Redundant Glucose Sensor Signals for Failure Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional implantable glucose sensors suffer from inaccuracies and short-term sensing due to non-analyte-related signals and noise-causing events, leading to unreliable glucose monitoring.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a continuous analyte monitoring system with redundant electrodes, utilizing a processor module to compare sensor data from adjacent electrodes for consistency, and employing multiple algorithms to detect sensor failures by identifying deviations or correlations beyond predetermined thresholds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional implantable glucose sensors are used for continuous monitoring, then glucose concentration can be measured, but the sensor provides only short-term or inaccurate sensing due to complications and interference from non-analyte-related signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of sensor characteristics by using multiple sensors with different sensitivities to interferents but similar responses to glucose. This diversity in sensor parameters allows the system to distinguish between analyte-related signals and non-analyte-related interference, thereby improving both reliability and measurement precision simultaneously
2Reliability
If multiple sensors with similar characteristics are implanted to detect sensor failures, then sensor failure detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sensing function by implanting multiple separate sensors with similar characteristics alongside the primary glucose sensor. Each sensor independently monitors the same analyte, and their outputs are compared to detect failures. This segmentation improves reliability through redundancy while the complexity is managed by processing only the essential comparison of sensor outputs
3Measurement precision
If conventional single sensor systems are used, then device complexity is low, but the system cannot accurately distinguish between analyte-related signals and non-analyte-related interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs sensors with deliberately different sensitivity parameters to interferents while maintaining similar analyte response characteristics. This parameter diversity enables the system to mathematically separate analyte-related signals from non-analyte interference, achieving accurate signal discrimination. The increased complexity is justified by the significant improvement in measurement precision and reliability
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, systems, and methods for providing more accurate and reliable sensor data and for detecting sensor failures. Two or more electrodes can be used to generate data, and the data can be subsequently compared by a processing module. Alternatively, one sensor can be used, and the data processed by two parallel algorithms to provide redundancy. Sensor performance, including sensor failures, can be identified. The user or system can then respond appropriately to the information related to sensor performance or failure.