme glucose oxidase (GO)
Implementation Method 2
glucose is oxidized to gluconic acid by the oxidized form of glucose oxidase (GO (ox))
Implementation Method 3
the reduced enzyme GO (red) is re-oxidized back to GO (ox) by reaction with Fe(CN)6 3-
Implementation Method 4
a test output signal can be created by the electrochemical re-oxidation of the reduced mediator at the electrode surface
Data Source
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Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
Glucose measurement system comprising a test strip (100) and a test meter (200), the meter including a microcontroller (300) configured to apply a test voltage and measure a response current and further to determine an output differential (818) as the diffence in respective magnitudes of currents at successive time instants within a predetermined time window, and if the output differential is greater than zero (i.e. current is increasing) (820), to increment by one a first index and set a second index value as equal to the sum of the previous value of the second index and the output differential (822), and to flag an error (826) if both indexes become greater than a respective threshold (824) within the time window, otherwise, if the time instance is outside the time window (808), calculate the glucose concentration from the output signal (810). Corresponding method of calculating a glucose concentration.