Infusion System Exercise Adaptation via Dynamic PID Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Infusion pump systems face challenges in dynamically adjusting insulin delivery to account for variations in user sensitivity due to physical activity and other conditions, leading to potential hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia events.

Innovation Solution

The system employs closed-loop control with sensors like heart rate, accelerometers, and lactate sensors to detect and classify exercise intensity, adjusting PID control parameters to optimize insulin delivery, reducing insulin infusion during mild to moderate exercise and increasing it during high-intensity exercise to maintain stable glucose levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If closed-loop control is used to regulate blood glucose level, then glucose control precision is improved, but the system cannot adapt to variations in user insulin response caused by physical activity and other conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveglucose control precisionVSAvoidadaptability to exercise effects
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts PID control parameters (proportional gain, integral gain, derivative gain) based on detected exercise intensity levels. During exercise, the controller modifies these parameters in real-time to account for changes in insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism, enabling the closed-loop control to adapt to varying physiological conditions while maintaining glucose regulation precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes control parameters based on exercise detection. When exercise is detected via sensors (accelerometer, heart rate monitor, lactate sensor), the controller adjusts key parameters including the insulin sensitivity factor, target glucose level, and PID gains. This parameter adaptation allows the system to compensate for exercise-induced changes in glucose dynamics and insulin response.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If fixed PID control parameters are used, then system complexity is reduced, but the system cannot account for variations in insulin response during different activities

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol system complexityVSAvoidresponse to activity variations
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-adjustment by automatically detecting exercise conditions through integrated sensors and autonomously modifying its own control parameters. The controller monitors physiological signals and exercise metrics, then self-corrects the PID parameters and insulin delivery settings without requiring external intervention, enabling adaptive control while keeping the user interface simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements multi-loop feedback where exercise detection sensors provide feedback about user activity levels to the controller. This feedback triggers automatic adjustment of control parameters. Additionally, glucose sensor feedback continues to regulate insulin delivery using the adapted parameters, creating a layered feedback system that handles both exercise adaptation and glucose control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3523808B1Infusion systems and methods for automated mitigation of exercise effects
Publication Date: 2023.11.29 MEDTRONIC MINIMED INC
  • EP3523808B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3523808B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3523808B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Infusion systems, infusion devices, and related operating methods are provided. An exemplary method of operating an infusion device capable of delivering fluid to a user involves a control system associated with the infusion device obtaining a first measurement indicative of a physiological condition of the user from a first sensing arrangement, obtaining one or more measurements from a second sensing arrangement indicative of a second condition of the user. The control system classifies the second condition as corresponding to one of a plurality of intensity levels based at least in part on the one or more measurements, and thereafter operates the infusion device to deliver the fluid to the user based on the first measurement of the physiological condition in a manner that is influenced by the intensity level classification.