Insulin Pump Control Using Dynamic Insulin Sensitivity Estimation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing insulin treatment regimes for diabetic patients do not account for the dynamic and time-varying nature of insulin sensitivity, which varies due to factors like circadian rhythm, physical activity, dietary habits, and illness, leading to inadequate treatment plans.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilizes continuous glucose monitoring and insulin delivery data to quantify insulin sensitivity over time, incorporating algorithms like Kalman filtering to determine patient-specific insulin sensitivity, which is then used to adjust treatment plans dynamically.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional insulin sensitivity measurement techniques (hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp, VGTT, OGTT) are used, then measurement accuracy is improved, but patient convenience and treatment continuity deteriorate due to invasive procedures and disruption of daily insulin treatment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsulin sensitivity measurement accuracyVSAvoidpatient convenience and treatment continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables patients to continuously monitor their own insulin sensitivity using their existing insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor (CGM). The algorithm automatically processes the data from these devices to estimate insulin sensitivity without requiring patient intervention for invasive procedures, making the measurement process self-service and convenient while maintaining accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/invasive measurement systems (hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp with intravenous lines, venipunctures) with a computational approach using data from insulin pump and CGM. The mechanical intrusion is substituted by algorithmic processing of routinely collected glucose and insulin delivery data

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If traditional one-time insulin sensitivity measurement is performed, then measurement simplicity is improved, but the ability to capture dynamic changes in insulin sensitivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement procedure simplicityVSAvoidcapability to capture dynamic insulin sensitivity changes

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously estimates insulin sensitivity over time using ongoing data from the insulin pump and CGM, rather than performing a single one-time measurement. This continuous action captures the dynamic nature of insulin sensitivity changes while the algorithm processes data in the background without adding procedural complexity for the patient

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a dynamic model that allows insulin sensitivity to vary over time rather than assuming it is a fixed parameter. The algorithm processes sequential data points to generate time-varying insulin sensitivity estimates, enabling the system to adapt to changing physiological conditions while maintaining computational efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If fixed insulin dosing regimens are used, then treatment simplicity is improved, but effectiveness in responding to varying insulin sensitivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment regime simplicityVSAvoidglucose control effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback from continuous glucose monitoring data to dynamically adjust insulin dosing recommendations. The algorithm continuously compares actual glucose levels with expected levels based on insulin sensitivity estimates, and adjusts future dosing recommendations accordingly, maintaining both simplicity for the patient and effectiveness in glucose control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the key parameter of insulin sensitivity from a fixed value to a time-varying parameter that is continuously updated based on observed glucose responses. This allows the treatment regime to adapt to changing physiological conditions while the insulin pump continues to deliver insulin based on updated sensitivity parameters, maintaining simplicity in delivery but improving effectiveness through parameter adaptation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12623019B2System, method, and computer readable medium for dynamic insulin sensitivity in diabetic pump users

Publication Date: 2026.05.12 UNIV OF VIRGINIA PATENT FOUND

AI summary

A technique for treating diabetes that recognizes patient insulin sensitivity is a time-varying physiological parameter. The described techniques for treating diabetes include measuring interstitial fluid glucose concentration, reading insulin delivery data, determining patient insulin sensitivity based on the interstitial fluid glucose concentration and insulin delivery data, and a time-varying physiological parameter, and dispensing an insulin dose from an insulin delivery device based on the determined patient insulin sensitivity.