Glucose Sensor Temperature Compensation for Accurate Readings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing analyte sensors, particularly glucose sensors, are affected by temperature variations, leading to inaccurate glucose concentration readings which can result in improper insulin delivery and potential health complications for diabetes patients.

Innovation Solution

Systems and methods to determine temperature-compensated glucose concentration levels by incorporating temperature sensors and processors to adjust for temperature changes, using delay parameters, exercise detection, and environmental conditions to improve accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If temperature sensors and compensation algorithms are added to glucose sensors, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveglucose concentration reading accuracyVSAvoidsensor system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines a temperature sensor with a glucose sensor into an integrated analyte sensor system. The temperature sensor is positioned within the same housing as the glucose sensor, allowing simultaneous measurement of both temperature and glucose concentration. This merging enables temperature compensation to be performed at the sensor level, improving measurement precision while managing device complexity through integration rather than separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements temperature compensation using feedback from the temperature sensor. The processor receives temperature signals and uses them to adjust glucose concentration measurements in real-time. The system continuously monitors temperature and applies compensation algorithms to maintain accurate glucose readings despite temperature variations, thereby improving measurement precision through active feedback control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If multiple sensors and processing algorithms are implemented, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveglucose measurement reliabilityVSAvoidsensor system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback from the temperature sensor to continuously adjust glucose measurements. The processor receives temperature signals and applies compensation algorithms to maintain reliable glucose readings under varying temperature conditions. This feedback mechanism improves reliability by actively correcting for temperature-induced measurement errors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters of the glucose sensor based on temperature conditions. The processor adjusts measurement parameters such as sensitivity and offset values according to the temperature sensor readings. By dynamically changing these parameters, the system maintains reliable glucose measurements across different temperature ranges without requiring multiple physical sensors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If temperature compensation is applied to glucose readings, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveglucose concentration accuracyVSAvoidprocessing delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary temperature measurement and compensation calculation in parallel with the glucose measurement process. The temperature sensor continuously monitors environmental conditions, and the processor pre-calculates compensation factors based on temperature readings. This preliminary action allows the compensation to be applied quickly when glucose measurements are taken, minimizing processing delay while maintaining high measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical or chemical temperature compensation methods with electronic signal processing. Instead of using physical compensation mechanisms that would add complexity and delay, the system uses digital signal processing algorithms to calculate and apply temperature corrections to glucose measurements. This substitution maintains measurement precision while minimizing time loss through efficient computational methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20260083359A1Systems, devices, and methods to compensate for temperature effects on sensors

Publication Date: 2026.03.26 DEXCOM INC

AI summary

Various examples are directed to systems and methods for generating an estimated analyte value. An analyte sensor system may access a first sensor signal from an in vivo analyte sensor and a first temperature signal from the ex vivo temperature sensor. The analyte sensor system may generate a first analyte sensor temperature based at least in part on the first temperature signal and generate a first estimated analyte value based at least in part on the first sensor signal and the first temperature-compensated sensitivity.