Glucose Sensor Calibration Using Electrical Parameter Clustering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing glucose sensors face inaccuracies due to manufacturing variances, necessitating in vivo calibration that can be cumbersome and affect reliability and longevity.

Innovation Solution

Calibration of glucose sensors based on electrical parameters measured in vitro, identifying clusters with common manufacturing features to apply correction factors, eliminating the need for in vivo calibration and improving accuracy and reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If in vivo calibration techniques are used to compensate for manufacturing variances, then glucose measurement accuracy is improved, but calibration time increases and accuracy is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveglucose measurement accuracyVSAvoidcalibration time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by measuring electrical parameters (impedance, capacitance, resistance) of the sensor electrode during manufacturing before implantation. These pre-measured electrical characteristics are used to determine calibration parameters and correction factors in advance, eliminating the need for time-consuming in vivo calibration procedures while maintaining measurement accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If in vivo calibration techniques are used to account for manufacturing variances, then glucose measurement accuracy is improved, but measurement reliability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveglucose measurement accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing electrical parameters (impedance, capacitance, resistance) of the sensor electrode as alternative characteristics to predict glucose measurement accuracy. By measuring these electrical properties during manufacturing and using them to determine calibration parameters, the system achieves both accurate and reliable measurements without the variability introduced by in vivo calibration procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If traditional configuration methods using in vivo measurements are used, then glucose sensor can be calibrated, but the process is time-consuming and less accurate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor calibrationVSAvoidcalibration accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies mechanics substitution by replacing the mechanical/biological in vivo calibration process with an electrical measurement system. Electrical parameters of the sensor electrode are measured during manufacturing, and these electrical characteristics are used to determine calibration parameters through computational algorithms, eliminating the need for time-consuming and less accurate in vivo calibration procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enhances sensor accuracy and longevity by using in vitro calibration techniques that account for manufacturing variances, reducing the reliance on in vivo methods.

Implementation Method 1

The electrical current (iSig) flowing through the sensing (e.g., working) electrode of a glucose sensor is indicative of the glucose level in the patient's interstitial fluid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrochemical reaction:

Data Source

PatentEP4111965B1Glucose sensor identification using electrical parameters
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 MEDTRONIC MINIMED INC
  • EP4111965B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4111965B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4111965B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An example method for calibrating a glucose sensor includes determining, by one or more processors, a set of electrical parameters for the glucose sensor of a plurality of glucose sensors and determining, by the one or more processors, a cluster for the glucose sensor based on the set of electrical parameters. Each cluster of the plurality of clusters identifies respective configuration information. In this example, the method includes configuring, by the one or more processors, the glucose sensor to determine a glucose level of a patient based on configuration information identified by the determined cluster.