Glucose Sensor Electrode Redundancy for Occlusion Signal Dropout
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing analyte sensors experience sensitivity attenuation due to signal dropouts caused by occlusions, leading to false hypoglycemic alarms and inaccurate glucose level monitoring.
Innovation Solution
The use of multiple working electrodes with separate sensing layers positioned at different distances under the skin to mitigate sensitivity attenuation by ensuring at least one electrode maintains signal integrity during occlusion events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single working electrode is used in the glucose sensor, then the device complexity is reduced, but signal reliability deteriorates due to sensitivity attenuation from occlusions
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is divided into multiple independent working electrodes (first working electrode and second working electrode) with separate sensing layers. Each electrode can independently detect glucose levels, so if one electrode experiences signal dropout due to occlusion, the other electrode can still provide reliable measurements, thus improving overall signal reliability without requiring a single complex electrode structure
Solution Approach 2:
Different sensing layers are positioned at different depths under the skin (first sensing layer at a first depth, second sensing layer at a second depth). This local differentiation in positioning allows each electrode to sample glucose levels from slightly different tissue regions, reducing the impact of localized occlusions on all electrodes simultaneously
2Measurement precision
If multiple working electrodes are used to improve signal reliability, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor employs multiple working electrodes with separate sensing layers positioned at different depths. Each electrode provides an independent measurement channel, allowing the system to compare signals from multiple sources and improve measurement precision through redundancy and cross-validation
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of increasing the complexity of a single electrode, the patent adds a spatial dimension by positioning sensing layers at different depths under the skin. This vertical arrangement creates multiple measurement perspectives that improve precision without requiring complex horizontal electrode configurations
3Manufacturing precision
If sensing layers are positioned at the same depth, then manufacturing precision is simplified, but reliability deteriorates due to simultaneous occlusion of all electrodes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies different depths for the first and second sensing layers (first depth and second depth, respectively). This local differentiation in positioning ensures that occlusions affecting one depth level may not affect electrodes at other depth levels, maintaining signal continuity and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
By positioning sensing layers at different depths during manufacturing, the system proactively prevents simultaneous occlusion of all electrodes. This preliminary spatial arrangement creates inherent redundancy that counteracts the harmful effect of occlusions before they can cause complete signal failure
Data Source
AI summary
Method and apparatus for receiving a first signal indicative of first glucose levels measured by a first working electrode, receiving a second signal indicative of second glucose levels measured by a second working electrode, detecting a first decrease in an amplitude of the first signal measured by the first working electrode that exceeds a first threshold, detecting a second decrease in an amplitude of the second signal measured by the second working electrode that exceeds the first threshold, selecting the first signal based on determining that the first decrease in the amplitude of the first signal is less than the second decrease in the amplitude of the second signal, determining a rate of change corresponding to the first decrease in the amplitude of the first signal, comparing the rate of change to a second threshold, confirming, based on the comparison, that the first signal is valid.