Transcutaneous Glucose Sensor With Self-Calibration and Wireless Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Individuals with diabetes often fail to monitor their glucose levels frequently due to convenience, pain, and cost, which hinders effective glycemic control.

Innovation Solution

Development of in vivo analyte monitoring devices with on-body electronics that provide continuous or periodic glucose level monitoring, automatically or semi-automatically, with self-powered sensors and wireless communication, allowing for discreet and convenient glucose level tracking without the need for manual calibration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual glucose monitoring is performed, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but user convenience and frequency of monitoring deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvenience of glucose monitoringVSAvoidfrequency of glucose monitoring

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor system performs self-calibration using endogenous calibration materials in the interstitial fluid, eliminating the need for manual calibration operations by the user. The system automatically maintains measurement accuracy without requiring user intervention for calibration procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical glucose testing with an implantable sensor system that continuously monitors glucose levels through interstitial fluid analysis. The electronic processing system automatically analyzes sensor signals and communicates glucose readings, eliminating the need for manual blood sampling and testing procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If continuous monitoring is implemented, then glycemic control improves, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveglycemic controlVSAvoidcomplexity of monitoring system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The monitoring system is divided into separate functional modules: an implantable sensor assembly for glucose detection, a separate receiver for data processing, and a communication interface. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while working together to provide continuous monitoring, improving reliability without requiring a single complex monolithic device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor system is designed to monitor multiple analytes including glucose, lactate, and ketones using the same interstitial fluid sampling mechanism. The electronic processing system can analyze different sensor signals and provide multiple types of physiological information, making the system multi-functional and reducing overall system complexity compared to having separate dedicated devices for each analyte.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If transcutaneous positioning is used, then in vivo monitoring is achieved, but pain and discomfort increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvein vivo analyte monitoringVSAvoidpain associated with glucose testing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts glucose measurement function from the blood compartment and performs it in the interstitial fluid compartment. By measuring glucose in the interstitial fluid rather than requiring direct blood sampling, the system achieves in vivo monitoring while eliminating the pain and discomfort associated with needle sticks and repeated blood draws.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The interstitial fluid serves as an intermediary medium that reflects blood glucose levels without requiring direct access to the blood compartment. The sensor measures glucose concentration in this intermediary fluid, providing a reliable proxy for blood glucose monitoring while avoiding the harmful effects of direct blood sampling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 frequent and discreet glucose monitoring, improving glycemic control by providing continuous, automatic, and cost-effective glucose level tracking with reduced pain and inconvenience.

Implementation Method 1

an analyte sensor positioned transcutaneously in a user's body to monitor an analyte, such as glucose, in interstitial fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochemical reaction: Redox Reactions

Data Source

PatentUS12482558B2Medical devices and methods

Publication Date: 2025.11.25 ABBOTT DIABETES CARE INC

AI summary

Methods and devices to monitor an analyte in body fluid are provided. Embodiments include continuous or discrete acquisition of analyte related data from a transcutaneously positioned in vivo analyte sensor automatically or upon request from a user.