Intelligent Therapy Recommendation Algorithm for Insulin Pump Parameter Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current insulin pumps require manual and labor-intensive adjustments of parameters like basal rates, carbohydrate-to-insulin ratios, and insulin sensitivity factors, which are challenging for patients to manage effectively, especially with fluctuating blood glucose levels, often necessitating frequent monitoring and analysis.

Innovation Solution

An algorithm that automatically recommends adjustments to insulin pump parameters based on current blood glucose values and target levels, using continuous glucose monitoring data, to provide intelligent therapy recommendations for basal rates, carbohydrate-to-insulin ratios, and insulin sensitivity factors, ensuring safety parameters are met through threshold comparisons and moving standard deviation analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual adjustments of insulin pump parameters are used, then patients can control their therapy, but the process becomes labor-intensive and difficult to manage effectively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of parameter adjustmentVSAvoidcomplexity of parameter management

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically analyzing glucose data and generating parameter adjustment recommendations without requiring manual patient intervention. The algorithm processes glucose measurements, identifies patterns, and suggests parameter changes autonomously, freeing patients from labor-intensive manual adjustments while maintaining therapeutic control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring glucose levels and using this information to generate parameter adjustment recommendations. The algorithm analyzes the feedback from glucose measurements and adjusts pump parameters accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that responds to actual physiological conditions rather than relying on manual patient assessment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If frequent monitoring and analysis are performed to manage fluctuating blood glucose levels, then glucose control improves, but the time and effort required increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveglucose control effectivenessVSAvoidtime for monitoring and analysis

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system maintains continuous useful action by constantly analyzing glucose data and generating parameter recommendations without interruption. Rather than requiring periodic manual review, the algorithm continuously processes glucose measurements and maintains up-to-date parameter suggestions, ensuring reliable glucose control while eliminating the time loss associated with frequent manual monitoring intervals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces the mechanical process of manual monitoring and analysis with an automated computational algorithm. The algorithm substitutes human effort in analyzing glucose patterns and determining parameter adjustments, maintaining high reliability of glucose control while eliminating the time burden of manual analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If an automated algorithm recommends parameter adjustments, then the ease of operation improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomation of parameter updatesVSAvoidcomplexity of algorithm implementation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The algorithm serves as an intermediary between glucose monitoring and parameter adjustment. Rather than directly complexifying the pump hardware, the algorithm acts as a software mediator that processes glucose data and translates it into parameter recommendations, simplifying the user interface while containing complexity in the computational layer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The algorithm provides multi-functionality by handling multiple tasks: analyzing glucose data, identifying patterns, generating parameter recommendations, and ensuring safety constraints. This universal approach consolidates multiple functions into a single computational module, improving ease of operation while managing complexity through functional integration rather than proliferation of separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9795738B2Intelligent therapy recommendation algorithim and method of using the same

Publication Date: 2017.10.24 MEDTRONIC MINIMED INC

AI summary

An algorithm and method of making intelligent therapy recommendations for insulin pump parameters is described. The pump parameters include basal rates, carbohydrate-to-insulin ratios (CIR), and insulin sensitivity factors (ISF). A determination of whether a therapy recommendation should be made is based on comparing an updated recommended change with a threshold. The updated recommended change to the pump parameter is made based on a previous recommended change to the pump parameter and the difference between a current blood glucose value and a targeted blood glucose level. The algorithm and method confirms the therapy recommendation is within safety parameters before displaying the therapy recommendation.