Hygroscopic Display Biosensor Moisture Protection

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing glucose meters for diabetics face issues with the protection of disposable biosensors from air moisture, leading to degradation, and require separate desiccants that increase production costs and environmental waste, while also being bulky and inconvenient for occasional users.

Innovation Solution

A device with a common, vapor non-permeable enclosure that integrates the display and biosensors, where the display acts as a desiccant, eliminating the need for a separate desiccant and reducing waste and size, using an electrochromic display with a hygroscopic electrolyte to protect biosensors from moisture.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate desiccant is added to protect disposable biosensors from air moisture, then the biosensors are protected from degradation, but the production costs increase and the device becomes bulkier

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebiosensor protection from moistureVSAvoiddevice size and component count

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The display and desiccant functions are merged into a single component. The display contains hygroscopic material that absorbs moisture, eliminating the need for a separate desiccant component while maintaining biosensor protection and reducing device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The display serves dual functions: displaying test results and acting as a desiccant to protect biosensors from moisture. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components needed while maintaining both display capability and moisture protection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a separate desiccant is added to protect disposable biosensors from air moisture, then the biosensors are protected from degradation, but the production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebiosensor protection from moistureVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The display and desiccant functions are merged into a single component. The display contains hygroscopic material that absorbs moisture, eliminating the need for a separate desiccant component while maintaining biosensor protection and reducing device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The display serves dual functions: displaying test results and acting as a desiccant to protect biosensors from moisture. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components needed while maintaining both display capability and moisture protection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If disposable biosensors are stored in an open factory container for irregular use, then user convenience is improved, but the biosensors degrade due to air moisture binding

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser convenience for irregular useVSAvoidbiosensor quality retention

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The display automatically absorbs moisture from the container environment without requiring user intervention. The hygroscopic material in the display continuously protects biosensors from moisture while the container remains accessible for irregular use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

The solution effectively preserves biosensor quality by protecting against air moisture, reduces device size and waste, lowers production costs, and maintains user convenience by integrating the display and biosensors in a compact, hygienic design.

Implementation Method 1

the display is hygroscopic... the display acts as a desiccant, eliminating the need for a separate desiccant... effectively preserves biosensor quality by protecting against air moisture

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHygroscopic absorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

using an electrochromic display with a hygroscopic electrolyte

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochromism: Electrochromism

Data Source

PatentUS12163178B2Device for random blood sugar testing and the method of its use

Publication Date: 2024.12.10 XGLU LABS AS

AI summary

The device is composed of at least one disposable biosensor (2) for applying a blood sample, as well as evaluation electronics (1) for retrieving and processing information from the disposable biosensor (2) with the applied blood sample, as well as a display (7) for displaying information from the evaluation electronics (1). Disposable biosensors (2) and a display (7) are arranged in a common vapour non-permeable closable space, wherein the display (7) is hygroscopic to bind air moisture which would otherwise be bound by disposable biosensors (2). The display (7), evaluation electronics (1) and disposable biosensors (2) can be arranged on a common support substrate (4), wherein the support substrate (4) is provided with a removable and/or openable vapour non-permeable container. Disposable biosensors (2) can be detachable from the support substrate (4).