Insulin Pump Controller for Dynamic Glucose Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional insulin therapy for diabetes, including injections and pumps, often results in large variations in insulin levels and requires complex management, making it inconvenient and difficult for users to maintain optimal blood glucose control, with risks of both high and low blood sugar levels.

Innovation Solution

An insulin pump system that includes a controller to compare patient use parameters with guideline parameters, calculate a score for efficacy, and provide advice on improving insulin delivery, along with features to adjust meal-related insulin delivery and basal rates based on user input and blood glucose data, aiming to mimic natural insulin production and reduce user burden.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional insulin therapy with one or two injections a day is used, then the treatment is simple and convenient, but large variations in insulin levels occur leading to poor blood glucose control

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvenience of insulin therapyVSAvoidblood glucose control stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic insulin delivery by using an insulin pump that continuously adjusts basal insulin rates and bolus doses based on real-time blood glucose readings and user activity levels, replacing static injection schedules with adaptive, continuously variable insulin delivery to maintain stable blood glucose control while simplifying user interaction through automated adjustments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If multiple daily injections (MDI) are used to improve blood glucose control, then insulin level variations are reduced, but the complexity of tracking doses, carbohydrates, and blood glucose levels increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblood glucose control stabilityVSAvoidcomplexity of therapy management

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service functionality where the insulin pump automatically monitors blood glucose levels, tracks carbohydrate intake, calculates appropriate insulin doses, and delivers therapy without requiring manual tracking by the user. The system autonomously manages therapy parameters based on sensor data and pre-programmed algorithms, eliminating the burden of manual dose and carbohydrate tracking while maintaining reliable blood glucose control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates continuous feedback loops where blood glucose sensors provide real-time measurements to the pump controller, which automatically adjusts insulin delivery based on detected glucose levels. This closed-loop system continuously monitors and responds to physiological changes, reducing the need for manual intervention and complex user tracking while maintaining stable blood glucose control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If insulin pumps are used to improve convenience and flexibility, then user burden is reduced, but the devices become sophisticated and difficult to program

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvenience of insulin deliveryVSAvoidprogramming complexity of pump

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs parameter changes by allowing the pump to automatically adjust insulin delivery parameters (basal rates, bolus amounts, timing) based on detected blood glucose levels and user profiles. The system dynamically modifies therapy parameters without requiring user re-programming, adapting to individual physiological responses and lifestyle changes while maintaining user-friendly operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of manufacture

If fixed insulin delivery schedules are used, then the therapy is simple to implement, but it cannot adapt to changes in user schedule or lifestyle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of therapy implementationVSAvoidadaptability to schedule changes

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs preliminary action by pre-programming the pump with user profiles, carbohydrate ratios, and insulin sensitivity factors that enable automatic dose calculation and delivery. The system is pre-configured with algorithms that anticipate insulin needs based on meal timing and type, allowing adaptive response to schedule changes without requiring complex real-time programming or manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20230352139A1Shifting insulin therapy parameters in time

Publication Date: 2023.11.02 TANDEM DIABETES CARE INC

AI summary

An apparatus comprising a pump, an input configured to receive information related to a user, a user interface, and a controller communicatively coupled to the pump, the input, and the user interface. The controller includes a timing module configured to initiate delivery of a drug in time and to adjust delivery according to the received information. Other devices, systems, and methods are disclosed.