Implantable Glucose Sensor Deep Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current implantable glucose sensors face challenges such as variable blood vessel patterns, vasomotion, and foreign body responses, leading to inconsistent performance and difficulty in implantation and extraction, especially when implanted at superficial tissue sites, which results in reduced longevity and increased risk of infection.
Innovation Solution
A miniaturized fully implantable sensor with oxygen-based glucose sensing elements, fabricated from biocompatible materials, is implanted deeper within the host's solid tissue, proximate to the fascial layer, to optimize performance and longevity, while dynamically accommodating foreign body responses and minimizing signal interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the sensor is implanted at a superficial tissue site, then the implantation procedure is simpler and easier, but the sensor performance becomes inconsistent and the risk of infection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the implantation depth parameter from superficial to deep (near fascial layer), which fundamentally alters the sensor performance characteristics. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by providing consistent sensor response while maintaining a relatively simple surgical procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the fascial layer as an intermediary reference point for implantation. By targeting this specific anatomical landmark, the method ensures consistent sensor placement depth and orientation, thereby achieving reliable sensor performance without complicating the implantation procedure.
2Ease of operation
If the sensor is implanted at a superficial tissue site, then the implantation procedure is simpler, but the foreign body response increases and longevity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the implantation depth parameter to place the sensor near the fascial layer, which reduces foreign body response and extends sensor longevity to over one year, while keeping the surgical procedure relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent moves away from disposable superficial implants toward a permanent deep implantation strategy, where the sensor is designed to function reliably for extended periods (over one year) by placing it in a biocompatible environment near the fascial layer.
3Reliability
If the sensor is implanted deeper within the tissue, then foreign body responses are reduced and performance is enhanced, but the implantation procedure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the fascial layer as an intermediary landmark to guide deep implantation. This approach simplifies the overall procedure by providing a clear anatomical target, reducing the need for complex imaging or navigation systems while ensuring accurate deep placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent leverages the body's own anatomical structures (fascial layer) to guide the implantation process. The natural tissue planes and landmarks serve as self-guiding features that simplify the surgical procedure while ensuring optimal sensor placement.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the sensor is implanted deeper within the tissue, then the risk of infection is reduced, but the extraction procedure becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the fascial layer as a natural barrier and reference point that protects the sensor from infection while providing a clear plane for extraction. The fascial layer acts as a surgical landmark that facilitates both implantation and future removal procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the deep implantation near the fascial layer to facilitate future extraction. The fascial layer serves as a natural surgical plane that allows for relatively easy access and removal of the sensor, offsetting the increased depth with anatomical convenience.
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 enables deeper and less traumatic implantation, reducing foreign body responses and enhancing sensor performance and longevity, with improved accuracy and reduced risk of infection, allowing for extended monitoring periods without visible protrusion or external interference.
Implementation Method 1
A miniaturized fully implantable sensor with oxygen-based glucose sensing elements
Implementation Method 2
Glucose diffuses from nearby capillaries to the sensor surface
Data Source
AI summary
Implantable sensor apparatus and methods of implantation. In one embodiment, a fully implantable, biocompatible sensor is disposed within a cavity or pocket formed within a living being, such that the sensor remains in a desired orientation and placement so as to enhance the performance of the sensor, and mitigate the effects of one or more factors potentially deleterious to the operation of the sensor and the host being. In one implementation, the sensor comprises an implantable biocompatible oxygen-based glucose sensor which is implanted deep within the being's torso tissue proximate the extant fascia, and oriented such that an active detector aspect of the device faces away from the being's skin surface. In one variant, the deep placement, orientation, and construction of the sensor itself cooperate to enhance the performance of the sensor, especially over extended periods of time, with little need for external calibration.