Glucose Sensor Inserter With Controlled Needle Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for inserting glucose sensors into the skin for continuous glucose monitoring are inaccurate due to difficulties in controlling the force, position, and timing of needle insertion, affecting user experience and sensor placement, which in turn impacts the accuracy of glucose concentration measurement.
Innovation Solution
An application apparatus with a housing, auxiliary mechanism, and driving mechanism is used to facilitate precise placement of medical instruments, such as glucose sensors, by enabling controlled movement and insertion of piercing members to place the sensors subcutaneously, accompanied by a detachable design for the sensor components to allow reusability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual insertion method is used, then operation simplicity is maintained, but insertion precision and control accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The insertion apparatus is divided into distinct functional modules: a driving mechanism for automated needle insertion, a sensor assembly for glucose monitoring, and a controller for coordinating operations. This segmentation allows automated precision insertion while keeping the overall system manageable and relatively simple to operate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical insertion with an automated driving mechanism that uses mechanical actuators to control needle insertion depth, speed, and positioning. This substitution eliminates the need for manual force application while achieving precise control over insertion parameters.
2Manufacturing precision
If automated driving mechanism is added, then insertion precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into integrated components: the driving mechanism is integrated with the sensor assembly, and both are coordinated by a single controller. This merging reduces the number of separate components and interfaces, thereby managing device complexity while maintaining insertion precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The driving mechanism is designed to perform multiple functions: inserting the needle, controlling insertion depth, and facilitating sensor placement. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components, thereby managing device complexity while achieving precise insertion control.
3Device complexity
If needle insertion is manually controlled, then device simplicity is maintained, but user experience and measurement accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The driving mechanism performs preliminary actions by automatically positioning and inserting the needle to the correct depth before the sensor begins measuring glucose concentration. This preliminary automated positioning ensures that the sensor is correctly placed for accurate measurement, eliminating the need for manual positioning that would compromise precision.
4Ease of operation
If manual insertion force is applied, then operation simplicity is maintained, but insertion depth control and timing accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The driving mechanism employs periodic or controlled action sequences: advancing the needle at a controlled rate, pausing at predetermined depths, and coordinating with sensor activation timing. This periodic control ensures accurate timing of insertion events and sensor deployment, eliminating the timing inaccuracies associated with manual force application.
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments of the disclosure provide an application apparatus for applying a medical instrument to a host. In some examples, the application apparatus includes a housing, an auxiliary mechanism, and a first driving mechanism. The housing includes a first holding portion, a proximate end which is close to the host during operation and a distal end which is far away from the host. The auxiliary mechanism includes a moving main body releasably held on the first holding portion and configured to move relative to the housing when released, an accommodating portion provided on the moving main body and configured to be coupled with the medical instrument, and a piercing member provided on the moving main body. The first driving mechanism is configured to apply a force to the moving main body in a mode of facing the proximate end.