Subcutaneous Glucose Sensor Recorder System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for monitoring bodily characteristics, such as blood glucose levels, are invasive, painful, and require sophisticated hardware for continuous data recording, limiting their practicality and accuracy, especially for patients who need long-term monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A monitor system with a subcutaneous implantable analyte sensor that records glucose levels continuously, using a recorder and dock system to store and analyze data, allowing for non-invasive, user-friendly, and accurate monitoring without the need for complex hardware or user training.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional finger prick methods are used to measure blood glucose, then discrete point measurements can be obtained, but the process is painful and causes cumulative discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical lancet system with an electrochemical sensor system. Instead of using a physical needle to puncture skin and collect blood, the invention uses an implantable electrochemical sensor that continuously measures glucose levels through electrochemical reactions, eliminating the mechanical intrusion and associated pain while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary implantable sensor device that acts as a mediator between the body's glucose and the measurement system. This sensor continuously interfaces with the bloodstream internally, translating glucose levels into electrical signals without requiring external blood sampling, thus eliminating the harmful mechanical puncture while enabling continuous monitoring.
2Duration of action of moving object
If sophisticated hardware is used for continuous monitoring with real-time feedback, then continuous data recording is achieved, but the system complexity increases and requires user training
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the monitoring system into distinct functional segments: an implantable sensor module for data collection, a separate recorder for data storage, and an optional external interface for data retrieval. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing the complexity burden on any single device while enabling continuous monitoring functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The implantable sensor and recorder system operates autonomously without requiring user intervention for calibration or operation. The sensor self-calibrates using internal reference mechanisms, the recorder automatically logs data with timestamping, and the system requires no user training to maintain, thereby achieving continuous monitoring with minimal complexity from the user perspective.
3Ease of operation
If discrete point measurements are taken, then simple testing procedures are used, but continuous variations in characteristics between testing times are not captured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous glucose monitoring by having the implantable sensor continuously sample glucose levels throughout the monitoring period rather than taking discrete snapshots. The sensor continuously converts glucose concentration into electrical signals that are recorded over time, capturing the full temporal profile of glucose variations without requiring repeated manual testing procedures.
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
Enables continuous, accurate monitoring of bodily characteristics like glucose levels without discomfort or complex user interaction, providing reliable data for medical management and diagnosis.
Implementation Method 1
A sensor set to be implanted in a user to produce a signal indicative of a glucose characteristic measured in the user
Data Source
AI summary
A monitor system is disclosed. The monitor system includes a sensor with a sensor port. The monitor system further includes a recorder with a recorder port within a recording housing. The recorder port interfaces with the sensor port to receive signals from the sensor port. A recorder clock is defined within the recorder housing, with a recorder processor to store signals from the sensor. The recorder includes a data port to interface with a dock receiver. The monitor system includes a dock remotely located from the sensor and the recorder. The dock receiver couples the recorder to the dock. The monitor system further includes a data processor to analyze the sensor signals from the recorder. The data processor includes memory and a clock. Further included with the data processor are program instructions to assign the time and date of the sensor signals.