Ambulatory Infusion Device Bolus Delay Module

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ambulatory insulin infusion systems face challenges in providing discreet and convenient operation, particularly during mealtime, as current systems require immediate blood glucose measurement and programming of insulin bolus, which can be inconvenient and draw attention in public settings.

Innovation Solution

The system allows for pre-meal data collection and bolus determination, with a delay module that triggers insulin administration at a therapeutically significant time, enabling users to perform operational steps at a convenient time and location before the meal, improving discretion and comfort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If immediate blood glucose measurement and bolus programming is required, then insulin administration timing accuracy is improved, but user convenience and discretion are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsulin administration timing accuracyVSAvoiduser convenience and discretion
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system allows users to perform blood glucose measurement, meal carbohydrate entry, and bolus programming in advance before the actual meal time. The delay module then holds the programmed bolus until the appropriate time for administration, enabling all operational steps to be completed discreetly before eating while ensuring timely insulin delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If bolus is administered immediately after data collection, then therapeutic effectiveness is improved, but user discretion and privacy are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetherapeutic effectivenessVSAvoiduser discretion and privacy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Users can complete all necessary data collection and bolus programming steps before the meal in a private setting. The delay module then ensures the bolus is administered at the therapeutically appropriate time, maintaining both user discretion and therapeutic effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The delay module acts as an intermediary between the data collection/bolus programming phase and the actual insulin administration. It receives the programmed bolus parameters, holds them until the appropriate time, and then triggers administration, thereby mediating between user convenience and therapeutic timing requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If all operational steps are performed at the time of meal, then treatment accuracy is improved, but device accessibility and user comfort are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment accuracyVSAvoiddevice accessibility and user comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables users to perform blood glucose measurement, meal data entry, and bolus programming in advance when in a comfortable, private setting. The delay module ensures these pre-programmed actions are executed at the correct time, maintaining treatment accuracy while improving device accessibility and user comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2338552B1Ambulatory infusion device with bolus administration delay
Publication Date: 2017.07.19 ROCHE DIABETES CARE GMBH
  • EP2338552B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2338552B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2338552B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed are ambulatory insulin infusion systems, including: a) an administration module (2.5, 2.8) for subcutaneous insulin administration, the administration module (2.5, 2.8) being designed to subcutaneously administer insulin according to a basal profile continuously and additional a bolus on demand, the bolus having a bolus amount, b) a data collection module (1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.6, 1.7) for collecting data relevant for the bolus amount, the data collection module (1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.6, 1.7) being operatively coupled to the administration module (2.5, 2.8), In accordance with the invention, the system further includes a delay module (2.7), the delay module (2.7) being designed to trigger a start of the bolus administration a therapeutically significant delay interval after the collection of the data.