Glucose-Responsive Membrane for Closed-Loop Insulin Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current glucose-responsive insulin delivery systems are inadequate for continuous and accurate management of diabetes in humans and animals, as they often require frequent injections, are painful, inconvenient, and lack effective closed-loop systems that can automatically adjust insulin release based on real-time glucose levels.
Innovation Solution
A closed-loop implantable insulin delivery device featuring a biocompatible glucose-responsive membrane or plug that regulates insulin release based on glucose concentrations, using a polymeric matrix with an inorganic component and stimuli-responsive hydrogel to alter porosity in response to glucose levels, ensuring insulin is released only during hyperglycemia and prevented during hypoglycemia.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If frequent insulin injections are administered to control blood glucose levels, then glucose control is achieved, but the process becomes painful and inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The implantable device enables the body to self-regulate insulin delivery through a closed-loop system. The glucose sensor continuously monitors blood glucose levels, and the insulin reservoir automatically releases insulin in response to hyperglycemia, eliminating the need for manual injections and patient intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical injection system with a biological response system. Instead of using needles and syringes for manual insulin administration, the device uses glucose-induced physiological changes to trigger automatic insulin release from the implantable reservoir.
2Reliability
If manual insulin administration is used, then insulin delivery is achieved, but it cannot monitor and deliver necessary insulin at night during sleep
Solution Approach 1:
The implantable device provides continuous insulin delivery and monitoring throughout the night and 24 hours a day. The glucose sensor continuously detects blood glucose levels, and the insulin reservoir continuously monitors and releases insulin as needed, ensuring uninterrupted glucose control during sleep.
Solution Approach 2:
The device enables automatic nighttime insulin delivery through its closed-loop system. The glucose sensor continuously monitors blood glucose levels during sleep, and the insulin reservoir automatically releases insulin in response to detected hyperglycemia, eliminating the need for manual nighttime intervention.
3Reliability
If islet cell transplantation is performed to normalize pancreatic function, then insulin production is improved, but it requires immunosuppressive drugs and has limited availability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the insulin delivery function from the complex biological system of islet cell transplantation. Instead of transplanting entire islet cells and managing immunosuppression, the device uses a simple implantable reservoir with a glucose-responsive membrane that releases insulin in response to blood glucose levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The implantable device uses a simple, disposable insulin reservoir with a glucose-responsive membrane. This single-use implant eliminates the need for complex, long-term immunosuppressive therapy required by islet cell transplantation, providing a more practical and accessible solution.
4Extent of automation
If a closed-loop insulin delivery system is developed, then automatic insulin release is achieved, but the system becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the glucose sensing, insulin storage, and insulin release functions into a single integrated implantable device. The glucose sensor, insulin reservoir, and glucose-responsive membrane work together as one unified system, simplifying the overall architecture compared to separate external devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses changes in blood glucose concentration as the triggering parameter for automatic insulin release. The glucose-responsive membrane detects glucose levels and automatically modulates insulin release in response, providing a simple and elegant control mechanism that avoids complex electronic sensors and processors.
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 device provides continuous, automatic insulin release that mimics pancreatic function, effectively managing blood glucose levels by releasing insulin only when needed, thereby improving the management of diabetes in both humans and animals with reduced pain and inconvenience.
Implementation Method 1
a polymeric matrix with an inorganic component and stimuli-responsive hydrogel to alter porosity in response to glucose levels
Implementation Method 2
a polymeric matrix with an inorganic component and stimuli-responsive hydrogel to alter porosity in response to glucose levels
Data Source
AI summary
A biocompatible insulin delivery device is provided comprising an insulin reservoir sealed with a glucose-responsive plug or membrane. The plug functions to release insulin from the reservoir in response to a hyperglycemic glucose concentration and to prevent insulin release from the reservoir in response to hypoglycemic glucose concentration. In one embodiment, the plug is made of a biocompatible polymeric matrix comprising an inorganic component, a stimulus-responsive component and a catalytic component.