Glucose Sensor Electrode Cleaning via Insulin Excipient Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Glucose sensors in combined diabetes management devices face electrochemical interference due to insulin excipients, leading to inaccurate readings and potential suboptimal insulin dosage computation, as these excipients can build up on sensor electrodes and alter their dielectric properties.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of electrochemical cleaning pulses delivered to the sensor electrodes to remove insulin excipients such as phenol and glycerin, which are associated with insulin delivery, thereby maintaining accurate glucose monitoring without the need to physically remove the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electrochemical cleaning pulses are applied to remove insulin excipients from sensor electrodes, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy by moving object increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic electrochemical cleaning pulses at specific intervals (e.g., after insulin delivery) to remove excipient buildup from sensor electrodes. This periodic cleaning action maintains measurement precision by preventing continuous fouling, while the pulsed nature of the cleaning current minimizes overall energy consumption compared to continuous cleaning approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning process utilizes parameter changes in the electrochemical cell by applying controlled voltage or current pulses that alter the electrochemical environment. These parameter changes enable the selective oxidation and removal of insulin excipients from the sensor electrode surface, improving measurement precision while the controlled duration and intensity of the pulses manage energy consumption.
2Loss of time
If the device remains implanted to continue glucose monitoring, then loss of time is reduced, but object-generated harmful factors increase due to excipient buildup on electrodes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the device to clean itself by incorporating electrochemical cleaning capability within the implanted glucose monitoring system. The sensor electrode or associated electrode delivers cleaning current to remove excipient buildup, allowing the device to maintain its own functionality without requiring removal or external intervention, thus eliminating time loss while preventing harmful electrode fouling.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning action is performed preliminarily at scheduled intervals or in response to detected insulin delivery, preventing excipient accumulation from reaching levels that would cause significant measurement errors. This proactive cleaning approach maintains electrode performance over time without requiring device removal.
3Reliability
If cleaning current is applied to remove excipients, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cleaning function with the existing electrode structure of the glucose monitoring device. The sensor electrode or a nearby electrode serves dual purposes: glucose sensing and electrochemical cleaning. This merging approach improves reliability by preventing excipient buildup while minimizing the increase in device complexity, as no separate cleaning mechanism is added.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode structure is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as the glucose sensing element and as the cleaning electrode. The same electrode infrastructure delivers both measurement current and cleaning current, allowing the device to maintain high reliability through self-cleaning capability without proportionally increasing structural complexity.
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
This method effectively reduces electrochemical interference, ensuring accurate glucose readings and minimizing the need for device removal for cleaning, thus enhancing the reliability of continuous glucose monitoring and insulin delivery systems.
Implementation Method 1
application of one or more pulses of electrical current to a sensor electrode of a glucose monitor, which may at least partially remove excipients (e.g., insulin excipients such as phenol, m-cresol, and/or glycerin) associated with delivery of insulin
Data Source
AI summary
A device includes a glucose monitor comprising at least one sensor electrode configured to sense signals indicative of interstitial glucose level of a patient. The device also includes a memory and one or more processors implemented in circuitry and in communication with the memory. The one or more processors are configured to cause delivery of a cleaning electrical current to the at least one sensor electrode. The cleaning electrical current is one or more electrochemical cleaning pulses configured to at least partially remove, in vivo and from the sensor electrode, excipients associated with the delivery of a fluid that includes insulin.